Specifications

October 8, 2003 Networking Alpha Signs (9700-0112C)
12 Wired networks
LAN—Preliminary information
The Alpha Ethernet Adapter, Lantronix MSS100, and Lantronix MSS485 serial servers are used to connect
Alpha signs to an existing TCP/IP network. Serial servers convert data from TCP/IP to serial format and allow
you to communicate with Alpha signs across the room or around the world.
An Alpha Ethernet Adapter can be mounted on the back of a sign. They draw their power from the sign itself
and no separate power supply is needed. The Alpha Ethernet Adapter and the MSS485 serial server work on a
10BASE-T TCP/IP network and the MSS100 works on a 10BASE-T or a 100BASE-T network. For additional
information on serial servers, see Network interfaces.
NOTE: Some signs use an external Alpha Ethernet Adapter. Other signs, such as the AlphaPremiere, have an
internal Ethernet adapter.
There are three steps to networking Alpha signs on a TCP/IP network:
1. A unique IP address must be assigned to each serial server prior to setting up the network hardware in
order for messages to be sent to a specific sign on the network. See “Appendix H—Assigning an IP
address to a serial server” on page 62.
2. Set up the networking hardware using one of the configurations in “LAN—single sign” on page 13 and
“LAN—multiple signs” on page 14.
3. Tasks specific to the messaging software you are using need to be performed once the network hardware
has been set up. See “Appendix I—Setting up messaging software for TCP/IP networking” on page 64.
On some signs, an internal jumper must be set to either RS232 or RS485 depending on the cabling the sign is
using. See “Appendix D—Setting the RS232/RS485 jumper” on page 53 for more information. Also, some signs
may need to be terminated depending upon which type of network and the number of signs you are using.
See“Appendix B—End-of-line termination” on page 50.