Installation guide
HAL System Connectivity
In addition to understanding the details of the HALSystem hardware and software components, it is important to
also understand how HAL and Halogen communicate. Following is some important information to keep in mind
when designing your system, especially if you will be handing it off to someone else for installation.
Required Ports
Communications between the PC(Halogen/RaneLink) and HAL
The PC and HAL exchange information using the following ports and protocols:
Local Port
(PC)
Remote Port
(HAL)
Protocol Purpose
Any 22 TCP Secure file transfer
4992 Any TCP Meter control
4993 Any TCP Configuration
4994 Any UDP Discovery broadcast
4994 Any TCP RaneLink II
1
4995 Any TCP Meter data
These ports are listed from the PC's perspective to aid in configuring the PC's firewall so that RaneLink and Hal-
ogen can communicate with HALhosts on your network.
HAL devices send occasional UDP broadcast messages. The RaneLink II service on the PC listens constantly for
these messages and when it receives one, it does three things, if necessary:
l
Sets up a temporary link-local IP address (in other words, the address is cleared when the computer reboots)
on the appropriate network interface card (NIC).
l
Adds an entry to the computer's network route table. RaneLink II maintains the list of HAL devices and it
must be running for Halogen to communicate with a HAL, even if the HAL has been located by a manual
search.
l
Opens and maintains a TCP connection with HAL so that it can receive status updates.
Additional Ethernet Communications
Halogen and HAL also use the following ports and protocols (independently of each other) to communicate with
other systems such as a DHCPserver or external control systems:
1
A service needed by Halogen to establish a connection with HAL.
CHAPTER 2: Introduction to the HAL System
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