Introduction
RocketPort® 485
Hardware Installation
This Hardware Installation document discusses the
following RocketPort 485 serial controllers:
This Hardware Installation document discusses the
following information:
• Product overview
• RocketPort terminology
• Before installing the hardware
Installing the hardware
•
• Supplying power to external devices
• Interface overview
• Interface connectors and building loopback plugs
DB9
-
- DB25
- RJ45
• Setting ISA DIP switches
• Hardware specifications
• FCC notices
• Troubleshooting and creating diagnostics
• Contacting Technical Support
Product Overview
The RocketPort 485 series multiport serial card fits into
the ISA or EISA slot of a personal computer, and uses a 36
MHz processor specifically designed to process
asynchronous serial communications.
The RocketPort 485 series uses Application Specific
Integrated Circuits (ASICs) technology to replace most
hardware components, including:
• The processor
• Serial controller
• Bus interface logic and other miscellaneous logic
To eliminate memory mapping conflicts, the RocketPort
485 series is I/O mapped.
Name Ports Interface Type
Quadcable* 4
8** 8 Requires one 8-port interface box.
Octacable 8
* Quadcables have the capability to be 8-port cards with
an 8-port interface. Most drivers view the 4-port as an
8-port card.
** For interface information, see the RocketPort Interface
Overview discussion later in this Card.
All RocketPort 485 series interface boxes support RS-232.
RocketPort 485 can be configured on Ports 1 and 2 for RS485 mode and Ports 3 through 8 can be configured to
supply +5V (±2%) at 0.5 amps.
Caution When using the RocketPort 485 with interfaces
other than the DB9 box, do not use the power pin
option. Using this option with Quad- or
Octacable interfaces may produce unacceptable
voltage loss under load.
You can install up to four RocketPort 485 cards in one PC,
for a total of 32 additional serial ports, and you can install
a combination of PCI-bus and ISA-bus RocketPort cards.
For driver installation, see the software installation and
configuration documentation or the driver readme file for
your operating system.
Includes a fanout cable with
standard DB25 or DB9 connectors.
Includes a fanout cable with
standard DB25, DB9, or RJ45
connectors.
RocketPort Terminology
For the purposes of the following discussions, these
products are referred to as “RocketPort ISA” cards:
• RocketPort ISA-bus boards (any interface type
including 4J, 8J, Quadcable, and Octacable)
• RocketPort 485
These products are referred to as “RocketPort PCI” cards:
• RocketPort PCI-bus boards (any interface type
including 4J, Quadcable, and Octacable)
• RocketPort Plus
• RocketPort PCI 422
RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation 1 of 8
Before Installing the Hardware
GND
RS-232 as the factory default.
Installing the RocketPort Hardware
Read this subsection:
• If you already have one or more RocketPort ISA cards
installed in your system.
• If you plan to install a combination of RocketPort ISA
and RocketPort PCI cards at this time.
Installing Both RocketPort ISA and PCI Cards:
You must complete installation of all RocketPort PCI cards
before beginning to install any RocketPort ISA cards.
Explanation:
I/O addressing for RocketPort PCI cards is handled
automatically by the computer’s BIOS when you first
power up the computer after installing the cards.
I/O addresses for RocketPort ISA cards are set manually
using DIP switches on the card. If you install an ISA card
before installing a RocketPort PCI card, the ISA card
addressing may interfere with the computer’s ability to
recognize the RocketPort PCI card which may prevent the
PCI card from functioning properly.
Additional Considerations:
If you are mixing RocketPort ISA and PCI cards, set the
DIP switches on the ISA cards so that the first ISA card
you install is the “first” card for I/O addressing purposes,
even if it is physically the second, third, or fourth card that
you install. See the Setting the DIP Switches discussion for
switch information.
Supplying Power to External Devices
The power connector on the RocketPort 485 card is a
standard hard drive-type power connector. You can use
this connector to provide voltage to peripheral devices on
Ports 3 through 8.
To use the power option, connect the jumpers before
installing the card. See the Installing the RocketPort
Hardware discussion for configuring this feature.
Note: Ports 3 through 8 are equipped with fuses. If an
The pinout for this connector is shown below:
Note: Power can be supplied only through DB9 or DB25
external device draws more than 0.5 amps, the fuse
for that port automatically breaks the circuit. The
fuse remains in the tripped condition until the short
or over current condition is corrected. At this time,
the fuse will reset and the circuit will be ready for
current to be applied again.
1 2 3 4
NC
connectors. It cannot be supplied through RJ45
connectors.
+5V
Hardware installation consists of:
• Configuring I/O addresses
• Configuring RS-485 mode usage on Ports 1 and 2
• Installing the card in the system
• Connecting the peripherals
Note: After installing the hardware, you must install the
Use the following procedure to install the card.
1. If required, change the DIP switches (default is 180
Note: If you are installing PCI and ISA RocketPort cards,
2. To use RS-485 on Ports 1 and 2, move all six pins on
Note: In addition, you must configure the ports for RS-485
3. To use the Power feature for Ports 3 through 8, connect
4. Turn off your computer.
5. Remove the system cover.
6. Select an ISA or EISA expansion slot.
device driver for your operating system.
hexadecimal) on the card to the desired settings. See
the Setting the DIP Switches discussion towards the
end of this Hardware Installation document.
install the PCI cards and driver before installing
and configuring the ISA cards. See the software
installation and configuration documentation or the
driver
the port you want to use RS-485 to the left and center
position. (When all six pins are in the center and right
positions, the port is configured for RS-232.)
Jumpers*
Ports 3 - 8
Power
Connector
DIP Switches
Jumpers
* The Power feature is disabled as the factory default
(jumpers NOT connected).
** Port 1 is labeled Port 0 on the card and Port 2 is
labeled Port 1 on the card. Ports 1 and 2 are set to
operation during the driver installation. For more
information, see the Software Installation and
Configuration documentation or the
the driver.
the jumper for each port.
Caution
readme file for information.
Port 2**
Port 1**
readme file with
When using this card with interfaces other than
the DB9 box, do not use the Power feature. Using
this feature with Quad/Octacable interfaces
may produce unacceptable voltage loss under
load.
RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation 2 of 8
Note: RocketPort 485 can be installed in an ISA or EISA
Caution
Note: The RJ45 cable is not displayed.
slot. They are available on the Comtrol Software and
Documentation CD or at the Comtrol web site ftp://
ftp.comtrol.com/rport/eisa_cfg/directory.
7. Remove the slot cover.
Note: You may want to write down the model number
and serial number of the card before
installation.
8. Insert the card into the slot, seating it securely.
9. If using the Power feature, connect a hard drive-type
power supply cord in your computer to the power
connector on the card.
When enabling the Power feature, Pin 9 (DB9) or
Pin 22 (DB25) carries +5 V (±2%) at 0.5 amp.
RocketPort Interface Overview
The RocketPort series provides several interface options:
• Quadcable and Octacable fanout cables, which are
available with the following configurations:
- Quadcable DB25 and DB9
- Octacable DB25, DB9, and RJ45
Octacable
DB9
10. Reinstall the expansion slot retaining screw.
Note: You may want to leave the system unit cover off until
11. Attach the interface that came with your card using
12. Connect your peripheral devices.
13. Use the software installation and configuration
Note: If installing on an EISA machine, you may need the
the driver is installed and running, in case you need
to experiment with DIP switch settings.
the appropriate procedure:
If installing a Quad/Octacable:
a. Attach the male end of the Quadcable or Octacable
to the card.
b. Tighten the retaining screws.
Note: Quad and Octacable models support RS-232
c. Go to Step 12 to complete the installation.
If installing a standard interface box:
a. Attach the interface box cable to the connector on
a. Attach the male end of the RocketPort cable to the
b. Tighten the retaining screws.
documentation or device driver
the driver to complete your installation.
exclusively.
the RocketPort card mounting bracket.
card and the female end to the connector labeled
Host on the interface box.
readme file to install
EISACFG files. They are available on the Comtrol
Software and Documentation CD or at the Comtrol
web site ftp://ftp.comtrol.com/rport/eisa_cfg/
directory.
Quadcable
DB25
Note: RS-485 supports up to 32 multidrop.
• Interface box
RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation 3 of 8
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