User Guide
Trademark Notices
Document Number: 2000284 Rev. G
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.
Seventh Edition (Rev G), October 13, 2011
Copyright © 2011. 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.
Table of Contents
Overview...................................................................................................................................5
Product Overview.......................................................................................................................................... 5
Supported Models.......................................................................................................................................... 5
Before Installing the RocketPort Universal PCI ................................................................................... 6
Locating the Latest Drivers and Documentation .................................................................................. 6
Card and Interface Installation ..........................................................................................7
Installing the Card ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Attaching a Quadcable or Octacable Interface ...................................................................................... 7
Attaching a Panel 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 .......................................................................................................................... 12
RS-232 Null-Modem Cable ............................................................................................................... 12
RS-422 Null-Modem Cable ................................................................................................................ 13
DB9 Straight-Through Cables ................................................................................................................. 13
DB9 Loopback Plugs................................................................................................................................. 13
RS-232 Female Loopback Plug .......................................................................................................... 13
DB25 Serial Cables and Loopback Plugs ............................................................................................... 14
RJ45 Serial Cables and Loopback Plugs (4J)........................................................................................ 17
RJ11 Serial Cables and Loopback Plugs (8J)........................................................................................ 19
RS-422 Loopback Plug ....................................................................................................................... 13
DB25 Signals............................................................................................................................................. 14
DB25 Null-Modem Cables ........................................................................................................................ 15
DB25 Null-Modem Cables (RS-232) ........................................................................................................ 15
DB25 Null-Modem Cables (RS-422).................................................................................................. 15
DB25 Straight-Through Cables (RS-232) ................................................................................................ 15
DB25 Loopback Plugs............................................................................................................................... 16
RS-232 Female Loopback Plug .......................................................................................................... 16
RS-422 Female Loopback Plug .......................................................................................................... 16
RS-232 Male Loopback Plug .............................................................................................................. 16
RS-422 Male Loopback Plug .............................................................................................................. 16
RJ45 Pinouts ............................................................................................................................................. 17
RJ45 Null-Modem Cables ........................................................................................................................ 17
RJ45 Straight-Through Cables ............................................................................................................... 18
RJ45 Loopback Plugs................................................................................................................................ 18
RJ11 Pinouts ............................................................................................................................................. 19
RJ11 Null-Modem Cables......................................................................................................................... 19
RJ11 Null-Modem Cable (RS-232) .................................................................................................... 19
RJ11 Null-Modem Cable (RS-422) .................................................................................................... 19
RJ11 Straight-Through Cable (RS-232) .................................................................................................. 20
RJ11 Loopback Plugs................................................................................................................................ 20
RocketPort Universal PCI User Guide: 2000284 Rev. G Table of Contents - iii
Table of Contents
Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................21
Before Calling Technical Support ........................................................................................................... 21
RocketPort Universal PCI Diagnostics .................................................................................................. 21
Bootable CD .............................................................................................................................................. 22
Running the Bootable Diagnostic CD ...................................................................................................... 22
Testing a Port or Ports ....................................................................................................................... 22
Stress Testing the RocketPort Universal PCI .................................................................................. 23
Exiting the Diagnostic ....................................................................................................................... 23
Troubleshooting Windows Systems......................................................................................................... 23
Troubleshooting Linux Systems .............................................................................................................. 31
Technical Support ....................................................................................................................................... 32
If the Diagnostic Fails........................................................................................................................ 23
Comtrol Utility.......................................................................................................................................... 24
Using PortMon to Test the Driver Installation ................................................................................ 26
Using Test Terminal to Test a Port ................................................................................................... 29
lcom(1) ....................................................................................................................................................... 31
File Transfer ............................................................................................................................................. 31
Changing Serial Port Settings (stty) ....................................................................................................... 31
Setting Up Terminals and Modems (mgetty, getty) ............................................................................... 31
Testing with minicom ............................................................................................................................... 31
iv - Table of Contents RocketPort Universal PCI User Guide: 2000284 Rev. G
Product Overview
Overview
The RocketPort Universal 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.
It supports 3.3 and 5.0 volt PCI bus architecture and is compatible with 32- and
64-bit PCI slots.
The RocketPort Universal PCI 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 Universal PCI cards in one computer,
providing a maximum of 128 additional serial ports. The PC must comply with the
PCI 2.2 specification or greater.
Supported Models
The RocketPort Universal PCI family consists of the following models:
• 4-Port adapters with the following interface options:
- Quadcable (fanout cable) with DB9 or DB25 connectors
- RJ45 connectors built into the edge of the card
• 8-Port adapters with the following interface options:
- Octacable (fanout cable) with DB9, DB25, or RJ45 connectors
- RJ11 connectors built into the edge of the card
- Panel mount RS-232 interface box with DB25F connectors
- Panel mount RS-232/422 interface box with DB25F connectors
- Panel mount RS-232/422 Surge interface box with DB25M connectors
• 16-Port adapter with the following interface options:
- Panel mount RS-232 interface box with sixteen DB25F connectors
- Panel mount RS-232/422 interface box with sixteen DB25F connectors
- Panel mount RS-232/422 Surge interface box with sixteen DB25M
connectors
- Rack mount RS-232 interface box with sixteen RJ45 connectors
- Rack mount RS-422 interface box with sixteen RJ45 connectors
• 32-Port adapter with the following interface options:
- Panel mount RS-232 interface box with sixteen DB25F connectors
- Panel mount RS-232/422 interface box with sixteen DB25F connectors
- Panel mount RS-232/422 Surge interface box with sixteen DB25M
connectors
- Rack mount RS-232 interface box with sixteen RJ45 connectors
RocketPort Universal PCI User Guide: 2000284 Rev. G Overview - 5
Overview
- Rack mount RS-232 interface box with thirty-two RJ45 connectors
- Rack mount RS-422 interface box with sixteen RJ45 connectors
Before Installing the RocketPort Universal PCI
If you are planning on installing the RocketPort Universal PCI in a Windows
system make sure that you have placed 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. Optionally, you can use the links in the following subsection.
You may want to record the model and serial number of the RocketPort Universal
PCI 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.
Software or
Document
Device drivers ftp://ftp.comtrol.com/html/RPuPCI_drivers.htm
Diagnostic and
Utilities
User Guides ftp://ftp.comtrol.com/html/RPuPCI_docs.htm
ftp://ftp.comtrol.com/html/RPuPCI_diag.htm
Location
6 - Overview RocketPort Universal PCI User Guide: 2000284 Rev. G
Installing the Card
Caution
Caution
Octacable
DB9
Card and Interface Installation
Use the following procedure to install a RocketPort Universal PCI card.
1. If this is a Windows installation, copy the latest driver to your system before
installing the RocketPort Universal PCI. See Locating the Latest Drivers and
Documentation on Page 6 to locate the latest driver and installation
documentation.
2. Turn off the host computer.
Note: You may want to write down the model number and serial number of
the card before installation.
3. Remove the system cover from your computer.
4. Select a PCI expansion slot.
5. Remove the slot cover or release the clamp.
6. Insert the card into the slot and seat it securely.
7. Reinstall the expansion slot retaining screw or clamp.
Do not connect an interface to the card when the host system is
powered on, this can cause card failure.
8. Attach the interface or cable to the RocketPort Universal PCI:
• If this is a 4J or 8J installation, see Connecting Serial Devices
for cabling information after driver installation.
• Attaching a
• Attaching a Panel Interface Box
• Installing a Rackmount Interface Box
Quadcable or Octacable Interface on Page 7 (below)
Attaching a Quadcable or Octacable Interface
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 DB78 end of the Quadcable or Octacable to the card.
Make sure that the connectors are properly
aligned and forcefully push the connector of
the Quadcable or Octacable with a rocking
motion into the card connector. Make sure
that the connector is seated tightly before
tightening the retaining screws on the
connector.
3. Tighten the retaining screws on the connector.
4. Power on the host system.
5. Click Cancel if a Found New Hardware message appears on a Windows
operating system.
Execute the device driver file to start the driver installation.
on Page 11
on Page 8
on Page 9
RocketPort Universal PCI User Guide: 2000284 Rev. G Card and Interface Installation - 7
Card and Interface Installation
Caution
For other operating system device drivers, see Locating the Latest Drivers and
Documentation on Page 6.
6. After installing the driver, you should verify that the ports are functioning
properly and then connect your serial devices.
You can use the Troubleshooting
for your operating system.
Refer to Connecting Serial Devices
connecting serial devices.
Attaching a Panel Interface Box
Use the following to attach a panel interface box.
Do not connect the cable to the RocketPort Universal PCI card or
interface box when the computer is powered on.
Connecting the cable to the RocketPort Universal PCI 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 host system is powered off before connecting the cable
2. Attach the male end of the RocketPort Universal PCI cable to the card and the
female end to the connector labeled Host on the interface box.
Note: The male DB25 port labeled Host is
reserved for Comtrol use and no user
accessible signals are present at this port.
3. 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.
4. If this is an RS-232/422 switchable interface,
make sure that you set the ports to the
appropriate interface mode.
5. Power on the host system.
6. Click Cancel if a Found New Hardware message
appears on a Windows operating system.
Execute the device driver file to start the driver installation.
For other operating system device drivers, see Locating the Latest Drivers and
Documentation on Page 6.
7. After installing the driver, you should verify that the ports are functioning
properly and then connect your serial devices.
You can use the Troubleshooting
for your operating system.
Refer to Connecting Serial Devices
connecting serial devices.
section on Page 21 for port testing procedures
on Page 11 for information about
section on Page 21 for port testing procedures
on Page 11 for information about
8 - Card and Interface Installation RocketPort Universal PCI User Guide: 2000284 Rev. G
Installing a Rackmount Interface Box
Caution
Caution
Caution
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.
Do not connect the cable to the RocketPort Universal PCI card or
interface box when the computer is powered on.
Connecting the cable to the RocketPort Universal PCI 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 host system is powered off before connecting the cable.
2. Place the Rackmount interface box on a stable surface or attach the brackets
to the interface box using the screws supplied with the unit and attach the
bracket into your rack.
Note: You can mount the Rackmount interface box facing in either direction.
3. Attach the 3-foot cable or the 3-foot and the 10-foot cables together between
the interface and the board.
Make sure that the connectors are properly aligned. Do NOT use force
when connecting the cables to the host adapter card.
Card and Interface Installation
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 box and card is 15
feet.
4. 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.
5. Power on the host system.
6. Click Cancel if a Found New Hardware message appears on a Windows
operating system. Execute the device driver file to start the driver installation.
For other operating system device drivers, see Locating the Latest Drivers and
Documentation on Page 6.
7. After installing the driver, you should verify that the ports are functioning
properly and then connect your serial devices.
The rackmount interface boxes provide LEDs that display the following:
• 16-Port RS-422 (with red LEDs that display port activity)
• 16-Port RS-232 with integrated status LEDs. The yellow LEDs show
receiving activity. The green LEDs show transmitting activity.
RocketPort Universal PCI User Guide: 2000284 Rev. G Card and Interface Installation - 9
Card and Interface Installation
• 32-Port RS-232 with integrated status LEDs. The yellow LEDs show
receiving activity. The green LEDs show transmitting activity.
You can use the Troubleshooting
section on Page 21 for port testing procedures
for your operating system.
Refer to Connecting Serial Devices
connecting serial devices.
on Page 11 for information about
10 - Card and Interface Installation RocketPort Universal PCI User Guide: 2000284 Rev. G
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