Product Overview
PCI Hardware Installation
Guide
The RocketPort® PCI series multiport serial card fits into the PCI slot of a
personal computer, and uses a 36 MHz processor that is specifically designed to
process asynchronous serial communications.
The RocketPort PCI series uses Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs)
technology to replace most hardware components, including:
• The processor
• A serial controller
• Bus interface logic and other miscellaneous logic
You can install up to four RocketPort PCI cards in one PC, with up to 128
additional serial ports, and you can install any combination of PCI-bus and ISAbus RocketPort cards.
1
Product List and Pictures
Product List and
Pictures
This Hardware Installation document discusses the following serial controllers.
Type Ports Interface Type
This model has four female RJ45 jacks on the mounting
RJ45 4
bracket for RS-232 serial port connections. Cables are not
included.
Includes a fanout cable with four standard DB25 or DB9
DB9/DB25
Quadcable
connectors for RS-232 serial port connections. Quadcables
4
have the capability to be 8-port cards with an 8-port interface
cable. Some drivers view the 4-port as an 8-port card.
8 8 Requires one 8-port interface module.
This model has eight female RJ11 jacks on the mounting
RJ11 8
bracket for RS-232 serial port connections. The RJ11 does not
support NT RAS (Remote Access Server), as it lacks the full
set of modem control lines. Cables are not included.
DB9/DB25/
RJ45
Octacable
DB25/
RM16-RJ45
DB25/
RM16-
RJ45/
RM32-RJ45
Includes a fanout cable with eight standard DB25, DB9, or
8
RJ45 connectors for RS-232 serial port connections.
Requires one 16-port DB25 connector interface module, or
16
one RM16-RJ45 Rack Mount interface module for RS-232
serial port connections.
Requires two 16-port DB25 interface modules, or two 16-port
RM16-RJ45 Rack Mount interface modules, or one RM32-
32
RJ45 Rack Mount interface module for RS-232 serial port
connections.
Note: The cables and interface modules shipped with this product are described
and illustrated in RocketPort Interfaces
on Page 6.
Locating Drivers and Software Documentation
32 Port DB25
Connector
Interface Module
16 Port DB25
Connector Interface
Box
Octacable DB25
Interface Cables
RocketPort PCI 4 RJ45 ports
(Cables not included)
You can download the latest drivers and software installation documents from the
web site at http://support.comtrol.com/Download.asp
.
2
RocketPort Terminology
RocketPort
Terminology
For the purposes of the following discussions, “RocketPort ISA” cards means any
interface type including 4-port RJ45, 8-port RJ11, Quadcable, and Octacable, or 8/
16/32-port model.
These products are referred to as “RocketPort PCI” cards:
• RocketPort PCI-bus boards (any interface type including 4-port RJ45, 8-port
RJ11, Quadcable, Octacable, and 8/16/32-port models)
• RocketPort Plus models
• RocketPort PCI 422 models
• RocketPort Universal PCI-bus boards (any interface type including Quadcable,
Octacable, 8-port low profile, 16/32-port models)
Before Installing the 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.
Existing RocketPort ISA Cards Installed
You must deconfigure and remove any existing RocketPort ISA cards before
installing RocketPort PCI cards. After you have successfully installed the
RocketPort PCI cards, reinstall the RocketPort ISA cards.
Explanation The BIOS on your computer automatically handles I/O addressing for RocketPort
Additional Considerations
PCI cards 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.
If you are mixing RocketPort ISA and PCI cards, set the DIP switches on the ISA
cards so that the first ISA card that 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.
Installing the RocketPort Hardware
Hardware installation consists of installing the card in the system and connecting
the interface.
Card Installation Use the following procedure to install the card.
Note: If you are installing PCI and ISA RocketPort cards, install the PCI cards
and driver before installing and configuring the ISA cards.
1. Turn off your computer.
2. Remove the system cover.
3. Select a PCI expansion slot.
4. Remove the slot cover.
Note: You may want to write down the model number and serial number of
the card before installation.
3
Installing a Quad/Octacable Interface
5. Insert the card into the slot and seat it securely.
6. Reinstall the expansion slot retaining screw.
7. If this is not a 4-port RJ45 or 8-port RJ11 (4 RJ45 or 8 RJ11 ports integrated
in the card bracket), attach the interface that came with your card using the
appropriate procedure:
• Installing a Quad/Octacable Interface
• Installing a Standard or Surge Interface Module for an 8 Port Card
on Page 4
on Page
4
• Installing a Rack Mount Interface Module
on Page 5
a. If this is a 4-port RJ45 or 8-port RJ45, use the software installation and
configuration document for your operating system, with the driver to
complete your installation.
For the latest software and documentation, go to
http://support.comtrol.com/download.asp
.
Note: After installing the hardware, you must install the device driver for
your operating system.
b. Verify that the ports are functioning properly and connect your peripheral
devices.
Installing a Quad/
Octacable Interface
Installing a Standard or Surge Interface Module for an 8 Port Card
Caution
Use this procedure to complete the Quadcable or Octacable hardware installation.
Note: Quad and Octacable models support RS-232 exclusively.
1. Attach the male end of the Quadcable or Octacable to the card.
2. Tighten the retaining screws.
See RocketPort Interfaces
on Page 6, if you need information about the
connectors.
3. Use the software installation and configuration document for your operating
system, with the driver to complete your installation.
For the latest software and documentation, go to http://support.comtrol.com/
download.asp.
Note: After installing the hardware, you must install the device driver for your
operating system.
4. Verify that the ports are functioning properly and connect your peripheral
devices.
Use this procedure to complete the installation with a standard interface module.
Do not connect the RocketPort cable to the card or the interface module
when the PC is powered on. This prevents possible damage to the interface
module electronics.
1. Attach the male end of the RocketPort cable to the card and the female end to
the connector labeled Host on the interface module.
Note: The male DB25 port labeled Host is reserved for Comtrol use and no
user accessible signals are present at this port.
2. Tighten the retaining screws.
Note: If you have a 32-port adapter, the connector labeled J1 corresponds to
Ports 0 through 15 and the connector labeled J2 (closest to the bus)
corresponds to Ports 16 through 31.
3. If applicable, use the slide switches on the interface module to set each port to
either RS-232 or RS-422.
4
Installing a Rack Mount Interface Module
4. Use the software installation and configuration document for your operating
system, with the driver to complete your installation.
For the latest software and documentation, go to http://support.comtrol.com/
download.asp.
Note: After installing the hardware, you must install the device driver for your
operating system.
5. Verify that the ports are functioning properly and connect your peripheral
devices.
Installing a Rack
Mount Interface
Module
Caution
The RM16-RJ45 and RM32-RJ45 are sturdy enough to allow you to stack several
units on a shelf, or you can mount it directly into a rack.
1. Place the unit on a stable
surface or attach the L
brackets to the interface
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.
2. Attach the 3-foot cable or the 3foot and the 10-foot cables
together between the interface
and the board.
Note: The cables are interchangeable. You may connect either or both cables
depending upon the distance between the card and the rack. The
maximum distance permitted between the interface module and card is
15 feet.
3. Optionally, for the RM32-RJ45, attach the two cables to the card and the
interface. The connector labeled J1 corresponds to Host A (Ports 0 through 15),
and the connector labeled J2 (closest to the bus) corresponds to Host B (Ports
16 through 32).
Do not connect 16-port cards located in different machines to the
RM32-RJ45. It is possible to damage the interface and card if the
interface is connected to two PCs using separate line power sources.
4. Use the software installation and configuration document for your operating
system, with the driver to complete your installation.
For the latest software and documentation, go to http://support.comtrol.com/
download.asp.
Note: After installing the hardware, you must install the device driver for your
operating system.
5. Verify that the ports are functioning properly and connect your peripheral
devices.
5
RocketPort Interfaces
A cable or interface module may be shipped with RocketPort PCI series. The type
of cable or interface module shipped with RocketPort PCI series depends on the
product part number. The cables and interface modules are described below:
• Quadcable and Octacable
• Standard interface modules
fanout cables with the
Octacable
following configurations:
- Quadcable DB25 and
DB9 male
- Octacable DB25, DB9
male, and RJ45
Note: The RJ45 Octacable is not displayed.
with the following configurations:
- RS-232 mode-only or switch-
selectable RS-232/422; both
models have female DB25
connectors.
- Surge interface module that is
switch-selectable RS-232/422
with male DB25 connectors.
Note: RS-422 supports up to 10
multidrop devices.
RocketPort Interfaces
DB9
Quadcable
DB25
32-Port
16-Port
8-Port
• Rack Mount Models are available
with RJ45 connectors (back panels
shown).
- 16-Port RS-232 (with red LEDs)
- 16-Port RS-422 (with red LEDs)
- 16-Port RS-232 with integrated status LEDs. The yellow LEDs show
receiving activity. The green LEDs show transmitting activity.
- 32-Port RS-232 with integrated status LEDs. The yellow LEDs show
receiving activity. The green LEDs show transmitting activity.
4-Port
6
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