JLCooper eBOX User Manual

eBOX

Ethernet to Serial & GPI Interface

Users Manual

eBOX and eBOX I/O are trademarks of JLCooper Electronics. All other brand
names are the property of their respective owners.

eBOX User’s Manual, Fifth Edition
Part Number 932095
2010 JLCooper Electronics, 142 Arena Street, El Segundo, CA 90245 USA

 [phone] ¬ [phone]  www.jlcooper.com

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Table of Contents

Introduction................................................................................... 6

Setup............................................................................................... 7

Unpacking................................................................................... 7

Connections................................................................................. 7

Operating Modes........................................................................... 8

Web Page Configuration......................................................... 8

eBOX Server Mode................................................................. 8

eBOX Client Mode ................................................................. 9

GPI to Serial Conversion ........................................................ 9

GPI to Ethernet Conversion .................................................... 9

Resetting eBOX Settings............................................................. 10

Initial Hardware Configuration ................................................ 11

eBOX Configuration Utility....................................................... 12

eBOX to Configure.................................................................... 13

eBOX Password Change........................................................... 13

eBOX Settings ........................................................................... 14

Configuration with Web Page Interface................................... 15

Operational Settings.............................................................. 17

eBOX IP Address.................................................................. 19

Port ............................................................................................... 20

Unused Switches................................................................... 20

GPI Outputs in GPI Conversion Modes ................................... 21

GPI Outs................................................................................ 21

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GPI Programmer Software........................................................ 22

eBOX GPI Tester Utility ............................................................ 25

eBOX Software for Apple Mac.................................................. 28

Installation ................................................................................ 28

Operation .................................................................................. 28

Preferences ............................................................................... 29

Password................................................................................... 30

Keysets ...................................................................................... 30

Programming Mode.................................................................. 31

Action Tabs ............................................................................... 32

MIDI Tab .................................................................................. 33

MIDI Machine Control (MMC)............................................ 33

Custom MIDI Messages ....................................................... 34

Special Tab................................................................................ 36

Delay Tab.................................................................................. 36

Keyboard Triggers.................................................................... 37

GPI Input Pins .......................................................................... 38

GPI Output Pins........................................................................ 38

GPI Preset Buttons ................................................................... 40

Serial Port Buttons.................................................................... 40

Serial Port Buttons.................................................................... 41

Serial Preset Buttons................................................................. 41

Serial Preset Buttons................................................................. 42

Live Mode.................................................................................. 43

Using the eBOX With a Router ................................................. 45

Using with eBOX I/O.................................................................. 46

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Technical Reference.................................................................... 47

Electrical Connections.............................................................. 47

Ethernet................................................................................. 47

Serial ..................................................................................... 48

GPI Port Pinouts ................................................................... 50

GPI Port Circuitry Details..................................................... 51

Power............................................................................................ 53

Troubleshooting .......................................................................... 54

Care and Service....................................................................... 55

Declaration of Conformity ......................................................... 56

RoHS Statement of Compliance ................................................ 57

JLCooper Electronics Limited Warranty ................................ 58

5

Introduction

The eBOX is a general purpose interface box that converts 4 serial
communication ports and 24 GPI (General Purpose Interface)
inputs and outputs to 100/10baseT Ethernet. The serial ports can
be configured as EIA/TIA RS-232E (CCITT V.28) or as EIA/TIA
RS-422A ports. This can be performed easily in the field.
Additionally, the port direction can be configured as DTE or DCE
on each port independently.

The eBOX communicates over standard TCP/IP which allows is be
used with any host computer running any operating system that
uses TCP/IP protocol. The eBOX can also be connected to other
eBOXes to allow longer runs than traditional serial and GPI cables.
Since the eBOX uses TCP/IP, traffic can be routed over internal
LANs, wireless LANs, MANs, WANs and even over the public
Internet.

Most configuration can be accomplished through a web page
server built into the eBOX. Items such as port speed, parity, IP
address, remote IP address and TCP port are set using a standard
web browser. Settings are stored in nonvolatile memory.

Typically, the eBOX functions as a server, passively waiting for
client devices to connect to it. The device can be a computer or
another eBOX configured as a client. When the eBOX is
configured as a client, it will actively attempt to connect to the
server eBOX. Once this is accomplished, the either eBOX will
pass data received in the serial or GPI ports to the remote eBOX.
If there is no data received in the eBOX, the eBOX will not send
any TCP packets.

In addition, the eBOX can operate as a GPI to Serial Converter or
GPI to Ethernet Converter. In these modes, the eBOX will convert
GPI input triggers to deck commands.

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Setup

Unpacking

The eBOX package will contain the following items:

• eBOX

• Power Supply

• This Users Manual

• Four rubber feet

Connections

The eBOX connections are straightforward:

1. Plug the power supply into the eBOX.

2. Plug a network cable into the Ethernet jack.

3. Connect serial cables into ports 1-4.

4. Connect GPI cables into GPI ports.

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Operating Modes

The eBOX has five distinct modes of operation that are set by the
rear panel DIP switches. The DIP switches are read only at power
on so the eBOX must be power cycled for the changes to take
effect.

SW8 SW7 SW5

On X Off Web Page Configuration

Off Off

Off On

Off On On eBOX performs GPI to serial conversion

Off Off On eBOX performs GPI to Ethernet conversion

X = Don’t Care

Off eBOX is server at address specified on next

Off eBOX is client at address specified on next

Web Page Configuration

When DIP switch 8 is set to the ‘On’ position, the eBOX starts up
in the Web Page Configuration Mode. This allows the user to
configure the settings of the eBOX with a web browser such as
Internet Explorer 6. More information can be found in the section
‘Configuration with Webpage Interface’. The web page can be
found at the IP address set by DIP Switches 1, 2 and 3.

Note: The eBOX must be power cycled to switch to this mode.

page

page

Mode Configuration

eBOX Server Mode

When the eBOX is in the server mode, it waits for a client to
connect to it. The client can be another eBOX in client mode or it
can be a computer based application. The IP address and TCP port
of the eBOX is set by DIP switches 1, 2 and 3.

Note: The eBOX must be power cycled to switch to this mode.

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eBOX Client Mode

When the eBOX is set to client mode, it actively attempts to
connect to another eBOX in server mode. The IP address and TCP
port of the eBOX is set by DIP switches 1, 2 and 3.

Note: The eBOX must be power cycled to switch to this mode.

GPI to Serial Conversion

When the eBOX is in GPI to Serial Conversion Mode, it converts
GPI inputs into serial messages out to the four serial ports. The IP
address of the eBOX is set by DIP switches 1, 2 and 3 plus one.
The TCP port is fixed at 8000. The GPI Programmer Software
allows you to edit and upload the commands that are sent when
GPI inputs are triggered.

When the eBOX operates as a GPI to Serial Converter, it will send
to the to Serial Port A status requests on a periodic basis. Replies
from the deck will be used to establish the state of some of the GPI
Output pins, acting as tally lines. Refer to the section regarding
GPI Outputs in GPI Conversion Modes later in this manual.

Note: The eBOX must be power cycled to switch to this mode.

GPI to Ethernet Conversion

When the eBOX is in GPI to Ethernet Conversion Mode, it
converts GPI inputs into Ethernet messages specifically for Doremi
V1 and MCS video servers. The IP address of the eBOX is set by
DIP switches 1, 2 and 3 plus one. The TCP port is fixed at 8000.
The eBOX GPI Programmer Software allows you to edit and
upload the commands that are sent when GPI inputs are triggered.

When the eBOX operates as a GPI to Ethernet Converter, it will
send to the Doremi server status requests on a periodic basis.
Replies from the server will be used to establish the state of some
of the GPI Output pins, acting as tally lines. Refer to the section
regarding GPI Outputs in GPI Conversion Modes.

Note: The eBOX must be power cycled to switch to this mode.

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Resetting eBOX Settings

The eBOX settings can be forced to factory defaults by using the
reset button. The reset button is located behind the front panel. It
can be accessed via the small, unmarked hole to the right of the
Port 4 Send LED. The arrow in the picture below shows the
location of the hole for the reset button.

To reset the eBOX to factory defaults, simply press the button with
a long, thin object such as a paper clip and turn the power on. The
reset button can be released after the 5 Send and 5 Receive LEDs
stop flashing.

The eBOX factory defaults are:

IP Address 192.168.254.102

Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0

Gateway Address 192.168.254.198

TCP Port 23

Destination IP Address 192.168.254.103

Destination TCP Port 5000

Password

Serial Port Rate 38400 bits/sec

Parity Odd

Serial Port Timeout 5 mS

Maximum Buffer Size 128 bytes

password

eBOX Settings After Reset

After the eBOX settings are reset in this manner, you must power
cycle the eBOX to load those settings.

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Initial Hardware Configuration

IP Address

The IP Address of the unit depends on the position of DIP switches
1, 2 and 3. This is detailed in the table below. The address box
can accommodate numeric (nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn) or alphanumeric
(domain.name.com) network locations.

SW3 SW2 SW1 SW7 Mode IP Address

Off Off Off Off Server 192.168.254.102

Off Off Off On Client 192.168.254.103

Off Off On Off Server 192.168.254.104
Off Off On On Client 192.168.254.105

Off On Off Off Server 192.168.254.106

Off On Off On Client 192.168.254.107

Off On On Off Server 10.0.0.128
Off On On On Client 10.0.0.129

On Off Off Off Server 10.0.0.130
On Off Off On Client 10.0.0.131
On Off On Off Server 10.0.0.132
On Off On On Client 10.0.0.133
On On Off Off Server 172.16.0.128
On On Off On Client 172.16.0.129
On On On Off Server Set by user,

Default=192.168.254.102

On On On On Client Set by user,

Default=192.168.254.102

IP Address Configuration for eBOX

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eBOX Configuration Utility

Beginning with version 1.09 firmware, a second TCP connection
was added. This allows the eBOX to be configured while the
eBOX is in use and avoids any compatibility issues with web
browsers. This is the recommended way to configure the eBOX.

To allow easy configuration of the eBOX, JLCooper has provided
a small Windows utility. The eBOX Configuration Utility is
shown below.

To use the utility, simply install and launch it.

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eBOX to Configure

In this section, enter the IP Address, TCP Port and Password of the
target eBOX that you wish to configure.

IP Address

This is IP Address of the target eBOX to configure.

TCP Port

This is the TCP Port of the target eBOX to configure. The TCP
Port for configuration is fixed at 4141. In most circumstances, you
will never have to change this however, if the eBOX is behind a
router using port forwarding, you may have to specify a different
port.

Password

If DIP switch 6 is set to the down position, the eBOX uses a
password to prevent unauthorized access. The default password is
‘password’.

Note: If the Password box contains any text, the eBOX Configuration
Utility will pad out the password with spaces and truncate the
password to 8 characters. If the Password box is empty, the eBOX
Configuration Utility will send no password.

eBOX Password Change

This section allows you to change the password of the eBOX.
Remember, if DIP switch 6 is set to the down position, the eBOX
requires the correct password in the ‘eBOX to Configure’ section.
The default password is ‘password’.

New Password

This is the area to enter a new password. The password can be up
to 8 characters in length.

Update Password

Clicking on this button sends the new password to the eBOX.

Note: The eBOX Configuration Utility will pad out the password with
spaces and truncate the password to 8 characters even if the Password
box is empty.

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eBOX Settings

This section allows you to change the operational settings of the
eBOX Ethernet and serial ports. These settings are identical to the
settings that appear on the configuration web page.

Device IP Address

IP address of this eBOX when SW1, SW2 and SW3=On.

Subnet Mask

The mask is a binary pattern that is matched up with the IP address
to turn part of the host ID address field into a field for subnets.

Gateway Address

IP address of gateway router that connects to other networks.

Port Number

TCP port of this eBOX when SW1, SW2 and SW3=On.

Destination IP Address

IP address of remote eBOX when SW1, SW2 and SW3=On. This
is used when eBOX is configured as a client (SW7=On).

Destination Port Number

TCP port of remote eBOX when SW1, SW2 and SW3=On. This is
used when eBOX is configured as a client (SW7=On).

Password

Eight character alphanumeric password that is embedded in the
Ethernet packet that prevents unauthorized eBOXes from passing
unintended packets. If the password protection feature is enabled
(SW6=Off) on either eBOX, then both eBOXes must have the
same password.

Baud Rate

Sets the port speed of the individual serial ports.

Parity and Parity Type

Enables or disables parity and sets parity type of the serial ports.

Serial Time Out

Sets the time that the eBOX will wait for data from the serial ports.

Max Buff Size

Sets the maximum buffer size of the serial ports.

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Configuration with Web Page Interface

Note: Beginning with version 1.09 firmware, the ability to configure the
eBOX with the eBOX Configuration Utility while the eBOX is in use
was added. For this reason, using the eBOX Configuration Utility to
configure the eBOX is the recommended method to configure the
eBOX.

When SW8 is set in the ‘On’ position, the eBOX allows access to
the configuration web page. On this page, various settings such as
port rate and parity, IP addresses and ports, and password can be
modified.

Note: The eBOX will not send Serial/GPI messages when the eBOX is
set to configuration mode.

This page is accessed by setting SW8 to the ‘On’ position and
typing
time, the normal operation of the eBOX is suspended. Make any
changes that are necessary for your system and click on SUBMIT.
These changes are stored in nonvolatile memory and are loaded at
power up.

Switch SW8 to the ‘Off’ position and power cycle the eBOX so the
changes are loaded.

The configuration web page is shown on the next page.

http://192.168.254.102 into your web browser. During this

Note: The configuration web page is always set to 192.168.254.102
regardless of the state of the DIP switches.

Note: In the configuration mode, the subnet mask is set to

255.255.255.0. This means that the eBOX will only see traffic from
computers with and IP address of 192.168.254.nnn. You will need to
change your computers IP address to 192.168.254.nnn where nnn =
any number except 0, 102 and 255. This will allow your computer to
access the configuration page of the eBOX.

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Operational Settings

Device IP Address

IP address of this eBOX when SW1, SW2 and SW3=On.

Subnet Mask

The mask is a binary pattern that is matched up with the IP address
to turn part of the host ID address field into a field for subnets.

Gateway Address

IP address of gateway router which connects to other networks.

Port Number

TCP port of this eBOX when SW1, SW2 and SW3=On.

Destination IP Address

IP address of remote eBOX when SW1, SW2 and SW3=On. This
is used when eBOX is configured as a client (SW7=On).

Destination Port Number

TCP port of remote eBOX when SW1, SW2 and SW3=On. This is
used when eBOX is configured as a client (SW7=On).

Password

Eight character alphanumeric password that is embedded in the
Ethernet packet that prevents unauthorized eBOXes from passing
unintended packets. If the password protection feature is enabled
(SW6=Off) on either eBOX, then both eBOXes must have the
same password.

Baud Rate

Sets the port speed of the individual serial ports.

Parity and Parity Type

Enables or disables parity and sets parity type of the serial ports.

Serial Time Out

Sets the time that the eBOX will wait for data from the serial ports.

Max Buff Size

Sets the maximum buffer size of the serial ports.

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eBOX Security
The eBOX contains a basic security mechanism that prevents
unintended hosts or eBOXes from passing data through a secured
eBOX. An eBOX can be protected with password that is set on the
configuration web page. The password is stored in nonvolatile
memory and, is read upon power up.

When password protection is enabled, the sending eBOX embeds
the password in the transmitted IP packet. At the remote end, the
receiving eBOX must have password protection enabled AND
have a matching password.

The DIP switches are read only at power on so the eBOX must be
power cycled for any changes to take effect.

This security mechanism is only used in eBOX Server and eBOX
Client modes. SW6 should be set to the off position when used in
the GPI to Serial and GPI to Ethernet modes.

SW6

On Disable password protection

Off Enable password protection

Security Configuration

The effect of SW6 takes place immediately.

Note: If an eBOX has password protection is disabled, it will ignore the
password and act on any packets sent to it.

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