Hall Research CNT-IP-2 User Manual

UMA1212 Rev n/c

User’s Manual

1163 Warner Ave Tustin, CA 92780, Ph: [phone], Fax [phone]

Model CNT-IP-2

Web Enabled Serial Controller

© Copyright 2013. Hall Research, Inc. All rights reserved.

Web Enabled Serial Controller

2

Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction ............................................................... 3

2.0 Features ..................................................................... 4

3.0 Hardware Installation ................................................. 4

4.0 Software Setup ........................................................... 5

4.1 Find & Assign Static IP Address ........................................... 6

4.2 Configuration Files .............................................................. 7

4.3 Firmware Upgrade .............................................................. 9

4.4 Web Manager ..................................................................... 10

5.0 Troubleshooting ......................................................... 27

6.0 Specifications ............................................................. 28

TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL

Hall Research and its logo are trademarks of Hall Research. Any other
trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged as the property of the
trademark owners.

FCC RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not
installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions, may cause interference to radio communication. It has been designed to
comply with the limits for a Class A computing device in accordance with the
specifications in Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are intended to provide
reasonable protection against such interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause interference, in which case the user at their own expense will be required to take
whatever measures may be necessary to correct the interference.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

3

Control

Serial

Controller

Serial

Device

Network
Switch/Router

Serial

Device

Serial

Device

Network
Switch/Router

CNT-IP-2

1.0 Introduction

The CNT-IP-2 controller is the latest addition to Hall Research’s Switch­Cat™ room control product line. It offers true flexibility in access and
control making it ideal for K-12 classrooms, conference rooms and more.

The CNT-IP-2 allows for up to 1 or more RS232 devices to be remotely
controlled across a compatible LAN (local area network) network using a
web browser. Features enriched web interface of CNT-IP-2 allows user to
create multiple user accounts with custom permissions, create predefined
action s in the form of macros, schedule actions and provides secure & real
time way to control end devices. Moreover, user can change color themes as
well as customize button sizes in the user interface.

CNT-IP-2 can be used in two different configurations, Pass-Through &
Dual-Port. In Pass-Through configuration unit acts as communication agent
between two serial ports. In this mode, unit can not only monitor serial
traffic between two ports and report it on web interface but also send
commands from web interface to output serial port. In Dual-Port
configuration CNT-IP-2 controller allows to control and monitor two serial
devices at once from web interface.

In the complex setup it is possible have multiple CNT-IP-2 units in the same
LAN communicating with each other.

CNT-IP-2

Data

Figure 1 – Pass-Through Configuration

CNT-IP-2

Figure 2 – Dual-Port Configuration

Web Enabled Serial Controller

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CNT-IP-2 uses multiple ports on LAN to offer different services.

For unit to be fully functional LAN should allow network traffic

Port 8080 [TCP] ( WebSockets in Web Interface )
Port 6324 [UDP] ( Device Finder Utility )

RJ-45

RS 232
Male

RS 232

Female

Serial

Projector

Network

Switch/Router

CNT-IP-2

2.0 Features

• Embedded web server accessible from any browser on PC, Smart

Phone or Tablet

• Two (2) RS232 ports to configure in pass-through or dual-port.

• Allows controlling other IP devices over Telnet.

• Task Scheduling

• Real-Time Clock with Super Capacitor backup

• Customizable web interface

• Easy to update firmware and user interface via Web Browser

3.0 Hardware Installation

To use all the features of the unit user should have

• Two RS232 cables (Straight Through or Cross-Over depends on

end devices connected to the unit)

• One Cat 5/5E/6 (Straight-Through) cable.

• Working LAN infrastructure which allows network traffic on ports

23, 80, 8080 & 6324.

NOTE

Controller

RS232/Serial Cable

on following network ports.

• Port 23 [TCP] for ( Telnet Control )

• Port 80 [TCP] ( Web Interface )

•

•

Cat 5/5E/6/7
Straight-through Cable

RS232/ Serial Cable

Figure 3 – Application Block Diagram

5

All of the configuration of the CNT-IP-2 device is handled

through the IP Manager so in order to setup your system you

version 4.2 and above) are currently supported

This WebSockets implementation transmits on TCP port 8080.

This port needs to be open on the network to be able to access

http (port 80) is working but WebSockets (port

) is not.

Verify your network configuration is correct.

CNT-IP-2

4.0 Software Setup

The CNT-IP-2 device offers true flexibility in access and control of serial
devices over a LAN network. The CNT-IP-2 device allows for complex
installations with control and web browser access over the LAN.

One of the major features of the CNT-IP-2 device is the embedded IP
Manager software. The IP Manager allows you to configure and remotely
control serial devices from almost any PC, Tablet or Smart Phone that can
access the LAN network. This gives the users control flexibility without
being tied to any specific computer or having to preinstall software. Custom
programmable serial strings allow advanced control of virtually any display,
embedded device control, task scheduling and more.

NOTE

will need to login from a compatible browser. This software
uses the WebSockets protocol for bi-directional
communication between the device and your browser.

Minimum compatible browsers are:

• Google Chrome (12.0 and later)

• Firefox 5 (with WebSockets enabled)

• Safari 5

• Mobile Safari (iOS 4.2 and later)

• Opera (Not recommended, Version 12.0 works

but later versions do not)

Apple iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch (basically iOS devices with

NOTE

the embedded software for configuration or control. If port
8080 is blocked the configuration page will only partially load
and will display “Not connected” status. This indicates that

8080

Web Enabled Serial Controller

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Your Device’s IP

4.1 Find & Assign Static IP Address

This section covers all the steps necessary to setup your system on your
internal DHCP compatible LAN.

4.1.1 IP Address

The CNT-IP-2 device comes preconfigured for DHCP so they automatically
obtain an IP address when it is connected to the computer LAN.

It is always recommended that you set a static IP on each system in order to
guarantee it maintains that same IP address between system power cycles.

4.1.2 Find Current IP address

Before you can access the device on your browser, you need to know what
IP address has been assigned to it by your LAN.

Download and install the

Device Finder utility available on Hall Research

Website. This software can run on both Windows and MAC computers.

Once installed, run the Device Finder program. It will scan your LAN and
locate any compatible Hall Research IP devices that are connected to your
LAN network

Device Finder Utility