Digi LTS 16 MEI W, LTS 8, LTS 16 MEI 2AC, LTS 32, LTS 32 MEI W User Manual

ConnectPort® LTS

User’s Guide

ConnectPort LTS 8, ConnectPort LTS 8 MEI,

ConnectPort LTS 8 W, ConnectPort LTS 8 MEI W,

ConnectPort LTS 16, ConnectPort LTS 16 MEI,

ConnectPort LTS 16 W, ConnectPort LTS 16 MEI W,

ConnectPort LTS 16 MEI 2AC

ConnectPort LTS 32, ConnectPort LTS 32 MEI,

ConnectPort LTS 32 W, ConnectPort LTS 32 MEI W

90001001_D

2

© Digi International Inc.2012. All Rights Reserved.
Digi, Digi International, the Digi logo, ConnectPort, XBee, and RealPort are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Digi International, Inc. in the United States and other countries worldwide.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Digi International.
Digi provides this document ―as is,‖ without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied,
including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of fitness or merchantability for a particular
purpose. Digi may make improvements and/or changes in this manual or in the product(s) and/or
the program(s) described in this manual at any time.
This product could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically
made to the information herein; these changes may be incorporated in new editions of the
publication.
Notice to Users
This equipment is for indoor use and all the communication wiring should be limited to inside of the
building.

3

Contents

Contents ............................................................................................................................................... 3

1. About this guide .......................................................................................................................... 7

Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 7

Audience ...................................................................................................................................... 7

Scope ........................................................................................................................................... 7

Where to find more information .................................................................................................. 7

General release documentation ............................................................................................ 7

Additional product information on www.digi.com .............................................................. 8

Digi contact information .............................................................................................................. 8

2. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 9

Important Safety Information ...................................................................................................... 9

The ConnectPort LTS Family .................................................................................................... 10

Features...................................................................................................................................... 10

User interfaces ................................................................................................................... 10

Quick reference for configuring features ........................................................................... 11

Hardware and network interface features .......................................................................... 15

Configurable network services .......................................................................................... 15

IP protocol support ............................................................................................................. 16

IP address assignment alternatives ..................................................................................... 21

Alarms ................................................................................................................................ 23

Modem emulation .............................................................................................................. 23

Security features ................................................................................................................ 24

Configuration management ................................................................................................ 25

Supported connections and data paths ....................................................................................... 26

Network services ................................................................................................................ 26

Network/serial clients ........................................................................................................ 28

Configuration capabilities and interfaces .................................................................................. 30

Configuration capabilities .................................................................................................. 30

Configuration interfaces .................................................................................................... 30

Digi Device Discovery utility ............................................................................................ 31

4

The Web interface .............................................................................................................. 33

Command-line interface..................................................................................................... 34

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) .............................................................. 35

LCD panel .......................................................................................................................... 36

Monitoring capabilities and interfaces....................................................................................... 37

LCD panel .......................................................................................................................... 38

Administration tasks .................................................................................................................. 38

3. Configuration ............................................................................................................................. 39

Alternate methods for assigning an IP address .......................................................................... 39

Configure an IP address using DHCP ................................................................................ 39

Configure an IP address using Auto-IP .............................................................................. 39

Configure an IP address from the command-line interface................................................ 40

Test the IP address configuration ....................................................................................... 40

Configuration through the web interface ................................................................................... 41

Open the web interface ...................................................................................................... 41

Organization of the web interface ...................................................................................... 45

Change the IP address from the web interface, as needed ................................................. 49

Network configuration settings .......................................................................................... 50

Serial port settings ............................................................................................................. 61

Alarms ................................................................................................................................ 75

System settings .................................................................................................................. 77

User settings ....................................................................................................................... 81

Peripheral ........................................................................................................................... 86

Applications ....................................................................................................................... 90

PPP configuration .............................................................................................................. 93

Configuration through the command line ................................................................................ 101

Access the command line................................................................................................. 101

Verify device support of commands ................................................................................ 102

Configuration through Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) ............................... 105

4. Monitoring and management ................................................................................................... 106

Monitoring capabilities in the web interface ........................................................................... 106

Display system information ............................................................................................. 106

Manage connections and services .................................................................................... 116

5

Monitoring capabilities from the command line ..................................................................... 117

Commands for displaying device information and statistics ........................................... 117

Commands for managing connections and sessions ........................................................ 120

Monitoring Capabilities from SNMP ...................................................................................... 121

5 Administration tasks ................................................................................................................ 122

Administration from the web interface .................................................................................... 122

File management .............................................................................................................. 123

Administration from the command-line interface ................................................................... 130

6 LCD interface: configuration, monitoring, and diagnostics .................................................... 131

Basic keypad operation and LCD display ............................................................................... 131

Keys ................................................................................................................................. 131

Keypad operations ........................................................................................................... 132

Configuration using the LCD interface ................................................................................... 133

Change IP settings ............................................................................................................ 133

Change the hostname ....................................................................................................... 136

Change the DNS configuration ........................................................................................ 138

Monitoring using the LCD interface ....................................................................................... 139

Diagnostics using the LCD interface ....................................................................................... 139

Miscellaneous functions in LCD interface .............................................................................. 140

Factory Reset ................................................................................................................... 140

LED Settings .................................................................................................................... 141

7 Disaster recovery ..................................................................................................................... 142

Restore Digi ConnectPort LTS to Factory Default Settings .................................................... 142

8 Hardware specifications .......................................................................................................... 144

9 Regulatory Information and Certifications .............................................................................. 145

FCC certifications and regulatory information (USA only) .................................................... 145

FCC Part 15 Class B ........................................................................................................ 145

Radio Frequency Interface (RFI) (FCC 15.105) .............................................................. 145

Labeling Requirements (FCC 15.19) ............................................................................... 145

Modifications (FCC 15.21) .............................................................................................. 146

Declaration of Conformity....................................................................................................... 146

Industry Canada (IC) certifications ......................................................................................... 146

China regulatory information .................................................................................................. 147

6

Safety statements ..................................................................................................................... 148

5.10 Ignition of Flammable Atmospheres ................................................................... 148

Potentially Hazardous Atmospheres ................................................................................ 148

Safety in Aircraft .............................................................................................................. 148

Safety in Hospitals ........................................................................................................... 148

Pacemakers ...................................................................................................................... 148

Persons with Pacemakers: ................................................................................................ 148

Rack-mountable: .............................................................................................................. 149

Lithium Battery ................................................................................................................ 150

Modem ............................................................................................................................. 150

Cabling ............................................................................................................................. 150

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1. About this guide

Purpose

This guide describes and shows how to configure, monitor, and administer ConnectPort LTS
products.

Audience

This guide is intended for those responsible for setting up ConnectPort LTS products. It assumes
some familiarity with networking concepts and protocols.

Scope

This guide focuses on configuration, monitoring, and administration of ConnectPort LTS products.
It does not cover hardware details beyond a certain level, application development, or customization.

Where to find more information

In addition to this guide, find additional product and feature information in these documents:

General release documentation

These documents are of interest to end users:

 Online help and tutorials in the web interface for the product
 Digi Connect Hardware Reference Manuals
 Quick Start Guides
 RealPort® Installation Guide
 Digi Connect Family Customization and Integration Guide
 Release Notes
 Cabling Guides
 Python developer Wiki

8

Additional product information on www.digi.com

In addition to the previous documents, product information is available on the Digi website,
www.digi.com, including:

 Support Forums
 Knowledge Base
 Data sheets/product briefs
 Application/solution guides

Digi contact information

For more information about Digi products, or for customer service and technical support, contact
Digi International.

To Contact Digi International by:

Use:

Mail

Digi International
11001 Bren Road East
Minnetonka, MN 55343
U.S.A.

World Wide Web:

http://www.digi.com/support/

email

http://www.digi.com/support/

Telephone (U.S.)

[phone] or [phone]

Telephone (other locations)

[phone] or [phone]

9

2. Introduction

This chapter introduces ConnectPort LTS products, types of supported connections and data paths,
and the interface options available for configuration, monitoring, and administration tasks.

Important Safety Information

To avoid contact with electrical current:

 Never install electrical wiring during an electrical storm.
 Never install an Ethernet connection in wet locations unless that connector is specifically

designed for wet locations.

 Use caution when installing or modifying Ethernet lines.
 Use a screwdriver and other tools with insulated handles.
 Wear safety glasses or goggles.
 Do not place Ethernet wiring or connections in any conduit, outlet or junction box containing

electrical wiring.

 Installation of inside wire may bring you close to electrical wire, conduit, terminals and other

electrical facilities. Extreme caution must be used to avoid electrical shock from such facilities.
Avoid contact with all such facilities.

 Ethernet wiring must be at least 6 feet from bare power wiring or lightning rods and associated

wires, and at least 6 inches from other wire (antenna wires, doorbell wires, wires from
transformers to neon signs), steam or hot water pipes, and heating ducts.

 Do not place an Ethernet connection where it would allow a person to use an Ethernet device

while in a bathtub, shower, swimming pool, or similar hazardous location.

 Protectors and grounding wire placed by the service provider must not be connected to,

removed, or modified by the customer.

 Do not touch no insulated Ethernet wiring if lightning is likely!
 External Wiring: Any external communications wiring installed needs to be constructed to all

relevant electrical codes. In the United States this is the National Electrical Code Article 800.
Contact a licensed electrician for details.

10

The ConnectPort LTS Family

ConnectPort LTS (Linux Terminal Server) products provide serial over Ethernet connectivity for
applications today and into the future. They support IPv4 and IPv6 Ethernet protocols. The
ConnectPort LTS MEI product is the same size as the ConnectPort LTS (RS-232 only version) and
is the fastest multi-port device with a Multiple Electrical Interface (MEI) in the industry.

Features

This is an overview of key product features. Firmware features are covered in more detail in the
next three chapters. For hardware specifications, see

http://www.digi.com/products/serialservers/connectportlts#specs. See also Chapter 6, "Regulatory

Information and certifications.‖

User interfaces

There are several user interfaces for configuration and monitoring, including:

 A web-based interface.
 A command-line interface.
 Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).
 An LCD Panel.

For additional details on these user interfaces, see "Configuration interfaces" and
"Monitoring interfaces.‖ Some user interfaces can be customized.

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Quick reference for configuring features

This guide primarily focuses on configuration, monitoring, and administration tasks from the web
interface. This table provides a quick reference for configuring features and performing device tasks,
and where to find the features and settings in the web interface and this guide.
Some features are configurable from the command line interface only. In those cases, the
commands that configure the feature are noted. The command descriptions are in the ConnectPort
LTS Command Reference.

Feature/task

Path to feature in the web interface

Administration/Configuration management:

File management: uploading and
downloading files, such as applet files,
and custom splash screens.

Administration > File Management

See also the Digi Connect Family Customization and
Integration Guide for information on uploading and

downloading files used to customize a the product’s look­and-feel.

Python program file management.

Administration > File Management

Backup/restore configuration settings

Administration > Backup/Restore
Note: TFTP or BOOTP required if backing up from the

command line.

Update firmware

Administration > Update Firmware

Reset configuration to factory defaults

Administration > Factory Default Settings

System information, including device
identifiers and statistics

Administration > System Information

Reboot the device

Administration > Reboot

Alarms

Configuration > Alarms

Autoconnection: automatically connect a
user to a server or network device

Configuration > Serial Ports > port > Profile Settings >
TCP Sockets >

Automatically establish TCP connections

Connection management:

Manage serial port connections

Management > Serial Ports

Manage active PPP connections

Management > Connections > Active PPP Connections

Manage active system connections

Management > Connections > Active System
Connections

Domain Name System (DNS) Client

Configuration > Network > DNS > Primary DNS and
Secondary DNS

Ethernet settings

Configuration > Network > Advanced Network Settings

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Feature/task

Path to feature in the web interface

Help on configuring features

Help button on each page.

Host name for a device

Configuration > Network > Advanced Network Settings
> Host Name

IP address settings:

Using static IP addresses

Configuration > Network > IP Settings

Using DHCP

Configuration > Network > IP Settings

IPv6 Settings

Configuration > Network > IP Settings

Source Based Routing

Configuration > Network > IP Settings

Using Auto IP

Configuration > Network > Advanced Settings

Advanced network services settings:

Web settings

Configuration > Network > Network Services Settings >
Advanced Network Service Settings

SMTP settings

Configuration > Network > Network Services Settings >
Advanced Network Service Settings

NFS settings

Configuration > Network > Network Services Settings >
Advanced Network Service Settings

Samba settings

Configuration > Network > Network Services Settings >
Advanced Network Service Settings

Syslog settings

Configuration > Network > Network Services Settings >
Advanced Network Service Settings

Modem emulation

Configuration > Serial Ports > Port Profile Settings >
Modem Emulation

Multiple Electrical Interface (MEI)

Configuration > Serial Ports > Basic Serial Settings ->
MEI Type

Port logging: enabling port buffering and
displaying contents of a port buffer

To enable port logging:
Configuration > Serial Ports > Advanced Serial Settings

To display the contents of a port buffer:
Management > Serial Ports > Port Logs

Port profiles: sets of preconfigured serial­port settings for a particular connection
and use scenario

Configuration > Serial Ports > Port Profile Settings

13

Python support: loading and running
custom programs authored in the Python
programming language.

Configurable from command line only. See the set python
command in the Connect Family Command Reference.

RealPort (COM port redirection)
configuration

Configuration > Serial Ports > port > Port Profile
Settings > RealPort

See also the RealPort Installation Guide.

Reverting configuration settings

Administration > Factory Default Settings

Security/access control features:

Control access to inbound ports

Configuration > Serial Ports > port > Port Profile
Settings >
TCP Sockets or UDP Sockets or Custom port profile

Secure Shell Server (SSH)

Network > Network Service Settings -> Basic Network
Services Settings > Enable Secure Shell Server (SSH)

Establish/change user name for a user

Configuration > Users > select a user to change, or select
Add New User for a new user

Issue a new/changed password to a user

Configuration > Users > select a user to change or select
Add New User for a new user

Set permissions associated with various
services and commands

Configuration > Users > select a user to change or add

Set authentication method for port access

Configuration > Serial Ports > port > Authentication
Settings

Serial port configuration:

Basic serial port settings

Configuration > Serial Ports > Basic Serial Settings

Advanced serial port settings

Configuration > Serial Ports > Advanced Serial Settings

Port profiles: associate a serial port with
a set of preconfigured port settings for a
specific use

Configuration > Serial Ports > Port Profile Settings

RTS Toggle

Configuration > Serial Ports > Advanced Serial Settings

Port Sharing: allow a serial port to be
shared by multiple software applications

Configuration > Serial Ports > Port > Port Profile
Settings > TCP Server Settings (if TCP Sockets profile is
set) or Network Services (if Custom profile is set)
Note: Not available for RealPort.

14

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP):

Configure SNMP through the web
interface

Configuration > System > Simple Network
Management Protocol (SNMP) Settings

Enable/disable SNMP service

Network > Network Service Settings -> Basic Network
Services Settings

Enable/disable SNMP alarm traps

Configuration > Alarms > alarm > Send SNMP trap to
following destination when alarm occurs

Use SNMP as primary configuration
interface

Basic network and serial settings configurable through
standard and Digi-specific Management Information
Blocks (MIBs).
More advanced settings are also possible through SNMP.

System information: assign system-
identifying information to a device

Configuration > System > Device Identity Settings

Authentication configuration for Web
and CLI access

Configuration > System > Authentication Settings

Statistics

Administration > System Information

Status information

Management > Serial Ports, Connections, Network
Services

Peripheral settings:

SD Memory

Peripheral > SD Memory

USB

Peripheral > USB

Modem

Peripheral > Modem

LCD

Peripheral > LCD

XBee

Peripheral > XBee

Application settings:

PPP

Application > PPP

Python

Application->Python

RealPort

Application->RealPort

15

Hardware and network interface features

For detailed hardware specifications and network interface information, go to:

http://www.digi.com/products/serialservers/connectportlts#specs.

See also the data sheet for your Digi product.

Configurable network services

Access to network services can be enabled and disabled. This means that a device’s use of network
services can be restricted to those strictly needed by the device. To improve device security,
non-secure services, such as Telnet, can be disabled. Network services that can be enabled or
disabled include:
 Advanced Digi Discovery Protocol (ADDP): can enable or disable ADDP, but cannot change

its network port number.

 RealPort
 Encrypted RealPort
 HTTP/HTTPS
 Line Printer Daemon (LPD)
 Remote Login (rlogin)
 Remote Shell (rsh)
 Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
 Telnet
 Secure Shell Server (SSH)

In the web interface, access to network services is enabled and disabled on the Network Services
page of Network Configuration. For more information, see ―Basic Network Services Settings‖ on
page 53.
In the command-line interface, network services are enabled and disabled through the set service
command. See the ConnectPort LTS Command Reference for the set service command description.

16

IP protocol support

All ConnectPort LTS products include a robust on-board TCP/IP stack with a built-in web server.
Supported protocols include, unless otherwise noted:

 Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
 User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
 Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
 Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
 Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)/Transport Layer Security (TLS)
 Telnet Com Port Control Option (Telnet).See "Serial data communication over TCP and UDP"

for additional information.

 Remote Login (rlogin)
 Line Printer Daemon (LPD)
 HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)/HyperText Transfer Protocol over Secure Socket Layer

(HTTPS)

 Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
 Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)
 Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP)
 Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
 Advanced Digi Discovery Protocol (ADDP)

17

Following is an overview of some of the services provided by these protocols.

Serial data communication over TCP and UDP

ConnectPort LTS products support serial data communication over TCP and UDP. Key features
include:
 Serial data communication over TCP, also known as autoconnect and tcpserial can

automatically perform the following functions:

– Establish bidirectional TCP connections, known as autoconnections, between the serial device

and a server or other network device. Autoconnections can be made based on data and or
serial hardware signals.

– Control forwarding characteristics based on patterns
– Allow incoming raw, Telnet, and SSL/TLS (secure-socket) connections

 Serial data communication over UDP, also known as udpserial, can automatically perform the

following functions:

– Digi Connect products can automatically send serial data to one or more devices or systems

on the network using UDP sockets. Options for sending data include whether specific data
is on the serial line, a specific time period has elapsed, or after the specified number of
bytes has been received on the serial port.

– Control forwarding characteristics based on patterns.
– Support incoming datagrams from multiple destinations.
– Support outgoing datagrams sent to multiple destinations.

 TCP/UDP forwarding characteristics.
 Extended communication control on TCP/UDP data paths.

– Timeout
– Hangup
– User-configurable Socket ID string (text string identifier on autoconnect only)

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) can be used to automatically assign IP addresses,
deliver TCP/IP stack configuration parameters such as the subnet mask and default router, and
provide other configuration information. For further details, see "Alternate methods for assigning an
IP address.‖ on page 39.

18

Auto-IP

Auto-IP is a protocol that will automatically assign an IP address from a reserved pool of standard
Auto-IP addresses to the computer on which it is installed. ConnectPort LTS is set to obtain its IP
address automatically from a DHCP server. But if the DHCP server is unavailable or nonexistent,
Auto-IP will assign the device an IP address. For further details, see "IP address assignment
alternatives.‖

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a protocol for managing and monitoring network
devices. SNMP architecture enables a network administrator to manage nodes--servers,
workstations, routers, switches, hubs, etc.--on an IP network; manage network performance, find
and solve network problems, and plan for network growth. ConnectPort LTS products support
SNMP Versions 1, 2, and 3. For more information on SNMP as a device-management interface, see
"Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).‖

Supported RFCs and MIBs

ConnectPort LTS products support these SNMP-related Request for Comments (RFCs) and
Management Information Bases (MIBs):

 RFC 1213 - Management Information Base (MIB) II
 RFC 1215 - Generic Traps (coldStart, linkUp, authenticationFailure, Login only)
 RFC 1316 - Character MIB
 RFC 1317 - RS-232 MIB
 DIGI-DEVICE-INFO.mib - A Digi enterprise MIB for displaying device information.
 DIGI-SERIAL-ALARM-TRAPS.mib - A Digi enterprise MIB for sending alarms as SNMP

traps.

 DIGI-CONNECPORT-LTS.mib - A Digi enterprise MIB for configuring ConnectPort LTS.

Supported SNMP traps

SNMP traps can be enabled or disabled. Supported SNMP traps include:

 Authentication failure
 Login
 Cold start
 Link up
 Alarms can be issued in the form of SNMP traps

19

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)/Transport Layer Security (TLS)

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)/Transport Layer Security (TLS) are used to provide authentication and
encryption for ConnectPort LTS products. For more information, see ‖Security features.‖

Telnet

ConnectPort LTS products support the following types of Telnet connections:

 Telnet Client
 Telnet Server
 Reverse Telnet, often used for console management or device management
 Telnet Autoconnect

For more information on these connections, see "Supported connections and data paths.‖ Access to
Telnet network services can be enabled or disabled.

Remote Login (rlogin)

Users can perform logins to remote systems (rlogin). Access to rlogin service can be enabled or
disabled.

Line Printer Daemon (LPD)

The Line Printer Daemon (LPD) allows network printing over a serial port. Each serial port has a
dedicated LPD server that is independently configurable. Access to LPD service can be enabled or
disabled.

HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
HyperText Transfer Protocol over Secure Socket Layer (HTTPS)

ConnectPort LTS products provide web pages for configuration that can be secured by requiring a
user login.

Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)

ICMP statistics can be displayed, including the number of messages received, bad messages
received, and destination unreachable messages received.

20

Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)

The Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) transports multi-protocol packets over point-to-point links. PPP
encapsulates the data packet, allows the server to inform the dial-up client of its IP address (or client
to request the IP address), authenticates the exchange, negotiates multiple protocols, and
reassembles the data packet for network communication.

Advanced Digi Discovery Protocol (ADDP)

The Advanced Digi Discovery Protocol (ADDP) runs on any operating system capable of sending
multicast IP packets on a network. ADDP allows the system to identify all ADDP-enabled
ConnectPort LTS products attached to a network by sending out a multicast packet. The
ConnectPort LTS products respond to the multicast packet and identify themselves to the client
sending the multicast. ADDP needs to communicate with the TCP/IP stack using UDP. The TCP/IP
stack should be able to receive multicast packets and transmit datagrams on a network. Not all Digi
devices support ADDP. Access to ADDP service can be enabled or disabled, but the network port
number for ADDP cannot be changed from its default.

Secure Shell (SSH)

ConnectPort LTS units support the following types of Secure Shell (SSH) connections: Reverse
SSH and SSH Autoconnect. Limited use of SSH via SSH client is available from the Linux
command line/bash shell. For more information on these connections, see "Supported connections
and data paths.‖ Access to Secure Shell network services can be enabled or disabled.

21

IP address assignment alternatives

There are several ways to assign an IP address to a ConnectPort LTS product:
 Static IP: Assign a specific IP address to a device, through the Digi Device Discovery Utility,

the web interface, LCD, Digi Device Discovery tool, or the command-line interface.

 Using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

(DHCP) is an Internet protocol for automating the configuration of computers that use TCP/IP.
DHCP can be used to automatically assign IP addresses, to deliver TCP/IP stack configuration
parameters such as the subnet mask and default router, and to provide other configuration
information. All ConnectPort LTS products have a DHCP server enabled by default.

 Auto Private IP Addressing (APIPA), also known as Auto-IP: A standard protocol that will

automatically assign an IP address from a reserved pool of standard Auto-IP addresses to the
computer on which it is installed. The device is set to obtain its IP address automatically from a
DHCP server. But if the DHCP server is unavailable or nonexistent, Auto-IP will assign the
device an IP address. If DHCP is enabled or responds later ADDP is used, both will override
the Auto-IP address previously assigned.

 Using the Digi Device Discovery Utility, a Digi utility available on the Digi website. This

utility searches for and displays Digi devices and allows you to display and change
configuration settings for a device from its web or command-line interfaces. Clicking
Configure network settings in the utility allows you to configure network settings, including
the IP address.

 Using the LCD panel. ConnectPort LTS products have an LCD panel which can be used to

perform basic configuration tasks, including setting the IP address, as well as monitoring and
diagnostics tasks. See ―LCD interface: configuration, monitoring, and diagnostics‖ on page 131.

 Access via the ―console‖ port. ConnectPort LTS products have a specific port for configuring

device settings, labeled ―console‖ port. This port allows for a login, with serial settings of 9600

baud, 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit. The standard serial ports do not provide a login by default, and
do not provide access to configuration settings. Only the ―console‖ port allows access to
configuration settings.

22

RealPort software

ConnectPort LTS products use the patented RealPort COM/TTY port redirection for Microsoft
Windows, UNIX, and Linux environments. RealPort software provides a virtual connection to serial
devices, no matter where they reside on the network. The software is installed directly on the host
PC and allows applications to talk to devices across a network as though the devices were directly
attached to the host. Actually, the devices are connected to a Digi device somewhere on the network.
RealPort is unique among COM port re-directors because it is the only implementation that allows
multiple connections to multiple ports over a single TCP/IP connection. Other implementations
require a separate TCP/IP connection for each serial port. Unique features also include full
hardware and software flow control, as well as tunable latency and throughput.
Access to RealPort services can be enabled or disabled.

Encrypted RealPort

ConnectPort LTS products also support RealPort software with encryption. Encrypted RealPort
offers a secure Ethernet connection between the COM or TTY port and a device server or terminal
server.
Encryption prevents internal and external snooping of data across the network by encapsulating the
TCP/IP packets in a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) connection and encrypting the data using
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), one of the latest, most efficient security algorithms. Access
to Encrypted RealPort services can be enabled or disabled.
Digi RealPort with encryption driver has earned Microsoft Windows Hardware Quality Lab
(WHQL) certification.
Drivers are available for a wide range of operating systems, including Microsoft Windows Server
2003, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows ME; SCO Open
Server ; Linux ; AIX ; Sun Solaris SPARC ; Intel ; and HP-UX . It is ideal for financial,
retail/point-of-sale, government or any application requiring enhanced security to protect sensitive
information.

23

Alarms

ConnectPort LTS products can be configured to issue alarms, in the form of email message or
SNMP traps, when certain device events occur. These events include certain data patterns being
detected in the data stream. Receiving alarms about these conditions provides the advantage of
notifications being issued when events occur, rather than having to monitor the device on an
ongoing basis to determine whether these events have occurred. For more information on
configuring alarms, see "Alarms.‖

Modem emulation

ConnectPort LTS products include a configuration profile that allows the device to emulate a
modem. Modem emulation sends and receives modem responses to a serial device over TCP/IP
(including Ethernet) instead of Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The modem emulation
profile allows maintaining a current software application but using it over the less expensive
Ethernet network. In addition, Telnet processing can be enabled or disabled on the incoming and
outgoing modem-emulation connections.

24

Security features

Security-related features in ConnectPort LTS products include:
 Secure access and authentication:

– One password, one permission level.
– Can issue passwords to device users.
– Can selectively enable and disable network services such as ADDP, RealPort, Encrypted

RealPort, HTTP/HTTPS, LPD, Remote Login, Remote Shell, SNMP, Telnet and Secure
Shell (SSH).

– Can control access to inbound ports.
– Secure sites for configuration: HTML pages for configuration have appropriate security.
– User and user group access permissions, which control user access to various features and

the level of control they have over them (view settings or change settings).

 Encryption:

– Strong Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) V3.0/ Transport Layer Security (TLS) V1.0-based

encryption: DES (58-bit), 3DES (168-bit), AES (128-/156-bit.

– Strong Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) V3.0/ Transport Layer Security (TLS) V1.0-based

encryption: DES (64-bit), 3DES (192-bit), AES (128-/192-/256-bit).

– Encrypted RealPort offers encryption for the Ethernet connection between the COM/TTY

port and the ConnectPort LTS product.

 SNMP security:

– Authorization: Changing public and private community names is recommended to prevent

unauthorized access to the device. (SNMPv1/v2c)

– SNMPv3 support for enhanced security through SNMP.
– SNMP set commands can be disabled to make use of SNMP read-only.

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Configuration management

Once a ConnectPort LTS product is configured and running, configuration-management tasks need
to be periodically performed, such as:

 Upgrading firmware
 Copying configurations to and from a remote host
 Software and factory resets
 Rebooting the device
 Memory management
 File management

For more information on these configuration-management tasks, see Chapter 4, "Administration
tasks.‖

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Supported connections and data paths

ConnectPort LTS products allow for several kinds of connections and paths for data flow between
the ConnectPort LTS product and other entities. These connections can be grouped into two main
categories:

 Network services, in which a remote entity initiates a connection to a ConnectPort LTS product.
 Network/serial clients, in which a ConnectPort LTS product initiates a network connection or

opens a serial port for communication.
This discussion of connections and data paths may be helpful in understanding the effects of
enabling certain features and choosing certain settings when configuring Digi products.

Network services

A network service connection is one in which a remote entity initiates a connection to a
ConnectPort LTS product. There are several categories of network services:

 Network services associated with specific serial ports
 Network services associated with serial ports in general
 Network services associated with the command-line interface (CLI)

Network services associated with specific serial ports

 Reverse Telnet: A telnet connection is made to a ConnectPort LTS product, in which data is

passed transparently between the telnet connection and a named serial port.
 Reverse raw socket: A raw TCP socket connection is made to a ConnectPort LTS product, in

which data is passed transparently between the socket and a named serial port.
 Reverse TLS socket: An encrypted raw TCP socket is made to a ConnectPort LTS product, in

which data is passed transparently to and from a named serial port.
 LPD: A TCP connection is made to a named serial port, in which the ConnectPort LTS product

interprets the LPD protocol and sends a print job out of the serial port.
 Modem emulation, also known as Pseudo-modem (pmodem): A TCP connection is made to a

named serial port, and the connection will be ―interpreted‖ as an incoming call to the pseudo-

modem.

 Console Mgmt: Allows a TCP connection.
 Modem: The Modem Profile allows for attaching modem devices to the serial port to establish

or receive connections from other systems and modems.

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 Reverse SSH: An SSH connection is made to a ConnectPort LTS product, in which data is

passed transparently between the SSH connection and a named serial port.

Network services associated with serial ports in general

 RealPort: A single TCP connection manages (potentially) multiple serial ports.
 Modem emulation, also known as pseudo-modem (pool): A TCP connection to the ―pool‖ port

is interpreted as an incoming call to an available pseudo-modem in the ―pool‖ of available port

numbers.
 rsh: ConnectPort LTS products support a limited implementation of the Remote shell (rsh)

protocol, in that a single service listens to connections and allows a command to be executed.

Only one class of commands is allowed: a single integer that specifies which serial port to

connect to. Otherwise, the resulting connection is somewhat similar to a reverse telnet or

reverse socket connection.

Network services associated with the command-line interface

 Telnet or SSH: A user can Telnet or SSH directly to a ConnectPort LTS product command-line

interface.
 rlogin: A user can perform a remote login (rlogin) to a ConnectPort LTS product command-line

interface.

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Network/serial clients

A network/serial client connection is one in which a ConnectPort LTS product initiates a network
connection or opens a serial port for communication. There are several categories of network/serial
client connections:

 Autoconnect behavior client connections
 Command-line interface (CLI)-based clients
 Modem emulation (pseudo-modem) client connections

Autoconnect behavior client connections

In client connections that involve autoconnect behaviors, a ConnectPort LTS product initiates a
network connection based on timing, serial activity, or serial modem signals. Autoconnect-related
client connections include:
 Raw TCP connection: The ConnectPort LTS product initiates a raw TCP socket connection to a

remote entity.
 Telnet connection: The ConnectPort LTS product initiates a TCP connection using the Telnet

protocol to a remote entity.
 SSH connection: The ConnectPort LTS product initiates a TCP connection using the SSH

protocol to a remote entity.
 Raw TLS encrypted connection: The ConnectPort LTS product initiates an encrypted raw TCP

socket connection to a remote entity.
 Rlogin connection: The ConnectPort LTS product initiates a TCP connection using the rlogin

protocol to a remote entity.

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Command-line interface (CLI)-based client connections

Command-line interface based client connections are available for use once a user has established a
session with the ConnectPort LTS product CLI. CLI-based client connections include:

 telnet: A connection is made to a remote entity using the Telnet protocol.
 bash: The ―bash‖ command provides access to the Linux bash shell.
 rlogin: A connection is made to a remote entity using the Rlogin protocol.
 connect: Begin communicating with a local serial port.

Modem emulation (pseudo-modem) client connections

When a port is in the modem-emulation or pseudo-modem mode, it can initiate network connections
based on AT command strings received on the serial port. The AT commands for modem emulation
are documented in the ConnectPort LTS Command Reference.

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Configuration capabilities and interfaces

This is an overview of the configuration capabilities and interfaces for ConnectPort LTS products;
Chapter 2, "Configuration," covers them in more detail.

Configuration capabilities

Device configuration involves setting values and enabling features for such areas as:
 Network configuration: Specifying the device IP address and IP settings, network-service

settings, and advanced network settings.

 Serial port configuration: Specifying the serial port characteristics for the device.
 Alarms: Defining whether alarms should be issued, the conditions that trigger alarms, and how

the alarms should be delivered.
 Users configuration: Configuring security features, such as whether password authentication is

required for device users.
 System configuration: Specifying system-identifying information, such as a device description,

contact person, and physical location.

Configuration interfaces

Several interfaces are available for configuring ConnectPort LTS products, including:
 The Digi Device Discovery Utility, which locates Digi devices on a network, and allows

opening the web interface for the devices.
 A web-based interface embedded with the product, providing device configuration profiles for

quick serial-port configuration and other settings.

 A command-line interface (CLI).
 Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).
 LCD Panel