User Guide
Trademark Notices
Comtrol and RocketPort are trademarks of Comtrol Corporation.
Windows and Microsoft are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective
owners.
Fifth Edition (Rev E), July 18, 2014 Co
© 2007 - 2014. Comtrol Corporation. All
Rights Reserved.
Comtrol Corporation makes no representations or warranties with regard to the contents of this document or
to the suitability of the Comtrol product for any particular purpose. Specifications subject to change without
notice. Some software or features may not be available at the time of publication. Contact your reseller for
current product information.
pyright
Document Number: 2000465 Rev. E
Table of Contents
Overview...................................................................................................................................5
Product Overview.......................................................................................................................................... 5
Before Installing the RocketPort INFINITY ........................................................................................... 5
Locating the Latest Drivers and Documentation .................................................................................. 5
Card and Interface Installation ..........................................................................................7
Installing the Card ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Attaching a Quad/Octacable Interface Cable ......................................................................................... 8
Attaching an Interface Box ......................................................................................................................... 8
Installing a Rackmount Interface Box ..................................................................................................... 9
Connecting Serial Devices .................................................................................................11
DTE Versus DCE .......................................................................................................................................... 11
DB9 Serial Cables and Loopback Plugs ................................................................................................. 11
DB9 Signals............................................................................................................................................... 12
DB9 Null-Modem Cables (RS-232) .......................................................................................................... 12
DB9 Null-Modem Cables (RS-422 or RS-485 Full-Duplex) .................................................................... 12
DB9 Straight-Through Cables (RS-232 or RS-485 Half-Duplex) ........................................................... 13
DB9 Loopback Plugs................................................................................................................................. 13
DB25 Serial Cables and Loopback Plugs ............................................................................................... 14
Fan-out Cable Signals .............................................................................................................................. 14
Interface Box Signals................................................................................................................................ 15
DB25 Null-Modem Cables (RS-232) ........................................................................................................ 15
DB25 Null-Modem Cables (RS-422 or RS-485 Full-Duplex) .................................................................. 16
DB25 Straight-Through Cables (RS-232 or RS-485 Half-Duplex) ......................................................... 16
DB25M: Fan-out Cable Loopback Plugs.................................................................................................. 16
DB25F: Standard Interface Box............................................................................................................... 16
DB25M: Surge Interface Box Loopback Plugs ........................................................................................ 17
RJ45 Serial Cables and Loopback Plugs................................................................................................ 17
RJ45 Signals ............................................................................................................................................. 17
RJ45 Null-Modem Cable (RS-232) ........................................................................................................... 18
RJ45 Null-Modem Cable (RS-422 or RS-485 Full-Duplex) .................................................................... 18
RJ45 Straight-Through Cable (RS-232 or RS-485 Half-Duplex) ........................................................... 18
RJ45 Loopback Plugs................................................................................................................................ 18
Specifications and Notices .................................................................................................19
68-Pin VHDCI Connector (Quad/Octacable).......................................................................................... 19
LFH60 and DB37M Multiplex Connectors DB9 and DB25 Interface Box Cable ........................... 21
FCC Notices................................................................................................................................................... 22
Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) (FCC 15.105) .................................................................................22
Labeling Requirements (FCC 15.19) ....................................................................................................... 23
Modifications (FCC 15.21)........................................................................................................................ 23
Serial Cables (FCC 15.27) ........................................................................................................................ 23
RocketPort INFINITY User Guide: 2000465 Rev. E
Table of Contents - iii
Table of Contents
Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................25
Before Calling Technical Support ........................................................................................................... 25
RocketPort INFINITY Diagnostics .......................................................................................................... 25
Troubleshooting Windows Systems......................................................................................................... 26
Test Terminal Explanation ...................................................................................................................... 27
Using Test Terminal to Test a Port ......................................................................................................... 27
Troubleshooting Linux Systems .............................................................................................................. 28
lcom(1) ....................................................................................................................................................... 28
File Transfer ............................................................................................................................................. 28
Changing Serial Port Settings (stty) ....................................................................................................... 28
Setting Up Terminals and Modems (mgetty, getty) ............................................................................... 28
Testing with minicom ............................................................................................................................... 29
Technical Support ....................................................................................................................................... 29
Index........................................................................................................................................31
iv - Table of Contents
RocketPort INFINITY User Guide: 2000465 Rev. E
Overview
Product Overview
The RocketPort INFINITY is a high-speed in-server serial expansion card that is
RS-232/422/485 software-selectable for use in 3.3V universal PCI or PCI-X slots in
a host system. The RocketPort INFINITY was designed to support speeds up to
921Kbps (if connected, using fan-out cables) or 460.8Kbps (if using an interface
box).
The RocketPort INFINITY series uses Comtrol Application Specific Integrated
Circuit (ASIC) technology to replace most hardware functionality to minimize
components, including:
• The processor
• A serial controller
• Bus interface logic and other miscellaneous logic
You can install up to four RocketPort INFINITY cards in one computer, providing
a maximum of 128 additional serial ports.
Before Installing the RocketPort INFINITY
If you are planning on installing the RocketPort INFINITY in a Windows system
make sure that you have located the device driver assembly to a location that is
available to the host system before installing the card in the host.
You can use the Software and Documentation CD to locate the latest device drivers
and documentation or use the files on the CD for your installation. Optionally, you
can use the links in the following table.
You may want to record the model and serial number of the RocketPort INFINITY
before installing the card in the event you need to call technical support.
Locating the Latest Drivers and Documentation
This table contains links the software and installation documentation. Optionally,
you can locate the latest device drivers, software, and installation documentation.
Software or
Document
Device drivers ftp://ftp.comtrol.com/html/rp_infinity_drivers.htm
Diagnostic and
Utilities
User Guides ftp://ftp.comtrol.com/html/rp_infinity_docs.htm
ftp://ftp.comtrol.com/html/rp_infinity_diag.htm
Location
RocketPort INFINITY User Guide: 2000465 Rev. E
Overview - 5
Overview
6 - Overview
RocketPort INFINITY User Guide: 2000465 Rev. E
Installing the Card
Caution
Card and Interface Installation
This section discusses the following:
• Installing the Card
• Attaching a Quad/Octacable Interface Cable on Page 8
• Attaching an Interface Box
• Installing a Rackmount Interface Box
Use the following procedure to install a RocketPort INFINITY card.
1. Turn off the host computer
2.
Remove the system cover from your computer.
3. Select a PCI or PCI-X expansion slot.
4. Remove the slot cover or release the clamp.
5. If necessary, replace the low-profile mounting bracket with the standard
mounting bracket shipped with the RocketPort INFINITY.
6. Insert the card into the slot and seat it securely
7
. Reinstall the expansion slot retaining screw or clamp.
8. Attach the appropriate interface (cable or box) to the RocketPort INFINITY:
• Attaching a Quad/Octacable Interface Cable
• Attaching an Interface Box
• Installing a Rackmount Interface Box
on Page 8
on Page 9
.
.
(below)
on Page 8
on Page 9
Do not connect an interface box to the card when the host system is
po
wered on, this can cause card failure.
9. After connecting the interface (cable or box), replace the system cover on yo
computer
10. Power on your host system.
11. Click Cancel if a Found New Hardware message appears on a Wi
operating system.
Install the latest device driver for your operating system. See
12.
Latest Drivers and Documentation on Page 5 to locate the latest driver and
installation documentation.
: 2000465 Rev. E
.
ndows
Locating the
Card and Interface Installation - 7
ur
Card and Interface Installation
Octacable
Quadcable
DB9
DB25
Caution
Caution
DB37
LFH60
Attaching a Quad/Octacable Interface Cable
Use this procedure to complete the quadcable or octacable installation.
1. Make sure that the host system is powered off before connecting the cable.
2. Attach the 68-pin end of the quadcable or octacable to the card.
Do not use force
co
nnecting the cables. Make
sure that the connectors are
properly aligned.
3. Tighten the retaining screws
4.
Power on the host system.
5. Click Cancel if a Foun
Hardware message
Windows operating system.
You are ready to install an
6.
configure
docu
the appropriate device driver. For the latest software an
mentation, go to Locating the Latest Drivers and Documentation
5.
7. After installing the driver, you should verify that the ports are functionin
properly
(see the driver documentation) and then connect your serial devices.
If necessary, return to this guide for information
dev
ices (Connecting Serial Devices
when
d New
appears on
d
.
a
d
on Page
g
about connecting serial
on Page 11.)
Attaching an Interface Box
Use this procedure to complete the installation with an interface box.
Do not connect the cable to the RocketPort
INFINITY card or interface box when the
computer is powered on.
Connecting the cable to the RocketPort
INFINITY card or interface box while the
computer is powered on may damage the
electronics on the card or interface box.
1. Make sure that the
before connecting t
2. Attach the LFH60 end of the interface cable to the
RocketPort INFINITY card and the DB37 end to
the
Do not use force when connecting the cables
Mak
aligned.
Note: The 32-port card uses a
3. Tighten the retaining screws.
4. Power on the host system.
5. Click Cancel if a Found New Hardware message appears on a Wi
operating system.
6. You are ready to install and configure the appropriate device driver. For the
latest software and documentation, go to Locating the Latest Drivers and
Documentation on Page 5.
host system is powered off
he cable.
connector the interface box.
.
e sure that the connectors are properly
Y-cable that is
labeled 1-16 and 17-32 on the connectors.
ndows
8 - Card and Interface Installation
RocketPort INFINITY User Guide: 2000465 Rev. E
7. After installing the driver, you should verify that the ports are functioning
Caution
Rx
Tx
Each port has transmit and receive LEDs.
properly (see the driver documentation) and then connect your serial devices.
If necessary, return to this guide for information about connecting serial
devices (Connecting Serial Devices
Installing a Rackmount Interface Box
Rackmount interface boxes are sturdy enough to allow you to stack several units
on a shelf, or you can mount it directly into a rack.
1. Make sure that the host system is powered off before connecting the cable.
2. Place the Rackmount
interface box on a stable
surface or attach the L
brackets to the interface box
using the screws supplied with the unit and attach the L bracket into your
rack.
Note: You can mount the unit
facing in either direction.
3. Attach the cable shipped with the
card between the interface box
and the card.
Do not connect 16-port cards located in various machines to the 32port Rackmount. It is possible to damage the interface box and card if
the interface box is connected to two PCs using separate line power
sources.
4. Power on the host system.
5. Click Cancel if a Found New Hardware message appears on a Windows
operating system.
6. Use the appropriate software installation document for your operating system,
with the driver to complete the RocketPort INFINITY installation.
For the latest software and documentation, go to Locating the Latest Drivers
and Documentation on Page 5.
7. Verify that the ports are functioning properly and connect your serial devices.
For more information about connecting serial devices, see Connecting Serial
Devices on Page 11.
Card and Interface Installation
on Page 11.)
RocketPort INFINITY User Guide: 2000465 Rev. E
The receive LED is lit if conne
cted to an RS-232/422/485 device.
The transmit LED is illuminated when RS-232/422/485 data is being
transmitted. Noticeable flashing occurs only if transmit data starts and stops
a few times per second or less. Otherwise, if data is being transmitted
continuously, the LED illumination appears to be constant. If no data is
transmitted the LED is off.
Card and Interface Installation - 9
Card and Interface Installation
10 - Card and Interface Installation
RocketPort INFINITY User Guide: 2000465 Rev. E
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