CTC Union STE-10 Operation Manual

OPERATION MANUAL

Table of Contents

i

CHAPTER 1

1.0 Introduction ..................................................................... 1

1.1 Features ………………………………………………….. 1

1.2 Specifications ................................................................... 2

1.3 Configuration ................................................................... 4

1.4 Configuration with Telnet ................................................. 8

1.5 Raw Data Server Mode .................................................... 9

1.6 Telnet IAC Data Server Mode ......................................... 16

1.7 Terminal Server Mode .................................................... 17

1.8 Auto Connect After Power Up Mode .............................. 20

CHAPTER 2

2.0 Application Examples ...................................................... 23

2.1 Raw Data Server Application ....................................... 23

2.2 Terminal Server Application ........................................ 24

2.3 Auto Connect Application ........................................... 26

APPENDIX

A.1 RS-232 Port Pin Definition ............................................. 29

A.2 RJ-45 Ethernet Pin Definition ......................................... 29

A.3 Null Modem Cable Pinout ............................................... 30

Table of Contents

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Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

1

1.0 Introduction

The STE-10 Serial Access Unit is a low cost, compact, serial

access server or terminal server for connecting asynchronous serial
devices (RS-232) over Ethernet (10Base-T) using a TCP/IP protocol
stack. The STE-10 may operate in either a client mode or as a server,
allowing connection of serial data directly over a LAN or WAN.
Configuration may be performed either via the DB25 pin RS-232 port
with an ASCII terminal or via Telnet and Ethernet connection on the
RJ-45 LAN port. The serial port is DTE, which allows direct
connection to DCE equipment such as Modems. For connection to
other DTE equipment such as a PC or terminal, a NULL Modem or
crossover cable is required. One is provided with the unit.

1.1 Features

• Low cost, compact design.

• Serial connection over Ethernet.

• Operates in either server or client mode.

• Complete TCP/IP protocol stack (OSI Network Layer 3).

• Provides packetization of serial data.

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

2

1.2 Specifications

Hardware

• CPU Intel® 80188

• ROM 256K bytes Flash

• RAM 256K bytes DRAM

• LAN Interface IEEE802.3 10Base-T Ethernet, RJ-45

connector, DTE connection straight to HUB

• Serial interface EIA RS-232 ASYNC, DB25M connector

• Baud rates 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400,

57600, 115200, 230400, or 460800

• Data length 5, 6, 7, or 8 bits

• Parity None, Odd, or Even

• Stop bits 1 or 2 bits

• Handshaking None, RTS/CTS, or Xon/Xoff

Software

• Flash ROM Boot without network host; provision for easy

software upgrades

• Protocols TCP/IP, ARP, ICMP protocols

• Functions Telnet / Reverse Telnet

• Configuration Telnet or ASCII terminal direct or via Dial-in

• LED indicators Power, LAN Tx/Rx, Serial Tx and Rx

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

3

Ethernet connection: straight cable to HUB,
crossover cable to NIC

Ethernet activity indicator LED

Connect to
AC Adapter

Power
indicator
LED

RS-232 activity
LED indicators

RS-232 Async Port
D-type 25 pin Male

Config.
Switch

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

4

1.3 Configuration

Before any Ethernet connection is made to the STE-10, the

device must have a valid IP address, which is accessible through the
network. Initial IP setting is accomplished with a terminal connection
to the RS-232 serial port. Connect a serial terminal to the RS-232 port
of the STE-10 at 9600 baud, 8 bits, no parity and 1 stop bit. Since the
STE-10 is DTE and a terminal is also DTE, please use the provided
crossover cable. Set the configuration switch on the STE-10 to
"SETUP" and apply power.

If a serial terminal is not available, a PC with Windows may be
used along with the HyperTerminal program. To start and configure
HyperTerminal follow these simple steps:

Using your mouse, browse to HyperTerminal; Start =>Programs
=>Accessories =>Communications =>HyperTerminal.

Double-click the "Hypertrm.exe" icon. Enter a name (such as
STE-10) and choose an icon for the connection. When the "Connect
to" dialogue box appears, click the down arrow on the "Connect
using:" pull-down tab and select "Direct to COMx" where "x" is the
COM port number that will connect to the STE-10.

Click the "OK" button and set the COM port parameters for; 9600
baud, 8 bits, no parity, 1 stop bit and no flow control. Refer to the
following page graphic.

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

5

Example of port setting under HyperTerminal .

An initial message like the one below will be displayed while the
port checks whether it is connected to a modem, followed by the main
configuration menu display.

CHECKING MODEM ABOUT 10 SECONDCHECKING MODEM ABOUT 10 SECOND

AT&C1V1AT&C1V1

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

6

If your connection is a direct one, your terminal should display

the first menu for the STE-10.

SERIAL DEVICE SERVERSERIAL DEVICE SERVER

a). DEVICE SETTINGSa). DEVICE SETTINGS

b). UPGRADE FIRMWAREb). UPGRADE FIRMWARE

c). GENERAL DIAGNOSTICc). GENERAL DIAGNOSTIC

SELECT:SELECT:

Main configuration menu, terminal mode.

Select option a): Device Settings

DEVICE SETTINGSDEVICE SETTINGS

a). DEVICE IP ADDRESSa). DEVICE IP ADDRESS <192.168.2.1><192.168.2.1>

b). DEVICE SUBNET MASKb). DEVICE SUBNET MASK <255.255.255.0><255.255.255.0>

c). DEVICE NAMEc). DEVICE NAME <STE-10><STE-10>

d). DEVICE PASSWORDd). DEVICE PASSWORD <><>

e). MODE SETTINGSe). MODE SETTINGS <<RAW SERVER>RAW SERVER>

f). GATEWAY ADDRESSf). GATEWAY ADDRESS <0.0.0.0><0.0.0.0>

g). LOAD DEFAULT SETTINGSg). LOAD DEFAULT SETTINGS

h). APPLY AND SAVE SETTINGSh). APPLY AND SAVE SETTINGS

q). PREVIOUS MENUq). PREVIOUS MENU

SELECT:SELECT:

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

7

At this point you may set the various STE-10 parameters.

a) Sets the IP address of the STE-10. Set the IP in the domain
where you will place the device. Please make sure the address does
not conflict with another device on your network.
b) Sets the subnet mask. If you are not sure, please ask your
network administrator. In most cases, a class "C" network will have
a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.
c) Sets the device name used for IAC Do Send Location requests.
From the factory, the name will be set "STE-10".
d) Sets a device password to secure access to the configuration
screen from both a telnet host and a serial login. There is no
password set from the factory.
e) Selects the mode of operation of the STE-10. This will be
explained in detail later.
f) Sets the Gateway IP to access hosts not in the local domain. If
your network has Internet Access, this IP will be your IP router's
address. Please check with your network administrator if you are
not sure. If you will not be accessing a device outside your LAN,
you may leave this entry all zeroes.

g) Resets the STE-10 to the factory default parameters.
h) Stores the current settings into Flash memory for operation after

rebooting.
q) Sets the user back to the initial configuration menu.

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

8

1.4 Configuration with Telnet

Once the STE-10 has a valid IP address on your network,

configuration may also be accomplished by opening a telnet
connection to the STE-10.

The same entries apply as with configuration via the serial port.

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

9

1.5 Raw Data Server Mode

In Raw Data Server mode, the STE-10 accepts network
connections to the serial port with no Telnet IAC interpretation. This
mode provides a clean 8 bit data path from the host session to the
serial port. This mode is typically used for connection to data
acquisition devices. You may also use this mode to connect a Telnet
device to communicate to a serial port of a host computer, replacing a
traditional serial terminal. This example shows configuration via
terminal on the RS-232 port of the STE-10.

From the Device Settings menu, select (e),

MODE SETTINGSMODE SETTINGS

a). RAW DATA SERVER MODEa). RAW DATA SERVER MODE

b). TELNET IAC DATA SERVER MODEb). TELNET IAC DATA SERVER MODE

c). TERMINAL SERVER MODEc). TERMINAL SERVER MODE

d). AUTO d). AUTO CONNECT AFTER POWER UP MODECONNECT AFTER POWER UP MODE

q). PREVIOUS MENUq). PREVIOUS MENU

SELECT:SELECT:

Select a) RAW DATA SERVER MODE

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

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SERVER PARAMETER PORT SETTINGSSERVER PARAMETER PORT SETTINGS

a). TCP PORT NOa). TCP PORT NO <1998><1998>

b). BAUDRATEb). BAUDRATE <9600><9600>

c). DATA LENGTHc). DATA LENGTH <8 BITS><8 BITS>

d). PARITYd). PARITY <NONE><NONE>

e). STOP BITSe). STOP BITS <1 BIT><1 BIT>

f). SERIAL PORT PROTOCOLf). SERIAL PORT PROTOCOL

q). PREVIOUS MENUq). PREVIOUS MENU

SELECT:SELECT:

The SERVER PARAMETER PORT SETTINGS page provides
configuration parameters to set the TCP port number that you wish to
assign to the serial port and the characteristics of the serial port. A
normal Telnet connection will connect to TCP port number 23. This is
the method for configuration of the STE-10 via Ethernet. By default,
the TCP port number for connection to the RS-232 port is 1998.

Select a) TCP PORT NO

Modify the TCP port number if required.

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Select b) BAUDRATE

SERIAL BAUDRATE SETTINGSERIAL BAUDRATE SETTING

a). 1200a). 1200

b). 2400b). 2400

c). 4800c). 4800

d). 9600d). 9600

e). 19200e). 19200

f). 38400f). 38400

g). 57600g). 57600

h). 115200h). 115200

i). 230400i). 230400

j). 460800j). 460800

SELECT:SELECT:

Set the communication speed parameter to suit your

requirements.

Continue to set the remaining communication parameters. The
data length may be set to 5,6,7, or 8 bits. Parity may be set to even,
odd or none. The stop bits may be set to 1 or 2 bits.

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

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When selecting "f", the serial port protocol may be set as follows.

SERIAL PORT PROTOCOLSERIAL PORT PROTOCOL

a). FLOW a). FLOW CONTROLCONTROL <NONE><NONE>

b). RECEIVE DATA ONLY WHEN DSR ONb). RECEIVE DATA ONLY WHEN DSR ON <DISABLED><DISABLED>

q). PREVIOUS MENUq). PREVIOUS MENU

SELECT:SELECT:

From the SERIAL PORT PROTOCOL menu select "a".

FLOW CONTROLFLOW CONTROL

a). NONEa). NONE

b). RTS/CTSb). RTS/CTS

c). XON/XOFFc). XON/XOFF

SELECT:SELECT:

Select between RTS/CTS and Xon/Xoff handshaking, or none. Then,
from the SERIAL PORT PROTOCOL menu select "b".

RECEIVE DATA ONLY WHEN DSR ONRECEIVE DATA ONLY WHEN DSR ON

a). DISABLEa). DISABLE

b). ENABLEb). ENABLE

SELECT:SELECT:

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

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If this parameter is enabled, data reception is possible only when
there is a valid connection and DSR is provided.

This completes the configuration of the serial port for raw server
mode.

Select q) to return to the previous menu
Select q again) to return to the Device Settings menu
Select h) to initiate FLASH update

UPDATE EEPROM DATA:UPDATE EEPROM DATA:

STEP 1: PREPARE DATA... STEP 1: PREPARE DATA... SUCCESS !SUCCESS !

STEP 2: FLASH STEP 2: FLASH ERASE... ERASE... SUCCESS !SUCCESS !

STEP 3: WRITE EEPROM DATA TO SERVER...STEP 3: WRITE EEPROM DATA TO SERVER...

SUCCESS! <<PRESS ANY KEY... >>SUCCESS! <<PRESS ANY KEY... >>

Press any key to return to the main menu, set the switch to
"Normal" mode and reboot (power off/on). You can now establish a
TCP connection to the assigned IP address and port number. This may
be done from a DOS prompt or from within the Telnet application.

C:\>telnet 192.168.2.230 1998C:\>telnet 192.168.2.230 1998

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

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Windows includes a Telnet application that may be started by

clicking “Start” and selecting “Run”. Type in the name “telnet.exe”
and click “OK”. The Telnet application will start. From the Telnet
window select Connect => Remote System, a dialogue box will
appear. Set the IP address and Port number. Refer to the example
below.

After entering the IP address and Port number, click the
“Connect” button. The Telnet terminal will now connect to the serial
port and display just as if it were a serial terminal. If the serial device is
a data acquisition device, a host may access the device with a Telnet
connection directly.

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

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RAW vs. IAC Telnet mode

The host initiates a TCP connection to IP address:socket number.

This may be a typical UNIX session or a Winsock application for
Microsoft Windows NT or 98/95 host. The host session is then
connected to the serial port of the STE-10. In RAW mode, the path is
a clean 8 bit data path. In IAC mode, Telnet IAC interpretation is
negotiated between the STE-10 and the host.

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

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1.6 Telnet IAC Data Server Mode

At the Device Settings menu

Select e) Mode Settings
Select b) TELNET IAC DATA SERVER MODE

Enter the parameter settings in the Server Parameter Port Settings
Menu for TCPIP Port number and serial port parameters. The menus
and setup are exactly the same as for Raw Data Server mode. Please
refer to section 1.5 for details of the Raw Data Server settings.

Select q) To return to the mode setting menu
Select q) Previous Menu to return to the Device Settings menu
Select h) Apply and Save Settings

The following screen will advise you of successful completion.

UPDATE EEPROM DATA:UPDATE EEPROM DATA:

STEP 1: PREPARE DATA... STEP 1: PREPARE DATA... SUCCESS !SUCCESS !

STEP 2: FLASH STEP 2: FLASH ERASE... ERASE... SUCCESS !SUCCESS !

STEP 3: WRITE EEPROM DATA TO SERVER...STEP 3: WRITE EEPROM DATA TO SERVER...

SUCCESS! <<PRESS ANY KEY... >>SUCCESS! <<PRESS ANY KEY... >>

You may now change the switch to "Normal" mode and reboot
(power off/on). The STE-10 will boot in Telnet IAC Server Mode and
you may establish a connection from a host that will undertake Telnet
IAC interpretation.

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

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1.7 Terminal Server Mode

The client terminal can telnet to the host from the command line

or the STE-10 may be setup in Auto Client mode to automatically
establish a telnet connection to the host upon power up. In Terminal
Server Mode a serial device, such as HyperTerminal on a PC, may
establish a telnet connection to a host through the STE-10. The host
may be a Unix server or even another STE-10 serial port.

At the Device Settings menu:

Select e) Mode Settings ==> Select c) Terminal Server Mode

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

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The Async Port Settings menu will be displayed.

ASYNC PORT SETTINGASYNC PORT SETTING

a). BAUDRATEa). BAUDRATE <9600><9600>

b). DATA LENGTHb). DATA LENGTH <8 BITS><8 BITS>

c). PARITYc). PARITY <NONE><NONE>

d). STOP BITSd). STOP BITS <1 BIT><1 BIT>

e). SERIAL PORT PROTOCOLe). SERIAL PORT PROTOCOL

q). PREVIOUS MENUq). PREVIOUS MENU

SELECT:SELECT:

Modify the port settings to suit your requirements. The Serial Port
Protocol menu includes two extra items, “Logout When DSR Off”
and “Data Mode”. The “Logout” enabled will provide for automatic
disconnection when the serial DSR is off. For “Data Mode”, you may
select between Raw or IAC mode data.

SERIAL PORT PROTOCOLSERIAL PORT PROTOCOL

a). FLOW a). FLOW CONTROLCONTROL <NONE><NONE>

b). RECEIVE DATA ONLY WHEN DSR ONb). RECEIVE DATA ONLY WHEN DSR ON <DISABLED><DISABLED>

c). LOGOUT WHEN DSR OFFc). LOGOUT WHEN DSR OFF <DISABLED><DISABLED>

d). DATA MODEd). DATA MODE <IAC MODE><IAC MODE>

q). PREVIOUS MENUq). PREVIOUS MENU

SELECT:SELECT:

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

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When your settings are correct:

Select q) Previous Menu to return to the Mode Setting menu.
Select q) again to return to the Device Settings menu
Select h) Apply and Save Settings

You will get confirmation that the settings have been saved. Press

any key to return to the Device Settings menu.

After configuration, set the switch to "Normal" and reboot (power

off/on). The STE-10 will boot in terminal server mode and offer a
command line prompt to any attached terminal. Help will show the
available commands. Show Status will show the current settings.

STE-10>help
telnet help ? save
change speed change parity change stopbits change charsize
change ipaddress change gateway change netmask show status
STE-10>show status
speed <9600>
parity <NONE PARITY>
stopbits <1 STOP BIT>
charsize <8 BITS>
ipaddress <192.168.2.230>
gateway <192.168.2.254>
netmask <255.255.255.0>
STE-10>telnet 192.168.2.2
FreeBSD/i386 (FreeBSD.ctcu.com.tw) (ttyp1)

login:

In our example, we have made a telnet connection to a UNIX

host. The STE-10 will even access a host on a different network if the
"gateway" has been set.

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

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1.8 Auto Connect After Power Up Mode

This mode is an automatic terminal server mode. In this mode the
STE-10 will automatically establish a telnet connection to the
specified IP address:socket number upon power up. When paired with
another STE-10 in “Raw” mode, a transparent RS-232 connection
may be made over Ethernet.

In the above application example, the “RAW” mode STE-10 will
establish an Ethernet link to the host’s RS-232 port. The STE-10 in
“AUTO TELNET” mode will automatically establish a Telnet
connection to the “RAW” server. The result is a transparent RS-232
path over Ethernet.

Assume that we have already configured one STE-10 in “RAW”
mode with IP Address 192.168.2.230, and have connected our host’s
serial port to the LAN network. Now configure a second STE-10 with
IP Address 192.168.2.111. Then, from the Mode Setting menu:

Select d) Auto Connect After Power Up Mode

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

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CLIENT PARAMETER PORT SETTINGSCLIENT PARAMETER PORT SETTINGS

a). REMOTE IP ADDRESSa). REMOTE IP ADDRESS <0.0.0.0><0.0.0.0>

b). REMOTE b). REMOTE PORT NOPORT NO <0><0>

c). BAUDRATEc). BAUDRATE <9600><9600>

d). DATA LENGTHd). DATA LENGTH <8 BITS><8 BITS>

e). PARITYe). PARITY <NONE><NONE>

f). STOP BITSf). STOP BITS <1 BIT><1 BIT>

g). SERIAL PORT PROTOCOLg). SERIAL PORT PROTOCOL

q). PREVIOUS MENUq). PREVIOUS MENU

SELECT:SELECT:

The Client Parameter Port Settings menu will then allow you to
specify the remote IP address and port number that you wish to
connect to as well as the serial port settings. Enter the IP address of the
remote “RAW” server and its Port number. Configure the serial
parameters accordingly and exit to the previous menu. Apply and save
the settings. Switch the device to “Normal” mode and reboot (power
off/on). The STE-10 will now automatically login a Telnet connection
to the remote STE-10 to establish your RS-232 connection over
Ethernet.

Chapter 1: Configuration and Operation

22

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Chapter 2: Application Examples

23

2.0 Application Examples

2.1 Raw Data Mode Application, control serial port of ETU01-A

In the above example, the STE-10 provides Telnet access to the
ETU01-A's RS-232 serial control port. Using this method, the ETU01­A may be controlled remotely through an Ethernet connection and
remote telnet terminal.

The configuration settings for the STE-10 are very straight
forward. Configure the STE-10 from the serial port to set IP address,
mask, gateway, etc. Set the mode to Raw Data Server and set the data
port to 9600,8,N,1 with no handshaking. Then connect the device as
shown in the above figure. The ETU01-A's control port is DCE.
Therefore, the STE-10 is connected with a straight serial connection
with DB25 to DB9 adapter. The next page shows an example of the
Telnet screen display when connected to the ETU01-A.

Chapter 2: Application Examples

24

View of ETU01-A Terminal Mode via telnet connection and STE-10.

2.2 Terminal Server Application

Terminal Server, allows Telnet connection via serial terminal.

Refer to the configuration setup for terminal server mode starting

in Section 1.7.

Chapter 2: Application Examples

25

The STE-10 is assigned an IP address for the domain and the
serial port is configured according to the requirements of the serial
terminal. In our example, we used a PC with Windows, running
HyperTerminal and a serial connection on COM1. The port settings
were 9600, 8 bits, no parity, one stop bit, and no flow control. The
STE-10 provides a prompt on the terminal screen. A telnet connection
to the UNIX host is initiated. Below is the screen captured.

STE-10 Terminal Server mode, serial access to telnet.

The Raw Server mode can be used in conjunction with another
STE-10 unit running in Auto Telnet mode to provide a transparent
serial connection over TCPIP. This is the next application we will
explore.

Chapter 2: Application Examples

26

2.3 Auto Telnet Mode Application

The application provides a very transparent connection for RS­232 over Ethernet using the TCPIP protocol stack. In our example, we
are again connecting to an ETU01-A control port for management. The
ETU01-A side will have one STE-10 configured in Raw Mode and
connected to Ethernet. The remote terminal side will have another
STE-10 connected to Ethernet and configured to "auto" telnet to the
ETU01-A side's STE-10. The next figure is a simple example of this
application.

Auto Telnet and Raw Mode Access provides transparent connection.

The right side STE-10 unit is configured in Raw Mode, set an IP
address and port number, with serial port configured for the ETU01-A
(9600,8,N,1 no handshaking). The left side STE-10 Terminal Server is
configured in auto Telnet mode, pointing to the right side's IP address
and port number. Its serial port is configured for the serial terminal
(9600,8,N,1 no handshaking).

Chapter 2: Application Examples

27

When connected together and powered on, the Terminal Server
will automatically Telnet to the Raw mode access server. A transparent
RS-232 link is established over the Ethernet medium. How's that for
RS-232 extention!! Using an Internet connection, your remote serial
device could be anywhere in the world.

Terminal display with serial connection over Ethernet.

So now we leave it up to you. If you have serial devices and
Ethernet, then the STE-10 may provide just the solution you've been
dreaming of.

Chapter 2: Application Examples

28

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Appendix

29

A.1 RS-232 Port Pin Definition

V.24/RS-232 INTERFACE PIN ASSIGNMENT

PIN CIRCUIT FUNCTION DIRECTION EIA

1 FGND Protective GND AA
2 TD Transmit data

OUT

BA

3 RD Receive data

IN

BB
4 RTS Request to send OUT CA
5 CTS Clear to send IN CB
6 DSR Data set ready IN CC
7 GND Signal ground AB
8 DCD Carrier detect IN CF
15 TC Transmit clock IN DB
17 RC Receive clock IN DD
20 DTR Data term ready OUT CD
24 XTC DTE xmit clock OUT DA

A.2 RJ-45 Ethernet Pin Definition

1 Tx (+)
2 Tx (-)
3 Rx (+)
4 NC
5 NC
6 Rx (-)
7 NC
8 NC

Appendix

30

A.3 Null Modem Cable Pinout

DB25(Female) DB25(Female)

PIN PIN
2 <===========> 3
3 <===========> 2
4 <===========> 5
5 <===========> 4
6 <===========> 20
7 <===========> 7
20 <===========> 6

note: This cable supplied with unit. Use it to connect STE-10 to DTE
device, such as PC's COM port.

CTC Union Technologies Co., Ltd.

Far Eastern Edison Science and Technologies Center
(Nei-Hu HI-TEC Park)
6F-3, Lane 360, Nei-Hu Road, Section 1
Nei-Hu, Taipei, Taiwan
Phone:[phone] (Rep) Fax:[phone]
E-mail: [email protected] http://www.ctcu.com