Airlink CDMA-1x User Manual

Raven CDMA/1x

User Guide

AirLink Communications, Inc.

version 2.23

May 2006

Information in this document is subject to change without notice
©Copyright AirLink Communications, Inc., 1993-2006. All rights reserved.

WARNING

The antenna(s) used for this transmitter must be installed to provide a separation distance of at
least 20 cm from all persons and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other
antenna or transmitter.

Important Notice

Because of the nature of wireless communications, transmission and reception of data can never
be guaranteed. Data may be delayed, corrupted (i.e., have errors) or be totally lost. Although sig
nificant delays or losses of data are rare when wireless devices such as the AirLink Communica­tions modem are used in a normal manner with a well-constructed network, the AirLink modem
should not be used in situations where failure to transmit or receive data could result in damage of
any kind to the user or any other party, including but not limited to personal injury, death, or loss
of property. AirLink Communications, Inc., accepts no responsibility for damages of any kind
resulting from delays or errors in data transmitted or received using the AirLink Communications
modem, or for failure of the AirLink Communications modem to transmit or receive such data.

Safety and Hazards

Do not operate the AirLink Communications modem in areas where blasting is in progress, where
explosive atmospheres may be present, near medical equipment, near life support equipment, or
any equipment which may be susceptible to any form of radio interference. In such areas, the Air
Link Communications modem MUST BE POWERED OFF. The AirLink Communications
modem can transmit signals that could interfere with this equipment. Do not operate the AirLink
Communications modem in any aircraft, whether the aircraft is on the ground or in flight. In air
craft, the AirLink Communications modem MUST BE POWERED OFF. When operating, the
AirLink Communications modem can transmit signals that could interfere with various on board
systems. The driver or operator of any vehicle should not operate the AirLink Communications
modem while in control of a vehicle. Doing so will detract from the driver or operator's control
and operation of that vehicle. In some states and provinces, operating such communications
devices while in control of a vehicle is an offence.

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Limitation of Liability

The information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a com­mitment on the part of AirLink Communications, Inc. AIRLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS LIABILITY FOR ANY AND ALL DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPE
CIAL, GENERAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAM­AGES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUE OR
ANTICIPATED PROFITS OR REVENUE ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO
USE ANY AIRLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PRODUCT, EVEN IF AIRLINK COMMU
NICATIONS, INC. HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR
THEY ARE FORESEEABLE OR FOR CLAIMS BY ANY THIRD PARTY.

ii Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23

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Contents

CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Raven CDMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

CDMA Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Establishing a Internet Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Using CDMA to Communicate with Your Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Common Uses for the Raven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

CHAPTER 2 Activation of the Raven CDMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Connecting the Raven to your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Quick Start Guide and Setup Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Activating the Raven using AT Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Raven Indicator Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

CHAPTER 3 Utilities for the Raven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

AirLink Configuration Executive (ACE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Wireless ACE 3G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

AceNet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

AceView . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Modem Doctor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23 iii

Contents

CHAPTER 4 IP Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Fully Qualified Domain Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Dynamic Name Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Configuring the Raven for Dynamic IP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Restrictions for Modem Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

DNS: Using Names Instead of IP addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Configuring DNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

PPP-Peer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

CHAPTER 5 Keepalive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Configuring Keepalive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Data usage using Keepalive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

CHAPTER 6 Host Modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

AT Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

PassThru Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

PPP Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Slip Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

UDP Pad Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

UDP Auto Answer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Reliable UDP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Multicast UDP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

TCP PAD Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

TCP Auto Answer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Hybrid Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

CHAPTER 7 Modbus/BSAP Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Modbus Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Telemetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Modbus TCP/IP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Raven Modbus on UDP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Configuring the Raven at the Polling Host for Modbus on UDP . . . . . . . .35

Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Default Power-up Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

iv Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23

Contents

IDs to IPs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Dynamic IP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Configuring the Remote Ravens for Modbus with UDP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Default Power-up Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Host Raven IP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Dynamic IPs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

RTU settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

CHAPTER 8 Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) . . . . . . . . . . . 41

SNMP Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Management Information Base (MIB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

SNMP Traps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Raven SNMP Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Listening Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Security Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

User Name and Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Trap Destination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

CHAPTER 9 Hardware Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Connecting the Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Connecting power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Connecting the Raven to a computer or other device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

APPENDIX 1 Specifications for the Raven CDMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Physical Characteristics: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Data Services & RF Features: CDMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Environmental: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Power Management: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Power consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

APPENDIX 2 Mounting Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

APPENDIX 3 AT Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Using Wireless Ace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Using Telnet Terminal Emulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Direct Serial Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

AT Command Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Information Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23 v

Contents

Basic Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Cellular Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Local Network and Host Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

PassThru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Direct Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Telnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Time/Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Friends Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

DNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Keepalive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

IP Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Logging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Modbus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

SMTP/SMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

APPENDIX 4 Example of the MIB trap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100

What is RSSI? Why is the RSSI for my Raven negative? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

What is the Proper RF Coverage for my Raven? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

What Type of Antenna is Best for my Raven? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

What do I need to power my Raven ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Can I use a portable battery to power my Raven ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

I’m Having Problems getting my Raven registered (activated or provisioned) with

Verizon, what could be the problem? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Why Can’t I reach my Raven from the Internet? What is a Restricted or Private IP?

103

What is the difference between Private Mode and Public Mode? . . . . . . . . . . . 103

How do I set up Private Mode? How do I connect to my Raven to my router or to

Linux? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

What is the COM1000? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

How can I update the PRL (Prefered Roaming List) for my CDMA modem? I have
activated my Raven but now cannot connect to Verizon, what can be wrong? . 106

Support web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109

Contacting Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109

vi Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23

CHAPTER 1 Intr oduction to

Raven CDMA

The Raven's rugged form factor is ideal for industrial and commercial applications
that require real-time communications. The Raven provides cellular data communi­cations for a variety of applications, such as telemetry, public safety, SCADA, traf­fic control, traffic metering, transit arrival systems and more.

FIGURE 1. Raven front and back

Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23 1

Introduction to Raven CDMA

CDMA Overview

Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) provides a digital cellular telephony sys­tem provides wireless Internet access at speeds between 60 and 80 kbps, with bursts
up to 144 kbps.

Establishing a Internet Connection

The Internet Service Provider (ISP) from you to the Internet is Verizon with your
Raven as the connection to Verizon.

When your Raven is powered on, it automatically searches for cellular service
using CDMA and establishes a PPP (Point to Point Protocol or “dial” up connec­tion) link to Verizon’s network. As soon as the Raven receives its IP, it’s ready to
create a network between your computer or device and Verizon’s network so you
can use Verizon to communicate on the Internet.

To use your Raven to connect to the Internet from your computer, you need to con­nect the computer directly to the Raven’s serial port and use Dial-Up Networking
(DUN).

FIGURE 2. Using the Raven to connect to the Internet

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Introduction to Raven CDMA

Note: Private network connections are unique for each configu-

ration and not covered as part of the standard installation.

Using CDMA to Communicate with Your Equipment

There are two types of addresses in TCP/IP, dynamic and static.

• Dynamic addresses are assigned on a “need to have” basis. Your Raven might

not always receive the same address each time it connects with Verizon.

• Static addresses are permanently assigned to a particular account and will

always be used whenever your
will not be given to anyone else.

If you need to contact the Raven, a device connected to the modem, or a host sys­tem using the modem, you need to have a known IP (such as one which is static) or
domain name (an IP address which is converted by a DNS server into a word based
name).

Raven connects to the Internet. The IP address

Most ISPs (cellular included) use dynamic IP addresses rather than static IP
addresses. A dynamic IP address is suitable for many common Internet uses, such
as web browsing, looking up data on another computer system, or other client func
tion (such as data only being sent out or only being received after an initial request).

Note: If you have a dynamic IP address for your Raven, you can

use a Dynamic DNS service (such as IP Manager coupled with a
Dynamic DNS Server, covered later in this User Guide) to trans
late a dynamic IP address to a fully qualified domain name so
you can contact the

Caution: The IP address given to your Raven by Verizon must

also be Internet routable if the computer you need to connect to
the

Raven is not connected directly to Verizon 's IP network.
Please check with Verizon to confirm you IP is scheme is correct
for your application and needs.

Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23 3

Raven as if it had a static IP.

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Introduction to Raven CDMA

Common Uses for the Raven

The Raven’s rugged construction and cellular connection make it ideal for use in
remote and/or industrial locations.

The Raven can be used for telemetry and for more advanced communication to
the device or devices behind it.

FIGURE 3. Financial Point of Sale and Kiosk

FIGURE 4. Automation and Telemetry

4 Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23

Introduction to Raven CDMA

FIGURE 5. Backup connection to the Internet

Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23 5

CHAPTER 2 Activation of the Raven

CDMA

Your Raven needs specific parameters before it can operate on the CDMA network.
Generally Verizon will provide you with the necessary parameters to get the Raven
configured.

Connecting the Raven to your computer

Your Raven’s serial port can be connected directly to most computers or devices
using a standard straight through serial cable.

Quick Start Guide and Setup Wizard

The preferred way to configure and activate your Raven is via the AirLink Setup
Wizard for Verizon and CDMA. The Quick Start Guide will lead you through the
using the Setup Wizard.

• The Raven Setup Wizard for CDMA and Verizon is available from the AirLink

web site, http://www.airlink.com/support.

• The Quick Start Guide is also available at the AirLink web site.

Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23 6

Activation of the Raven CDMA

Note: The web site may have a more recent Setup Wizard and

Quick Start Guide than those included with your Raven. It is rec

­ommended that you check with the web site for the latest version
before installing your Raven. You will need to look for Verizon,
CDMA, and the Raven. Other Setup Wizards may not work to
connect you to Verizon.

To run the Setup Wizard, you will need the Microsoft .NET framework and
Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft W indows XP , or later .

1. Select Start.

2. Select All Programs.

3. Select AirLink Communications.

4. Select Setup Wizard.

5. Select Setup Wizard.

FIGURE 1. Setup Wizard

The Quick Start Guide specifies the information you need and will lead you
through the steps.

Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23 7

Activation of the Raven CDMA

Activating the Raven using AT Commands

An alternate method to configure and activate your Raven is by AT commands (full
listing beginning on page 53) sent directly to the modem via a terminal application.
This method is recommended only in situations where the Setup Wizard is not
available and/or the configuration for the

Caution: While you can configure your Raven using Wireless

ACE (page
activate the Raven using either Wireless ACE or AceNet.

10) or AceNet (page 11), it is not recommended to

Raven is unusual.

Raven Indicator Lights

When your Raven is connected to power and an antenna, there is a specific pattern
to the lights to indicate its operation mode.

FIGURE 2. Raven indicator lights

Tx (transmit) and Rx (receive) - Lights will flash as data is transferred to and

from the

RSSI - Light shows the strength of the signal and may be nearly solid (strong signal) or
flashing (weaker signal). A slow flash indicates a very weak signal.

Reg - Indicates the Raven has acquired an IP from Verizon.

Chan - Indicates the modem has acquired a network channel.
Link - Indicate a successful connection to the cellular network.

Raven on the remote network.

8 Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23

Activation of the Raven CDMA

Pwr - Indicates the power adapter is connected and there is power getting to

the modem.
The Reset button performs the same function as unplugging power from the

modem and plugging it back in. Reset will not alter any saved configuration
settings.

Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23 9

CHAPTER 3 Utilities for the Raven

AirLink offers a suite of utilities to optimize your Raven’s performance, allowing
you to remotely view status and make changes to the configuration as needed.

• AceView

• Wireless ACE 3G

• AceNet

• Modem Doctor

This section of the Raven User Guide covers basic information about these utilities.
For additional information on a specific utility, please refer to the user guide for
that utility.

These utilities, except AceNet, are free of charge to those who own AirLink
modems. You can download the utilities and their user guides from the AirLink
web site: http://www.airlink.com/support. Contact your dealer or AirLink repre
sentative for information on AceNet.

Note: AceView, Wireless ACE 3G, and AceNet require the

Microsoft .NET Framework and Microsoft Windows 98, Win
dows 2000, Windows XP, or later.

Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23 10

-

-

Utilities for the Raven

You can obtain the Microsoft .Net Framework, Microsoft Inter­net Explorer, and/or the latest ActiveX updates for Internet
Explorer from Microsoft at:

http://www.microsoft.com/.

AirLink Configuration Executive (ACE)

The AirLink Configuration Executive provides a user friendly interaction with
ALEOS, the brains of your Raven.

Wireless ACE 3G

Wireless ACE 3G allow you to monitor your Raven either remotely or locally with
a direct connection to the modem.

Note: Most configuration screen shots in this guide are using

Wireless ACE 3G.

FIGURE 1. Wireless ACE 3G

Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23 11

Utilities for the Raven

AceNet

With AceNet you can monitor several AirLink modems at the same time. The
modems can be connected locally or remote. Several features can be displayed and
logged. AceNet is a seperate product which can be purchased from AirLink.

FIGURE 2. AceNet

Using a template from Wireless ACE, you can change the configuration in several
modems at the same time and can check and update their firmware as well. AceNet
also features logging to a database and charting for the monitored modems.

With AceNet, you can connect to modems locally or remotely with TCP/IP or
SMS.

AceView

AceView is a low-profile monitoring tool to view the status of your AirLink Raven
and display network status, IP address, RSSI strength, firmware version, and other
basic information.

12 Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23

Utilities for the Raven

FIGURE 3. AceView

You can connect to your Raven locally or remotely using a known IP address or a
fully qualified domain name. The display is updated periodically as AceView polls
the Raven at a specified interval. GPS is available only for PinPoint and PinPoint-

E modems.

FIGURE 4. AceView: About Modem

Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23 13

Utilities for the Raven

Modem Doctor

Modem Doctor is a troubleshooting utility. This utility will allow you to get a log
file of the Raven activity which you can then send to AirLink support, erase the
current configuration completely, and temporarily set the Raven to a known serial
configuration to aid in trouble shooting.

FIGURE 5. Modem Doctor

14 Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23

CHAPTER 4 IP Manager

IP Manager translates a dynamic IP address to a fully qualified domain name so
you can contact your

Since Wireless Service Providers frequently do not offer static IP addresses, IP
Manager is a free service provided by AirLink for your
dynamic IP address into a fully qualified domain name so it can be contacted
directly on the Internet.

Raven by name as if it had a static IP.

Raven to translate a

• Dynamic IP addresses are granted only when a modem or other device is con-

nected and can change each time the modem or device reconnects to the net­work.

• Static IP addresses are granted the same address every time the modem or

device is connected and are not in use when the associated device is not con
nected.

A dynamic IP address is suitable for many Internet activities such as web browsing,
looking up data on another computer system, data only being sent out, or data only
being received after an initial request. However, if you need to contact the
directly, a device connected to the modem, or a host system using the Raven, a
dynamic IP won’t give you a reliable address to contact (since it may have changed
since the last time it was assigned).

Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23 15

-

Raven

IP Manager

Fully Qualified Domain Name

A fully qualified domain name (FQDN) generally has several parts.

• Top Level Domain (TLD): The TLD is the ending suffix for a domain name

(.com, .net, .org, etc.)

• Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD): This suffix is often used after the

TLD for most countries except the US (.ca, .uk, .au, etc.)

• Domain name: This is the name registered with ICANN (Internet Corporation

for Assigned Names and Numbers) or the registry for a the country of the
ccTLD (i.e. if a domain is part of the .ca TLD, it would be registered with the
Canadian domain registry). It is necessary to have a name registered before it
can be used.

• Sub-domain or server name: A domain name can have many sub-domain or

server names associated with it. Sub-domains need to be registered with the
domain, but do not need to be registered with ICANN or any other registry . It is
the responsibility of a domain to keep track of its own subs.

A URL (Universal Resource Locator) is different from a domain name in that it
also indicates information on the protocol used by a web browser to contact that
address, such as http://www.airlink.com.

• .com is the TLD

• airlink is the domain (usually noted as airlink.com since the domain is specific

to the TLD)

• www is the server registered with AirLink.com

• http:// is the protocol (html or web) used to access the webpage for AirLink

Dynamic Name Resolution

When an IP address is not expected to change, the DNS server can indicate to all
queries that the address can be cached and not looked up for a long period of time.
Dynamic DNS servers, conversely, have a short caching period for the domain
information to prevent other Internet sites or queries from using the old informa
tion.

16 Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23

-

IP Manager

If the Raven is configured for Dynamic IP, when the Raven first connects to the
Internet, it sends a IP change notification to IP Manager. IP Manger will acknowl­edge the change and update the DNS record. The changed IP address will then be
the address for the

Raven’s configured name.

Once the Raven’s IP has been updated in IP Manager, it can be contacted via name.
If the IP address is needed, you can use the domain name to determine the IP
address.

Note: The fully qualified domain name of the Raven will be a

subdomain of the domain used by the IP Manager server.

As a free service, Airlink maintains an IP Manager server which can be
used for any AirLink modem. The domain is earlink.com and is used
in all the samples below.

Configuring the Raven for Dynamic IP

T o configure the Dynamic IP settings in your Raven so that it will use IP Manager,
you can use AT commands (page 53), using direct serial communication or Telnet,
Wireless ACE (
less ACE.

To configure your AirLink modem to be addressed by name, the mo dem needs to
have 4 elements configured.

In Wireless ACE, select Dynamic IP to configure your modem to use IP Manager.

page 10), and ACE Net (page 11) using a template built from Wire-

Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23 17

IP Manager

FIGURE 1. Wireless ACE: Dynamic IP (IP Manager configuration)

1. Modem name: The name you want for the modem.

2. Domain: The domain name to be used by the modem.

3. IP Manager IP Address: The IP or domain name of the dynamic DNS server

which is running IP Manager.

Note: To use the name here instead of the IP, you need to have

DNS set up in your

Raven (page 19).

4. IP Manager update interval: How often you want the address sent to IP Man-

ager. If this is set to zero, the modem will only send an update if the IP changes
(i.e. if the modem is reset or is assigned a different IP).

You can configure a second dynamic server as a backup, secondary, or alternate
server.

Note: For the Modem Name, you should use something which is

unique but also easy to remember. Your company name or the
intended function of the modem are recommended. If you have
more than one modem, you can append a number for each.

Restrictions for Modem Name

• Must begin with a letter or number

• Can include a hyphen (-)

• Cannot contain spaces

• Must be no longer than 20 characters total

18 Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23

IP Manager

DNS: Using Names Instead of IP addresses

A domain name is a name of a server or device on the Internet which is associated,
generally, with an IP address. In a way, a domain name is like the street address of
your house with the phone number being like the IP address. You can contact the
house either by going to the address (name) or by calling the phone number (IP
address).

Domain Name Service (DNS) is a network service which translates, or redirects,
the IP address, allowing someone to contact that address via the name. A DNS
server is registered to handle all addresses of a particular domain (much like the
post office for a particular town or city is known to the post offices of all other
towns and cities and is authorized to give the addresses of locations in its own loca
tion).

Configuring DNS

The Raven has an internal DNS resolver with which it can query DNS servers in
order to translate names into IP addresss which it can then use internally. Gener­ally, when your Raven receives its IP address from Verizon, it will also be config­ured to use Verizon’s DNS servers to use for resolving (or translating) names to IP
addresses. In that case, the only one which is not overwritten is the alternate DNS.

-

You can use AT commands (page 53), Wireless ACE (page 10), and ACE Net
(page 11) using a template built from Wireless ACE to configure DNS in your
Raven.

FIGURE 2. Wireless ACE: DNS

*DNS1 and *DNS2 - Set these to your primary and secondary DNS servers.
These maybe be overwritten by

Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23 19

Verizon when your Raven gets its IP address.

IP Manager

*DNSUSER - Set this, if desired, to an additional DNS server to query first
before the primary or secondary (just as a hosts file is queried first on a com
puter). If *DNSUSER is set to 0.0.0.0, it will be ignored.

*DNSUPDATE - This command sets how often you want DNS Updates to be
forced. Otherwise the
up, or the IP address granted by the network changes.

Note: If you will be using your Raven to communicate with

another AirLink modem and both are using IP Manager to trans­late dynamic IP addresss to domain names, it is recommended
that you set *DNSUSER to the IP address for IP Manager. IP
Manager’s updates occur more frequently than
servers decreasing the time between IP address change and
address resolution.

Raven will only send updates when it is reset, powered

Verizon’s DNS

-

PPP-Peer

The Raven uses the unqualified domain name of “ppp-peer” when it is PPP or SLIP
address mode to resolve the address of the device or computer connected via PPP or
SLIP address. If the
resolve to 0.0.0.0.

Raven is not in PPP or SLIP address mode, “ppp-peer” will

20 Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23

CHAPTER 5 Keepalive

It is not uncommon for your Raven to be disconnected from Verizon after an
extended period of inactivity. This is generally a feature intended to reduce your
charges for inactive use.

Keepalive is used to test and maintain the Raven’s connection to Verizon by ping­ing an IP address after a specified period of inactivity. Keepalive is recommended
for users who have a remote terminated modem that infrequently communicates to
the network. Keepalive is also recommended if you have experienced issues where
the modem can no longer be reached remotely.

When Keepalive pings the IP address, an acknowledgement indicates there is an
active connection to the network. If the modem does not receive a response from
the IP address, it will retry 5 times in 5 second intervals. The
the radio module after 5 failed attempts and reconnect to Verizon.

Raven will then reset

Configuring Keepalive

As with all other aspects of the Raven’s configuration, you can use Wireless Ace
(page 10), AceNet (page 11), direct serial communication (page 53), or Telnet
(page 53) to configure Keepalive.

Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23 21

Keepalive

To set the Keepalive using Wireless ACE, select Other from the menu on the left.

FIGURE 1. Wireless ACE: Keepalive Configuration

*IPPING sets the interval, in minutes, you want Keepalive to test the network
connection. To disable Keepalive, set *IPPING to 0 (default setting).

Note: 15 minutes is the minimum time which can be set for Kee-

palive.

*IPPINGADDR sets the IP address you want to use for the test. If *PPIN­GADDR is left blank or is set to an invalid IP address (i.e. an IP which is
unreachable or one which is not a valid IP address), the modem will reset itself
on a regular interval.

Data usage using Keepalive

When using Keepalive, be aware that a ping moves approximately 66 bytes of data
over the network and is billable by the carrier. The following *IPPING settings
will incur approximate monthly data usage in addition to any other data usage:

15 minutes
30 minutes
60 minutes
120 minutes

22 Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23

400k / month
200k / month
100k / month
50k / month

CHAPTER 6 Host Modes

The Raven plays the part of a host when its serial port is connected to a computer or
another device. As the host, the Raven can be in one of six communication modes.

AT: The Raven accepts and responds to standard, Hayes-style AT commands.
PassThru: Direct connection to internal hardware (OEM Module) of the

Raven.

PPP: The Raven uses PPP to communicate.
SLIP: The Raven uses SLIP to communicate.
UDP PAD: Any data received on the serial port is assembled into UDP packets

and send to the session's associated IP and Port (described later). Any responses
received from the associated IP and port destined for the modem's Device Port
are unwrapped and sent out the

TCP P AD: Any data received on the serial port is packaged into TCP messages
and sent to the associated connection's IP and Port (described later). Any data
received from the TCP peer is unwrapped and sent out the

serial port.

serial port.

By default, the Raven is in AT Mode and allows AT Commands to be entered via
T elnet (through the serial port connection) or remotely (through the cellular net­work).

The Raven can be programmed to enter any of the modes, except PassThru, auto­matically on power up. This is done setting the Startup Mode Default (refer to MD

Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23 23

Host Modes

in the AT Command listing, page 66) to the desired mode. If this setting is non­zero, the modem will enter the specified mode after 5 seconds. If you want to can­cel this behavior, the ATMD0 command can be used before the 5-second time-out
expires.

If the modem is in any mode other than AT or PassThru, the AT command mode
can be re-entered by:

• Deactivating DTR (if &D2 or Ignore DTR, S211, is not set).

• Issuing the +++ escape sequence (if Disable AT Escape, DAE, is not set).

• Resetting or Power cycling the modem.

PassThru Mode can only be exited by resetting the modem.

Note: DTR needs to be asserted (S211=1 or &D0) by the host

before PPP Mode, SLIP Mode, UDP PAD Mode, or TCP PAD
Mode can be entered.

AT Mode

AT commands are used to configure the modem, command it to do something, or
query a setting. For a full listing of the AT commands, refer to page

AT commands must always be terminated by <CR> (ASCII character 0x0D).

If E=1 (Echo On), the AT command (including the terminating <CR>) will be
displayed (output) before any responses.

Two settings affect the format of AT command output: V (Verbose) and Q (Quiet).

If Q=1 (Quiet On), no result codes are output whatsoever, so there is no
response generated by a (non query) command.

If Q=0 (Quiet Off), result codes are output. The format of this output is then
affected by the Verbose setting.

If Quiet mode is off, the result code is affected as follows:

For V=1 (Verbose mode), the textual result code is surrounded by <CR><LF>
and any AT query response is also surrounded by <CR><LF>.

24 Raven CDMA User Guide for Verizon, version 2.23

53.