Dataprobe 8P-MAS User Manual

A B C D E F G H

8 Position Menu Activated Switch

Model : 8P-MAS

Operation Manual

INTRODUCTION

The 8 Position Code Activated Switch, Model 8P-MAS allows one master RS-232 port to be selectively
switched to any of eight RS-232 devices, designated A through H. Typically the 8P-MAS is used to
allow one modem to access the configuration or out-of-band management ports of eight remote devices
(see Figure 1A). Three modes of operation allow the selection of the port to be connected.

Menu Selection

The 8P-MAS selects the port to connect to the master port based on menu selections.
The menu system allows convenient naming of each port, and setup of all 8P-MAS
parameters.

Lead Control

This option allows any of the eight ports to access the master port by raising its
Request To Send (RTS) or Data Terminal Ready (DTR) control lead. This capability is
in addition to the menu selection as described above.

Manual Control

A front panel push-button allows local control of port selection.

There are eight LED's on the front of the 8P-MAS to indicate which port is connected to the master.
There are eight DB25S female connectors on the rear panel for the switched ports, (designated A-H)
and one DB25P male connector for the Master Port. Figure 1 illustrates a typical system using the 8P­MAS.

To 8 DTEs

MANUAL

External
Modem

POWER

A B

Master
Port

Master DCE

C

E

D

F

HG

REF: M\MANUALS\CAS\8PMAS_V980327R.DOC

Technical Support Hotline: [phone]

11 Park Place / Paramus, New Jersey 07652
TEL: [phone] FAX: [phone]

Website: www. dataprobe.com Email: [e-mail]

Model 8P-MAS Page 2

OPERATION

The 8P-MAS is controlled principally through an ASCII terminal interface. Access to this configuration
menu can be achieved either by: connecting via modem connected to the Master Port, or directly via
terminal (using a null cable) into the Master Port of the 8P-MAS. See page 6 for installation details.

The default parameters are: 9600 bps 8 data 1 stop no parity.
All of these parameters can be changed through the programming menu.
Auto Rate Detect: The 8P-MAS automatically determines the speed of the connection. If the Login

Prompt does not appear, press the Enter Key several times to enable the Auto Rate Detect.
Once connected to the 8P-MAS, the system sends a login prompt.

LOGIN >

Enter the Security Code. The Factory Default Security Code is: TEST. Please change this code as
soon as possible. Remember your code. When connecting through a modem, three incorrect attempts
to enter the security code will cause the 8P-MAS to terminate the call. When the correct code is
entered, the Main Menu appears:

A) PORT A
B) PORT B
C) PORT C
D) PORT D
E) PORT E
F) PORT F
G) PORT G
H) PORT H

1) LOCAL CONFIGURATION
X) EXIT

ENTER PORT >

This allows selection of any port, Local Configuration to access the programming menu or terminate the
current session. When Exit is selected, the 8P-MAS logs the user out and a new Login is required.

To select a port, enter the letter desired, followed by the Enter Key. Once a port is selected, the
8P-MAS will clear the screen and generate the following message:

PORT A SELECTED
ENTER ESC{PASSWORD}ESC TO RETURN TO MENU

Model 8P-MAS Page 3

At this point the Master Port is connected through to the port selected. The 8P-MAS is passive to the
messages sent between the Master Port and the port selected. To terminate the session with the
current port and bring back the menu, enter the escape character plus the security code and another
escape character. i.e. EsCTESTEs

C

Local Configuration

A configuration menu is used to set most operational features of the 8P-MAS.

1) DEVICE LABELS

2) PASSWORD

3) BAUD: 9600

4) PARITY/DATA: N,8

5) LEAD CTL: N

6) MODE: MODEM

7) TIMEOUT: 0
X) EXIT

ENTER >

Device Labels

This allows changing of the screen labels for the ports and power control outlets.

A) PORT A
B) PORT B
C) PORT C
D) PORT D
E) PORT E
F) PORT F
G) PORT G
H) PORT H

X) EXIT
ENTER LABEL # (A-D) >

Enter the label to be changed. The current label is displayed along with a prompt for the new name.
Type in a new label and then confirm the selection as shown below. Labels can be up to 20 characters.