Installation overview 5
Survey of connection types
Direct Ethernet connection:
Use this option for systems with a network interface, and provide the IP address of the system.
The IP address has to be in the form xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (for example: 192.168.1.200).
Some systems requires a TCP port number on which it expects incoming connections. Port 23 (Telnet port) is the most common default value.
Depending on the system, login and password information may be required. Default values will be suggested when available.
Direct RS232 connection:
- ML Gateway has one RS232 interface for connecting to external systems.
Only one system can be connected to the interface at a time, so when configuring ML Gateway, only one system is allowed to be set up on RS232.
A notice will appear if the interface has already been reserved for another system.
(The message
RS232 port in use by MLGW Protocol
appears on the screen).
- Some devices may require hardware flow control. In this case, verify that you are using a fully wired cable. Examples are Lutron HomeWorks
processors and Lutron Radio RA interface.
- Make sure to use high quality cables with proper shielding to avoid interference.
If the distance to cover is excessive, use a lower bit rate, or use an RS232 to Ethernet interface next to the external system. This last recommendation
also applies in case of interference or ground-loop problems.
- For information regarding the RS232 connector pin assignment, please refer to the appendix ->
technical specification.
Using RS232 to Ethernet interfaces:
- For systems with an RS232 interface, it is also possible to use an RS232 to Ethernet interface. This way, the network installation can be used
instead of having to run a long RS232 cable between the system and ML Gateway.
- You should configure the interface for the correct RS232 parameters (bit rate, flow control, etc.).
- Parameters to configure on ML Gateway are the IP address and TCP port number of the interface.
