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Global Cache Flex User Manual

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USER GUIDE:
Flex and Flex Link Cables
VERSION 1.1

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Summary of Contents for Global Cache Flex

  • Page 1 USER GUIDE: Flex and Flex Link Cables VERSION 1.1...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ................................... 1 1. Introduction ....................................3 2.0 Product Architecture ................................4 2.1 Flex IP (Ethernet) and IP with PoE ............................5 2.2 Flex WiFi ....................................5 3.0 Unit Configuration ..................................6 3.1 Network Connection ................................6 3.1.1 Flex IP and Flex IP with PoE ............................
  • Page 3 4.2 Serial ....................................... 23 4.2.2 Flex Link RS232 Serial Cable (DB9) Pinout ........................24 4.2.3 Flex Link RS232 Mini Jack Cable (3.5mm) Pinout ......................25 4.2.4 Straight-Through and Null-Modem cables ........................25 4.2.5 Flex Link RS485 Serial Cable Pinout ..........................26 4.3 Relays .....................................

  • Page 4: Introduction

    This document intends to provide additional information, insight, and instruction on installing, configuring, and using the Flex product line. For initial setup instructions, or TCP and HTTP APIs please refer to the Flex IP and WiFi Quick Starts, or Flex APIs on our downloads page: https://www.globalcache.com/downloads...

  • Page 5: Product Architecture

    Flex WiFi (Flex-WF) Each unit can be used with any of the Flex Link Cables to allow for the control and automation of different types of devices. A variety of Flex Link Cables are available for use with the Flex to provide infrared, serial, and relay and sensor control function- ality.

  • Page 6: Flex Ip (Ethernet) And Ip With Poe

    Note: A connected Flex and Flex Link Cable are required together for proper functionality. Depending on the distributor or reseller, Flex units may be sold with or without a bundled Flex Link Cable. You may need to order the Flex Link Cable sepa- rately from the Flex unit.

  • Page 7: Unit Configuration

    LED nearest the USB port will blink indicating the unit is powered. When a Flex IP unit is initially connected to the network, or after it has been reset to factory defaults, it will obtain an IP ad- dress via DHCP. To determine what IP address has been obtained, download and run iHelp from our website at https://www.globalcache.com/downloads.

  • Page 8: Flex Wifi

    IP address 192.168.1.70. You can also connect directly to the Flex with a PC by configuring your PC with a local IP address that is within the subnet range of the default IP of 192.168.1.70. Example below: IPv4 IP address: 192.168.1.85...

  • Page 9: Configuration Web

    To learn more about the different ways Flex modules will obtain IP addresses visit section 4.3 Network Settings. 3.2 CONFIGURATION WEB PAGES Once the Flex unit has been connected to the WiFi or Ethernet network the configuration web pages can be accessed by en- tering the unit’s IP address in a browser.

  • Page 10: Dhcp And Dhcp Reservations

    Version 1.1 Many control apps and systems expect the IP address of a Flex unit to remain the same. If the IP address of a unit changes (which is possible when using DHCP) the control software may not be able to communicate with the unit. To prevent this, we recommend creating a DHCP reservation from the router configuration.

  • Page 11: Static Ip Addresses (Advanced)

    DHCP settings. When setting a DHCP reservation, the MAC address of the Flex is associated with the IP address it should be assigned. This allows the DHCP server to assign the reserved IP address every time it sees a DHCP request from the module with the MAC address entered in the reservation.
  • Page 12 Configuration Example: To set a static IP address assignment, navigate to the Network Settings page of the Flex web configuration pages. Press the DHCP Enabled bar to expand it and change it to DHCP Disabled, enter the desired IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and primary and secondary DNS servers.

  • Page 13: Flex Link Cable Settings (Configuration)

    The Flex unit’s I/O function is based on which Flex Link Cable is attached. The unit supports infrared, serial, and relay and sen- sor capabilities depending on what cable is used with the unit. The Flex Link Cable page can be used to configure the unit for the type of control and cable needed.

  • Page 14: Infrared

    To configure the unit for Infrared mode, change the Flex Link Cable to infrared. Select the option that corresponds to the Flex Link infrared cable that will be installed with the Flex unit. Press Save Changes to apply the selection.

  • Page 15: Serial

    Save Changes. 3.4.3 RELAY AND SENSOR To configure the Flex unit for the Flex Link Relay and Sensor cable and access relay and sensor configuration settings, change the Flex Link Cable to Relay/Sensor.
  • Page 16 If your selected control app/system does not support Sensor Notification these values can be left at default (all zeros). Press Save Changes to apply the configuration. User Guide: Flex and Flex Link Cable 160 East California Street, PO Box 1659 Effective: Feb. 21, 2024 Jacksonville, Oregon 97530 PN: 103118-01 ver.

  • Page 17: Security/Access Control

    3.5 SECURITY/ACCESS CONTROL Starting with Firmware version -24, the Flex supports several access control settings to limit access to the Flex unit configura- tion and filesystem. These features are intended to stop unauthorized users from making configuration changes to the unit or gaining unintended access to the unit’s built-in filesystem.

  • Page 18: Api Lock

    The API Lock requires a username and password to make configuration changes to the unit. Configuration changes include network settings, cable selection, and cable configuration. Control commands, such as sending an IR code, serial/relay User Guide: Flex and Flex Link Cable 160 East California Street, PO Box 1659 Effective: Feb.

  • Page 19: System Lock

    (see section 6.0). No username or password is required when setting a System Lock. User Guide: Flex and Flex Link Cable 160 East California Street, PO Box 1659 Effective: Feb. 21, 2024 Jacksonville, Oregon 97530 PN: 103118-01 ver.

  • Page 20: Advanced Settings

    The Advanced Settings page contains additional operations that can be performed by the Flex unit that are not directly re- lated to the unit’s Network Settings, Cable Configuration, or Security features. The Flex supports both a soft reboot and a soft factory reset option.
  • Page 21 Select either Reboot or Factory Reset, depending on which operation is needed. Confirm the operation to initiate the reboot or factory reset operation. User Guide: Flex and Flex Link Cable 160 East California Street, PO Box 1659 Effective: Feb. 21, 2024 Jacksonville, Oregon 97530 PN: 103118-01 ver.

  • Page 22: Integration And Usage Details

    IR Blasters are long-range IR transmitters. Long-range IR transmitters are designed to control devices across the room or to control multiple devices that are near each other. IR blasters, like the blaster on the Flex Link 2 Emitter 1 Blaster cable, or Flex Link Blaster cable are designed to transmit up to 35 feet (10 meters).

  • Page 23: Obtaining Infrared (Ir) Codes

    IR receivers within IR controlled devices. To determine if a non-visible IR transmitter is transmitting look at the LED nearest the 3.5mm Flex Link port on the Flex unit. On each IR transmission (for both emitters and blasters), the lightpipe above the IR output will blink indicating transmission.

  • Page 24: Serial

    RS232 is a common serial protocol that is utilized on devices ranging from TVs and amplifiers to security panels and pool con- trollers. The Flex Link Serial cables allow the Flex to bidirectionally communicate with RS232 and RS485 devices. Flex Link Serial Feature...

  • Page 25: Flex Link Rs232 Serial Cable (Db9) Pinout

    DB9 connector. The devices with male connectors are usually known as DTE (Data Terminal Equipment). Devices with the female connector are known as DCE (Data Communications Equipment). The Flex Link Serial RS232 cable has a male (DTE) connector, but also includes a gender changer which in conjunction with a software configurable Gender Changer setting can convert it to a female (DCE pinout) connector.

  • Page 26: Flex Link Rs232 Mini Jack Cable (3.5Mm) Pinout

    The Flex Link RS232 cables also support software configurable crossover. For the Flex Link RS232 Serial Cable this feature swaps the Tx and Rx, and RTS and CTS signals pin positions converting it to a DCE pinned connector. For most installations, the Gender Changer setting should be set (through the unit’s web interface) to True when the included gender changer is used and False if the gender changer is not used.

  • Page 27: Flex Link Rs485 Serial Cable Pinout

    Gender Changer setting based on whether a crossover is needed per the manufacturer’s documentation. For the Flex Link RS232 Mini Jack Cable, no gender changer is typically needed The Gender Changer setting can still be used to swap Tx and Rx signals if required.

  • Page 28: Relays

    While there are different ways half duplex RS485 communication is used it is most com- monly used to allow a single master (in most installations the Flex unit will act as the master) to issue commands to many slaves that either will not transmit data themselves or will only do so when prompted by the master.
  • Page 29 Relay Type Normally Open (NO) *The Flex Link Relay & Sensor Cable relays can be configured as SPDT or DPDT relays. A full description of the supported relay types and how they behave can be found below: The relay outputs can be configured (via hardware jumpers and software API) to operate as various common relay types. The supported relay types and associated jumper settings are shown in the following illustrations.

  • Page 30: Troubleshooting Relays

    Configuration example: On the Flex Link Cable configuration page test commands can be sent to the relays. User Guide: Flex and Flex Link Cable 160 East California Street, PO Box 1659 Effective: Feb.

  • Page 31: Sensors

    This section refers to the sensor portion of the Flex Link Relay and Sensor Cable. For details on the relays, see section 5.3. Flex Link Relay and Sensor Cable Relay Specs...

  • Page 32: Troubleshooting Sensors

    Confirming Sensor Actuation To confirm that the Flex Link Relay & Sensor Cable has received the input voltage or contact closure, look at the LED indicator beneath each sensor port. For sensors configured for voltage sensing, the indicator will activate when voltage is applied and turn off when voltage is removed.
  • Page 33 MODE Selection: There are 3 Sensor Modes available. • RELAY & SENSOR (STANDARD) Default mode for the Flex Link Relay & Sensor cable. Utilizes all functions visible on the web interface and API. • ITACH SENSOR For backwards compatibility with the iTach IP2IR SENSOR IN mode using the IT-SC1 (Contact Closure Sensor) or IT-SP1 ( (Voltage Sensor) cable.

  • Page 34: Factory Default

    Wait for sixty seconds for the reset to complete and for the device to reboot. After a reboot, the blink pattern of the Flex IP unit will be either once-per-second if connected to a network and a DHCP address has been assigned, or rapidly if a network connection is not available.

This manual is also suitable for:

Flex linkFlex ipFlex ip with poeFlex wifiFlex link 3 emitterFlex link 2 emitter 1 blaster ... Show all

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