FLEXNET – FNER Expandable (Modular) Routing Switches – Installation & Operation Manual
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CHAPTER 2: CONNECTIONS & PROTOCOLS
Note that the maximum control cable length that can exist between FNER modules is 6 feet. Refer to the appendix for proper
control port conections.
2.5 Ethernet Port
The MPC 128 has the ability to communicate over Ethernet. The system has a 10BaseT or 100BaseT Ethernet port
depending on options ordered. The Ethernet port supports a Telnet interface, TCP/IP and SNMP. All commands are sent to
the configured IP address and port. The command protocol for controlling the switch is provided in Appendix D.
2.5.1 Ethernet Connections
For Ethernet connections, connect the MPC 128 to a network port or router via the Ethernet port using a standard cable.
You can also connect directly to the computer’s network port, but this requires a crossover cable. Standard and crossover
Ethernet cable pinouts are provided in Table 2: Ethernet Cable Pinout.
2.5.2 Ethernet Cable Pinout
Crossover Cable
Standard Cable
RJ-45
RJ-45
RJ-45
RJ-45
Pin 1 Tx +
Pin 3 Rx +
Pin 1 Tx +
Pin 1 Rx +
Pin 2 Tx -
Pin 6 Rx -
Pin 2 Tx -
Pin 2 Rx -
Pin 3 Rx +
Pin 1 Tx +
Pin 3 Rx +
Pin 3 Tx +
Pin 6 Rx -
Pin 2 Tx -
Pin 6 Rx -
Pin 6 Tx -
Table 2: Ethernet Cable Pinout
2.6 Ethernet Command Protocol
2.6.1 TCP/IP
The same command protocol is used for control over Ethernet TCP/IP and the serial port. Since the same command formats
are used, the command packet will contain a serial address. This address must match the serial address of the MPC 128 or
the packet will be rejected, even though the address is unnecessary when the command is sent over TCP/IP. To avoid any
problems, commands sent over TCP/IP should use the broadcast address “FF” hexadecimal.
2.6.2 Telnet
A Telnet console window is also provided for configuring and controlling the matrix. A command mode is provided where the
same protocol commands can be issued but no serial address or packet headers are required. See Appendix D for more
information.
2.6.3 SNMP
SNMP or Simple Network Management Protocol is now implemented on all MPC 128s. It is part of the Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) protocol suite. The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is an application layer
protocol that facilitates the exchange of management information between network devices.
SNMP works by sending messages, called protocol data units (PDUs), to different parts of a network. SNMP-compliant
devices, called agents, store data about themselves in Management Information Bases and return this data to the SNMP
requesters.
To use the protocol it has to be turned on from the front keypad first. Refer to
