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SERIAL CONSOLE PORT MANAGER

1. Specifications

Interface —

EIA/TIA RS-232 serial, DTE, pinned according to TIA-574

Protocol —

Asynchronous

Data Format —

ASCII: 7 or 8 data bits; even, odd, or no parity; 1 or 2 stop bits
(user-selectable)

Flow Control —

X-ON/X-OFF, RTS/CTS, both, or none (user-selectable)

Data Rate —

Any standard rate from 300 bps to 115.2 kbps (user-selectable)

Timeout —

No-activity timeout disconnects port: 1, 5, 10, 15, or
30 seconds, or 1, 5, 15, 30, or 90 minutes (user-selectable)

Break Handling —

Accept Break or Refuse Break (user-selectable)

Memory —

512 KB of statically allocated nonvolatile SRAM buffer memory
stores parameters and captured data

User Controls —

(8) DIP switches (“Setup Switches”) determine default
parameters for baud rate, flow control, response-message
format, and command echo

Indicators —

(24) [SW542A] or (48) [SW543A] Front-mounted LEDs:
(1) Power On, (1) Ready, and (1) Data Activity for each
RS-232 port

Connectors —

(8) [SW542A] or (16) [SW543A] Rear-mounted DB9 male

Temperature
Tolerance —

32 to 113°F (0 to 45°C)

Humidity
Tolerance —

10 to 90% noncondensing

Ventilation —

Through side vents; maintain adequate clearance at all times

Power —

Through IEC 320 inlet: 115/230 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 5 watts

Size —

1.75"H (1U) x 17"W x 6.5"D (4.5 x 43.2 x 16.5 cm)

Weight —

8 lb. (3.6 kg)

Summary of Contents for SW542A

Page 2: ...ay 7 days a week Call 724 746 5500 or fax 724 746 0746 Mailing address Black Box Corporation 1000 Park Drive Lawrence PA 15055 1018 Web site www blackbox com E mail info blackbox com DECEMBER 2000 SW542A SW543A Serial Console Port Manager CLEAR ON SET RDY 1 ACTIVITY 8 2 3 4 5 6 7 ACTIVITY Serial Console Port Manager 9 16 10 11 12 13 14 15 ...

Page 3: ...se interference in which case the user at his own expense will be required to take whatever measures may be necessary to correct the interference Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user s authority to operate the equipment This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from digital apparatus set...

Page 4: ...El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como sea recomendado por el fabricante 8 Servicio El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más allá a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación Todo otro servicio deberá ser referido a personal de servicio calificado 9 El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no interfiera su uso La ...

Page 5: ...r una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las lineas de energia 16 El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo no sea usado por un largo periodo de tiempo 17 Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación 18 Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando A El cable de poder o ...

Page 6: ... and Sw3 17 4 1 2 Default Handshake Sw4 and Sw5 17 4 1 3 Default Response Message Format Sw6 18 4 1 4 Default Command Echo Sw7 18 4 2 Initialize Unit to Default Settings 19 4 3 Connecting Devices to the Serial Console Port Manager 19 4 4 Application Example 20 5 Configuration 22 5 1 Access to the Serial Console Port Manager s Command Mode 22 5 2 System Setup Ports 23 5 3 Password Functions 23 5 3 ...

Page 7: ... 2 Passive Mode 44 7 3 Buffer Mode 44 7 3 1 Reading Data from Buffer Mode Ports 45 7 3 2 Port Buffers 45 7 4 Modem Mode 46 8 Saving and Restoring Configuration Parameters 47 8 1 Sending Parameters to a File 47 8 2 Restoring Saved Parameters 48 9 Command Reference Guide 49 9 1 Command Conventions 49 9 2 Command Response 50 9 3 Command Summary 51 9 4 Command Set 52 10 Troubleshooting 58 10 1 Calling...

Page 8: ...ser selectable Memory 512 KB of statically allocated nonvolatile SRAM buffer memory stores parameters and captured data User Controls 8 DIP switches Setup Switches determine default parameters for baud rate flow control response message format and command echo Indicators 24 SW542A or 48 SW543A Front mounted LEDs 1 Power On 1 Ready and 1 Data Activity for each RS 232 port Connectors 8 SW542A or 16 ...

Page 9: ...haking and various other parameters and options EASY SETUP AND OPERATION Configuring the Port Manager is simple A menuing system is used to select communications parameters and enable or disable options The Port Manager can easily adapt to the requirements of almost any data communications application PASSWORD PROTECTED CONNECTION AND COMMAND ACCESS The Serial Console Port Manager is ideal for sit...

Page 10: ... unit 1 75 inches 4 5 cm of vertical rack space MODEM COMMUNICATION The Port Manager can be controlled either from a local PC that communicates with the Port Manager across a cable or remotely through an external modem A communications program such as ProComm is used to send commands to connect ports or display status CONFIGURATION BACKUP Once you have configured the Serial Console Port Manager to...

Page 11: ...Setup Switches To initialize press and hold both the SET and CLEAR buttons release only the CLEAR button and then release the SET button NOTE During initialization three things will happen a All port LEDs will flash ON for approximately half a second b all command selected parameters will be cleared and c the Serial Console Port Manager will revert to the default parameters specified by the Setup ...

Page 12: ... modem cable Ports 1 and 2 are used for communication during set up and configuration When the Port Manager is initialized to defaults Ports 1 and 2 are the only ports with access to All Administrator commands Access to Administrator commands can t be disabled at Ports 1 and 2 so be careful what you connect to them Setup Switches A bank of eight DIP switches that you ll use to set the default baud...

Page 13: ...mpleting the overview and installing the Port Manager refer to Chapter 5 for instructions on selecting faster communication speeds and other parameters 9600 Baud RTS CTS Handshaking Full Duplex command echo enabled 8 Bits No Parity 1 Stop Bit Using Other Parameters for this Overview Optional If you d like the Port Manager can match the parameters used by your communications program Refer to Sectio...

Page 14: ...s used for communication during initial setup and configuration or after the unit has been re initialized reset to default parameters NOTE For more information on System Setup Port capabilities refer to Section 5 2 3 4 Connecting Your PC to the Serial Console Port Manager The Serial Console Port Manager can be controlled either a by a local PC that communicates across a cable or b through an exter...

Page 15: ...indicating that you have successfully accessed the Command Mode If the APS prompt is not displayed this may indicate a communication problem Check the following a Cable Connection Check the cable connection between the Port Manager and the PC Make certain the cable connectors are firmly seated b Communication Parameters Make certain the Port Manager and your communications program are using the sa...

Page 16: ... Connection Your resident port for example Port 1 issues a C command to create a connection between two other ports i To connect Port 2 to Port 3 type C 2 3 and press Enter ii While Ports 2 and 3 are connected Port 1 will still recognize the Port Manager commands Type S and press Enter to display the Port Status screen The STATUS column should now list Ports 2 and 3 as connected and Port 1 as Free...

Page 17: ... column should now list Ports 2 and 3 as Free 7 Define the Site ID Message which is a text string that indicates the name or location of the Port Manager The Site ID can t include double quotes a Type F and press Enter When the System Parameters menu appears type 1 the number one and press Enter A prompt will appear Key in the desired text up to 32 characters and press Enter b To display the Site ...

Page 18: ...ribed in this chapter The Setup Switches should be configured to match the parameters your control device will use when communicating with the Serial Console Port Manager This allows access to command functions even if the Port Manager is initialized to default parameters NOTES On the 8 port Port Manager the Setup Switches are OFF when UP and ON when DOWN On the 16 port Port Manager please refer t...

Page 19: ...ferent operating baud rate for each port Switch 1 2 3 Default Baud Rate ON ON ON 9600 factory setting OFF ON ON 300 ON OFF ON 1200 OFF OFF ON 2400 ON ON OFF 19 2K OFF ON OFF 38 4K ON OFF OFF 57 6K OFF OFF OFF 115 2K 4 1 2 DEFAULT HANDSHAKE SW4 AND SW5 The default handshake format must match the format your control device will use when communicating with the Port Manager Setup Switches 4 and 5 can ...

Page 20: ...age format for each port Switch 6 Default Response Message Type ON Verbose English text factory setting OFF Terse abbreviated numeric 4 1 4 DEFAULT COMMAND ECHO SW7 Setup Switch 7 enables or disables command echo full duplex When echo is enabled characters sent to the Serial Console Port Manager will be echoed back to the control device The P command can also be used to enable or disable command e...

Page 21: ...rt Manager 1 Access the Command Mode 2 Determine which port will be used for connection to the new device for example Port 3 3 Clear Buffer Type S and press Enter to display the Port Status screen Check the Buffer Count column which lists the amount of data stored in the buffer for each port If your desired port s buffer contains any stored data clear it by typing E xx where xx is the name or numb...

Page 22: ...vel commands and is able to connect to any port change configuration or display unit status Port 2 Modem Port An external modem has been installed on Port 2 This port has also been configured for Modem Mode which allows definition of a modem reset string initialization string and hang up string When a caller contacts the Port Manager using a modem a password prompt will be displayed If the Supervi...

Page 23: ...CATION2 has been assigned to these three ports If the Port Manager is contacted through the Modem Port and this password is entered at login users will only be able to review status of permitted ports and connect to the devices attached to Ports 12 14 and 16 Note that in this example Ports 3 through 16 could be a mixture of user ports connected to external modems and ports connected to devices suc...

Page 24: ...e from a local PC connected to the Port Manager with a cable press Enter i In order for Enter to be recognized as a wake up command it must be pressed without any characters preceding it If you have already hit other keys press Enter twice ii If the Supervisor Password has been defined the password prompt will be displayed Key in your Supervisor or Port Password and press Enter The APS prompt will...

Page 25: ...nfiguration parameters 5 3 1 THE SUPERVISOR PASSWORD The Supervisor Password allows access to higher level Port Manager configuration commands with which administrators can select communication parameters assign port access rights and perform other system management tasks When the Supervisor Password is defined through the System Parameters menu the Port Manager will display a password prompt when...

Page 26: ... configuration of the RS 232 ports to which they have been granted access Port Passwords do not grant access to Port Manager configuration commands The configuration menus P allow a Port Password to be assigned to each RS 232 port In order to allow a Port Password to grant access to a group of Port Manager ports the same Port Password is assigned to each port in the group For example if the Port P...

Page 27: ...ilable in Supervisor Mode 1 Access the Command Mode Type F and press Enter to display the System Parameters Menu 2 Site ID Message up to 32 characters long undefined by default Type 1 one and press Enter a prompt will appear Key in the desired text and press Enter The Site ID will be listed on the Port Status and Port Diagnostic screens 3 Supervisor Password up to 16 characters long undefined by d...

Page 28: ...er When defining the Port Name do not use the forward slash character double quotes the asterisk character or blank spaces Port Names cannot begin with a number Refer to the instructions in each screen for additional functions available under that screen To exit a menu or prompt without changing its current value press Esc Passwords and port names are case sensitive When defining passwords and por...

Page 29: ... to Any or Modem Mode port and invoking the C command see Section 7 1 1 The Passive Mode is not available to Ports 1 or 2 Buffer Mode Allows collection and storage of data received from connected devices Collected data can be retrieved by accessing Command Mode from a free Any to Any or Modem Mode Port then issuing the Connect C command Note that the Buffer Mode also allows pass through communicat...

Page 30: ...ameters 1 Access the Command Mode If the password prompt is displayed key in your Supervisor Password 2 Type P followed by the number of the port to be configured and press Enter For example to configure Port 2 type P 2 and press Enter The Port Configuration menu will appear as shown in Figure 5 1 a If the P Command is entered without the port number in other words if you type P and press Enter th...

Page 31: ... 2 kbps The default value is the baud rate selected with Setup Switches 1 through 3 see Section 4 1 1 4 Bits Parity Sets data bits and parity for this port The default value is 8 data bits no parity 5 Stop Bits Sets stop bits for this port The default value is 1 stop bit 6 Handshake Mode Selects the handshake format for this port Can be set to X ON X OFF software RTS CTS hardware the default value...

Page 32: ... the attached modem Although the Port Manager will pulse the DTR line in order to hang up an attached modem the Hang Up String is often useful for controlling modems that do not use the DTR line The Hang Up String is undefined by default NOTE When you re communicating with the Serial Console Port Manager through a modem communication parameters will not be changed until you exit from Command Mode ...

Page 33: ... can also be a control character such as X Ctrl X 10 Sequence Disconnect Enables disables and configures the Resident Disconnect command This prompt offers the option to either disable the Sequence Disconnect select a Three Character format for it the default value or select a One Character format for it Things to keep in mind When a Resident Connection is initiated the Serial Console Port Manager...

Page 34: ...ed both ports will also exit from Command Mode 12 Response Type Selects the type of messages that this port will send in response to commands The user can select Verbose English text the default value Terse numeric abbreviated or Quiet Mode no response 13 Command Echo Enables or disables command echo for this port Command echo enabled which is equivalent to full duplex transmission is the default ...

Page 35: ...Port Password This field will read either undefined or defined depending on whether or not the Port Password has been specified The CP command cannot be used to set Ports 1 and 2 to Passive Mode or Buffer Mode Port Mode Item 7 The CP command cannot be used to disable the Supervisor Mode at Ports 1 and 2 Supervisor Mode Item 8 Figure 5 3 The Copy Port Parameters menu COPY PORT PARAMETERS 1 Port Nam...

Page 36: ...h the Port Password is not displayed the selected password will be copied if the field for this item reads defined 4 Clear Menu After defining several parameters if you wish to clear the CP menu and start again type dash and press Enter The menu will be reset 5 Copy Parameters When you have finished selecting parameters press Esc to copy the selected parameters to all of the Port Manager s RS 232 ...

Page 37: ...hat was entered at login When the Supervisor Mode is active the Port Status screen offers the option to either display or suppress Port Passwords Normally when the S command is invoked the Password column will read either defined or undefined depending on whether or not the password for each port has been specified To display the Port Status screen with Port Passwords included type SP and then pre...

Page 38: ...mand Mode and type SD Enter The screen will appear as shown in Figure 6 2 Like the Port Status screen the Port Diagnostics screen is available to both Super visors and Users will contain slightly different information depending on whether the Command Mode was accessed with the Supervisor Password or a Port Password Figure 6 2 The Port Diagnostics screen PORT DIAGNOSTICS Version 1 02 Site ID undefi...

Page 39: ...ned name Status The port s connect status When a port is connected this column will list the number of the port it s connected to If this column contains an asterisk the port has accessed the Command Mode Baud The port s user selected baud rate COM The port s user selected data bits parity and stop bits For example 8N1 indicates eight data bits no parity and one stop bit HS The port s user selecte...

Page 40: ...g upon whether or not the port s password has been specified To display the Port Parameters screen with the Port Password type WP followed by the desired port number then press Enter The WP command option is not available in User Mode The W command uses the format W P xx Enter where P is the command option to display port passwords and xx is the desired port number When the P option is included fo...

Page 41: ...e need to select common parameters for all connected devices 7 1 1 1 Using ASCII Commands to Connect Ports Two different types of connections can be made between Serial Console Port Manager ports Resident Connections and Third Party Connections Resident Connections Your resident port issues a C command to connect to a second port For example Port 4 issues the C command to connect to Port 5 Third P...

Page 42: ...Supervisor Mode only To connect any two ports other than your resident port type C xx yy and press Enter where xx and yy are two port names or numbers For example to connect Port 5 to Port 6 from a port in Supervisor Mode type C 5 6 and press Enter Or to connect a port named SALES to a port named MODEM from a port in Supervisor Mode type C SALES MODEM and press Enter Actually when the C command sp...

Page 43: ...4 a Resident Disconnect would be used to disassociate the two ports The Serial Console Port Manager offers two different Resident Disconnect command formats the Three Character Format and the One Character Format see Section 5 5 3 a Three Characters default Takes the form Enter LLL Enter where L is the selected Logoff Character The Default Resident Disconnect Sequence is Enter Enter b One Characte...

Page 44: ...nter or D 3 Enter or D 4 Enter 3 No Activity Timeout Providing that the Timeout Disconnect feature is enabled at either connected port the No Activity Timeout can disconnect Resident or Third Party Connections a To configure the Timeout Feature invoke the P command to display the Port Configuration menu for the desired port as described in Section 5 5 3 Option 11 enables and defines the Timeout Fe...

Page 45: ...d using the port name to specify the desired group For example type C SERVER and press Enter 6 Your port will be connected to the first available port in the group If all ports are presently connected the Serial Console Port Manager will respond with a BUSY message 7 It is only necessary to enter enough letters of the port name to differentiate the Hunt Group ports from other ports Type an asteris...

Page 46: ... Mode Port and invoking the Third Party Connect or Resident Connect Command as described in Section 7 1 1 Passive Mode ports will not buffer data unless it s necessary for baud rate conversion NOTE In order to ensure supervisor access to important command functions the Passive Mode is not available to Ports 1 and 2 the System Setup Ports 7 3 Buffer Mode Ports configured for the Buffer Mode will co...

Page 47: ...nect To connect to the buffer port without sending data press 2 Erase Connect To connect to the buffer port and erase stored data press 3 Buffered data will be erased immediately and will not be sent NOTE All four of these options also allow pass through communication with the device connected to the Buffer Mode port To clear data from the buffer either a use the Erase Connect option or b go to an...

Page 48: ...ons When a call is received the Port Manager will prompt the caller to enter a password The Port Manager allows three attempts to enter a valid password If the correct password is not entered in three attempts or if the user does not respond to the password prompt within 30 seconds the modem will disconnect The password can be defined and enabled by invoking the P command as described in Section 5...

Page 49: ...al Console Port Manager s Command Mode If the password prompt is displayed enter the Supervisor Password 2 When the command prompt appears type U and press Enter The Port Manager will prompt you to configure your terminal emulation program to receive an ASCII download a Set the program to receive an ASCII format download b Specify a name for the file that will receive the saved parameters MANAGER ...

Page 50: ...r parameters If necessary key in the file name and directory path 4 Your terminal emulation program will send the ASCII text file to the Port Manager When the terminal program is finished with the upload make certain to terminate the Upload mode NOTE If the Port Manager detects an error in the parameters file it will respond with the Invalid Parameter message If an error message is received carefu...

Page 51: ... be applied to any other port name that begins with the letter S Suppress Sure Prompt When the D Disconnect Port E Erase Buffer or I Default and Test Unit command is invoked the Y option can be included in the command line to override the Are you Sure y n prompt For example to disconnect Port 8 without displaying the Sure prompt type D Y 8 Enter Enter Key All commands are invoked by pressing Enter...

Page 52: ...se modes the P command can also select the Quiet Mode When the Quiet Mode is selected the port will not send any messages at all in response to commands The table below summarizes the various response messages for both the Terse and Verbose modes Terse Verbose 0 OK 0 RAM Test Passed 1 Connected 2 Busy 3 Disconnected 4 Invalid Command 5 Are You Sure Y N 6 Invalid Parameter 7 Invalid Syntax 8 Invali...

Page 53: ...Y xx yy Enter D Y Enter Erase Buffer E Y xx yy Enter E Y Enter Default and Test I Y Enter Save Parameters U Enter 1Supervisor Mode displays parameters for all ports User Mode only displays parameters for ports allowed by Port Password 2Supervisor Mode only Include the P in the SP or WP command to display ports passwords 3A port with User command capability can only view its own parameters A User P...

Page 54: ... be displayed followed by the APS command prompt ENTER ENTER RESIDENT DISCONNECT SEQUENCE The Resident Disconnect Sequence is issued to disconnect your resident port from another port For example if you are communicating via Port 3 and Port 3 is connected to Port 4 the Resident Disconnect Sequence would be used to disconnect Port 3 from Port 4 Although the default Resident Disconnect Sequence is E...

Page 55: ...ect to ports that share the same Port Password Ports with Supervisor command capability are allowed to connect to all other ports Availability Supervisor User Format C xx yy Enter where xx and yy are the names or numbers of the ports to be connected Response Verbose Connected xx when a Resident Connection is initiated the Port Manager will also display the currently selected Resident Disconnect Se...

Page 56: ...erse 5 followed by 3 if you type Y Example To disconnect Port 2 from Port 3 without the Sure prompt access the Command Mode from a third port with Supervisor command capability and type one of the following commands D Y 2 Enter or D Y 3 Enter E ERASE BUFFER Erases data from the buffer for a specified port or several ports Erased data cannot be recovered Availability Supervisor only Format E Y xx y...

Page 57: ... of each command Availability Supervisor User Format H Enter Response Displays Help screen the User level Help screen does not include information about Supervisor commands I DEFAULT AND TEST Tests internal memory and initializes the Port Manager with the default parameters specified by the Setup Switches CAUTION When the I command is invoked the Serial Console Port Manager will revert to the para...

Page 58: ...er defined or undefined depending on whether or not the password for each port has been specified When the Supervisor Mode is active the SP command offers the option to either display or suppress Port Passwords In User Mode the S command will only display information for the ports that share the same password entered at login For more information on the Port Status screen please refer to Section 6...

Page 59: ...WP option can be used to display the password for the target port For more information please refer to Section 6 3 Availability Supervisor User Format W P xx Enter where P if included in a command sent from a Supervisor port causes the screen to list all defined port passwords and xx is the port number or name if xx is not included parameters for your resident port will be displayed Response Displ...

Page 60: ...urate assistance if you have a complete description including the nature and duration of the problem when the problem occurs the components involved in the problem any particular application that when used appears to create the problem or make it worse and the results of any testing you ve already done 10 2 Shipping and Packaging If you need to transport or ship your Serial Console Port Manager Pa...

Page 61: ...d b If neither port is set for Modem Mode DTR output is held high active 2 When not connected a If the port is set for Modem Mode upon disconnect DTR output is pulsed for 0 5 seconds and then held high b If the port is not set for Modem Mode DTR output is controlled by the DTR Output option Parameters menu Option 74 Upon disconnect Option 74 allows DTR output to be held low held high or pulsed for...

Page 62: ...NOTES ...

Page 63: ...NOTES ...

Page 64: ...NOTES ...

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