M-NET
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION
MANUAL
QUATROSENSE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
5935 OTTAWA STREET, PO BOX 749 RICHMOND, ONTARIO CANADA K0A 2Z0
PHONE: (613) 838-4005 FAX: (613) 838-4018
Web: www.QELsafety.com Email: QEL@QELsafety.com
M-NET Installation and Operation Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 WHAT’S M-NET.................................................................................................2
2 PRODUCT CONCEPT........................................................................................2
3 PACKAGE CHECKLIST....................................................................................3
4 M-NET FEATURES............................................................................................3
5 M-NET INDICATORS AND CONNECTORS...................................................4
5.1 LEDS ON PCB BOARD......................................................................................4
5.2 LEDS ON RJ-45 CONNECTOR............................................................................5
5.3 CONNECTORS ...................................................................................................5
6 HARDWARE INSTALLATION.........................................................................6
7 REQUIRED INFORMATION............................................................................7
7.1 HARDWARE ADDRESS.......................................................................................7
7.2 IP ADDRESS.....................................................................................................7
7.3 EMAIL SERVER IP ADDRESS .............................................................................7
8 USING M-VIEW TO SETUP M-NET................................................................8
9 USING M-VIEW TO OPEN “COMM PORT REDIRECTOR”.....................12
10 HOW TO SETUP “COMM PORT REDIRECTOR”.......................................13
11 IP ADDRESSING FUNDAMENTALS.............................................................17
12 NETWORKING TERMS..................................................................................18
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1 What’s M-NET
The M-NET enables communication with serial devices over a LAN or WAN. Serial Devices, such as MController, are no longer limited to a physical connection to the PC COM port. They can be installed
anywhere on the LAN using TCP/IP or UDP/IP communications. This allows traditional Windows PC
software, such as M-View, access to M-Controller anywhere on the LAN/WAN network.
2 Product Concept
In the past, remote management of devices with serial ports was accomplished by running a long serial
connection using RS-232 cables. For greater distances, either RS-422 cable was used if the device itself
supported this standard, or some type of external converter was installed.
RS-232
computer
Device Server Technology allows you to take the same device that originally required a direct PC or
terminal connection and connect it to any standard Ethernet network. From there, you span out over the
Internet or your corporate WAN and share information across your organization.
M-NET is a Device Server that allows you to connect M-Controller directly to any Ethernet network. Use
the developed PC software to convert serial commands sent from the M-View via IP that are sent over the
network to the M-Controller. From there, the M-NET converts the IP packets back to serial commands and
communicates to M-Controller.
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computer
Internet
or
Intranet
M-NET Installation and Operation Manual
TCP/IP
M-NET
RJ11
Cable
M-Controller
3 Package Checklist
• M-NET Ethernet Serial Server
• This Operation Manual
• RJ-45 Cable CAT5 3M (QEL SKU#: 5610-0094)
TCP/IP
4 M-NET Features
• 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet – Auto-Sensing
• Protocols Supported: ARP, UDP/IP, TCP/IP, Telnet, ICMP, SNMP, DHCP, BOOTP, TFTP,
Auto IP and HTTP
• Easy configuration through Ethernet port
• LED Indication for Power, RS-232 Transmit/Receive and Ethernet Status
• Three triggered E-Mails
• Password Protection
• EMI Compliance – complies with EN55024:1998
• Power Supply: +24VDC or 24VAC (non-grounded, floating)
• Extended Operating Temperature –40 to +85 °C
• Designed to meet IP 66 & NEMA 4, 4X, 12 & 13 ratings
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5 M-NET Indicators and Connectors
Four LEDs on PCB board
• Four Indicator LEDs on PCB board
• Two Indicator LEDs on RJ-45 connector
• One Ethernet connector (RJ-45 female)
• A Power connector
• A Serial port connector (RJ-11 female)
5.1 LEDs on PCB Board
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LED MEANING
POWER
RED ON:
Power is Applied
LINK
RED ON:
RS-232 Connection is Good
RX
RED BLINKING:
RS-232 Receive Activity
TX
RED BLINKING:
RS-232 Transmit Activity
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J2 +
-
24VAC/DC
5.2 LEDs on RJ-45 Connector
LEFT LED RIGHT LED MEANING
OFF OFF No Link
OFF Solid Amber 100 Base-T half duplex link
OFF Blinking Amber 100 Base-T half duplex; activity
OFF Solid Green 100 Base-T full duplex link
OFF Blinking Green 100 Base-T full duplex; activity
Solid Amber OFF 10 Base-T half duplex link
Blinking Amber OFF 10 Base-T half duplex; activity
Solid Green OFF 10 Base-T full duplex link
Blinking Green OFF 10 Base-T full duplex; activity
5.3 Connectors
• Ethernet Connector: The M-NET has a standard RJ-45 connector, it can be connected to an
Ethernet hub, switch, or wall plate using a standard straight-through RJ-45 (male) Ethernet
cable (provided in M-NET package). To connect directly to an RJ-45 Ethernet port on a
PC or laptop, a crossover Ethernet cable must be used.
• Power Supply Connector: It can be connected to a +24VDC or 24VAC (floating) power
supply. Usually, the power is supplied from M-Controller.
• RJ-11 Connector: The port is configured as an RS-232 interface to M-Controller’s RS-232
port. When the port is connected to M-Controller using the cable provided in M-Controller’s
package, the port is configured as a DTE, like a computer.
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6 Hardware Installation
• Connect the M-NET to the LAN or to a computer Ethernet port. To connect directly to an
RJ-45 Ethernet port on a PC or laptop, a crossover Ethernet cable must be used.
Ethernet
Cable
computer
Internet
or
Intranet
Ethernet
Cable
M-NET Installation and Operation Manual
M-NET
RS-232
Cable
M-Controller
Ethernet
Crossover
Cable
computer
M-Controller
M-NET
RS-232
Cable
• Apply power. The red POWER LED will light. If the Ethernet cable is connected correctly,
the LED on RJ-45 Connector will light or flash. If the RS-232 cable is connected correctly,
the red LINK LED will light.
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7 Required Information
7.1 Hardware Address
You need to know the M-NET’s hardware address (also known as MAC address), which is on the product
label. It is in the format: 00-20-4a-XX-XX-XX, where the XXs are unique numbers assigned to the
product.
Hardware Address: 00-20-4a-____-____-____
7.2 IP Address
Your M-NET must have a unique IP address on your network. The systems administrator generally
provides the IP address and corresponding subnet mask and gateway. The IP address must be within a valid
range, unique to your network and in the same subnet as your PC.
IP Address: ______ . ______ . ______ .______
Subnet Mask: ______ . ______ . ______ .______
Gateway: ______ . ______ . ______ .______
7.3 Email Server IP Address
M-NET can send an e-mail to multiple recipients when a specific trigger event occurs. There are three
separate triggers, based on any combination of the Digital Sensors or Analog Inputs.
Email setup requires you to set up the email server location as follow:
Mail Server The IP Address in decimal-dot notation. ______ . ______ . ______ .______
Unit The user name used by the M-NET to send email messages. _____________
Domain The domain name of your email server. _____________________________
Recipient 1 Full email address of the recipient. _________________________________
Recipient2 Full email address of the second recipient. ___________________________
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8 Using M-View to setup M-NET
The M-NET’s IP address must be configured before it can work correctly on a network. You have two
options for assigning an IP to your M-NET. We recommend that you manually assign the IP address over
the network using M-View.
The M-NET’s IP address is normally set to 0.0.0.0 at the factory. The hardware address is on the product
label. The unit is DHCP enabled as the default.
To manually assign an IP address:
1. Open M-View.
2. Click menu [M-NET] -> [Setup through Ethernet]
3. Click the Search Icon . A list of M-NET on the network displays.
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4. Select the unit and click the Setup M-NET icon .
5. Enter or verify the hardware address as it appears on the M-NET and click the [Next] button.
6. In this step, you specify whether you want to get the device to a static IP address or automatically
obtain addressing information from the network. We recommend to select “Assign a specific IP
address”.
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7. Click the [Next] button.
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8. In this step, you specify the specific IP address, subnet mask, gateway and port number. The
default port number is 10001.
9. Click the [Next] button.
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10. In this step, you specify the Mai Server IP Address, Recipient1 email address, Recipient2 email
address, Unit Name and Domain Name.
11. You can change the message 1 to 3 according to the triggers you have set.
12. Click the [Next] button.
13. In this step, you can select the baud rate of the M-NET RS-232 port, it should be the same as the
Host Baud Rate in M-Controller. Otherwise they are not able to talk to each other.
14. Click the [Assign Settings] button will write all settings to the M-NET.
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9 Using M-View to open “Comm Port Redirector”
1. Click menu [M-NET] -> [Run and Setup Redirector]
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10 How to setup “Comm Port Redirector”
Note:
1. Do not run Com Port Redirector with other software that installs a virtual com port.
2. Do not run Com Port Redirector with other Comm Port Redirection software on the same PC.
3. M-View only detects COM Port 1 to COM Port 6.
• Open Comm Port Redirector
• Click the button [Com Setup]
• Select a COM Port from COM 1 to COM6
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• Click the button [OK], return to main form.
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• Click the button [Port Settings]
• Check the “Raw Mode”
• Click the button [OK], return to main form
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• Click the button [Add IP]
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• Input M-NET IP Address which M-View will communicate with and Port Number. The Port
Number must be the same as the Port number in the M-NET. Default Port Number in M-NET is
10001.
• Click the button [OK], return to main form
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• To hide the pop-up window, check the “Silent Mode” on the Com Port Redirector Configuration
window.
• Click the button [Save] to save the settings
• Click the button [Close] to close the program
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11 IP Addressing Fundamentals
In order for a network to be useful hosts must have a way of contacting each other. The TCP/IP protocol utilizes
multiple layers of addressing to make this possible. It can be broken into four different layers. The physical or
hardware layer lies at the base of this protocol "stack". This layer depends upon the actual physical
implementation of the network (such as Ethernet or token-ring) and is ultimately responsible for the delivery of
network information packets. The IP (Internet Protocol) layer sits above the physical layer in the stack and is
independent of the network hardware. Therefore it may encompass many different physical types of networks.
The TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) comes next and is independent of both the physical network and the IP
layers (although it is most commonly used with IP). The application layer, where a user typically interacts, tops
off the stack. The underlying protocols below the application are mostly transparent to the end user. Some
applications include FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and Telnet.
Each layer in the protocol stack has its own addressing scheme. The hardware address is used to identify hosts
connected to the network. Different physical networks have different forms of addresses that are not compatible
with one another. The IP address is also used to identify hosts connected to the network, however it does not
rely upon the underlying hardware so it can identify hosts on different physical networks. The TCP port number
identifies a particular application on a machine. A packet of information leaves the application layer and enters
the TCP layer where a TCP header is added containing the destination and source port number. Then it enters the
IP layer which adds an IP header containing a destination and source IP address. Finally the hardware layer adds
its header and the appropriate address information. When the packet reaches its destination each layer removes
and decodes its header information and then sends the remainder of the packet on until it reaches the destination
application.
Consider the following analogy:
Let's suppose that Mike wants to send a letter (network packet) to Dave. Mike puts his name (TCP
port number), return address (IP address) and Dave's name (TCP port number) and street address
(IP address) on an envelope and puts the letter inside. If Dave lived close by then Mike might
hand deliver the letter, but unfortunately Dave lives far away in the Australian Outback. Mike
doesn't know Dave's actual location (hardware address) or how to get there, but he does know the
street address (IP address) and physical location (hardware address) of the local post office so he
brings it there. When the letter reaches the post office the postman looks at the letter and he
doesn't know where this far away place is either, so he puts it in a sack which is placed on a truck
(physical network) heading toward the main mail depot (hardware address) for Mike's area. Once
the truck reaches the main depot the letter is sorted and put onto a plane (physical network)
headed for the Sydney airport (hardware address). Then the letter it is put on a truck (physical
network) heading for the post office in the town (hardware address) nearest to Dave. When the
letter reaches the town the local postman sends the letter out to Dave's house via pony express
(physical network) . The mailman knows Dave's street address (IP address) and where it is
(hardware address) so he can deliver the letter to the house. The next person who looks at the
mail sees that the letter is addressed to Dave (TCP port number) and delivers it to him.
IP Address
The IP address is usually expressed as four decimal numbers, each representing eight bits, separated by periods.
This is sometimes known as the dot address and, more technically, as dotted quad notation. For Class A IP
addresses, the numbers would represent "network.local.local.local"; for a Class C IP address, they would
represent "network.network.network.local". The number version of the IP address can (and usually is)
represented by a name or series of names called the domain name.
The Internet's explosive growth makes it likely that, without some new architecture, the number of possible
network addresses using the scheme above would soon be used up (at least, for Class C network addresses).
However, a new IP version, IPv6, expands the size of the IP address to 128 bits, which will accommodate a large
growth in the number of network addresses. For hosts still using IPv4, the use of subnets in the host or local part
of the IP address will help reduce new applications for network numbers. In addition, most sites on today's
mostly IPv4 Internet have gotten around the Class C network address limitation by using the Classless InterDomain Routing (CIDR) scheme for address notation.
Relationship of the IP Address to the Physical Address
The machine or physical address used within an organization's local area networks may be different than the
Internet's IP address. The most typical example is the 48-bit Ethernet address. TCP/IP includes a facility called
the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) that lets the administrator create a table that maps IP addresses to
physical addresses. The table is known as the ARP cache.
Static versus Dynamic IP Addresses
The discussion above assumes that IP addresses are assigned on a static basis. In fact, many IP addresses are
assigned dynamically from a pool. Many corporate networks and online services economize on the number of IP
addresses they use by sharing a pool of IP addresses among a large number of users. If you're an America Online
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user, for example, your IP address will vary from one logon session to the next because AOL is assigning it to you
from a pool that is much smaller than AOL's base of subscribers.
12 Networking Terms
Auto-Sense
Ability of a 10/100 Ethernet device to interpret the speed or duplex mode of the attached device and to adjust to
that rate. Official term is Auto-Negotiation in Clause 28 of the IEEE 802.3u standard.
Baud
Unit of signal frequency I signals per second. Not synonymous with bits per second since signals can represent
more than one bit. Baud equals bits per second only when the signal represents a single bit.
Bridge
A networking device that connects two LANs and forwards or filters data packets between them based on their
destination addresses. Bridges operate at the data link level (or MAC-layer) of the OSI reference model, and are
transparent to protocols and to higher level devices like routers.
Byte
A data unit of eight bits.
Channel
The data path between two nodes.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
Short for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, a protocol for assigning dynamic IP addresses to devices on a
network. With dynamic addressing, a device can have a different IP address every time it connects to the
network. In some systems, the device’s IP address can even change while it is still connected. DHCP also
supports a mix of static and dynamic IP addresses.
Ethernet
Ethernet is the most popular physical layer LAN technology in use today. Other LAN types include Token Ring,
Fast Ethernet, Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) and LocalTalk.
Ethernet is popular because it strikes a good balance between speed, cost and ease of installation. These
benefits, combined with wide acceptance in the computer marketplace and the ability to support virtually all
popular network protocols, make Ethernet an ideal networking technology for most computer users today. The
Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) defines the Ethernet standard as IEEE Standard 802.3.
This standard defines rules for configuring an Ethernet network as well as specifying how elements in an Ethernet
network interact with one another. By adhering to the IEEE standard, network equipment and network protocols
can communicate efficiently.
Hubs/Repeaters
Hubs/repeaters are used to connect together two or more Ethernet segments of any media type. In larger
designs, signal quality begins to deteriorate as segments exceed their maximum length. Hubs provide the signal
amplification required to allow a segment to be extended a greater distance. A hub takes any incoming signal and
repeats it out all ports.
Ethernet hubs are necessary in star topologies such as 10BASE-T. A multi-port twisted pair hub allows several
point-to-point segments to be joined into one network. One end of the point-to-point link is attached to the hub
and the other is attached to the computer. If the hub is attached to a backbone, then all computers at the end of
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the twisted pair segments can communicate with all the hosts on the backbone. The number and type of hubs in
any one-collision domain is limited by the Ethernet rules. A very important fact to note about hubs is that they
only allow users to share Ethernet. A network of hubs/repeaters is termed a "shared Ethernet," meaning that all
members of the network are contending for transmission of data onto a single network (collision domain). This
means that individual members of a shared network will only get a percentage of the available network
bandwidth. The number and type of hubs in any one collision domain for 10Mbps Ethernet is limited by the
following rules:
Internet
The Internet is a system of linked networks that are worldwide in scope and facilitate data communication
services such as remote login, file transfer, electronic mail, the World Wide Web and newsgroups.
With the meteoric rise in demand for connectivity, the Internet has become a communications highway for
millions of users. The Internet was initially restricted to military and academic institutions, but now it is a fullfledged conduit for any and all forms of information and commerce. Internet websites now provide personal,
educational, political and economic resources to every corner of the planet.
Intranet
With the advancements made in browser-based software for the Internet, many private organizations are
implementing intranets. An intranet is a private network utilizing Internet-type tools, but available only within
that organization. For large organizations, an intranet provides an easy access mode to corporate information for
employees.
LANs (Local Area Networks)
A network is any collection of independent computers that communicate with one another over a shared network
medium. LANs are networks usually confined to a geographic area, such as a single building or a college campus.
LANs can be small, linking as few as three computers, but often link hundreds of computers used by thousands of
people. The development of standard networking protocols and media has resulted in worldwide proliferation of
LANs throughout business and educational organizations.
WANs (Wide Area Networks)
Often a network is located in multiple physical places. Wide area networking combines multiple LANs that are
geographically separate. This is accomplished by connecting the different LANs using services such as dedicated
leased phone lines, dial-up phone lines (both synchronous and asynchronous), satellite links, and data packet
carrier services. Wide area networking can be as simple as a modem and remote access server for employees to
dial into, or it can be as complex as hundreds of branch offices globally linked using special routing protocols and
filters to minimize the expense of sending data sent over vast distances.
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