RS-232 Serial Device Servers
FAQ
-
I am unsure if my Device Server is working, is there
any type of diagnostic program I can use to test it?
-
I received an adapter labeled Q232/Q432, but I do
not know what this should be used for.
-
What are the Operating Systems under which my Device
Server is supported?
-
Why do I get a warning screen when I
install Windows XP drivers downloaded from your website? What should I
do?
-
How do I disable the Windows XP Driver Signing check?
-
Why can't I get my Quatech Device Server to perform
at 921.6 kbps?
-
Do I need local administrator rights to install a
Quatech Device Server?
-
I can't get my Device Server to turn on and no LEDs
light up. What is the problem?
-
My serial device will not respond even though the
Device Server is functioning, what is the problem?
-
Do I need special software or a specific web browser
in order to administer my SDS?
- Do I need to use a null
modem cable
between the Device Server and my serial device? What about on the
Ethernet jack?
- I see you list support
for Linux. Does
it support my kernel?
- What security protocols
are supported
by your wireless device servers?
- I have an application
that uses the modbus protocol but I am unable to successfully
communicate to my device what could be wrong?
- I have several SDS units
installed one one PC. How do I know what IP address goes to which
virtual com port?
- Can I view my SDS device
server on more than one PC?
- Why are all my system
settings returning to default when my SDS device is reset?
- Can I have my multiport
ThinQ device unit set up with slave and master ports?
- Does my ThinQ device
support SSH protocol?
- How many PC ’s can send
data to a ThinQ device simultaneously?
- I am trying to make
changes in my web browser serial port properties but each time I try to
submit a change I receive a “failed; invalid parameters” message.
- Why am I not getting
proper data from my SDS tunnel?
- I am using a Raw TCP
connection and have noticed that the connection goes away after
inactivity on the serial port what could be the issue?
- Is it possible to send
breaks through the web interface?
- Is it possible to reboot
the SDS programmatically?
- I am trying to install
my SDS under Windows 2k/XP/Vista and when I run the NT
DeviceManager.exe I receive the following error: “NT V4 service pack or
higher"
- Can you tell me the max
cable distance that we can run rs232 devices from your SDS?
- I do not remember the
username/password I setup for my SDS what can I do to reset the
password?
Q1. I am unsure if my Device
Server is working, is there any type of diagnostic program I can use to
test it?
A. There are several ways to go about testing the
product. The easiest way for Windows users is to connect a Loopback on
the port and use HyperTerminal to test it. RS-232 Loopback
Instructions
Q2. I received an
adapter labeled Q232/Q432, but I do not know what this should be used
for.
A. This is a loopback adapter used to help troubleshoot
issues you may be having with your Quatech card and your end device.
You can attach the loopback adapter to your D-9 connection on your
Quatech card and open a hyperterminal session. Please use the hyperterminal.pdf for further
instructions on testing your Quatech card with the loopback adapter and
hyperterminal application. Please note that Quatech provides a Q232
loopback adapter. If you have this adapter you can replace “the making
a loopback” section of the hyperterminal.pdf
with your Q232 already made loopback adapter.
Q3. What are the Operating
Systems under which my Device Server is supported?
A. View the latest OS support matrix for Device Servers.
Q4. Why do I get a warning
screen when I install Windows XP drivers that I downloaded from your
website? What should I do?
A.Windows XP keeps a registry of all "Microsoft
Certified" drivers, and provides a warning during any installation of
an uncertified driver. This warning has nothing to do with the quality
of the driver or its ability to function properly in your system. If
any changes-even minor ones-- are made to a Microsoft Certified driver,
that driver must go through the Microsoft Certification process again,
which can take some time. The warning screen appears when the driver
update has not yet made its way through the entire Certification
process. Because we want to provide the best possible service for our
customers, Quatech makes all driver updates available on our website
prior to receiving Microsoft certification--this gets them into your
hands faster! However, we always continue to make the most current
signed version of the driver available.
When you see this warning during installation of a Quatech Windows XP
driver, simply tell Windows that you want to install the driver and
continue the standard installation process.
Q5. How do I disable the
Windows XP Driver Signing check?
A. To disable Windows XP driver signing warnings,
follow the steps below:
- Double click on the System icon in Control Panel.
- Left click on the Hardware tab.
- Left click on the Driver Signing button.
(click
here
for
a
screen
cap of the Driver Signing Options Window
- Choose the Ignore option. Click on O.K. and then
Apply and O.K.
- Windows will not warn anymore about driver signing.
Q6. Why can't I get my
Quatech Device Server to perform at 921.6 kbps?
A. Data rates (or baud rates) are highly system
dependent. It is impossible for Quatech to know exactly how one of our
products will perform in your specific system. Some major factors that
affect baud rate are cabling, OS, and FIFOs. For more information about
maximum data rates, see the Quatech "Serial Data
Rate Information Sheet".
Q7. Do I need local
administrator rights to install a Quatech Device Server?
A. Yes. When installing most kinds of hardware,
you must have local admin rights or equivalent on the PC. If your
computer is part of a Domain or participates in a networked
environment, please contact your local LAN Administrator for
assistance.
Q8. I can't get my
Device Server to turn on and no LEDs light up. What is the problem?
A. Your Device Server is not getting power. Make
sure that the power adapter is properly connected to the power jack and
that the power adapter is connected to a functioning electrical outlet.
If all your power connections seem ok, then you may have a damaged
power adapter. Please contact our technical
support
department for assistance.
Q9. My serial device
will not respond even though the Device Server is functioning, what is
the problem?
A. Typically this means that there is a problem
with the application software, serial interface cable or the serial
device itself. Try the following to determine what is causing the
problem:
- Make sure the serial device is powered up.
- Make sure the serial cable is properly connected to
the serial device and to the SDS.
- Try a different serial cable.
- Try a different port on the SDS Device Server.
- Review your serial device literature. Make sure that
the settings it specifies match those the Device Server is using (check
the serial port settings for the Device Server using the Web
interface).
- Try plugging the serial device directly into a PC
using the same cable used with the Device Server’s serial port. If that
works but the Device Server does not, then it’s likely that the
application software is hard-coded to work with a built-in COM port. If
it does not, then your serial device is malfunctioning or the serial
cable is defective / incorrectly wired for the DTE interface
Q10. Do I need special
software or a specific web browser in order to administer my SDS?
A.In order to ensure maximum compatibility with
the Web interface provided by the Real-Time Operating System embedded
in the SDS, please use Internet Explorer to change settings and view
charts correctly.
Q11. Do I
need to use a null modem cable between the Device Server and my serial
device? What about on the Ethernet jack?
A. If the serial device has a DCE
interface (like a modem), then you will need a straight-through serial
cable. If the serial device has a DTE interface (like a PC), you will
need a null modem cable. As for the Ethernet side, the Quatech premium
line of device servers have an Auto MDI/MDIX interface, which means it
will automatically adapt to either cable. So, whether connecting to a
hub, switch, router or directly into a PC’s NIC, the Device Server is
“smart” enough to know whether to crossover signals or not.
Q12. I see
you list support for Linux. Does it support my kernel?
A. There are so many distributions of
Linux and so many kernel modifications (one of the good and bad things
about Open Source operating systems) that it’s impossible to tell with
certainty whether our Linux drivers will work right out of the box for
you. What we can say is that we internally test with the leading
distributions/kernel releases and will be happy to help you use our
products in your own customized application when possible. Please
contact Technical Support for more information.
Q13. What
security protocols are supported by your wireless device servers?
A. At this time, Quatech wireless
device servers support 64/128-bit WEP and WPA protocols. We are
currently working on WPA2 and a suite of EAP-based protocols, and will
make announcements of their availability when finished. In the
meantime, if you already have Quatech wireless device servers, please
upgrade to the latest firmware version listed on our website to ensure
that you have the best protection available.
Q14. I have an application that uses the modbus protocol but
I am unable to successfully communicate to my device what could be
wrong?
A. Quatech
currently has not tested using any Modbus protocol so we are unable to
provide any support for these type of applications.
Q15. I have several SDS units installed one one PC. How do I
know what IP address goes to which virtual com port?
A. You can change
your device manager view option to “view devices by connection.” This
will show the individual unit with it’s corresponding IP address and
virtual com port.
Q16. Can I
view my SDS device server on more than one PC?
A. Yes, each
PC would have to have the SDS software installed to view the Ethernet
device.
Q17. Why are
all my system settings returning to default when my SDS device is reset?
A. Please
be
sure
you
have
selected
a static IP address. The DHCP is used for the
Ethernet unit to receive an unused IP address on the network. If the
unit is reset while using a DHCP address all changes will be lost and
your SDS device may take a new IP address.
Q18.
Can I have my multiport SDS device unit set up
with slave and master ports?
A. One
unit
can
have
both
slave
and master ports.
Q19.
Does my SDS device support SSH protocol?
A. SSH
protocol
is
used
in
a
telnet session it packs up telnet data to send to
a device. The SDS device line does not support this protocol.
Q20.
How many PC ’s can send data to a SDS device simultaneously?
A. Only
one
PC
can
talk
to
the SDS device at a time.
Q21.
I am trying to make changes in my web browser
serial port properties but each time I try to submit a change I receive
a “failed; invalid parameters” message.
A. You
must
use
IE
Internet
Explorer.
If you use Firefox, Mozilla, or any
other web browser you will get this error message.
Q22. Why am I not getting proper data
from my SDS tunnel?
A.
Tunneling Mode does NOT support Auto Baud Rate Detection so you must
set the baud rate accordingly.
Q23. I am using a Raw
TCP connection and have noticed that the connection goes away after
inactivity on the serial port what could be the issue?
A. The heartbeat does this to keep the
port available to other computers should the original host hang.
This might be interfering with your application if it senses that
the TCP connection goes away but doesn't know it's simply waiting for
more data to reconnect automatically. To troubleshoot please set the
heartbeat timer to 0 to disable it. Please let us know your results.
Q24. Is it possible to
send breaks
through the web interface?
A. No, it is not possible to send
breaks (or any other serial data) via the web interface.
Q25. Is it possible to
reboot the SDS
programmatically?
A. Yes, it is possible to reboot the
SDS programmatically with a UDP packet. Your installation CD has
detailed information on how to do this. This can be found in the
Intellisock directory of the SDS installation CD.
Q26. I am trying to
install my SDS under Windows 2k/XP/Vista and when I run the NT
DeviceManager.exe I receive the following error:
“NT V4 service pack or higher"
A.The .exe you are trying to run is for
Windows NT only. The proper .exe for Windows 2K/XP/Vista is labeled
QTEWizard.exe.
Q27. Can you tell me
the max cable distance that we can run rs232 devices from your SDS?
A. It depends greatly on the
characteristics of the cable used. Maximum resistance is 25 ohms
and maximum capacitance is 2500 pF. Appendix A of the
specification gives a detailed description of how to calculate maximum
length for a given cable. It can be found here:
http://global.ihs.com/search_res.cfm?RID=TIA&INPUT_DOC_NUMBER=TIA-232
Q28. I do not remember
the username/password I setup for my SDS what can I do to reset the
password?
A. You will need to reset the unit.
Please hold down the reset button and you will see the led slowly flash
continue holding in the reset until the led starts flashing fast. Then
release button and unplug the power. The unit should return back to
factory defaults.
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