IPL 250 • Introduction
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Introduction
About This Manual
This manual provides detailed information and best practices recommendations
about cabling and configuring the Extron IPL 250 IP Link® Ethernet Control
Processor and reference information about the controller’s specifications,
programming, and special applications.
It does not contain instructions on the most basic setup steps: those are covered in
the IPL 250 Setup Guide, which describes how to set up the hardware, how to use
the Global Configurator (GC) program to download drivers, add A/V devices to a
GC configuration, configure the front panel buttons, set a shutdown schedule, and
set up e-mail alerts to flag a projector disconnection or warn that lamp hours are
exceeded.
About the IPL 250
The IPL 250 is capable of controlling a projector, source devices, switchers, and
various other items such as lights, a projector lift, or a screen motor in a distributed
control system environment or as a stand-alone controller. It allows legacy
products to be linked to and controlled via a network. Throughout this manual the
IPL 250 is also referred to as the IPL, “Ethernet control processor,”or “controller.”
Features
General features
Flexible options for device control — The IPL offers RS-232 and IR-based
projector/display/source control; relays for controlling items such as a
projector lift, motorized projection screen, and lights; and contact closure
input control of the relays.
A variety of mounting options — The 1U high, one quarter rack wide enclosure can
be rack mounted, furniture mounted, or mounted to a projector mount pole.
Universal power system compatibility — The IPL includes an external power
supply that accepts 100-240 VAC, 50-60Hz input.
Network and configuration features
The IPL 250 can be configured and controlled via a host computer via IP Link
Ethernet control. Setup and control can be accomplished by simple ASCII
commands (Simple Instruction Set, SIS™) or via the included Global Configurator
program. The software offers many more setup options than does SIS
programming. After being configured, the IPL 250 can be controlled by an Extron
TouchLink™ touchpanel connected to the same network.
Via Ethernet/IP communication you can access the IPL 250’s embedded Web pages,
which include online diagnostics and monitoring of basic control features. As an
integrated part of the IPL 250, IP Link provides the following advantages:
Global compatibility — The IPL uses standard Ethernet communication protocols,
including ARP, DHCP, ICMP (ping), TCP, IP, Telnet, HTTP, and SMTP.
Embedded Web page serving — The IPL 250 offers up to 7.25 MB of flash memory
for storing Extron and user-supplied Web pages, configuration settings, and
device drivers. Data in flash memory is served at a transfer rate of 6 Mbits
per second.
Remote equipment management — The IP Link connection allows you to remotely
manage projectors, cameras, video conferencing equipment, switchers, and
other A/V equipment.
Multi-user support — Up to two hundred (200) simultaneous connections enable
each IP Link device to support many concurrent users and improve system
throughput by sending information in parallel.