Section 3: Operation- Serial Port I/O Interface
The RS-232 connector on the rear panel is used as a serial port input/output (I/O). This I/O port is used for accessing controls for the IP address settings, system “health” data, firmware version information and other related data.
Typically, this interface is not used by the majority of users. But should any system problems arise, the data that may be accessed through this interface can help to track down the problem. The most common items that might be used are “Display Network Settings” and “Enter Network Setup”. The remaining selections would typically be used for troubleshooting purposes along with a QSC technical representative prompting you to access particular menu items so that the data can be interpreted.
The basic setup involves connecting a null-modem type serial cable (or a regular serial cable WITH a null-modem adapter) between your computer’s serial port and the RS-232 port of the CM16a. Once properly connected, a “dumb-terminal” program (such as Hyper Terminal, a widely used version on most Windows-based PC’s) is started up and communication established between the PC and the CM16a.
Below is the basic procedure for starting up Hyper Terminal, naming the connection, specifying the communications settings and an example of “what you should see” for a text-menu once the communications link has been established. As many different systems and configurations exist on user’s PC’s, the exact appearance of the screen shots may vary from those shown. Furthermore, if programs other than Hyper Terminal are used, you will need to follow your software’s instructions for establishing communications through your PC’s COM (serial) port.
1)Connect the RS-232port of the CM16a to an unused serial port (COM port) of a PC using a null modem type cable. These cables are different than the ordinary serial cable.
2)Open the HyperTerminal program. This program is usually started by clicking the Windows START icon, highlighting PROGRAMS, then ACCESSORIES and finally, highlighting the Hyper Terminal folder and clicking on its icon.
The screen-shot below shows a typical icon-view of the Hyper Terminal folder (icons shown for each program in the folder). If your system was setup for a list-view, then you will instead see a list of what’s in the folder. Identify the Hyper Terminal program icon (or name from the list) and click (or double-click as required) to start the program. In the screen-shot below, the Hyper Terminal icon is the fifth from the left in the row of icons.
HyperTerminal Icon
