ThingMagic Astra-EX, User Manual

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Networking the Reader
M6 and Astra-EX User Guide
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Networking the Reader
You can set up the M6 and Astra-EX Reader to use either manual IP addressing or
DHCP. By default, the Reader has automatic addressing enabled that boots up looking
for a DHCP server. If no DHCP server is found it will use a Link-local address.
DHCP can be used to automatically assign the Reader's IP address, subnet mask, default
gateway, NTP Server, DNS server, and hostname. During the initial boot sequence, if the
Reader does not get a DHCP-assigned IP address, a link-local address will be negotiated
with any connected device(s). However, the Reader will periodically check to see if a
DHCP server is available. See the
Troubleshooting Table for assistance determining the
IP address if using the Automatic Hostname: M6-xxxxxx or Astra-EX-xxxxxx doesn ʼ t
work.
The following section explains how to set up your PC and Reader Using DHCP . This
section also explains how to manually configure the Reader without a DHCP server, how
to setup advanced
Fallback Interface Options (wired and wireless) and how to use the
ZeroConf protocol, Bonjour TM , for subnet Reader Discovery , without a DHCP server.
Setting Up the Network Hardware
Whether you use DHCP or static network addressing, make sure that the network is
connected before powering up the Reader. If the Reader does not automatically get the
address from a DHCP server, then, by default, a link-local address is used.
Before setting up your network:

Connect one end of an Ethernet cable to the Reader and the other end to an
Ethernet switch or hub.

Check that all antennas are securely connected, and then power-up the
Reader.

Connect your PC to the same network as that of the Reader.
Note
Some older 10baseT network hubs do not work properly with the Reader. If you
encounter connectivity problems, we recommend using nothing below 10/100baseT
hubs/switches.