1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. GridConnect Manuals
  4. Cables and connectors
  5. NetDirect
  6. User manual

GridConnect NetDirect User Manual

Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
NetDirect
User Guide

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the NetDirect and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel

Summary of Contents for GridConnect NetDirect

  • Page 1 NetDirect User Guide...

  • Page 2: Copyright And Trademark

    Sales Offices For a current list of our domestic and international sales offices, go to the Grid Connect web site at http://gridconnect.com/customer-service/dealers-distributors. Disclaimer The information in this guide may change without notice. The manufacturer assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this guide.
  • Page 3 1: Using this Guide Purpose and Audience This guide provides the information needed to configure, use, and update the NetDirect device server. It is for system administrators and those responsible for installing and maintaining the NetDirect. Chapter Summary The remaining chapters in this guide include:...

  • Page 4: Additional Documentation

    Additional Documentation Visit the Grid Connect Web site at www.gridconnect.com for the latest documentation and the following additional documentation. Document Description DeviceInstaller Online Help Provides instructions for using the Windows-based utility to configure the NetDirect and other Grid Connect device servers.

  • Page 5: Key Features

    NetDirect provides a portable, extremely flexible, and highly affordable network connectivity solution in the market. NetDirect comes with a built-in web server that enables users to access and configure the unit using a standard web browser on a PC, smartphone, or tablet from anywhere.
  • Page 6 Applications The NetDirect family of Device Servers allows serial devices, such as those listed below, to connect and communicate over Ethernet networks using the IP protocol family (TCP for connection-oriented stream applications and UDP for datagram applications). ATM Machines CNC Controllers...

  • Page 7: Protocol Support

    Serial Device Computer For step-by-step instructions on configuring the NetDirect for serial tunneling or for use with the Com Port Redirector, see the Net Direct User Guide and other user guides on the distribution CD that came with your product. For additional tech support, see http://gridconnect.com/customer-service/support...

  • Page 8: Additional Features

    Configuration Using Web Manager. DeviceInstaller: Configure the IP address and related settings and view current settings on the NetDirect using a Graphical User Interface (GUI) on a PC attached to a network. You will need the latest version of DeviceInstaller. See Using DeviceInstaller.

  • Page 9: Product Information Label

    Product Information Label The product information label on the unit contains the following information about the specific unit: Part Number Revision Manufacturing Date Code Product Model Country of Origin Datamatrix Barcode MAC Address (also used as Serial Number) Part Number XDT2321002-01 Revision MAC Address...

  • Page 10: Package Contents

    Figure 3-2 NetDirect with DTE or DCE Cable for use with PoE External Power Jack If your device cannot supply DC power on pin 9, you can order the NetDirect with an external power adapter attached to the DB9 connector. You can order a suitable power supply from Grid...

  • Page 11: Required Information

    1. Connect a serial device to your NetDirect. 2. Connect an Ethernet cable to the RJ45 port. 3. For the NetDirect PoE version, power is supplied to your unit over the Ethernet interface using an 802.3af PoE-compliant power source such as a PoE mid-span or PoE Ethernet switch.
  • Page 12 IP Address The NetDirect must have a unique IP address on your network. This address references the specific unit. By default, the unit is DHCP-enabled and automatically assigned an IP address on DHCP-enabled networks. If you are assigning a static IP address, the systems administrator generally provides the IP address, subnet mask, and gateway.

  • Page 13: Using Deviceinstaller

    4: Using DeviceInstaller This chapter covers the steps for getting the NetDirect device server online and for viewing its current configuration. DeviceInstaller is a free utility program provided by Grid Connect that discovers, configures, upgrades, and manages Grid Connect Device Servers For instructions on using DeviceInstaller to configure the IP address and related settings or for more advanced features, see the DeviceInstaller User Guide.

  • Page 14: Adding The Unit To The Manage List

    Click Start/Programs/Lantronix/DeviceInstaller 4.3/DeviceInstaller. Click the Search button. The list of available devices displays. (NetDirect will appear as xDirect) Select the NetDirect (xDirect) unit by double-clicking on its IP address (or any part of the line item) to view its configuration.
  • Page 15 Online Status Non-configurable field. Displays the NetDirect status as online, offline, unreachable (the NetDirect is on a different subnet), or busy (the NetDirect is currently performing a task). IP Address Non-configurable field. Displays the NetDirect current IP address. To...

  • Page 16: Assigning The Ip Address: Serial Port Login

    NetDirect Configuration in DeviceInstaller Next Step Now that the NetDirect unit has an IP address and other initial settings, you can configure it. You have the following options: To configure the unit using a Web browser, click the Web Configuration tab. Continue with Chapter 5: Configuration Using Web Manager.
  • Page 17 begins and the red Diagnostic LED starts blinking. You have one second to enter three lowercase x characters. The easiest way to enter Setup Mode is to hold down the x key at the terminal (or emulation) while powering up the unit. Select 0 (Server Configuration) and follow the prompts until you get to IP address.

  • Page 18: Configuration Using Web Manager

    The unit performs a reset after you change and store the configuration. In this chapter, we describe how to configure the NetDirect using Web Manager, Grid Connect’s browser-based configuration tool. (For information on using Setup Mode, our command line...
  • Page 19 Figure 5-2 Web Manager 7. Navigate between pages by clicking links in the left pane of the Web Manager window.

  • Page 20: Network Configuration

    Network Settings page. Figure 5-3 Network Settings Network Mode 1. Click Network from the main menu. 2. Note the following: Network Mode For the NetDirect, Wired Only is the only choice. It enables the Ethernet network connectivity.

  • Page 21: Automatic Ip Address Configuration

    IP address to the NetDirect unit automatically. Enable is the default. AutoIP Select Enable to permit the NetDirect to generate an IP in the 169.254.x.x address range with a Class B subnet. Enable is the default. DHCP Host Name Enter the name of the host on the network providing the IP address.

  • Page 22: Ethernet Configuration

    4. When you are finished, click the OK button. 5. On the main menu, click Apply Settings. Ethernet Configuration You must specify the speed and direction of data transmission. To specify how data will be transmitted: 1. On the main menu, click Network. 2.
  • Page 23 To configure the NetDirect device server settings: 1. On the main menu, click Server. 2. Configure or modify the following fields: Server Configuration Enhanced Password Select whether to enable advanced password: Enable: selecting this option enables advanced password creation, allowing you to create passwords up to 16 bytes in length.
  • Page 24 TCP Re-transmission The desired TCP re-transmission timeout value. If the ACK is not timeout (ms) received for a packet sent from the NetDirect device, then the unit will retransmit the data. The valid range is 500-4000 msec. The default is 500.

  • Page 25: Host List Configuration

    Host List Configuration The NetDirect scrolls through the host list until it connects to a device listed in the host list table. After a successful connection, the unit stops trying to connect to any others. If this connection fails, the unit continues to scroll through the table until the next successful connection.

  • Page 26: Channel 1 Configuration

    Channel 1 Configuration The Channel 1 configuration defines how the serial ports respond to network and serial communication. Serial Settings To configure the channel’s serial settings: 1. On the main menu, click Serial Settings (under Channel 1) to display the Serial Settings window.
  • Page 27 The default setting is 1. Pack Control Enable Packing Select to enable packing on the NetDirect. Two firmware-selectable packing algorithms define how and when packets are sent to the network. The standard algorithm is optimized for applications in which the unit is used in a local environment, allowing for very small delays for single characters, while keeping the packet count low.
  • Page 28 Flush Input Buffer (Serial to Network) With Active Connect Select Yes to clear the input buffer with a connection that is initiated from the device to the network. The default setting is No. With Passive Connect Select Yes to clear the input buffer with a connection initiated from the network to the device.

  • Page 29: Connection Settings - Tcp

    Connection Settings - TCP To configure a channel’s TCP settings: 1. On the main menu, click Connection. The Connection Settings window for the channel displays. Figure 5-7 TCP Connection Settings 2. In the available fields, enter or modify the following information: Connect Protocol Protocol From the drop-down menu, select TCP.
  • Page 30 If Password Required was set to Yes, enter the password for passive connections. Modem Escape Sequence Disable or enable the NetDirect’s ability to send the escape sequence. The Pass Through default is Yes (send the escape sequence). Connect Mode: Active Connection Active Connect Select None (default) to disable Active Connect.
  • Page 31 Telnet Com Port Cntrl This field is available for configuration only when Active Connect is set to None. Select Enable to permit Telnet communication to the NetDirect unit. The Telnet Com Port Cntrl feature is used in conjunction with the Com Port Redirector (CPR) utility.

  • Page 32: Connection Settings - Udp

    Disconnect Mode On Mdm_Ctrl_In Drop Set to Yes for the network connection to or from the serial port to disconnect (drop) when Modem Control In transitions from an asserted state to not asserted state. The default setting is No. Hard Disconnect When set to Yes, the TCP connection closes even if the remote site does not acknowledge the disconnect request.

  • Page 33: Apply Settings

    1. To save and apply the configuration changes to the device server, click the Apply Settings button. Note: Clicking OK on each page does not change the configuration on the device. Clicking the OK button tells the NetDirect what changes to use; the Apply Settings button makes the changes permanent and reboots the NetDirect.

  • Page 34: Apply Defaults

    Apply Defaults 1. Click the Apply Defaults button to set the device server back to the default settings. For details see Default Settings (Option 2. Click Yes to set factory settings, or click No to cancel.
  • Page 35 6: Configuration Via Telnet or Serial Port (Setup Mode) You must configure the unit so it can communicate on a network with your serial device. As an alternative to using a web browser, as described in the previous chapter, you can use the following procedures remotely or locally: Use a Telnet connection to configure the unit over the network.
  • Page 36 Figure 6-1 MAC Address and Login Prompt MAC address 00204A9D028B Software version V6.9.0.0 (120906) XDIRECT AES library version 1.8.2.1 User Name :admin Password :---- Press Enter for Setup Mode 3. Enter User Name (user name is admin and cannot be changed). Pressing the Enter key after entry is not necessary.

  • Page 37: Serial Port Connection

    The default serial port settings are 9600 baud, 8 bits, no parity, 1-stop bit, no-flow control. 2. Reset the NetDirect unit by cycling the unit's power (turning the power off and back on). Immediately upon resetting the device, enter three lowercase x characters (xxx).

  • Page 38: Setup Mode: Server Configuration

    If DHCP is used, the third octet of the IP address sets the BootP/DHCP/AutoIP options. The following table shows the bits you can manually configure to force the NetDirect to disable AutoIP, DHCP, or BootP. To disable an option, set the appropriate bit.

  • Page 39: Set Gateway Ip Address

    Set Gateway IP Address The gateway address, or router, allows communication to other LAN segments. The gateway address should be the IP address of the router connected to the same LAN segment as the unit. The gateway address must be within the local network. The default setting is N (No), meaning the gateway address has not been set.

  • Page 40: Change Telnet Configuration Password

    Change Telnet Configuration Password Setting the Telnet configuration password prevents unauthorized access to the setup menu through a Telnet connection to port 9999 or through web pages. The password must have 4 characters. The default setting is N (No). Change Telnet/Web Manager password (N) ? _ An enhanced password setting (for Telnet access only) of 16 characters is available under Security Settings (Option 6) and can be modified or disabled via Web Manager (see...

  • Page 41: Setup Mode: Channel Configuration

    The unit and attached serial device, such as a modem, must agree on a speed or baud rate to use for the serial connection. Valid baud rates are 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600 (default), 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200, and 230400 baud. NetDirect also supports high-performance baud rates of 460800 and 921600 bits per second. See CPU Performance.
  • Page 42 I/F (Interface) Mode The Interface (I/F) Mode is a bit-coded byte entered in hexadecimal notation. The default setting is 4C. I/F Mode (4C) ? _ The following table displays available I/F Mode options: All bit positions in the table that are blank represent “don’t care” bits for that particular option, which can be set to either a 0 or 1 value.

  • Page 43: Port Number

    Flow Flow control sets the local handshaking method for stopping serial input/output. The default setting is 00. Flow (00) ? _ Use the following table to select flow control options: Figure 8-4 Flow Control Options Flow Control Option No flow control XON/XOFF flow control Hardware handshake with RTS/CTS lines XON/XOFF pass characters to host...

  • Page 44: Connect Mode

    We recommend that you not use the reserved port numbers for this setting as incorrect operation may result. Use Port 0 for the outgoing local port to change with each connection. The port range is 50,000- 59,999. Each subsequent connection increments the number by 1 (it wraps back around to 50,000).
  • Page 45 Autostart Hostlist d) Datagram Type Directed UDP e) Modem Mode No Echo Data Echo & Modem Response (Numeric) Data Echo & Modem Response (Verbose) Modem Response Only (Numeric) Modem Response Only (Verbose) a) Incoming Connection Never Accept Incoming Rejects all external connection attempts. Accept with active Modem Accepts external connection requests only when Modem Control In Control in...
  • Page 46 C0.0.0.0/0 Enters Monitor Mode. Cwww.gridconnect.com/ Tries to connect to the Grid Connect web server if the <hostname:domain> (www.gridconnect.com) is configured in the DNS server database. Autostart (Automatic If you enable Autostart, the unit automatically connects to the remote IP Connection)
  • Page 47 Hostlist If you enable this option, the device server scrolls through the hostlist until it connects to a device listed in the hostlist table. Once it connects, the unit stops trying to connect to any others. If this connection fails, the unit continues to scroll through the table until it is able to connect to another IP in the hostlist.

  • Page 48: Modem Mode

    To enable the hostlist: Enter a Connect Mode of 0x20 (2X), where X is any digit. The menu shows you a list of current entries already defined in the product. To delete, modify, or add an entry, select Yes. If you enter an IP address of 0.0.0.0, that entry and all others after it are deleted.
  • Page 49 Data Echo & Modem Response Full Verbose: The unit echoes modem commands and responds to a command with a message string shown in the table below. Numeric Response: The unit echoes modem commands and responds to a command with a numeric response. Modem Responses Only Full Verbose: The unit does not echo modem commands and responds to a command with a message string shown in the table...
  • Page 50 If the Numeric Response option is in effect, the unit responds to an unrecognized command string that is otherwise formatted correctly with a "0" message and takes no further action. When an active connection is in effect, the unit transfers data and does not process commands received from the serial interface.

  • Page 51: Send The Escape Sequence In Modem Mode

    Show IP Address after 'RING' Show IP addr after “RING” (Y) ? Disable or enable the NetDirect's ability to show the IP address after RING in Modem Mode. The default is Y (Yes), to show the IP address. Auto Increment Source Port Auto increment source port (N) ? _ Y (Yes) auto increment the source port.

  • Page 52: Remote Port

    State LED off with connection Disconnect with EOT (^D) (1) The Telnet Com Port Control feature is used in conjunction with Com Port Redirector. The NetDirect sends the Terminal Type upon an outgoing connection. (2) A password is required for a connection to the serial port from the network.

  • Page 53: Flush Mode (Buffer Flushing)

    Flush Mode (Buffer Flushing) Using this parameter, you can control line handling and network buffers with connection startup and disconnect. The default setting is 00.\ FlushMode (00) ? _ You can also select between two different packing algorithms. All bit positions in the table that are blank represent “don’t care” bits for that particular option, which can be set to either a 0 or 1 value.

  • Page 54: Pack Control

    Pack Control The packing algorithms define how and when packets are sent to the network. The standard algorithm is optimized for applications in which the unit is used in a local environment, allowing for very small delays for single characters, while keeping the packet count low. The alternate packing algorithm minimizes the packet count on the network and is especially useful in applications in a routed Wide Area Network (WAN).

  • Page 55: Disconntime (Inactivity Timeout)

    Trailing Characters In some applications, CRC, Checksum, or other trailing characters follow the end-of-sequence character; this option helps to adapt frame transmission to the frame boundary. The default setting is 00 (none). Send Characters If 2-Byte Send Character Sequence is enabled, the unit interprets the sendchars as a 2-byte sequence;...

  • Page 56: Channel (Port) Password

    Channel (Port) Password This parameter appears only if the channel (port) password option is enabled in Disconnect Mode. With this option enabled, you can set a password on the serial port. The default setting is all 0s.

  • Page 57: Setup Mode: Advanced Settings

    9: Setup Mode: Advanced Settings Expert Settings (Option 5) Note: You can change these settings using telnet or serial connections only, not on the Web Manager. Caution: Changing the expert settings can drastically affect the performance and access to the product. These settings should only be changed by an experienced network administrator.
  • Page 58 This feature allows the configuration of the desired TCP re-transmission timeout value. If the ACK is not received for a packet sent from the NetDirect device, then the unit will retransmit the data. The valid range is 500-4000 msec. Default is 500.

  • Page 59: Security Settings (Option 6)

    Security Settings (Option 6) You can change security settings by means of Telnet or serial connections only, not on the Web Manager. We recommend that you set security over the dedicated network or over the serial setup to prevent eavesdropping. Caution: Disabling both Telnet Setup and Port 77FE will prevent users from accessing the setup menu from the network.
  • Page 60 Disable Telnet Setup Note: If you choose to disable this option, keep in mind that disabling both Telnet Setup and Port 77FE will prevent users from accessing the setup menu from the network. This setting defaults to the N (No) option. The Y (Yes) option disables access to Setup Mode by Telnet (port 9999).

  • Page 61: Enable Encryption

    Enter Keys: **-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-** 1. When prompted to enable encryption, select Y. 2. When prompted, enter the encryption key length. The NetDirect supports 128-, 192-, and 256-bit encryption key lengths. 3. When prompted to change keys, select Y. 4. At the Enter Keys prompt, enter your encryption key. The encryption keys are entered in hexadecimal.

  • Page 62: Default Settings (Option 7)

    Enable Enhanced Password This setting defaults to the N (No) option, which allows you to set a 4-character password that protects Setup Mode by means of Telnet and web pages. The Y (Yes) option allows you to set an extended security password of 16-characters for protecting Telnet and Web Page access. Enable Enhanced Password (N) ? _ Default Settings (Option 7) Select 7 to reset the unit’s Channel 1 configuration and expert settings to the default settings.

  • Page 63: Security Settings Defaults

    Security Settings Defaults Disable SNMP SNMP community name public Disable Telnet setup Disable TFTP Firmware Update Disable Port 77FEh Disable Web Server Disable Web Setup Disable ECHO ports Enable Enhanced Password...

  • Page 64: Firmware Upgrades

    10: Firmware Upgrades Obtaining Firmware You can obtain the most up-to-date firmware and release notes for the unit from the Lantronix web site. Do not change firmware unless directed by Technical Support. Reloading Firmware There are several ways to update the unit's internal operational code (*.ROM): using DeviceInstaller (the preferred way), using TFTP, or using the serial port.

  • Page 65: Using Tftp: Command Line Interface

    For Firmware File, click the Browse button and go to the location where the firmware file resides. Make sure the NetDirect on which you are recovering firmware is connected to this selected port on your PC. Click OK to download the file.

  • Page 66: Entering Monitor Mode Using The Serial Port

    Click OK. The following information and login prompts display (see MAC Address and Login Prompt MAC Address and Login Prompt MAC address 00204A9D028B Software version V6.9.0.0RC3 (120828) NETDIRECT AES library version 1.8.2.1 User Name :admin Password :---- Press Enter for Setup Mode Enter User Name (user name is admin and cannot be changed).

  • Page 67: Monitor Mode Commands

    Monitor Mode Commands The following commands are available in Monitor Mode. Many commands have an IP address as an optional parameter (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx). If you enter the IP address, the command is applied to another unit with that IP address. If you do not enter the IP address, the command is executed locally.
  • Page 68 10001 = port number of the NetDirect 192.168.1.10 = IP address of the DNS Server The NetDirect stores the setup and performs a reset. It sends an X before the reset if the command was OK. Entering any of the commands listed above generates one of the following command...

  • Page 69: Connections And Pinouts

    Figure A-1 Single Serial Port and Ethernet Port on NetDirect Serial Port Pinouts The NetDirect has a female DB9 DCE or male DB9 DTE serial port that supports one of three pinouts depending on the model of your NetDirect unit:...
  • Page 70 Figure A-4 DB9F in RS485 (2-Wire) Mode (NetDirect485 & PoE Models) TX/RX- TX/RX- TX/RX+ 5-15 5-15 TX/RX+ (in) (in) DB9 Female RS485 2-wire DB9 Male RS485 2-wire...

  • Page 71: Ethernet Connector Pinouts

    Ethernet Connector Pinouts The NetDirect supports 10/100 Mbps half or full duplex Ethernet through an RJ45 connector. For PoE option, the NetDirect is compliant as an IEEE 802.3af Power Device, Class . Power connections can be established via data pins (1 & 2 and 3 & 6), or spare pins (4 & 5 and 7 & 8).

  • Page 72: Technical Specifications

    13: Technical Specifications Table A-1 NetDirect Technical Specifications Category Description CONTROLLER Grid Connect DSTni-EX enhanced 16-bit x86 architecture, 48 MHz clock MEMORY Internal CPU Memory 256 KB zero wait state SRAM Flash 8 Mbits (1 MB) POWER INPUT 1 USB-B jack...
  • Page 73 WEIGHT 0.068 kg (0.15 lbs) ENVIRONMENTAL Operating Temperature6 -40° to +85°C for non-PoE models UL certified -40° to +75°C Storage Temperature -40° to +85°C Relative Humidity 0 to 90% non-condensing Grid Connect power supply shipped with NetDirect is UL certified.
  • Page 74 14: Alternative Ways to Assign an IP Address Earlier chapters describe how to assign a static IP address using DeviceInstaller, Web Manager, and Setup Mode (through a Telnet or serial connection). This section covers other methods for assigning an IP address over the network. DHCP The unit ships with a default IP address of 0.0.0.0, which automatically enables DHCP.

  • Page 75: Arp And Telnet

    ARP and Telnet If the unit has no IP address, you can use Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) method from UNIX and Windows-based systems to assign a temporary IP address. To assign a temporary IP address: 1. On a UNIX or Windows-based host, create an entry in the host's ARP table using the intended IP address and the hardware address of the unit (on the product label on the bottom of the unit).

  • Page 76: Binary To Hexadecimal Conversions

    15: Binary to Hexadecimal Conversions Many of the unit's configuration procedures require you to assemble a series of options (represented as bits) into a complete command (represented as a byte). The resulting binary value must be converted to a hexadecimal representation. Use this chapter to learn to convert binary values to hexadecimals or to look up hexadecimal values in the tables of configuration options.

  • Page 77: Scientific Calculator

    Scientific Calculator Another simple way to convert binary to hexadecimal is to use a scientific calculator, such as the one available on the Windows operating systems. For example: 1. On the Windows Start menu, click Programs -> Accessories -> Calculator. 2.
  • Page 78 1630 W. Diehl Rd, Naperville, Illinois 60563 USA Tel: 800-975-4743 Tel: 630-245-1445 Fax: 630-245-1717 Declares that the following product: Product Name Model: NetDirect Device Server Conforms to the following standards or other normative documents: Safety UL 60950-1, 2nd Edition CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1-07, 2nd Edition...
  • Page 79 RoHS Notice The NetDirect is China RoHS-compliant and free of the following hazardous substances and elements: Lead (Pb) Mercury (Hg) Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) Cadmium (Cd) Hexavalent Chromium (Cr (VI)) Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) Product Name Toxic or hazardous Substances and Elements...

Table of Contents