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724-746-5500 | blackbox.com
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Chapter 8: Listing/Descriptions of Hardened Serial Server Settings
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a protocol used on special servers that supply IP addresses to network nodes
on request.
When DHCP is enabled on the Hardened Serial Server, on power up it sends a DHCP request to the DHCP server, which assigns a
dynamic IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway to the Hardened Serial Server.
When DHCP is disabled (static IP addressing), the IP Address, Subnet Mask and Default Gateway fields must be set manually by
entering the appropriate addresses in these fields. If you do not know what addresses to use in these fields, ask your network
administrator.
NOTES:
1. This product is factory-defaulted to the DHCP mode. Your network’s DHCP Server is expected to provide the IP address
assignment. If there is not a DHCP server on your network, the device will default to IP address 169.254.102.39.
2. A dynamic address assigned by the DHCP server may change if the server loses the Ethernet connection or power is removed.
If a device on the network that normally communicates with the Hardened Serial Server is configured to communicate with a
specific IP address of the Hardened Serial Server, and the IP address has been changed, the device will not be able to
communicate with the Hardened Serial Server.
The Firmware Version number (Vx.x.x) indicates the Hardened Serial Server's currently loaded firmware release. From time to
time new firmware is made available and can be uploaded into the serial server using Hardened Serial Server Software.
Flow Control determines the type of handshaking that is used to control sending and receiving of messages. Options include No
Flow Control, Hardware Flow Control (RTS/CTS) and Software Flow Control (X-ON/X-OFF). The Flow Control setting must match
the requirements of the serial device connected.
NOTE: Select No Flow Control when setting the port as RS-422 or RS-485 4-wire.
Forced Transmit controls the maximum amount of time that characters can be buffered before sending the characters to the
network. Larger values decrease the number of network packets, but increase the amount of time to receive characters. Smaller
values increase the number of network packets, but decrease the amount of time to receive characters. The range is 1 through
65535.
The Hardware Version number of the Hardened Serial Server hardware is displayed on the Login page of the Hardened Serial
Server Software.
Inter-character Timeout controls the maximum duration between received characters before sending the characters to the
network. Larger values may decrease the number of network packets, but increase the amount of time to receive characters.
Smaller values may increase the number of network packets, but decrease the amount of time to receive characters. The range is
1 through 65535.
IP Address. Software or hardware attempting to access the Hardened Serial Server via the network must know the IP Address of
the server. In DHCP mode (factory default), the serial server requests and receives a dynamic IP address from a DHCP server when
it first connects to the network. If there is not a DHCP Server on your network, this device will automatically default to IP Address
169.254.102.39. If the Hardened Serial Server is unable to connect to your network using this address, there are two methods to
manually configure the IP Address.
1. Method One: Change your PC Network to Match the Hardened Serial Server
a. Open the network connection on your PC.