Linear RA-2400 User Manual

RA-2400

REMOTE ACCESS
SOFTWARE PROGRAM

REFERENCE GUIDE

Reference Manual for Programming the
PERS-2400 Personal Emergency Reporting System

WRITER’S NOTE:

This publication could contain technical inaccuracies or typographical
errors. Changes are periodically made to the information herein; these
changes will be incorporated in new editions of the publication. Linear
may make improvements and/or changes in the product(s) and/or
software described in this publication at any time.

MS-DOS®, Windows™ ,WindowsNT™ , Windows95™ , Windows98™ ,
WindowsME™ , WindowsXP™ , and Windows2000™ are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Pentium® is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation

IBM® is a registered trademark of International Busines Machines
Corporation.

Linear Technical Services: 1-800-421-1587

FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CALL:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. GETTING STARTED

1.1 SOFTWARE DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1.2 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1.3 PROGRAMMING OUTLINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

1.4 PROGRAM INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

1.5 TESTING THE MODEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2. OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2.1 STARTING THE PROGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2.2 NEW WINDOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2.3 MENU BAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2.4 ACCOUNT PROFILE WINDOW OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

3. COMMUNICATIONS SETUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

3.1 COM PORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

3.2 SPEAKER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

3.3 CONNECTION OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

3.4 MODEM INITIALIZATION STRING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

4. CREATING A CUSTOM ACCOUNT PROFILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

4.1 NEW WINDOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

4.2 CUSTOMER INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

4.3 CONSOLE ALARMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

4.4 CONSOLE AUDIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

4.5 SENSORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

4.6 COMMUNICATOR MAIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

4.7 COMMUNICATOR ROUTING AND NUMBERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

4.8 COMMUNICATOR ENABLED REPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

4.9 COMMUNICATOR 4 BY 2 FORMAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

4.9.1 4 BY 2 POINT-TO-POINT ALARM CODES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

4.9.2 4 BY 2 POINT-TO-POINT TROUBLE CODES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

4.9.3 CONSOLE REPORT CODES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

4.9.4 4 BY 2 GENERAL ALARM CODES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

4.10 ADEMCO CONTACT-ID REPORT CODES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

5. SENDING AND RECEIVING CONSOLE DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

5.1 ACCESSING THE SEND/RECEIVE WINDOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

5.2 CHOOSING AN ACCOUNT PROFILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

5.3 CONNECTING TO A CONSOLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

5.4 SENDING AND RECEIVING DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

5.5 CLOSING RA-2400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

1.1 SOFTWARE DESCRIPTION

What is the RA-2400 Remote Access Software Program?

How does RA-2400 connect to a PERS-2400 Console?

Do I have to be connected to a Console to make programming changes?

How do I change Console settings while on-line?

Can I make a template with the typical settings for all of my accounts?

How do I add and remove the program’s password?

The RA-2400 Remote Access software is a communications program designed
to work with Linear’s PERS-2400 Personal Emergency Reporting System. The
software runs on an IBM PC or compatible computer and connects to the console
through the standard telephone network with the computer’s modem. This 32-bit
software runs under all Windows operating systems.

RA-2400 software is the only way to program Linear PERS-2400 Consoles
(excluding loading transmitters into the Console). RA-2400 sets the options for:
Console alarm, audio, and sensors; communicator telephone numbers, call
routing, formats, reporting codes and account numbers.

The RA-2400 software has a large help file that can be accessed at any time by
selecting “Contents” from the “Help” menu or by pressing the F1 key.

Remote Access communicates with the Console over the same phone line the
Console uses to send communicator reports. Remote Access can also connect
to the Console without a telephone line by directly connecting the Computer modem’s
LINE jack to the Console’s LINE jack using a standard modular telephone cord.

With a telephone line connection (remote connection), a special dialing procedure
is used. First, Remote Access dials the phone number specified for the Console.
Remote Access waits long enough for the phone to ring two or three times, then
hangs up. Next, Remote Access waits, then dials again. This second call is
answered on the first ring by the Console.

With a direct connection (local cable connection), Remote Access prompts the
user to place the Console in Test Mode and press the Console’s EMERGENCY
button to establish the connection.

Once the connection is made, the Console will check if its remote access
password matches the calling software’s password. If the passwords match,
access is granted.

Since Remote Access knows the programming structure, you can modify an
Account Profile without being connected to a Console. This means you can set
all of the values for a specific Console configuration and then connect to a unit
and send all of the values that you have set. This is referred to as off-line Console
configuration.

While on-line with the Console, make any changes to the Account Profile then
send the data to change the Console.

Programming “templates” can be created to speed up programming multiple
Consoles. Common settings, such as the Central Station telephone number,
communicator format, Console and communicator configurations which are
shared by all of your accounts can be stored in an Account Profile and used as a
template. That template file can be used as a basis for creating each customer
Account Profile file (*.PES). See “Using Profile Copies” in the Help contents for
more information on creating a template.

A password can be set to restrict the RA-2400 to authorized users only. To add
a password, select “Change Password...” from the “Options” menu. Enter the
password in the “New Password” field. Verify it by entering the password again
in “Re-type New Password” and click OK.

To remove the password, enter your password in “Old Password”, don’t enter
anything on the “New Password” and “Re-type New Password” fields and
press OK.

1

1.2 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Minimum System Requirements:

IBM compatible 486 personal computer with 8 Mb RAM


 Windows 95/98/NT/ME/XP/2000 operating systems
 VGA monitor
 Name brand modem that is capable of 300 baud (BELL 103

compatible)

 Hard disk drive with 10 Mb available space for the software plus

18K available space for each Account Profile file.

 CD drive

Recommended System:

Pentium or better based personal computer with 16 Mb RAM or



more

 Windows 95/98/NT/ME/XP/2000 operating systems
 SVGA video card
 Microsoft compatible mouse
 Name brand modem that is capable of 300 baud (BELL 103

compatible)

 Large hard disk drive (1000 Account Profiles use about 20 Mb)
 CD drive

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1.3 PROGRAMMING OUTLINE

Use the following programming outline to guide you through the steps
required to set up the RA-2400 software and program a PERS-2400
Console. Many of the programming options available in the RA-2400
program can be left in their default settings, and do not need to be
changed for most installations.

1. SETUP RA-2400 SOFTWARE

! Install the software on your computer (Section 1.4).
! Test your computer’s modem (Section 1.5).
! Start the RA-2400 program (Section 2.1).
! Set the Communications Setup options (Section 3).

2. CUSTOMIZE AN ACCOUNT PROFILE

! Open a new Account Profile (Section 4.1).
! Enter customer information (Section 4.2).
! Set the Console’s alarm options (Section 4.3).
! Set the Console’s audio options (Section 4.4).
! Enable the Console’s communicator and choose a communicator

format (Section 4.6).

! Choose the communicator’s account number, telephone numbers,

and trouble report routing (Section 4.7).

! Set the communicator status reporting options (Section 4.8).

3. PROGRAM THE CONSOLE WITH THE ACCOUNT PROFILE

! Choose an Account Profile (Section 5.2).
! Connect to the Console (Section 5.3).
! Send the data to the Console (Section 5.4).

IMPORTANT:

AFTER ANY PROGRAMMING CHANGES ARE MADE TO A
CONSOLE, PERFORM THOROUGH TESTING TO VERIFY THAT THE
CONSOLE OPERATES AS INTENDED.

3

1.4 PROGRAM INSTALLATION

The RA-2400 Remote Access Program is supplied on a CD-rom. The
installation program will create a directory on your hard disk drive. Be
sure that you have at least 10 megabytes free on the hard disk for the
program and any Account Profile files that you create.

To Install the Remote Access Program:

!

The first step is to close all other running programs.

! Place the Remote Access CD into your computer CD drive.
! The installation process should start automatically. If the CD does

not auto run, use Windows Explorer to find RASETUP.EXE on the
CD. Double-click on RASETUP.EXE and install program will start.

! Click the Next button to install the Remote Access software. Follow

the on-screen instructions as the setup program creates the
directory and copies the program files onto your hard disk. A
Remote Access icon will be created on your desktop screen.

! If you are performing a reinstallation, or an update, you will be

prompted to uninstall RA-2400 first. After the uninstall is
completed, browse to the appropriate drive letter for your CD drive
and double-click on RASETUP.EXE. Then follow the on-screen
steps to install the Remote Access software.

 NOTE: If Windows asks whether to replace existing .DLL files, first

answer NO. If RA-2400 fails to run, re-install RA-2400 and answer
YES to replace existing .DLL files.

! Remove the CD and store it in a safe place.

To Remove the Remote Access Program:

!

Press START, SETTINGS, CONTROL PANEL. Double-click on
ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS.

! Select LINEAR RA-2400 and click the ADD/REMOVE or

CHANGE/REMOVE button depending on your Windows Operating
system.

4

1.5 TESTING THE MODEM

Before you run the Remote Access Program, be sure that the computer
is running correctly and that the modem is installed and working properly.

To Test the Modem:

Windows Control Panel can be used to test the modem and determine
what COM port it is connected to.

! Press START, SETTINGS, CONTROL PANEL. Double-click on

MODEMS.

! Verify that a modem is shown in the Modem Properties window.
! Click on the DIAGNOSTICS tab. The modem installed with the

COM port highlighted should be shown.

! Note the COM port information. It is used when setting COM port in

the Communications Setup window (see Section 3.1).

! Test the modem by pressing the MORE INFO... button. IF THE

MODEM IS CONNECTED AND WORKING PROPERLY, THE
“MORE INFO” WINDOW WILL DISPLAY DETAILED MODEM
INFORMATION. If the modem is not working properly, Windows
will notify you.

5

2. OVERVIEW

2.1 STARTING THE PROGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2.2 NEW WINDOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2.3 MENU BAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2.4 ACCOUNT PROFILE WINDOW OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . 10

 NOTE: Experienced computer or PC users should find that entering

data and navigating around the RA-2400 program dialog boxes is
similar to most other Windows programs. New users, or users
unfamiliar with running Windows applications, should refer to the
Windows help file for details on using Windows.

6

2.1 STARTING THE PROGRAM

To Run the Program:

!

Press START, point to PROGRAMS, RA2400 and click on RA2400.

2.2 NEW WINDOW

PURPOSE:

To select an Account Profile template for the type of unit being
programmed.

USER RESPONSE:

!

Select PERS-2400A V2.0

! Press OK.

The RA-2400 program window will appear with a starter template called
PERS-2400A V2.0-1 showing in the workspace. This file can be stored
later, under any name, using SAVE AS... in the FILE menu (see
Section 2.3).

7

2.3 MENU BAR

PURPOSE:

To provide access to each of the programs sub-menus.

The sub-menus that can be accessed from this menu are:

File

NEW

OPEN

CLOSE

SAVE

SAVE AS...

PRINT...

PRINT PREVIEW

RECENT FILE LIST

EXIT

To select an Account Profile template for the type of unit being
programmed.

Loads a saved Account Profile into the RA-2400 workspace. Multiple
Account Profiles can be open at the same time in the RA-2400
workspace. They can be arranged in the workspace using the
Window menu on the menu bar, or by dragging them around
manually.

Closes the active Account Profile. If there were any changes to the
file, Windows will ask if you want to save the changes.

Saves the active Account Profile to the hard drive, overwriting the
existing .P20 file.

Saves the active Account Profile while giving the option to change
the name or location of the .P20 file.

Opens the PRINT window to allow printing of the active Account
Profile. Resulting printout is the entire content of the Account Profile
.P20 file in text format.

Shows what will be printed on the screen with options to zoom in or
print the document.

Shows the last four file names (with paths) that were opened in
RA-2400. Clicking on a file opens it.

Closes the RA-2400 program. If any open Account Profiles have
changed, Windows will ask if you want to save them.

8

2.3 MENU BAR (CONTINUED)

VIEW

TOOLBAR

When checked, the toolbar is displayed. NOTE: The toolbar can be
turned into a re-sizable floating toolbar window by dragging it out of
its docked location at the top of the workspace. The toolbar accesses
many of the popular menu items. Hover the mouse pointer over the
toolbar button to see a description of the button.

STATUS BAR

When checked, the status bar is displayed at the bottom of the
workspace.

COMMUNICATIONS

SETUP...

Opens the Communication Setup window. Used for setting up the
modem and connection type (local or remote).

SEND/RECEIVE...

Opens the Send/Receive window. Used for connecting to a Console
to send or receive data or to turn the Console’s activity timer on or
off.

OPTIONS

CHANGE PASSWORD

Opens the Change Password window. Used for changing or
removing the password required to enter the RA-2400 program. THIS
IS NOT THE REMOTE ACCESS PASSWORD USED TO CONNECT
TO THE PERS-2400 CONSOLE.

WINDOW

CASCADE

Arranges all open Account Profile windows layered across the
workspace.

TILE

Arranges all open Account Profile windows next to each other in the
workspace.

HELP

CONTENTS

Opens the help Contents search window. Used for accessing the
RA-2400’s built-in help file.

ABOUT RA-2400 REMOTE ACCESS

Displays the version number of the RA-2400 software.

9

2.4 ACCOUNT PROFILE WINDOW OVERVIEW

PURPOSE:

MENU TREE

To enter data and make changes to an Account Profile and customize it
for a specific installation.

EDIT AREA

10

MENU TREE

Used for selecting the various data entry fields in the Account Profile. Clicking on the plus
(+) symbols expands the branches of the menu tree. Clicking on the minus (-) symbols
collapses the menu tree branch. Clicking on an item displays the data entry fields in the
edit area or other information.

EDIT AREA

Used for adding and changing the data in the Account Profile. Click on the check boxes,
buttons, and enter text and numbers in the data areas to modify the Account Profile.