Lava Computer HQ-ST Link User Manual
LAVA HQ-ST Link
System Manual
Rev.A00
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
System Design 1
Theory of Operation of the LAVA HQ-ST Link 1
Primary Hardware Components of the HQ-ST System 2
ST Plus 2
HQ Plus 3
Secondary Hardware Components of the HQ-ST System 4
HQ Remote Console 4
HQ Remote Poller 4
Software Components of the HQ-ST Link System 5
HQ Basic Software 5
ST Plus Configuration Console 5
LAVA Ether Link Manager Utility 5
LAVA HQ Plus Install 6
Equipment Needed 6
General 6
METHOD #1: Headquarters Installation using HQ-Basic (recommended method) 6
METHOD#2: Headquarters Installation using Ether Link Manager and the Web Page 9
LAVA ST Plus Install 12
Equipment Needed 12
General 12
Installation of ST Plus Devices at the ECR Equipment Sites 12
ST Configuration Console: Operation 16
Hardware Connection 16
Software Connection 16
HQ Basic: Operation 19
Hardware Connection 19
Software Connection 19
APPENDIX A: Installation Checklist 21
APPENDIX B: Verify Access to the Internet from the LAN 23
APPENDIX C: Check that the LAN Provides DHCP Setting Configurations to Devices on the LAN 24
APPENDIX D: Check that the Selected HQ Site has a STATIC WAN IP Address 25
APPENDIX E: Test that the HQ Site is Properly Set Up and Working: HQ Plus Installed 26
APPENDIX F: Test the End-to-End HQ-ST Link Communications: HQ and ST Installed 27
APPENDIX G: Troubleshooting 28
APPENDIX H: Master Reset to Factory Defaults 30
APPENDIX I: Installing the HQ Plus on the PC as a (TAPI) Modem 31
APPENDIX J: Windows Installation Tools for Use with HQ Plus and ST Plus Devices 32
Web Page Interface on HQ Plus and ST Plus 32
PING Function 32
IPCONFIG Function 32
HyperTerminal 32
TELNET 32
Rev. A00 HQ-ST System Manual Page i
Introduction
System Design
The LAVA HQ-ST Link consists of ST Plus devices installed at each store. The ST Plus devices communicate with an
assigned and dedicated HQ-Plus device at the head office. The ST Plus devices are attached to the cash register(s) in
each store, and to the store's Internet connection. Polling software running on a head office computer can poll each
cash register, via the HQ Plus.
The system is supported by the included ST Plus Configuration Console application, which makes configuring ST Plus
units simple, and at the head office by the HQ Basic application, which shows the connection status of ST Plus devices
in stores.
The system is also enhanced by the HQ Plus Remote Console and the HQ Plus Remote Poller, hardware interfaces that
enable an installer or owner to perform head office tasks from other locations.
Theory of Operation of the LAVA HQ-ST Link
A LAVA HQ-ST Link provides reliable "always on-line" communication path between remote/distributed ST Plus
devices and a centrally located HQ Plus device. The ST Plus establishes a TCP/IP connection to the IP address:TCP port
of a designated HQ Plus. This connection then provides the HQ Plus with the current IP address:TCP port of the ST Plus.
Whenever the ST Plus is reset or powered up, the ST Plus establishes this connection, and expects the HQ Plus to send
an "I (HQ Plus) still see You (ST Plus)" packet to the ST Plus once every three minutes at a minimum. If the ST Plus does
not receive this “keep-alive” message from the HQ Plus, the ST Plus will reset and try to re-connect to the HQ Plus.
Similarly, in the event of some change at the ST Plus's site, the ST Plus will re-connect to the HQ Plus. Typical incidents
could be: power cycling off and on, an IP address change of the ST Plus due to dynamic IP address re-assignments , relocation of the ST Plus, initial installation of the ST Plus, interruption of Internet service, and so on.
The HQ-ST System provides a "telephone modem-like communications environment" to the equipment connected at
both ends. However, the data path between the ST Plus and HQ Plus is over Ethernet using TCP/IP communications.
The Ethernet TCP/IP communications are used only as the communications medium between the HQ Plus and the ST
Plus devices, and are "invisible" to the serial side data I/O activities at the HQ Plus and ST Plus devices.
Figure 1: HQ-ST Layout
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Primary Hardware Components of the HQ-ST System
The ST Plus and HQ Plus are the two essential hardware components in an HQ-ST Link. ST Plus devices, attached to
ECRs in stores, connect to their assigned HQ Plus device located at a head office.
ST Plus
The ST Plus is a device operates as a TCP/IP Raw Client, with the intention of providing a store-side serial-to-Ethernet
interface to an ECR or other similar device.
The ST Plus provides a serial port with the I/O characteristics and pin-out of a USR-type modem with a DB-25F
connector. To make a serial-to-serial connection from the HQ Plus's serial port to the ST Plus's serial port the
originating equipment connected to HQ Plus (typically a computer running ECR polling software) sends a dialing
string (ATDT5551234, for example) that causes a connection to be made to the serial port of the specific ST Plus (in this
example, known as 5551234) to which the receiving equipment (the ECR to be polled) is connected.
Figure 2: ST Plus
Figure 3: ST Plus: front connections
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Figure 4: ST Plus: rear connections
HQ Plus
The HQ Plus operates as a TCP/IP Raw Server, with a known IP:Port address. The HQ Plus is intended to provide a headoffice serial-to-Etherenet interface for a polling application to access remotely located device to be polled.
The HQ Plus provides a modem-like serial interface (US Robotics (USR) command set, DB-25F connector), that is used
by an external device such as a PC to make a "telephone - modem" call (that is, using a conventional modem dialing
string of the format: ATDT5551234).
The HQ Plus comes in versions that support up to 126, 30, or 8 ST sites.
Figure 5: HQ Plus-126, HQ Plus-30, HQ Plus-8
A set of LEDs on the HQ Plus indicates the status of the serial ports of the device, and the number of active ST Plus
connections.
Figure 6: HQ Plus LEDs
The number of active connections has a binary representation. When there are no active connections, the connection
LEDs light and unlight in sequence, creating a “bit walk”. When connections exist, the number of connections is
represented by the sum of the values in each box above. For example, if the “64”, “4”, and “1” LEDs were lit, the number
of active connections would be 69.
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Secondary Hardware Components of the HQ-ST System
The HQ Remote Console and HQ Remote Poller provide the capability to locate a parallel "HQ site" which can be
readily re-located. The HQ Remote Console and the HQ Remote Poller can be deployed as standalone devices, at the
same or at separate sites. Enabling and disabling of the remote devices is controlled from the main HQ Plus through
the HQ Basic software control to allow or disallow remote console and remote poller functions accesses.
HQ Remote Console
Figure 7: HQ Remote Console: DB-9F serial connector
The HQ Remote Console provides an output of the "current connection status" of the system, via the serial port on the
HQ Remote Console device.
The data output is a "duplicate" of the output from the main HQ Plus, which may be located elsewhere on the WAN,
LAN, or Internet.
The PC that is connected to the serial port of the HQ Remote Console runs the HQ Basic utility. The same control
capabilities exist at the HQ Remote Console site at the main HQ Plus.
The HQ Remote Console can be located anywhere where there is an Internet communication capability available. Only
one HQ Remote Console may be associated with any one HQ Plus, and the site LAN requirements are the same as for
an ST Plus installation.
The HQ Remote Console communicates with the main HQ Plus in a way similar to that used by a standard ST Plus.
HQ Remote Poller
Figure 8: HQ Remote Poller: DB-25F serial connector
The HQ Remote Poller hardware provides the capability to use polling software applications to poll and communicate
with the ST Plus devices that are "connected" to the main HQ Plus.
Only one HQ Remote Poller may be associated with any one HQ Plus.
The site LAN requirements are the same as for an ST Plus installation.
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Software Components of the HQ-ST Link System
While not essential to the main task of polling over IP, the following components supplement the basic HQ-ST Link and
and assist installation or are required for device configuration .
HQ Basic Software
This system management utility, supplied with HQ Plus hardware, provides configuration interfaces for HQ Plus and
ST Plus devices, and presents a tabular view of the state of all ST Plus connections current on a given HQ Plus. It also
provides rudimentary connection logging and debugging information, and a live “chat” interface for HQ-ST system
administrators to communicate with installers in the field.
HQ Basic resides on the host PC, which is connected to the Console port of the HQ Plus. It is loaded from the LAVA
Installation CD.
See “HQ Basic: Operation” on page 19.
ST Plus Configuration Console
This application, supplied with ST Plus hardware, provides a configuration interface for ST Plus devices, and a live
“chat” interface for installers to communicate with a head office.
This utility resides on a PC host and is used via the serial port of the ST Plus. It is loaded from the LAVA Installation CD.
Connect the serial port of the host PC to the serial port of the ST Plus, start the utility, select the COM port, then cycle
the power to the ST Plus. The ST Plus Configuration Console communicates with and is ready to configure the ST Plus.
Note: there is a five second access-to-start window, after ST Plus power-up.
See “ST Configuration Console: Operation” on page 16.
LAVA Ether Link Manager Utility
This device management utility is used to locate, display, and configure the current network settings of the LAVA HQ
Plus and ST Plus devices, and to indicate the network settings of the Host PC that is connected to the LAN. The Host PC
network settings can be used to assist in selecting the static IP settings that may be required by the HQ Plus and ST
Plus (if DHCP is not available) for operation on the LAN.
This utility operates on a LAN only. The LAN must not block UDP broadcast packets. Network security programs/
firewall may need to be disabled or edited to allow the UDP broadcast packets on the LAN.
The Host PC may be connected directly to the HQ Plus or ST Plus via a standard Ethernet cross-over cable, in order to
bypass using the LAN environment.
The utility is downloaded from www.lavalink.com.
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LAVA HQ Plus Install
Equipment Needed
To set up an HQ Plus for polling you will need:
• polling software [not supplied]
• LAVA HQ Basic software (See “HQ Basic: Operation” on page 19.)
• LAVA HQ Plus with power supply (do not confuse power supply with that of ST Plus)
• Windows-based PC with 2 available COM ports (2 x DB-9) [not supplied] (two separate computers could also be
used for polling software and HQ Basic software if desired)
• one Ethernet cable (CAT-5 UTP with RJ-45 connectors) [not supplied]
• one straight-through serial cable (DB-25M to DB-9F) [not supplied]
• one straight-through serial cable (DB-9M to DB-9F) [not supplied]
General
HQ Plus devices communicate over Ethernet LAN/WAN facilities. The devices must be configured with the appropriate
IP addresses and port numbers for the specific LAN onto which these devices are to be connected.
The installer must know the correct network parameters to configure HQ Plus devices for operation.
METHOD #1: Headquarters Installation using HQ-Basic (recommended method)
Before Proceeding: Complete the relevant network parameters checklists on the LAN
• See “Verify Access to the Internet from the LAN” on page 23.
• See “Check that the LAN Provides DHCP Setting Configurations to Devices on the LAN” on page 24.
• See “Check that the Selected HQ Site has a STATIC WAN IP Address” on page 25.
Important: The headquarters site requires static IP addresses — the HQ LAN IP address must be static, AND the WAN
address of the HQ LAN site device must be static.
The WAN/Internet IP address must be a known STATIC IP address (or an assigned DNS name). Use Internet Explorer to
access www.whatismyip.com to verify the address. Also verify that this is so by accessing the setup parameters of the
gateway/router that is to be used to provide the access to the Internet for the LAN.
Note: The HQ site may (as an option) have a DNS name, which can be used by Internet users instead of the STATIC IP, to
connect to the HQ site.
Important: Port forward the two port numbers associated with each HQ Plus on the LAN.
1. Connect the HQ Plus “Console” port to a PC’s COM port using the DB-9M to DB-9F cable. Supply power to the HQ
Plus.
2. Install and run the HQ Basic management software on the computer attached to the HQ Plus.
3. Choose the COM port to which the HQ Plus is attached and click “Connect”.
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4. Once connected, double-click on the last entry in the table (the entry is named “CONSOLE LOCAL” and denotes
the HQ Plus that is currently connected).
5. In the Network Settings screen that appears, enter at least the following: the IP address of this HQ Plus (factory
default is 192.168.0.35) and an Identification Key matching that used by ST Plus units targeting this HQ Plus
(factory default is a string of zeros). LAVA recommends changing the Identification Key from this factory default to
one personalized to your system for full security.
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6. The default values in the Serial Settings tab are for display only and cannot be changed.
7. The serial settings in the “Modem Settings” tab must be set to match those used in the polling generally (that is,
those of the ECR, ST Plus, and polling software).
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8. The modem settings on the right hand side of this tab may not need to be changed, depending on the particular
modem requirements of the polling software. LAVA suggests starting with them at their default values.
9. Connect the HQ Plus “Modem” port to the PC’s second COM port using the DB-9F to DB-25M serial cable.
10. Connect the HQ Plus’s Ethernet port to the store LAN on which the “Default Gateway” is located.
11. Map a TCP port nnnn (default port number is 4098) on the headquarter’s gateway to allow control and
negotiation data to pass to remote units. Consult your router's documentation for this step.
12. Map a TCP port nnnn+1 (default port number is 4099) on the headquarter’s gateway to allow modem data to pass
to remote units. Consult your router's documentation for this step.
13. Test the link.
See “Test that the HQ Site is Properly Set Up and Working: HQ Plus Installed” on page 26.
See “Test the End-to-End HQ-ST Link Communications: HQ and ST Installed” on page 27.
14. Attach the PC that will host the polling software. The serial port of the polling host PC should be connected to the
“Modem” port of the HQ Plus. In general, it is most trouble-free to configure the serial port of the polling host PC
to match the serial port of the HQ Plus, and to ensure that serial settings and connections end-to-end (from
polling software to polled device) are consistent.
15. If necessary, troubleshoot the link using the troubleshooting chart:
See “Troubleshooting” on page 28.
16. POLL AWAY!
METHOD#2: Headquarters Installation using Ether Link Manager and the Web Page
Before Proceeding: Complete the relevant network parameters checklists on the LAN
• See “Verify Access to the Internet from the LAN” on page 23.
• See “Check that the LAN Provides DHCP Setting Configurations to Devices on the LAN” on page 24.
• See “Check that the Selected HQ Site has a STATIC WAN IP Address” on page 25.
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