Operation Manual
FarSounder, Inc.
F31552 (Rev. 2.6.1)
Page 13 of 56
Due to the high bandwidth needs of the FarSounder systems, it is also recommended that the Ethernet
network be private. That is to say that for best performance results, the network should not be shared with
other non-FarSounder network traffic. A private network can be established by keeping the network used
to connect the user interface computers to the Power Module physically separate from any other Ethernet
networks on the vessel. If the Power Module and user interface computer are connected to a network that
has other devices connected to it, high network traffic generated by these other devices may reduce the
update rate of the FarSounder sonar.
Network Configuration
By default, FarSounder systems are configured to operate on the 192.168.0.xxx subnet. The Transducer
Module is configured with IP Address 192.168.0.2-5. During the Software installation process, the user will
be prompted to let the software automatically configure the host computer's network settings. If this option
is selected, the user will be prompted simply for a network address number. This is the last set of numbers
in the IP address (i.e. 192.168.0.xxx). Each computer should have a unique network address number.
Note
Older FS-3DT sonars use different data collection system electronics in the Transducer Module.
In these sonars, the Transducer Module operates at 192.168.95.6 and the computer subnet
must be configured appropriately.
All computers running SonaSoft™ should be configured with the following network values:
•
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
•
IP Address: 192.168.0.xxx (where xxx is an unused, unreserved IP. DHCP services may be used)
•
Gateway: 192.168.0.1
•
DNS: not needed for FarSounder operation
Network Connections
An Ethernet network connects the FarSounder hardware to the SonaSoft™ user interface software. The
Power Module connects to the Ethernet network via a standard Cat-5e cable and RJ-45 plug and transmits
all of the sonar data to the SonaSoft™ user interface.
When connecting to a single user interface, the Power Module can be connected directly to the user
interface's network adapter using a standard Cat-5e crossover cable.
When connecting the sonar to multiple user interfaces, the Power Module should be connected a network
switch. Each of the user interfaces then connect to the network switch with a standard Ethernet patch cable.
The switch should be 1 Gbit capable.
1.5. Installing the SonaSoft™ Software
Installing the SonaSoft™ user interface software is a simple, two step process:
1. Load Installation CD into computer
2. Follow on screen directions
The CD is designed to automatically run the SonaSoft™ installation utility upon loading. This utility will install
the SonaSoft™ software, any system specific calibration files, and optionally configure the host computer's
