Crestron CNRACKX User Manual
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System
Contents
CNX Card Cage System: CNRACKX 1
Description ..........................................................................................................................1
Functional Description............................................................................................ 1
Physical Description...............................................................................................2
Leading Specifications ......................................................................................................... 6
Setup....................................................................................................................................7
Rack Mounting ....................................................................................................... 7
Network Wiring......................................................................................................8
Preparation for Use.................................................................................................9
Programming the LCD Display........................................................................................... 10
Front Panel Editor ................................................................................................ 10
Creating a Page with Front Panel Editor................................................................ 11
Object Types ........................................................................................................ 13
Loading Crestron Control Software .................................................................................... 13
Installing Crestron Development Tools ................................................................. 13
Initial Setup .......................................................................................................... 14
File Types............................................................................................................. 16
Obtaining Communications................................................................................... 18
Troubleshooting Communications......................................................................... 20
Loading the System Program................................................................................ 23
Testing the Permanent Memory Image.................................................................. 24
Loading Touchpanels............................................................................................ 24
Updating the Control System ................................................................................ 25
Problem Solving................................................................................................................. 28
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................... 28
Further Inquiries................................................................................................... 28
Return and Warranty Policies ............................................................................................. 29
Merchandise Returns / Repair Service................................................................... 29
CRESTRON Limited Warranty............................................................................. 29
Operations Guide - DOC. 8133 Contents •• i
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System
CNX Card Cage System:
CNRACKX
Description
Functional Description
The CNRACKX is an integral part of Crestron’s new generation of control system
technology featuring the newest series of Ethernet/LAN compatible control systems.
The CNRACKX is a modular “card cage” control system offering the ultimate in
flexibility and customization. In addition to the CNXCPU (central processing unit),
the unit has the capacity for 15 expansion cards. The variety of CNX expansion cards
provides a very high degree of functionality and therefore, this type of system is
suitable for relatively large systems. The CNRACKX requires an external power
supply, CNPWS-75 (sold separately).
Expansion Slots
The 15 open “card cage” slots accept any combination of CNX expansion cards. A
slot for the CNXCPU that optionally features Crestron’s exclusive DPA (Direct
Processor Access) port for Ethernet/LAN expansion of the control network. This port
provides high-speed access directly to the processor while maintaining bandwidth
network connections. The DPA permits 10BaseT and is ready to support Firewire,
ATM, 100BaseT and other future protocols.
LCD Display
An 80-character (two 40-character lines) LCD display is located on the front panel to
provide extended features, status information, and troubleshooting indications.
Network Analyzer
To further assist with troubleshooting, the CNRACKX contains Crestron’s patent-
pending network analyzer to continuously the integrity of the Crestron network for
wiring faults and marginal system performance or other network errors. For more
information on how to use the network analyzer, refer to the SIMPL™ Windows
help file and use the index to search for “Network Analyzer”.
Operations Guide - DOC. 8133 CNX Card Cage System: CNRACKX •• 1
CNX Card Cage System Crestron CNRACKX
Physical Description
The CNRACKX is housed in a black enclosure with silk-screened labels on the front
panel. On the front panel there is a single RS-232 computer port, standard LEDs, two
reset buttons, a reverse LCD display with menu function and selection buttons, and a
row of slot status LED indicators.
The rear panel provides 15 open CNX expansion card slots and the CNXCPU. On
the CNXCPU, there are two Cresnet connectors, a single RS-232 computer port, and
two LEDs. The LAN/DPA port is available when the optional CNXENET expansion
card is installed as part of the CNXCPU.
CNRACKX Physical Views
19.00 in
(48.26 cm)
PWRPWR
NET
C
O
M
ERR
P
U
T
HW-R
E
R
SW-R
CRESTRONCRESTRON
P R O F E S S I O N A L C O N T R O L P R O C E S S O R
LAN
RXD
TXD
LNK
ERR
MENUMENU
BKLTBKLT
INTERFACE CONTROL CARD SLOT
65431 2 7 15141312111098
5.20 in
(13.21 cm)
CNRACKX
FRONT PANEL
17.16 in
(43.58 cm)
CNXCPU
CONTROL
PROCESSOR
PWR
NET
LAN
COMPUTER
DPA
24
Y
C
Z
R
G
E
S
N
E
T
CRESTRON
REAR PANEL
Four rubber feet (supplied) can be affixed to the bottom of the CNRACKX to
provide stability and to prevent slippage when mounted on a flat surface. The unit
may also be rack mounted by attaching metal flanges, known as ears (supplied), to
each end.
CNRACKX Ports
There is only one CNRACKX port, labeled COMPUTER, on the front panel. The
other ports on the rear are part of the CNXCPU:
COMPUTER
Computer Connectors
C
O
M
P
U
T
E
R
FRONT PANEL REAR PANEL
COMPUTER
These 9-pin DB9 female connectors (one on the front panel and one on the
CNXCPU) are used when programming with a PC. A standard DB9 female (PC end)
to DB9 male (CNRACKX end) straight-through serial cable (not supplied) is used to
communicate with either COMPUTER port. The ports are electrically connected and
are modem compatible. The modem cable is not included.
2 •• CNX Card Cage System: CNRACKX Operations Guide - DOC. 8133
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System
CRESNET
Cresnet 4-Wire and 6-Pin Connectors
24
Y
Z
C
R
G
E
S
N
E
T
On the CNXCPU, there are two network connectors: 4-wire and modular. The 4-wire
male connector (typical Crestron network port labeled 24 Y Z G) and 6-pin RJ-type
connector are used for expansion to Cresnet and SmarTouch peripherals. The total
maximum load rating depends on the expansion slot load. The ports are wired in
parallel.
NOTE: If using the 4-wire connector, review the latest revision of the Cresnet
Network Interconnect Drawing (Doc. 5411).
NOTE: If using the modular connector, review the latest revision of the Crestron
Network Modular Cable Requirements (Doc. 5682). Most 6-conductor phone cables
are wired in a crisscross fashion and are not compatible with Crestron equipment.
LAN/DPA
LAN/DPA Connector
LAN
DPA
This 8-pin RJ-type port on the CNXCPU is available when the optional CNXENET
Expansion Card is installed. Refer to the CNXENET Operations & Installation
Guide (latest revision of Doc. 8129) for further information.
Operations Guide - DOC. 8133 CNX Card Cage System: CNRACKX •• 3
CNX Card Cage System Crestron CNRACKX
CNRACKX Indicators
There are 22 LED indicators on the front panel of the CNRACKX. The other two
LEDs on the rear are part of the CNXCPU:
PWR
These two LEDs (one on the front panel and one on the CNXCPU) illuminate when
the CNRACKX receives power from the CNPWS-75 External Power Supply (sold
separately).
NET
These two LEDs (one on the front panel and one on the CNXCPU) illuminate when
the CNXCPU is processing data or communicating with system hardware. Examples
are a button pressed at the local or a network panel, data being sent out of either
serial port, or a permanent memory image being created.
ERR
This LED illuminates when one or more error conditions are detected by the
CNXCPU. This may be the result of hardware or software failure, hardware
incompatibility with software definitions, or a programming error. To read the error
message(s), press the MSG (from the Default Info Menu) and MENU DOWN
buttons to examine the error(s). The LED extinguishes after the last message has
been read.
NOTE: The next four LEDs are active only if the optional CNXENET Expansion
Card is installed and the CNRACKX is connected to a LAN.
RXD (LAN)
This LED illuminates during reception of Ethernet data by the CPU slot.
TXD (LAN)
This LED illuminates during transmission of Ethernet data from the CPU slot.
LNK (LAN)
This LED illuminates when there are attachments to the Ethernet network.
ERR (LAN)
This LED illuminates when an Ethernet protocol error is detected.
INTERFACE CONTROL CARD SLOT (1 – 15)
These LEDs illuminate when a CNX expansion card is present in a respective slot.
CNRACKX Buttons
Two buttons are provided on the front panel of the CNRACKX. Refer to the
description of each below:
HW-R
Depression of this button initiates physical reset of the system.
SW-R
The SW-R button is used to initiate a restart of the SIMPL program. Holding the
button while the unit is starting (or restarting), sets the CNRACKX to a default mode
where the communications baud rate is set to 9600 and no program is executed.
4 •• CNX Card Cage System: CNRACKX Operations Guide - DOC. 8133
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System
CNRACKX LCD Display
The front panel of the CNRACKX incorporates a reverse mode (yellow on black)
LCD display, shown below. The screen contains two lines with 40 characters per
line; it is used to extend features and gain access to the system including the SIMPL
program. Menu buttons partially surround the display. To the right of the display
there are four menu “selection” buttons. These buttons permit the user to navigate
through the menus and control the backlight brightness of the display. Beneath the
display there are six menu “function” buttons. These buttons offer extended features
of the CNRACKX. Refer to “Programming the LCD Display” on page 10 for details.
Default LCD Display
Menu Selection Buttons
Menu Function Buttons
MENU
This button returns the screen display to the menu default state.
This button advances the screen display by one page.
This button returns the current screen display to its previous state.
BKLT
This button alters the screen backlight brightness.
PANEL
This button displays a programmable interface offering command text, indirect text,
and hierarchical screen structure. An example of this display is provided in the
Programming the LCD Display section. The menu is subject to programming; a
sample application is portrayed.
INFO
This button displays a default Info Menu, shown below. System information,
including the loaded SIMPL program version, types of CNX expansion cards
installed in the card slots, the Cresnet devices detected, the Ops/ROM version, and
the communication settings, is displayed. While the COM menu is displayed,
depressing the or menu selection buttons changes the system baud rate.
Default Info Menu
Operations Guide - DOC. 8133 CNX Card Cage System: CNRACKX •• 5
CNX Card Cage System Crestron CNRACKX
SPECIFICATION
DETAILS
MSG
This button displays system alarms and error messages. If one or more errors are
present, press the menu selection button to see the next message. An example
system message is shown below.
Message Example
TIME
This menu can only be obtained by entering the correct access code. The default
access code is 1234. The default Time Menu, shown after this paragraph, permits
alterations to the CNRACKX date and time. Selecting a date/time parameter from
the menu increments it by one. Additional incremental or decremental changes can
then be done by depressing the and menu selection buttons, respectively.
Default Time Menu
Leading Specifications
The tables below provide a summary of leading specifications for the CNRACKX.
Dimensions and weight are rounded to the nearest hundredth unit.
Leading Specifications of the CNRACKX
Power Requirements
SIMPL Windows
CNX Upgrade File
Reset Buttons
LCD Display
Dimensions & Weight
24VDC from the CNPWS-75 External Power
Supply (not supplied), Load Factor for the
CNRACKX with CNXCPU only (no other
expansion cards) is 5 watts.
Version 1.30.01 or later with the addition of
of smwlib49.exe and smwlib49.txt.
Version 5.07.00w or later.
HW-R (permits physical reset of system) &
SW-R (restarts SIMPL program).
(1) reverse mode (yellow on black) LCD
back light; (2) lines, (40) characters per line.
Height: 5.20 in (13.21 cm)
Width: 19.00 in (48.26 cm)
Depth: 8.31 in (21.12 cm)
Weight: 8.00 lb (3.60 kg)
1
2
3
4
6 •• CNX Card Cage System: CNRACKX Operations Guide - DOC. 8133
Crestron CNRACKX CNX Card Cage System
1
CAUTION: The total load factor of the CNRACKX depends on the expansion
cards installed. Add the combined power requirements of all of the cards to be
installed and add 5-watts for the CNRACKX and CNXCPU. Do not exceed 75
watts for total load factor of a single CNRACKX.
2
The latest software versions can be obtained from the Software Downloads page
(SIMPLWIN Library) of Crestron’s website (www.crestron.com). New users are
required to register in order to obtain access to the FTP site.
3
Filenames for CNX update files have a .UPZ extension and can be obtained
from the Software Downloads page (OPSYS Library) of Crestron’s website.
4
Listed weight is for CNRACKX with CNXCPU and no other expansion cards.
Leading Specifications of the CNRACKX Card Slots
SLOT DETAILS
1 through 15 (15) open "card cage" slots accept any CNX Expansion Card.
CPU Card slot for CNXCPU.
As of the date of manufacture, this unit has been tested and found to comply with
specifications for CE marking.
Setup
NOTE: This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) these devices may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) these devices must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Rack Mounting
WARNING: To prevent bodily injury when mounting or servicing this unit in a
rack, you must take special precautions to ensure that the system remains stable. The
following guidelines are provided to ensure your safety:
4 The unit should be mounted at the bottom of the rack if it is the only unit in the
rack.
4 When mounting this unit in a partially filled rack, load the rack from the bottom
to the top with the heaviest component at the bottom of the rack.
4 If the rack is provided with stabilizing devices, install the stabilizers before
mounting or servicing the unit in the rack.
NOTE: If rack mounting is not required, rubber feet are provided for table-top
mounting or stacking. On the underside of the unit, apply two of the feet at the rear
corners and the remaining two approximately one inch from the front corners.
Operations Guide - DOC. 8133 CNX Card Cage System: CNRACKX •• 7
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