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Elatec TCPConv 2 Technical Manual

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TCPConv 2
Technical Manual
DocRev31, December 7, 2018
Elatec GmbH

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Summary of Contents for Elatec TCPConv 2

  • Page 1 TCPConv 2 Technical Manual DocRev31, December 7, 2018 Elatec GmbH...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Power up the TCPConv 2 ........
  • Page 3 TCPConv 2 Firmware ........
  • Page 4 Contents 9.1.14. Firmware STD1.3.0.12 ....... . . 9.1.15. Firmware STD1.3.0.12-FCT ......9.1.16.

  • Page 5: Introduction

    1. Introduction 1. Introduction The Primary use of TCPConv 2 is to provide an on-ramp for USB or RS232 data to reach a network Server which implements Authentication and optionally a Pull Printing feature. The TCPConv 2 is a 2 port network router which is designed to be connected between a network printer and a print server.
  • Page 6 IP address from the DHCP server. TCPConv 2 behaves similar to a router where the printer connected to TCPConv 2 has its own IP address but to the outside world it appears to use the IP address of TCPConv 2.

  • Page 7: Network Addressing

    Figure 2.1.: Network configuration before introduction of TCPConv 2 A TCPConv 2 will be installed between the switch and the printer. When installing TCPConv 2 we often need to maintain the network relationship between the existing printer and the print driver installed on the user’s workstation.
  • Page 8 Because the building DHCP server updates the Domain Name Server (DNS) any print driver previously configured for the printer will now communicate with the TCPConv 2. As a result the printer will appear on the network as it did before the TCPConv 2 was installed.
  • Page 9 2. Network Addressing Figure 2.4.: Configuration with TCPConv 2 in between printer and building router Page 9 of 53...

  • Page 10: Hardware Setup

    Refer to Figure 3.1 Connection Diagram which shows all of the possible peripherals and their connection points. There are two Ethernet ports on the TCPConv 2, Host port is used to connect TCPConv 2 to the local network and Printer port is used to connect printer to TCPConv 2.

  • Page 11: Power Up The Tcpconv

    Figure 3.2.: RS232 cable with power supply. Please leave the power supply unconnected! 3.4. Power up the TCPConv 2 Connect the power supply as shown in Figure 3.1. As the TCPConv 2 powers up, its operating status can be determined through the LED panel located on top of the unit.

  • Page 12: Discovering Tcpconv 2 Devices On The Network

    4.1. Prerequirements 1. Download the TC2Config software application from the Elatec website, in the Download center. The TC2Config.exe software and this Technical Manual can be found in the AdminPack for TCPConv 2. http://www.elatec.com. 2. Microsoft .Net Framework version 3.5 or higher 3.

  • Page 13: Start Tc2Config

    7000. When the TC2Config tool is started, it will immediately start to listen for that discovery message from each device. All of the TCPConv 2â ˘ A ´ Zs connected to the local subnet, will appear once discovered. They will be presented in the order they respond to the discovery message sent from the TC2Config tool.
  • Page 14 TC2Config will send a packet to each host address specified in the Subnet Search file and will populate the discovered device window with each TCPConv 2 which responds to that query. Note that the search file could describe the same subnet as the searching PC which makes this approach useful if broadcast traffic is blocked.
  • Page 15 4. Discovering TCPConv 2 Devices on the network Figure 4.3.: Search Using Explict IP Upon selecting “Start Discovery”, the CIDR notation will be replaced and updated with a list of IP addresses of the converters which have responded. Figure 4.4.: Search Using CIDR Notation If the addresses of the converters are not explicitly known but you have a rough idea where they reside a search can be constructed to explore a limited number of addresses with a range specification.

  • Page 16: Tcpconv 2 Display List Sort

    Once the converter or converters are discovered, one at a time they can be selected and configured. If the printer attached to the selected TCPConv 2 has web front-end on port 80, it can be accessed by clicking the button “Open the Homepage of the Printer” as shown in Figure 4.9.
  • Page 17 4. Discovering TCPConv 2 Devices on the network Figure 4.8.: Sort on Hostname Figure 4.9.: Opening the Homepage of the printer Page 17 of 53...

  • Page 18: Configuration Via Tc2Config

    System then select “Read Configuration From Selected Converter”. TC2Config will contact the selected converter and will use the default password to obtain the configuration. If the TCPConv 2 uses a pass- word which differs from the default, please refer to section 5.6.1 for instructions to change the TC2Config password.
  • Page 19 5. Configuration via TC2Config At the bottom of each view are three buttons called “Apply”, “Save” and “Cancel”. Figure 5.2.: Network Configuration Screen Apply Button When Apply is selected TC2Config will send the configuration settings directly to the converter via the API. All configuration settings will be packaged into a file and sent regardless of whether any changes were made or not.

  • Page 20: Network Configuration

    Save button which would place the new hostname in the file which would be sent to other convert- ers. Name This is the name assigned to each individual TCPConv 2 unit. Normally each converter is given a name which is easy to associate with the connected printer. Often this name is geographically inspired for example a device attached to a Brother printer on the 3rd floor near column G7 might be named:...

  • Page 21: Usb Configuration

    5.3. USB Configuration Figure 5.3.: USB Configuration Screen Currently TCPConv 2 is able to handle USB devices which communicate in either HID Keyboard or CDC modes. This can include RFID, magnetic stripe or optical barcode readers as well as numeric entry keypads.

  • Page 22: Tcp/Ip Configuration

    5. Configuration via TC2Config Carriage Return (CR) 13 in decimal and 0x0D in hexadecimal. The choices are Carriage Return (0x0D), Line Feed (0x0A) or both Carriage Return plus Line Feed (0x0D, 0x0A). 5.3.2. TCP/IP Configuration The converter can be configured either as a server or as a client. The factory default setting is for the converter to be a server of data to a network client.

  • Page 23: Connect On Any Character

    5. Configuration via TC2Config 5.3.3.2. Connect on any character The preferred configuration is to open a connection when any character is detected from the card reader or pin keypad. These devices do not have a predefined “start” character so are best configured to open the connection on any character.
  • Page 24 5. Configuration via TC2Config Figure 5.4.: RS232 Configuration Screen Parity This is the sum of 1’s in the data stream and whether that number is even or odd. The default setting is no parity. Databits The number of bits of data in each character field. The default is 8 bits. Stopbits The number of bits used to indicate the end of a character field.

  • Page 25: Logging Configuration

    The standard port number for Syslog is 514 which is the default value for TCPConv 2. This port number can be changed if the Syslog server in your environment uses a different port.

  • Page 26: Password Configuration

    Figure 5.6.: Password Configuration Screen This section enables the user to change the password on one or many TCPConv 2 units. Once again we need to be careful updating the password on multiple converters so everything stays in sync. As a result in order to change the password you must enter it twice and overtly select the Change Password check-box.

  • Page 27: Miscellaneous

    Additional controls are available to push the factory default configuration to any or all of the converters or to reboot them. 5.8.2. Log Window The TCPConv 2 response to each of these commands will be presented in the Log window. This window can be cleared at any time by selecting the Clear button. Page 27 of 53...

  • Page 28: Saving Configuration To A File

    5. Configuration via TC2Config Figure 5.9.: Select and Load Converter Screen Figure 5.10.: Save Configuration to a File 5.9. Saving Configuration to a File TC2Config offers the ability to save a particular configuration to a file on the computer. This enables the configuration to be archived and later retrieved for installation as new equipment is rolled out.

  • Page 29: Read Configuration From A File

    5. Configuration via TC2Config 5.10. Read Configuration from a File Figure 5.11.: Read Configuration from a File TC2Config offers the ability to load a configuration previously saved in a file on the computer. This enables the configuration to be sent to one or many converters which have been discovered by TC2Config. To retrieve a previously saved file, refer to the following figure then select “File”...

  • Page 30: Configuration Via Web Page

    Figure 6.1.: Visit the homepage of the selected TCPConv 2 Once a TCPConv 2 has been selected from the list clicking on “Open the Homepage of the TCPConv 2” or typing the <ip of a TCPConv 2>:81 in the browser, will launch the homepage of the TCPConv 2.

  • Page 31: Tcpconv 2 Homepage Setup Tab

    6.2.1. Network Configuration 6.2.1.1. Name Resolution Name This is the name assigned to each individual TCPConv 2 unit. Please follow the same naming rules as used in section 5.2.1.1 Workgroup If workgroup assignments are used in this environment, the workgroup associated with this device would be entered here.

  • Page 32: Ip Configuration

    6. Configuration via Web Page Figure 6.3.: Network Configuration of TCPConv 2 6.2.1.2. IP Configuration Use DHCP The factory default setting is for DHCP to be enabled. That way the converter will receive its IP assignment dynamically from the DHCP server. If the device fails to get an IP address from DHCP server for some reason, it will use 192.168.1.1 as default IP address.
  • Page 33 6. Configuration via Web Page saved unless the DNS checkbox is selected. Configure WINS Manually If this is selected, the user is responsible to manually enter the IP addresses for the primary and secondary WINS server. If this box is not checked, the converter will use the WINS addresses provided by the DHCP server.
  • Page 34 6. Configuration via Web Page The “Load Default Configuration” button will return all values on this page to factory default. These changes will not be retained unless the “Save and Reboot” button is subsequently selected. To make the changes take effect, it is necessary to return to the “Home” screen and select the “Reboot”...

  • Page 35: Usb Configuration

    6. Configuration via Web Page 6.2.2. USB Configuration Figure 6.4.: USB Setup Screen 6.2.2.1. Representation of Keyboard Newline The user can choose which characters the converter will send to the server when it receives the terminating character from the card reader or keypad. In USB Keyboard mode, this terminating character is always a Carriage Return (CR) 13 in decimal and 0x0D in hexadecimal.

  • Page 36: Tcp Client Configuration

    6. Configuration via Web Page to 7777. This is the port the converter will use to communicate with the Client. In Server mode the converter will quietly wait for a USB or RS232 data to arrive. When data arrives it will inform the Solution Client which will then poll the convert to retrieve the data.

  • Page 37: Connect On Character

    6. Configuration via Web Page 6.2.2.6. Connect on character If the card reader is configured to always send a “Start” character, the converter can be configured to open the network connection when that particular character arrives. It can either send or discard that Start character.

  • Page 38: Logging Configuration

    USB is 7777 while the default port for RS232 is 7778. 6.2.4. Logging Configuration TCPConv 2 is equipped with the ability to send status information whenever an event occurs which the user is interested in. Remote Logging can send data to a standard Syslog server so many instances can...

  • Page 39: Send Events

    The standard port number for Syslog is 514 which is the default value for TCPConv 2. This port number can be changed if the Syslog server in your environment uses a different port.

  • Page 40: Change Password

    Confirm Password Re-enter the new password in this field. Please write this password down in a secure location. If the password is lost there is no way to recover it. The TCPConv 2 firmware will need to be reinstalled which will reset the converter to the default Username and Password.
  • Page 41 Status Log This will display the power on sequence as well as the status of the connections to the host, printer and USB. The log can easily be copied and sent to Elatec Support to aid in troubleshooting any issues encountered. The log displays the date and time of each event. It receives this time using the Network Time Protocol (NTP).

  • Page 42: Refresh The Firmware On Tcpconv 2

    (Note: do not copy the folder itself, just the contents, 2 folders and 3 files) 3. Insure power is off to TCPConv 2, remove any device connected to the USB port and then and insert the USB thumb drive.

  • Page 43: Troubleshooting

    8.2. TCPConv 2 Power When power is applied to the TCPConv 2 unit, the Power LED immediately is illuminated. If the LED does not come on it means the converter does not have power. Check that the power connector is fully seated in its socket.

  • Page 44: Can The Tcpconv 2 Be Discovered By The Tc2Config Tool

    Please first complete the basic checks as described in section 8.1, before following this process. The Printer port of the TCPConv 2 is default configured with a static IP address of 192.168.50.1. It uses this address to communicate with the connected printer and to provide the printer with an IP address which is always 192.168.50.100.

  • Page 45: Dhcp Error

    8.5.3.1. DHCP Error In this scenario the DHCP server within the TCPConv 2 is not able to sync with the printer to establish it with the 192.168.50.100 address. From the printerâ ˘ A ´ Zs user interface or from a printed configuration page verify that the printer is using IP address 192.168.50.100.
  • Page 46 9. Remove the USB thumb drive 10. Remove power from the TCPConv 2 11. Connect the USB thumb drive to a personal computer 12. Email the Wireshark trace and log file to support-rfid@elatec.com along with a description of the issue. Page 46 of 53...

  • Page 47: History Of Changes

    • Initial release • TCPConv 2 can work both as server and client when it is “ to a USB reader with keyboard emulation. • TCPConv 2 can work both as server and client when it is “ to a USB reader with CDC interface.

  • Page 48: Firmware Std1.2.0.11

    9.1.9. Firmware STD1.2.0.18 • Separated tab sheets for network, USB, RS232 and Syslog • The user only needs to reboot TCPConv 2 once to finish the configurations. 9.1.10. Firmware STD1.3.0.0 • Introduces an API to configure the TCPConv2 directly from TC2Config.exe (Version 1.12 or later) or user designed configuration tool using this API.

  • Page 49: Firmware Std1.3.0.10

    9. History of Changes • Busy LED now blinks green during software installation, fixed issue with LED pattern upon successful installation. • New version of NMBD for revE hardware. • Add a process to erase nmbd.log on startup, decreased the size of nmbd log •...

  • Page 50: Tc2Config Tool

    • Enables configuration of a single or multiple TCPConv 2 unit directly from the TC2Config tool • Enables the ability to save TCPConv 2 configuration to a file or to configure converters from a previ- ously saved configuration file •...

  • Page 51: Fcc Notice

    A. FCC Notice A. FCC Notice NOTICE This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. this device may not cause harmful interference, and 2. this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

  • Page 52: Ic Notice

    B. IC Notice B. IC Notice NOTICE This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. this device may not cause harmful interference 2. this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation NOTE This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

  • Page 53: Disclaimer

    C. Disclaimer C. Disclaimer Elatec reserves the right to change any information or data in this document without prior notice. The distribution and the update of this document is not controlled. Elatec declines all responsibility for the use of product with any other specifications but the ones mentioned above. Any additional requirement for a specific custom application has to be validated by the customer himself at his own responsibility.

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