Testing Ports Using Test Terminal; Overview; Opening Ports - Comtrol DeviceMaster DM-2000 Series Installation And Configuration Manual

Troubleshooting and Technical Support
Reports can be opened, viewed and re-used when needed. To open and view a report:
a. Select File > Open or the Open Existing Session
b. Locate the session (table), you want to open and click the Open button.
Optionally, if you want to continue monitoring for an existing session, you need to activate the Polling
Interval.
• Select Tools > Settings to access the PMon2 Settings dialog
• Change the Polling Interval field to a value other than zero (0)
10. Leave Port Monitor open so that you can review events when using Test Terminal to test a port or ports.

Testing Ports Using Test Terminal

You can use the following procedure to test COM ports. If you need to install the DeviceMaster device driver,
locate the latest driver and driver installation documentation.
The following procedures require a loopback plug to be placed on the port or ports that you want to test. A
loopback plug was shipped with your product. If you need to build a replacement or additional loopback plugs,
refer to Connecting Serial Devices

Overview

Test Terminal (WCom2) allows you to open a port, send characters and commands to the port, and toggle the
control signals. This application can be used to troubleshoot communications on a port-by-port basis.
• Send and Receive Test Data: This sends data out the transmit line to the loopback plug, which has the
transmit and receive pins connected thus sending the data back through the Rx line to Test Terminal,
which then displays the received data in the terminal window for that port. This test is only testing the Tx
and Rx signal lines and nothing else. This test works in either RS-232 or RS-422 modes as both modes
have transmit and receive capability. A failure in this test will essentially prevent the port from working
in any manner.
• Loopback Test: This tests all of the modem control signals such as RTS, DTR, CTS, DSR, CD, and RI along
with the Tx and Rx signals. When a signal is made HI in one line the corresponding signal line indicates
this. The Loopback Test changes the state of the lines and looks for the corresponding state change. If it
successfully recognizes all of these changes, the port passes.
A failure on this test is not necessarily critical as it will depend on what is connected and how many signal
lines are in use. For example, if you are using RS-232 in 3-wire mode (Transmit, Receive and Ground) a
failure will cause no discernible issue since the other signals are not being used. If the port is configured
for use as either RS-422 or RS-485 this test will fail and is expected to fail since RS-422 and RS-485 do not
have the modem control signals that are present in RS-232 for which this test is designed.

Opening Ports

The following procedure shows how to use Test Terminal to send and receive test data to the serial ports. If
necessary, use Installing PortVision DX
1. Stop all applications that may be accessing the ports such as RRAS or any faxing, or production software.
See the appropriate help systems or manuals for instructions on stopping these services or applications.
If another application is controlling the port, then Test Terminal will be unable to open the port and an
error message will be shown.
2. Start Test Terminal (WCom2). If necessary, start PortVision DX from the Start menu, select Comtrol >
PortVision DX or click the desktop shortcut.
154 - Troubleshooting and Technical Support
button. The Open Session dialog appears.
on Page 87.
on Page 35, which contains Test Terminal.
DeviceMaster Installation and Configuration Guide: 2000594 Rev. F