User’s Manual Model CNT-IP-2 Web Enabled Serial Controller UMA1212 Rev n/c © Copyright 2013. Hall Research, Inc. All rights reserved.
Web Enabled Serial Controller Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ............................................................... 3 2.0 Features ..................................................................... 4 3.0 Hardware Installation ................................................. 4 4.0 Software Setup ........................................................... 5 4.1 Find & Assign Static IP Address ........................................... 6 4.2 Configuration Files ..............................
CNT-IP-2 1.0 Introduction The CNT-IP-2 controller is the latest addition to Hall Research’s SwitchCat™ room control product line. It offers true flexibility in access and control making it ideal for K-12 classrooms, conference rooms and more. The CNT-IP-2 allows for up to 1 or more RS232 devices to be remotely controlled across a compatible LAN (local area network) network using a web browser.
Web Enabled Serial Controller 2.0 Features • Embedded web server accessible from any browser on PC, Smart Phone or Tablet • Two (2) RS232 ports to configure in pass-through or dual-port. • Allows controlling other IP devices over Telnet. • Task Scheduling • Real-Time Clock with Super Capacitor backup • Customizable web interface • Easy to update firmware and user interface via Web Browser 3.
CNT-IP-2 4.0 Software Setup The CNT-IP-2 device offers true flexibility in access and control of serial devices over a LAN network. The CNT-IP-2 device allows for complex installations with control and web browser access over the LAN. One of the major features of the CNT-IP-2 device is the embedded IP Manager software. The IP Manager allows you to configure and remotely control serial devices from almost any PC, Tablet or Smart Phone that can access the LAN network.
Web Enabled Serial Controller 4.1 Find & Assign Static IP Address This section covers all the steps necessary to setup your system on your internal DHCP compatible LAN. 4.1.1 IP Address The CNT-IP-2 device comes preconfigured for DHCP so they automatically obtain an IP address when it is connected to the computer LAN. It is always recommended that you set a static IP on each system in order to guarantee it maintains that same IP address between system power cycles. 4.1.
CNT-IP-2 4.1.3 Assign Static IP address using web Interface Follow these steps to configure the CNT-IP-2 IP address. • Open a browser window and enter the IP address indicated by Device Finder Software. • When prompted, Login with username: admin and password: pass (both lowercase). • Click on each of the Configuration System Communications tabs. • From this screen, the unit can be set for a DHCP or static IP address.
Web Enabled Serial Controller 4.2.1 Download Configuration (SAVE) Follow these simple steps to save the configuration file: 1. Access the CNT-IP-2 webpage through your web browser or FTP into the device using 3rd party software. 2. When prompted, Login with username: admin and password: pass (both lowercase). 3. Click on the Configuration, System and Basic tabs (in that order) 4. Click on the ‘Download’ button. The file is automatically downloaded by the browser.
CNT-IP-2 4.3 Firmware Upgrade Occasionally we may release firmware upgrades to address bugs or add new features. You can safely upgrade your firmware with the following procedure: 1. If you have made changes to the systems configuration then you should save the configuration file as described above. 2. Download the products latest firmware file from our website at and extract the contents. There should be a file called Matchport_ar.romz and a folder called http. Matchport_ar.
Web Enabled Serial Controller 4.4 Web Manager The web based IP Manager is divided into 3 main top level sections: Status, Control and Configuration. • The Status tab displays a summary of unique information about the system configuration and its state. • The Control tab displays a dynamic user interface to control the system. • The Configuration tab is where the configuration takes place including system settings, users, actions, buttons, grouping, and scheduling.
CNT-IP-2 4.4.2 Status Tab The Status tab displays a summary of information about the system such as the system time, installation profile, software version numbers and the Serial Port Log. System Timestamp Displays the current system time. (Updated once per minute). System Name This is the name the user has given for the System. It is specified on the Configuration Basic tab. Description This is the description the user has given for the System. It is specified on the Configuration Basic tab.
Web Enabled Serial Controller Serial Port Log This window shows all data received from either RS232 port. The data is shown in both HEX and ASCII formats. Data only accumulates in this window when the log is actually open. Data from each RS232 port is shown in different colors. 4.4.3 Control Tab The Control Page is where the actual system user would control the CNT-IP2 device.
CNT-IP-2 4.4.4 Configuration Tab The Configuration tab is where all the system settings are configured. It is broken down into 7 sub-sections: System, Users, Actions, Buttons, Pages, Groups, and Scheduling tabs. 4.4.4.1 System Tab The System tab contains 3 sub levels for the system configuration: Basic, Communications and Themes. 4.4.4.1.1 Basic Tab The Basic tab is for general system information and the installation profile. Model Model number specified for this product.
Web Enabled Serial Controller Location User assigned location provided for location information, like a Room number. This field information is shown when using the Device Finder GUI. Date & Time Used to set the system Date & Time. System events are scheduled using this time and date. Logo Enable or Disables whether the Hall Research Logo appears on the webpage. Reboot Causes a system reboot. This takes approximately 15-20 seconds to complete.
CNT-IP-2 4.4.4.1.2 Communications Tab The communications configuration page is used for the Network, Mode, Serial communications and External Device settings. DHCP Enables or Disables DHCP. When DHCP is enabled, the users network router assigns the IP address to the device through which it can be controlled. When DHCP is disabled, the user must specify the desired IP address, subnet mask and gateway address. IP Address Only used when DHCP is disabled and in a static IP address configuration.
Web Enabled Serial Controller Secondary DNS Only used when DHCP is disabled and in a static IP address configuration. This field specifies an optional secondary DNS server address. Serial Port #1 These fields specify the baud rate and parity settings for Serial Port #1 Serial Port #2 These fields specify the baud rate and parity settings for Serial Port #2 External Devices Other Hall Research or 3rd party controllers that are IP enabled can be setup as External devices.
CNT-IP-2 4.4.4.2 Users Tab The Configuration->Users TAB lists all the defined users for the system. Click on the username to edit the settings for that user or click ‘Add User’ button to create a new one. Username The username is how a user logs in to the system. Once a user is created the username cannot be changed without deleting and recreating the user. Password This is the password for the account First Name/Last Name This is the user first and last names.
Web Enabled Serial Controller 4.4.4.3 Actions The Configuration->Actions TAB lists all the defined actions for the system. Actions are typically serial and/or time delay commands that can be assigned to buttons or scheduled events. The system comes with a default set of actions and the user only needs to add the appropriate commands to these existing actions to begin controlling other serial devices. Click on the name of an Action to edit it or click ‘Add Action’ to create a new one.
CNT-IP-2 Description Provides a brief description of what the action does. Enabled/Disabled Enables or disables an action. Delete Action Permanently deletes an action Other Actions Inserts previously defined actions into the action being edited. This gives advanced capability to create daisy chained actions. Care should be taken to prevent actions calling themselves and constantly repeating in an endless loop.
Web Enabled Serial Controller 4.4.4.3.1 Adding custom strings to control the end-user device Actions are very flexible in that they can be configured in a variety of ways and even linked together to form compound actions. This flexibility makes them versatile but also makes them a bit tricky to understand at first.
CNT-IP-2 The only thing missing is the actual RS232 command required for the device being controlled. The default actions do not contain the serial strings needed to control the display. Once the display type is known, these actions should be appended with the proper serial command. Continuing with the example above for VGA1ON, we need to add the command to switch to the VGA input on our display. To program the system we need a list of the commands to control our particular display.
Web Enabled Serial Controller 4.4.4.4 Buttons The buttons page is used to assign actions, groups and pages to specific buttons. Enabled/Disabled Enables or disables a button. A disabled button will not display on the Control Tab of the Web Interface. Label The label is the name that refers to the button. The label appears on the button on the control page. The number of characters in the label affects the width of the button.
CNT-IP-2 Action 1 This is the primary action that is performed when a button is pressed. Action 2 This is the secondary action that is performed when a button is pressed. This is only used for buttons of toggle mode type. Group This assigns a button to a group. Page This assigns the desired PAGE that this button should be created on. Zoom This assigns the desired button ZOOM level. This allows the user to adjust the size of the button.
Web Enabled Serial Controller 4.4.4.5 Pages Buttons are displayed in GROUPS on PAGES. There are no predefined pages by default and all buttons are displayed on one page. CONFIGURATION -> PAGES TAB Click on an existing page to modify it or click the “Add Page” button to create a new page. Page Name This assigns a name to the page. Note the page name cannot be changed once a page is created. Description Provides a brief description of what the page is for (optional).
CNT-IP-2 4.4.4.6 Groups Groups determine how buttons are arranged on the control page. Some predefined groups are created by default Click on an existing group to modify it or click “Add Group” button to create a new group. Group Name This assigns a name to the group. Note the group name cannot be changed once a group is created. Description Provides a brief description of what the group is for (optional). Behavior Groups can be configured as either Radio or Independent.
Web Enabled Serial Controller 4.4.4.7 Scheduling Events can be created and scheduled to perform once or recurring. This is useful for automating tasks such as automatically turning a projector off at the end of the day or turning it on in the morning. Event Name Name of the event. Once created, the name cannot be changed. Action The action to perform when the event occurs. Start Date The date when the event happens for the first time. Start Time The time of day when the event occurs.
CNT-IP-2 5.0 Troubleshooting If you are experiencing problems getting the extender to work properly, please use the following troubleshooting suggestions. • Make sure that all of the connections to the unit are solid. Loose connections are the number one cause of issues. • Check if type of serial cable (null modem and straight through) you have connected between CNT-IP-2 and the end device is correct. TX & RX pins are marked on the unit below each serial port.
Web Enabled Serial Controller 6.0 Specifications 28 Serial Ports: Port 1 : DB9 ( Female ) Port 2 : DB9 ( Male ) IP/LAN 10/100 Ethernet Dimensions: 1.18” (H) x 2.75” (W) x 3.85” (D) 30mm x 70mm x 98mm Depth excludes connectors and flanges Enclosure: Aluminum with Steel Ends Weight: 0.5 Pounds (225 g) Input Power: 5v DC at 2A max.
CNT-IP-2 © Copyright 2013. Hall Research, Inc. All rights reserved. 1163 Warner Ave.
