NL200 Network Link Interface 12/11 C o p y r i g h t © 2 0 1 1 C a m p b e l l S c i e n t i f i c , I n c .
Warranty “PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED BY CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC. are warranted by Campbell Scientific, Inc. (“Campbell”) to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service for twelve (12) months from date of shipment unless otherwise specified in the corresponding Campbell pricelist or product manual. Products not manufactured, but that are re-sold by Campbell, are warranted only to the limits extended by the original manufacturer.
Assistance Products may not be returned without prior authorization. The following contact information is for US and international customers residing in countries served by Campbell Scientific, Inc. directly. Affiliate companies handle repairs for customers within their territories. Please visit www.campbellsci.com to determine which Campbell Scientific company serves your country. To obtain a Returned Materials Authorization (RMA), contact CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC., phone (435) 227-2342.
NL200 Table of Contents PDF viewers: These page numbers refer to the printed version of this document. Use the PDF reader bookmarks tab for links to specific sections. 1. Introduction..................................................................1 2. Cautionary Statements................................................1 3. Quickstart .....................................................................1 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Physical Set-up ....................................................................
NL200 Table of Contents 7.4.3 TLS Serial Server ......................................................................... 19 7.4.4 TLS Proxy Server......................................................................... 20 8. Applications ...............................................................21 8.1 Working around Firewalls ..................................................................... 21 8.1.1 Configuring the NL200 ................................................................ 22 8.1.
NL200 Table of Contents 5-1. 7-1. 7-2. 8-1. NL200 dimensions ..................................................................................7 Bridge Mode LoggerNet Setup .............................................................12 Serial Server LoggerNet Setup..............................................................14 Working around firewalls......................................................................21 B-1. B-2. B-3. B-4. B-5. B-6. B-7. CS I/O Pinout................................
NL200 Table of Contents iv
NL200 Network Link Interface 1. Introduction The NL200 Network Link Interface allows Campbell Scientific dataloggers to communicate over a local area network or a dedicated Internet connection. This Ethernet interface can be connected to either the datalogger’s CS I/O port or RS-232 port. 2. Cautionary Statements • The device driver for the NL200 must be installed on your computer before you can connect to the NL200 via USB. See Appendix D for instructions on installing the device driver.
NL200 Network Link Interface FIGURE 3-1. NL200 with CR800 (external power) FIGURE 3-2.
NL200 Network Link Interface 3.2 Configuring the NL200 NOTE NOTE INSTALL the DEVICE DRIVER BEFORE plugging the NL200 into your PC for the first time. You will need the device driver properly installed before you can connect to the NL200 via USB. See Appendix D for instructions on installing the device driver. • Ensure the NL200 is powered. • Connect the supplied USB cable between a USB port on your computer and the USB port on the NL200. • Open Device Configuration Utility.
NL200 Network Link Interface • Add the datalogger and input the PakBus address of the datalogger. • Press Apply to save the changes. • You can verify your settings are correct by selecting the datalogger in the Network Map, selecting the Clock tab, and pressing “Check Clocks”. If your settings are correct, you should see the current clock of your server and datalogger. FIGURE 3-3. LoggerNet Setup 3.4 Connect You are now ready to Connect to your datalogger using the LoggerNet Connect Screen.
NL200 Network Link Interface 4. Overview The NL200 Network Link Interface is a device used to communicate with Campbell Scientific dataloggers and peripherals using an Ethernet 10/100 Mbps communications link. The NL200 includes a CS I/O port and a RS-232 port for communication. A USB device port is used for configuring the NL200 device. FIGURE 4-1. NL200 The NL200 can be configured to bridge Ethernet and CS I/O communications (Bridge Mode Enabled).
NL200 Network Link Interface PakBus Router. In addition, the NL200 can act as TLS Proxy Server. The TLS Proxy Server is independent of other modes. FIGURE 4-3. Bridge Mode disabled Some reasons you might want to use each of these modes are described below. Refer to Sections 6 and 7 for information on setting up your NL200 for each mode. Campbell Scientific's LoggerNet software is used to communicate with the dataloggers once the NL200 is configured properly and connected to a network.
NL200 Network Link Interface Bridge Mode • Adds an Ethernet network interface to a CR800/850, CR1000, CR3000, CS110, ET107 or RAWS. • Allows you to use the datalogger’s internal IP functionality (web page access, email, FTP, etc.). Serial Server • Allows access to a CR10X-PB over Ethernet (CS I/O Serial Server). • Allows access to a CR200X over Ethernet (RS-232 Serial Server). • Allows access to a serial sensor over Ethernet (RS-232 Serial Server). • Provides an Ethernet to RF500M/RF4XX Base.
NL200 Network Link Interface Power DC Barrel Connector (not CS I/O or USB) 7-20 VDC 50 mA active, 2 mA standby @ 13 VDC NOTE Standby power is when the IPNetPower instruction has been used to turn off power to the Ethernet. See the CRBasic help for an example of using the IPNetPower instruction. Note that the IPNetPower instruction is only applicable in Bridge Mode.
NL200 Network Link Interface 6. Configuring the NL200 The NL200 is configured using the Device Configuration Utility (DevConfig). You can connect your NL200 to DevConfig using either a network connection or USB. 6.1 Configuring the NL200 via Network Connection NOTES The NL200 must have an IP address before connecting via a network connection. If the address cannot be obtained via DHCP, you will need to configure your NL200 via USB the first time it is set up.
NL200 Network Link Interface • Open DevConfig. • Under Device Type, select “NL200”. • Click the browse button next to “Communication Port”. • Select the port labeled “NL200”. • Click “OK”. • Click “Connect”. • Configure the NL200 as needed for your application. • Click “Apply” to save your changes. 6.3 Configuring the NL200 via Telnet NOTE 10 The NL200 must have an IP address before connecting via Telnet.
NL200 Network Link Interface 7. Operation This section describes how to configure your NL200 for different operational modes. See Section 4 for help in determining which mode to use. 7.1 Bridge Mode 7.1.1 Physical Set-up Power the NL200 through the barrel connector jack located on the edge of the device. Connect the NL200 to your local network using an Ethernet cable, attaching one end to the NL200's Ethernet port and the other end to your network.
NL200 Network Link Interface • You can verify your settings are correct by selecting the datalogger in the Network Map, selecting the Clock tab, and pressing “Check Clocks”. If your settings are correct, you should see the current clock of your server and datalogger. FIGURE 7-1. Bridge Mode LoggerNet Setup 7.1.5 Connect You are now ready to connect to your datalogger using the LoggerNet Connect Screen. 7.2 Serial Server The NL200 can tunnel RS-232 and CS I/O serial communications over Ethernet.
NL200 Network Link Interface 7.2.2 Configuring the NL200 RS-232 Serial Server • Connect to the NL200 in DevConfig (see Section 6). • Apply Factory Defaults. (Applying factory defaults is the easiest way to put the NL200 in Serial Server mode. However, if you have other settings that you do not wish to clear, you can just ensure that the settings below are configured correctly.) • On the NL200 tab: o • Set Bridge Mode to ‘disable’. On the RS-232 tab: o Set Configuration to ‘TCP Serial Server’.
NL200 Network Link Interface 7.2.3 LoggerNet Set-up The next step is to run LoggerNet and configure it to connect to the datalogger via the Ethernet port. (See example in Figure 7-2 below.) • In LoggerNet’s Setup Screen, press Add Root and choose IPPort. Input the NL200’s IP address and port number. The IP address and port number are input on the same line separated by a colon. • Add a PakBus Port. • Add the datalogger and input the PakBus address of the datalogger.
NL200 Network Link Interface 7.2.4 Connect You are now ready to Connect to your datalogger using the LoggerNet Connect Screen. 7.2.5 Serial Sensors The NL200 configured as an RS-232 Serial Server as described above can be used to communicate with a serial sensor. However, LoggerNet is not capable of communicating with the serial sensor. You must have some other method of communicating with the sensor. 7.
NL200 Network Link Interface 7.3.2 Configuring the NL200 RS-232 PakBus Router • Connect to the NL200 in DevConfig (see Section 5). • On the NL200 tab: o • • Set Bridge Mode to ‘disable’. On the RS-232 tab: o Set Configuration to ‘PakBus’. o Set Baud Rate to baud rate of attached device. o Set Beacon Interval, Verify Interval, and PakBus Neighbors Allowed as described above. Often the default values can be used. However, an allowed neighbors list can be useful in restricting communication paths.
NL200 Network Link Interface 7.3.3 LoggerNet Set-up • In LoggerNet’s Setup Screen, press Add Root and choose IPPort. Input the NL200’s IP address and port number. The IP address and port number are input on the same line separated by a colon. • Add a PakBus Port. • Add the datalogger and input the PakBus address of the datalogger. • Press Apply to save the changes. 7.3.4 Connect You are now ready to Connect to your datalogger using the LoggerNet Connect Screen. 7.
NL200 Network Link Interface In order to use TLS, the user is responsible for obtaining their own TLS Private Key and TLS Certificate. The following NL200 settings apply to all TLS communications in the NL200: NOTE The TLS Settings described below cannot be edited over a standard TCP DevConfig link. The TLS Private Key, TLS Private Key Password and TLS Certificate can only be edited/transmitted over a secure DevConfig link (USB or TLS). See Section 7.4.2 for information on configuring these settings.
NL200 Network Link Interface standard IP connection. Once the private key and certificate are loaded successfully, the TLS Status field should read “Initialized”. You are then able to open a secure browser connection to your datalogger. NOTES HTTPS is the only protocol that is currently supported. (FTPS, Telnet SSL, and others are not supported.) See your datalogger manual for more information on using HTTPS with your datalogger. 7.4.
NL200 Network Link Interface 7.4.4 TLS Proxy Server A TLS proxy server is a device that acts as a secure intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers. A client connects to the proxy server, requesting some service, such as a file, connection, web page, or other resource, available from a different server. The proxy server evaluates the request according to its filtering rules. For example, it may filter traffic by IP address or protocol.
NL200 Network Link Interface TLS Proxy Forward Port Number If the 'TLS Proxy Forward Physical Port' is set to CS I/O port, the NL200 will open an unencrypted TCP connection with the datalogger over the CS I/O port. If the 'TLS Proxy Forward Physical Port' is set to Ethernet port, then the NL200 will open an unencrypted TCP connection over Ethernet on the defined 'TLS Proxy Forward IP Address.' to the datalogger.
NL200 Network Link Interface 8.1.1 Configuring the NL200 • Connect to the NL200 in DevConfig (see Section 6). • On the NL200 tab: • o Set Bridge Mode to ‘disable’. o Set Use DHCP to ‘disable’. o Input the IP Address, Network Mask and Default Gateway. These values can be provided by your network administrator. On the Network Services tab: o Make note of the PakBus/TCP Server Port. 8.1.2 Configuring the Datalogger NOTE The datalogger must first be configured for internet communication (i.e.
NL200 Network Link Interface 2. 3. Check all your cables. • Verify that your Ethernet cable is securely plugged in between your NL200 and your hub, router, or PC. The yellow Link/Act light on the NL200 should start blinking when it is connected to the Ethernet. • If an Ethernet cable is connected but the Link/Act light is not blinking, try a new Ethernet cable. You can also try moving the existing Ethernet cable to a functioning system to determine if the cable is good.
NL200 Network Link Interface Sever communications is 6784. The correct port number must follow the IP address of the NL200 in LoggerNet Setup in order for LoggerNet to communicate through the NL200. For example, if the NL200 is configured as a CS I/O Serial Server, in LoggerNet Setup enter the correct IP address of your NL200 followed by :6783 (e.g., 192.168.0.3:6783). 6. If you are unable to communicate with the NL200 via the USB cable, verify that you have installed the latest drivers for the NL200.
Appendix A. Glossary Beacon Interval Devices in a PakBus network may broadcast a hello-message to other devices in order to determine "neighbor" devices. Neighbor devices are devices that can be communicated with directly by the current device without being routed through an intermediate device. A beacon in a PakBus network helps to ensure that all devices in the network are aware of which other devices are viable in the network.
Appendix A. Glossary Port Number A port number is a way to identify a specific process to which a network message is to be forwarded when it arrives at the NL200. SDC (Synchronous Device Communications) A Campbell Scientific addressable, synchronous communications protocol. The protocol allows multiple peripherals to be connected to the same device as long as each peripheral has a unique SDC address.
Appendix B. Cables, Pinouts and LED Function B.1 CS I/O The CS I/O cable is a 9-pin straight-through cable with all 9 pins connected. The supplied SC12 cable (part number 16675) is recommended. TABLE B-1. CS I/O Pinout Pin Datalogger (DE-9 Female) Function Peripheral (DE-9 Male) Function 1 5 VDC N/C 2 SIGNAL GND SIGNAL GND 3 RING RING 4 RXD TXD 5 ME ME 6 SDE SDE 7 CLK/HS CLK/HS 8 12 VDC N/C 9 TXD RXD B.
Appendix B. Cables, Pinouts and LED Function B.3 Ethernet The Ethernet 10/100 Base-T cable should be a Category 5 or better twisted pair cable (such as Campbell Scientific part number 13658). The two active pairs in an Ethernet 10/100 Base-T network are pins 1 and 2 and pins 3 and 6. Use only dedicated wire pairs (such as blue/white and white/blue, orange/white and white/orange) for the active pairs. TABLE B-3.
Appendix B. Cables, Pinouts and LED Function B.6 LEDs TABLE B-6. Power LED State Description Off Device powered off On Device powered on and ready Blink OS Download in progress – DO NOT DISCONNECT POWER TABLE B-7.
Appendix B.
Appendix C. NL200 Settings All of the NL200 Settings available from the Settings Editor in DevConfig are described below. C.1 Main Tab Model (read only) Model Name Serial Number (read only) Specifies the NL200 serial number assigned by the factory OS Version (read only) Operating System Version currently in the NL200 Compile Date (read only) Operating System Compile Date Bridge Mode This setting is used to configure the device's mode of operation.
Appendix C. NL200 Settings DHCP Enable if the device should be configured to use DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) to automatically acquire an IP address, subnet mask, and gateway from the local DHCP server. After DHCP is enabled the device will reboot and it may take a few moments to acquire the IP settings. In order to see the acquired settings you may have to do a refresh by hitting F5. IP Address The IP address uniquely identifies this node on an internet.
Appendix C. NL200 Settings MAC Address Hardware MAC Address. NOTE In Bridge mode the MAC address is shared with the datalogger. If the MAC address has been successfully shared with the datalogger this setting will show "OK" otherwise it will show "00:00:00:00:00:00" Ethernet Speed / Duplex Configuration Specifies the Ethernet link speed and duplex settings Speed: When used as a TCP/IP serial server the overall data transfer speed is largely dependent on the speed of the serial port.
Appendix C. NL200 Settings RS-232 Serial Server Port Number To communicate with a TCP/IP server, the client application must open a socket to that server. The socket of a specific server is uniquely identified by an IP address of the host where the server is running and a port number associated with the server application on that host. This entry is where the port number of the serial server is set. Typically it is not necessary to change this entry from its default. (range 1..
Appendix C. NL200 Settings neighbor := { "(" range-begin "," range-end ")" }. range-begin := pakbus-address. ; range-end := pakbus-address. pakbus-address := number. ; 0 < number < 4000 C.3 CS I/O Tab CS I/O Configuration This setting controls which process will be associated with the CS I/O port. The following values are defined: TCP Serial Server This port uses a TCP/IP based serial server. TLS Serial Server This port uses a TCP/IP/TLS based serial server.
Appendix C. NL200 Settings CS I/O PakBus Verify Interval This setting specifies the interval, in units of seconds, that will be reported as the link verification interval in the PakBus hello transaction messages. It will indirectly govern the rate at which the NL200 will attempt to start a hello transaction with a neighbor if no other communication has taken place within the interval. C.4 Net Services Tab Telnet Enables/Disables the telnet service.
Appendix C. NL200 Settings PakBus/TCP Client Address (1-4) This setting specifies the IP address of an outgoing PakBus/TCP client connection that the NL200 should maintain. If the connection fails, the NL200 will retry until the connection succeeds. No entry or a setting of 0.0.0.0 specifies that no client connection will be made. PakBus/TCP Client Port (1-4) This setting specifies the TCP port of the outgoing PakBus/TCP client connection. Typically it is not necessary to change this entry from its default.
Appendix C. NL200 Settings C.5 TLS Proxy Server Tab TLS Proxy Server Enabled Enable/Disable the TLS Proxy Server. When doing TLS proxy communications, the device's TLS server maintains a secure TLS connection with a remote TLS client and forwards information onto a datalogger using a standard TCP connection. TCP ports and physical connections are configured below.
Appendix C. NL200 Settings TLS Proxy Forward IP Address Secure communications received on the NL200 TLS Server will be forwarded on a non-secure TCP connection to this IP address. If the 'TLS Proxy Forward Physical Port' is specified to be the CS I/O port, this setting is not set by the user as the NL200 will obtain the IP address of the datalogger automatically. If the 'TLS Proxy Forward Physical Port' is specified to be the Ethernet port then the forward IP address must be specified.
Appendix C. NL200 Settings C.6 TLS Tab TLS Status (read only) Specifies the current status of the TLS network stack. NOTE If the status of the TLS stack is "Initialized" then the device will automatically negotiate a secure TLS connection with DevConfig if the Use TCP option is selected. The TLS Private Key, Private Key Password, and TLS Certificate can only be edited/transmitted over a secure DevConfig link (USB or TLS). These settings cannot be edited over a standard TCP DevConfig link.
Appendix D. NL200 Driver Installation Instructions If no NL200 has been previously plugged into your computer, it will be necessary to install the drivers for the NL200 to enable communication with this device. The driver is available on the driver disc that was shipped with the NL200. If that disc is no longer available, you can also download the drivers from Campbell Scientific's website. D.1 Installing on Windows XP 1.
Appendix D. NL200 Driver Installation Instructions D-2 4. You will get a warning from the operating system indicating that the driver is "unsigned". In order to continue with installation, you need to select the Continue Anyway button. 5.
Appendix D. NL200 Driver Installation Instructions D.2 Installing on Windows Vista 1. Before you plug the NL200 into a computer USB port, you must first run the install utility on the NL200 install disc. This will ensure that the driver files are copied where the operating system can find them. 2. Connect a USB cable to the NL200 USB port and one of your computer's USB ports. 3. After some delay, your computer should display a dialog similar to that shown below: 4.
Appendix D. NL200 Driver Installation Instructions D.3 Installing on Windows 7 1. Before you plug the NL200 into a computer USB port, you must first run the install utility on the NL200 install disc. This will ensure that the driver files are copied where the operating system can find them. 2. Connect a USB cable to the NL200 USB port and one of your computer's USB ports. 3. The operating system should now install the driver and will report that it is ready for use once it has been installed. D.
Appendix D. NL200 Driver Installation Instructions 7. You should then see the NL200 in the Device Manager under Ports.
Appendix D.
Appendix E. Sending a New OS to the NL200 Whenever a new operating system is released for the NL200, it will be available from our website: www.campbellsci.com/downloads. Follow these steps to send the new OS to the NL200: 1. Plug the wall charger into an AC outlet and the barrel connector into the NL200’s power jack. 2. Connect a USB cable between one of your computer’s USB ports and the USB port on the NL200. 3. Open DevConfig. 4. Select the NL200 under Device Type. 5.
Appendix E.
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