Comtrol VS1100 Installation Reference Card

InterChangeVS™ 1000

InterChangeVS 1100

Installation Reference Card

Installation Overview

Use this Reference Card to install the InterChangeVS
1000 base unit and InterChangeVS1100 port extenders.

To install the VS1000/VS1100 series, perform the
following procedures:

• Install the VS1000/VS1100 hardware and the
asynchronous RS-232 devices that you are
connecting to the VS1000/VS1100 serial ports

• Install the VS-Link software

• Configure your operating system to work with the
devices connected to the VS1000/VS1100

This is only an Installation Reference Card. See the

Installation and Configuration Guide for information

about installing the VS-Link software and other topics
not discussed in this card.

Installing VS1000 Hardware

Use the following procedure to connect the VS1000.

1.Record the model and serial numbers of the VS1000
in the event that you need to call technical support.

VS1000 Model and Serial Numbers

Serial Number* Network Address*

00 C0 4E

* The identification tags are located on the back of the unit.

You can write this information on the blank sticker
shipped with the VS1000/VS1100. The VS1100 has a
serial number only.

2.Optionally, mount the VS1000 into the rack using
the enclosed mounting brackets. The unit is
designed to install in the rack with the front or back
of the unit facing the front of the rack.

Warning:If mounting the VS1000 into a rack mount

unit, make sure the rack is not top heavy.

3. Connect the cable from the appropriate Ethernet

Server

Terminator Plug

connection (10Base-T or AUI) on the VS1000 to your
server or Ethernet hub.

Ethernet Connection

to Server or

Ethernet Hub

VS-Link

Note: Do not connect two VS1000 base units together.

If connecting the VS1000 directly to the server, an
Ethernet crossover cable is required. See the

Installation and Configuration Guide for details.

4. If installing only a VS1000, put the terminator plug
in the VS1100 connector of the VS1000 base unit.
Then go to the Power-On Diagnostics discussion.

5. If installing one or more VS1100 expansion units, go
to the Installing VS1100 Hardware discussion.

Installing VS1100 Hardware

Use the following procedure to connect InterChangeVS
1100 port extenders to the VS1000 base unit.

1. Record the serial numbers of the VS1100 units.

VS1100 Model and Serial Numbers

VS1100 Serial Number*

1
2
3

* The identification tag is located on the back of the unit.

2. Optionally, mount the VS1100 port extenders into

Terminator Plug

the rack using the enclosed mounting brackets.

Warning: If mounting the VS1100 into a rack mount

unit, make sure the rack is not top heavy.

3. Connect the VS1100 device or devices to the VS1000
virtual server:

• Connect the cable shipped with the VS1100 from

the connector labeled VS1100 on the VS1000
unit to the INPUT connector on the VS1100.

• To connect additional VS1100 units, connect the

cable from the OUTPUT of one unit to the
INPUT of the next unit.

Note: You can connect up to three VS1100 port

extenders to one VS1000 base unit.

VS1000

VS1100

VS1100

VS1100

Note: The VS1100 cannot be connected directly to the

LAN. Remember, Ports 1 through 16 are RS-232
ports.

4. Install the terminator plug in the OUTPUT
connection of the last VS1100 in the installation.

5. Go to the Power-On Diagnostics discussion.

Power-On Diagnostics

All VS1000 units include autoswitching power supplies.
You may need to select the appropriate power cable for
your location, but the VS1000 automatically senses and
switches to the correct line voltage and cycle frequency.

The VS1100 expansion unit draws its power from the
host VS1000 base unit and does not contain a power
supply or cooling fan.

After you have connected the VS1000 to the network,
and the VS1100 to the VS1000, connect the power cord
to the VS1000 and switch the VS1000 on. Then use the
following information to determine if your VS1000/
VS1100 units are working correctly.

1. If the LEDs for Ports 1 through 16 flash during
power up, the VS1000/VS1100 hardware is working
properly.

2. If using the 10Base-T connection and the polarity is
correct, the lower LED remains on.

Note: After the power-up tests, the VS1000 waits for the

3. If the LEDs do not display an error condition, go to

The following tables illustrate other LED patterns for
diagnosing hardware problems

server PC to download the VS-Link software. The
Port 1 LED blinks while the VS1000 is waiting
and goes out when the server initiates normal
program activity.

the Installation and Configuration Guide for
instructions on installing and configuring VS-Link
for your operating system.

.

10Base-T LED Descriptions

LED Indicator Description

During the power on cycle (first few

Upper

Flashes

Briefly

seconds after power turned on), this
turns on briefly to display link polarity
on the 10Base-T connection.

The light flashes briefly during

Flashing

Upper

transmissions as a general indicator of
activity.

On

Lower

VS1000 is correctly attached to the
LAN by the RJ45 10Base-T connector.

VS1000 is not connected to the LAN

Off

Lower

properly or it is connected to the AUI
port.

Note: If using an AUI connection to the server, you can

determine proper polarity by using an AUI to
10Base-T converter box.

Ports 1 Through 16 LED Descriptions

Indicator Description

Flash

Briefly

1 LED Lit*

All LEDs light briefly during the power­on sequence and then turn off.

A RAM self-test failure or other

mainboard error.
2 LEDs Lit* Ethernet hardware initialization failure.
3 LEDs Lit* A hardware self-test failure.
4 LEDs Lit* A flash memory configuration error.

* The LEDs light up for a about a minute and then the

hardware resets and the same cycle repeats.

Connecting Devices

Modem Bank

Use the following discussion to connect RS-232
asynchronous devices to the VS1000/VS1100 ports. The
following figure illustrates a modem bank environment.

1. Connect your RS-232 devices to Ports 1 through 16,
for each VS1000/VS1100. RJ45 to DB25 cables are
available from Comtrol.

VS1000

COM5-

COM20

Modem Bank

VS1100

COM21-

COM36

Modem Bank

VS1100

COM37-

COM52

VS1100

COM53-

COM68

Modem Bank

Note:Use the hardware manufacturer’s documentation

2.Install or reconfigure VS-Link.

if you need help with connector pinouts or cabling.

RS-232 Cabling

For information about building modem, null modem,
RJ45-to-DB25, and other custom RS-232 cables, see the
VS1000 Installation and Configuration Guide.

Use the following for pinout information on the RJ45
serial port connectors on the VS1000/VS1100.

RJ45 Connectors

Pin RS-232 Signals

1 RTS
2 DTR
3 GND
4 TxD
5 RxD
6 DCD
7 DSR
8 CTS

Pin 1

Pin 8

Receptacle

Pin 1

Windows NT Configuration

The following procedures apply to Window NT
installations only. For more information, see the

Installation and Configuration Guide.

Adding VS1100 Expansion Units

Follow these steps to add VS1100 expansion units to an
existing installation.

1.Switch off the VS1000 base unit.

2.Connect the VS1100 expansion unit to the VS1000
base unit, as described under Installing VS1100
Hardware.

3. Switch on the VS1000 base unit and verify that the
system passes the power-on diagnostics.

4. Start the VS-Link Setup program.

5. Highlight the VS1000 that you have attached the
VS1100 to and click the Properties button.

6. Enter the new number of ports, including the
VS1000 and all attached VS1100 expansion units.
Acceptable values include 16, 32, 48, and 64.

7. Save the new configuration and exit from the Setup
program.

8. Shut down and restart the NT server so that your
changes take effect.

Adding VS1000 Base Units

Follow these steps to add VS1000 base units to an
existing installation.

1. Connect the new VS1000 to the network, as
described under Installing VS1000 Hardware.

2. Switch on the VS1000 and verify that it passes the
power-on diagnostics.

3. Start the VS-Link Setup program.

4. Click the Add button.

5. If desired, enter a new device name.

6. Use the Network Address droplist to select the
address of the new VS1000.

7. Use the Number of Ports droplist to select the
number of ports on this VS1000 and any associated
VS1100 expansion units.

8. Use the Starting COM Port droplist to set the
number of the first COM port on this VS1000, or set
this value to Auto-Select to let the port numbering
follow in sequence from previous VS1000 units.

Note: For information about the Backup Server option,

9. Save the new configuration and exit Setup.

10. Shut down and restart the NT server so that your

see the Installation and Configuration Guide.

changes take effect.

“Hot-Swapping” Units in Service

Existing and configured VS1000 units can be replaced
with identical units without downing the server or
reconfiguring ports. To do so, follow these steps:

1.Shut off the VS1000 to be replaced, transfer all
cables to the corresponding ports on the new
VS1000, and power up the new VS1000.

2.Note the Network Address of the new VS1000.

3.Start the VS-Link Setup program.

4.Highlight the VS1000 to be replaced and click the
Configure button.

5.Use the Network Address droplist to select the
network address of the new VS1000. Leave all other
properties the same.

6.Save the new configuration and exit from the Setup
program.

7.The new VS1000 immediately replaces the old one
under the old unit’s device name. Restarting the
system is not needed.

Note:Do not add or remove VS1100 expansion units

while swapping VS1000 units.

Novell NetWare Configuration

The following procedures apply to Novell NetWare
installations only. For more information, see the

Installation and Configuration Guide.

Adding VS1100 Expansion Units

Follow these steps to add VS1100 expansion units to an
existing installation.

1.Switch off the VS1000 base unit.

2.Connect the VS1100 expansion unit to the VS1000
base unit, as described under Installing VS1100
Hardware.

3.Switch on the VS1000 base unit and verify that the
system passes the power-on diagnostics.

4. NetWare Connect: find the line in autoexec.ncf that
initializes the VS1000 base unit and change the
nports command in the load aiovs1 line to reflect
the added ports.

MPR: use the inetcfg Boards option to change the
number of AIO ports on the VS1000 base units and
the Network Interfaces option to configure the
new ports.

5. NetWare Connect: down and restart the server so
that your changes take effect.

MPR: use the inetcfg Reinitialize System option to
put the new configuration into effect.

6. NetWare Connect only: use nwccon to configure the
new ports.

7. Resume normal operations.

Adding VS1000 Base Units

Follow these steps to add more VS1000 base units to an
existing installation.

1. Connect the new VS1000 to the network, as
described under Installing VS1000 Hardware.

2. Switch on the VS1000 and verify that it passes the
power-on diagnostics.

3. NetWare Connect: at the system console, enter the
load aiovs1 command for this unit, as described in
the Installation and Configuration Guide.

MPR: use the inetcfg Boards option to add the unit.

4. Configure the new ports as needed.

5. NetWare Connect: edit autoexec.ncf and add the
load line for the new VS1000.

MPR: use the inetcfg Reinitialize System option to
put the new configuration into effect.

6. Resume normal operations.

“Hot-Swapping” Units in Service

Under Novell, “hot-swapping” is handled through the
vs1man.nlm utility. For more information, see the
Installation and Configuration Guide or vs1man help.

Technical Support

If you have questions about your VS1000/VS1100 or
need technical support, contact Comtrol using one of the
following methods.

The Installation and Configuration Guide and online
help systems contain substantial troubleshooting
information. Also, see the Guide for information about
obtaining software and/or documentation updates.

Corporate Headquarters:

• email: [e-mail]

•

FAX: [phone]

• Phone: [phone]

•

FTP Site: ftp://ftp.comtrol.com

• Web Site: http://www.comtrol.com

Comtrol Europe:

• email: [e-mail]

•

FAX: [phone]

• Phone: [phone]

• Web Site: http://www.comtrol.co.uk

Comtrol has a staff of hardware and software engineers,
technicians, and managers available to help you.

Third Edition, April 8, 1998
Copyright © 1998. Comtrol Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.

Comtrol Corporation makes no representations or
warranties with regard to the contents of this reference
card 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.

Trademark Notices

Comtrol and InterChange VS are trademarks of Comtrol
Corporation.

Microsoft and Windows NT are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation.

Novell and NetWare are registered trademarks and
NetWare Connect and MultiProtocol Router are
trademarks of Novell, Inc.

Other product names mentioned herein may be
trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their
respective owners.

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