Contents:

- Scenario
- EtherPAD Setup
- Serial IP Setup
- CTcomms

Scenario
Connect to Ctlab Products (VectoGraph, ProvoGraph) via the EtherPAD. A COM port Redirector (SerialIP from Tactical Software) was used to provide a transparent serial link over Ethernet to the EtherPAD.



Ctlab provides software for interfacing with their products via the PC's Serial Port. The tool used to communicate via the Serial Port is CTcomms (version 1.5 as of this writing).

EtherPAD Setup

Configure the EtherPAD to reflect similar settings as those parameters configured on the CTlab application.
Use EtherPAD Explorer to find your EtherPAD if the IP is unknown. Click [Web Configuration] to launch the web browser. Log in as root, with xxx being the default password.


EtherPAD Explorer

Configure your Serial Port parameters by selecting [Serial Application]. [Change Serial Parameters] to define the Serial Port values.


Serial Interface Configuration

Add a TCP Application once you have 'changed' the values. Make the application Passive to allow incoming connections on port 5000 in this case. There are two ways to transport data across the transparent serial link/Ethernet: Raw or Redirector transfer.


RAW: Set the Application Protocol to 'Raw'.



REDIRECTOR: Set the Application Protocol to 'Redirector' to comply with RFC2217.

[Save/Reboot] with the new settings.


Serial Application Overview

NOTE: You may need to tweak the Max Message Length and Message Timeout parameters for best performance. These settings are available in the Serial Interface Settings screen above.

Serial IP Setup

Configure Serial/IP to reflect similar settings as those parameters configured on the EtherPAD. Take note of the EtherPAD's IP Address and the TCP Application's port number. Set the Connection Protocol to RAW TCP Connection if the EtherPAD TCP Application Protocol is set to 'Raw', or to Telnet if the EtherPAD parameter is set to 'Redirector'.


RAW: Set the Connection Protocol to 'Raw TCP Connections'.



REDIRECTOR: Set the Connection Protocol to 'Telnet'.

You can monitor the activity on the Virtual COM Port by selecting [Port Monitor]. [Enable Trace] to enable diagnostics.


Serial IP Port Monitor

CTcomms

Upon launching CTcomms, the application probes the serial ports. If there is no device attached to the EtherPAD or the configuration is not correct, an error occurs. Check your EtherPAD Serial and TCP Application settings.


CTcomms v1.5



Faulty Connection or Setting