User manual

TD990200-0ME

Communication Processor has no monitor or keyboard. Instead, the

monitor/keyboard functionality is accomplished by an external

laptop or desktop computer running a terminal emulation program

(such as HyperTerminal), while connected to COM ports on the

Communication Processor.

The Metasys Ethernet Router program is accessed via COM1. The

embedded operating system is accessed via COM2. If a terminal

emulation program is attached to COM1, real-time routing statistics

can be observed. But once the router is started, no such cable

connection is required for continued operation.

When describing the operation of the Embedded Metasys Ethernet

Router, the terms Embedded Metasys Ethernet Router and Metasys

Ethernet Router will be used interchangeably.

Theory of Operation

Setup and Addressing

The method of linking the two networks is to separate the N1 LAN

into a number of ARCNET subnets. (In this document, the terms

“subnet” and “ARCNET segment” are the same.) Each ARCNET

subnet then connects to the customer’s Ethernet network via a single

Metasys Ethernet Router.

The router uses the N1 network addressing scheme to route messages

among the various ARCNET segments. Dividing Metasys into

multiple subnets has no affect on existing Ethernet communications,

and again, remains transparent to the operator.

To the operator, the router is simple to use and maintain. Once it is

configured to the customer’s network, the router works on its own,

uninterrupted. Branch office personnel configure the unit (via

HyperTerminal) by accessing a single screen. Once set, the data is

saved to a “flash disk.” Upon power up, the program and

configuration data is executed without any intervention. There are

no moving storage devices on the unit.

Protocols

The Metasys Ethernet Router uses the UDP/IP communications

protocol to transmit messages across the Ethernet network. This is

important because it allows the router to easily integrate into existing

customer networks that comprise multiple Internet (TCP/IP protocol

suite) networks.