CHAPTER 3: The Front Panel
11
All models of the RS-232 Data Sharer have similar front panels. The only
difference is the number of RTS LEDs and toggle switches (depending on
the model, there are two, four, or eight RTS indicators and a matching
number of switches). This chapter describes each of the front-panel indi-
cators and switches.
3.1 The LEDs
PWR
If this LED is lit, the Sharer is ON. If not, either the Sharer is OFF or it’s not
getting any power.
RTS
These LEDs indicate the status of the RTS signal for each port. There is one
RTS LED for each terminal (“slave”) port. When the Request to Send signal
is raised on any of the terminal ports, the corresponding LED will light up.
Master Port CD, CTS, and RXD
These LEDs indicate when a device attached to the Master Port has asserted
CD (Carrier Detect), CTS (Clear to Send), or RXD (Received Data) signals.
3.2 The RTS Toggle Switches
You can use these switches to enable or disable the Sharer’s detecting an RTS
signal on any of the slave ports. Disabling a port’s RTS detection will prevent
that port’s device from accessing the modem or CPU. This feature is useful if
you want to isolate a slave device, especially if the device is malfunctioning.
•
RTS Enabled
— A slave port’s RTS detection is enabled when the port’s
switch is in the
down
position (the factory-default setting). The port’s RTS
LED will light when the port’s device raises RTS.
•
RTS Disabled
— A slave port’s RTS detection is disabled when the port’s
switch is in the
up
position. The port’s RTS LED will always be off whether
the port’s device raises RTS or not.
3. The Front Panel