Connecting the Video Turnstile Logger to the PC via Ethernet
An Ethernet-enabled logger (eLVT) will have a socket labelled "Ethernet". You need to connect it to a network-enabled PC. You also need to tell the VT Setup software about your Ethernet communications.
- At the PC, install the Device Installer from the Video Turnstile CD. (The Device Installer software allows you to check and change the IP address of your eLVT.)
- Set the Address for the eLVT (Ethernet-enabled Logging Video Turnstile)
- Arm yourself with the necessary information from your network
manager, namely
- IP address for the eLVT
- Subnet mask
- If appropriate, Gateway address
- Connect your eLVT device to a network enabled PC. You can use a crossover cable to make a direct connection, or connect through a hub via normal UTP Ethernet cables.
- Allow 10 seconds for the eLVT to boot-up.
- Run Device Installer and click the Search button to find devices on the network. The Installer should
find the eLVT at its default address: 169.254.117.220. If the IP address is shown in black then your eLVT and PC have a full network connection on the same sub-net and you should have more icons available on the menu bar: Configure, Upgrade, Telnet, Web.
If the IP address is shown in Red, or you get a No network interface is available or No Devices were found message, then see point h. and onward below. - You may want to change the IP address of the eLVT for use on your main network. You can do this by selecting an existing IP address and then clicking the Assign IP button. After setting a new IP address into the device, it will need to reboot. This takes around 10 seconds.
- Click the Update button to set other parameters.
- If you are having trouble with VTsetup and VTcollect not communicating with your LVT, you may want to check the Local Port and Port 1 baud rate settings.
- If the eLVT device is found but the IP address is shown in RED then the eLVT is on a different sub-net to your PC. You should change one or the other to get them to match (see changing the IP Address and Sub-net mask of an eLVT).
-
If, on clicking Search (point d), the response is: No network interface is available then
- check the network cable is plugged into the PC ethernet port
- check check your LAN icon on the task bar does not show a red cross.
- check the network cable is plugged into the PC ethernet port
-
If, on clicking Search (point d), the response is: No Devices were found then the possibilities are:
- The eLVT has been given a default gateway IP address, and will only respond on a network where that gateway is present. Try restoring the eLVT to the network and running Device Installer from a PC also on that network.
- The eLVT ethernet circuit is not functioning correctly. Contact your supplier or Biodata Ltd about service or a replacement.
- Arm yourself with the necessary information from your network
manager, namely
- Assign a Virtual COM Port to the eLVT
The eLVT appears as a serial device on your network. To assign a Virtual COM Port- Go to Control Panel (in Windows) and select the DeviceComm manager.
- This shows you a list of COM ports: select an unused one.
- Click Edit to enter the IP details for the eLVT.
- Make a note of the number of the COM port: you will need this information when you configure the Video Turnstile units with the VT Setup software.
Changing the IP address and Sub-net mask of an eLVT
- Check the existing IP address of the eLVT as above. If a device is found, then click on the IP address to select it from the list.
- Click Assign IP, and enter the new IP address and sub-net mask for this eLVT. After completing the operations to assign the IP address, the program will search again, and should find the device at its new address.
Restoring default settings for Local Port and Port 1 baud rate
- Click the IP address to select one device from the list.
- Click on Configure
- Click the Ports tab
- Select Port #1 and click Edit Settings...
- Select the Advanced tab to get a list of all the settings
-
Baud Rate
This is a drop down list box and you should select the 9600 value -
Local Port
Enter the value of 10001 -
Other settings
- Stop Bits - 1
- Parity - none
- Flow Control - none
- Password Required - default value is no
- Accept Passive Connection - yes
- Port 2 (if available) is not used
- Click [OK] to save port settings
- Click [OK] to save configuration
Checking (and changing) the IP Settings for your PC
- From the start menu: Select Control Panel and then Network Connections
- Select Local Area Network
- Select Internet Protocol
- Select Properties - Note you are strongly advised to record the existing property settings in case you need to return to them (e.g. to restore internet access
- For setting up the eLVT, you must use a fixed IP address
- Is Use the following IP address selected ?
-
Yes
The IP address of your PC is shown as a 4 part number. The sub-net mask is also displayed also as a 4 part number. Where the sub-net value is 255 the IP address parts must match for two network devices to be able to communicate. Where the sub-net mask is 0, any value in that part of the IP address is acceptable. -
No
Select Use the following IP address
Enter an IP address which is the same as the one shown for the eLVT in Device Installer for the first 3 parts of the IP address, and a different value (0-255) for the last part.
Set the sub-net mask to: 255.255.0.0
Click [OK]
Click [OK] when you leave the Local Area Connection Properties to save the changes.
-
Yes
Telling the VT Setup Software about your Ethernet Links
- Make sure your Video Turnstile units are switched on.
- From the Windows Start menu, choose the Windmill 6.0 program group then select VT Setup.
- Choose the Unit Select tab.
- Select Ethernet.
- Enter the IP address and COM Port.
- Click the Connect button. This closes any existing communications link and opens a new one using the port specified.
- If you cannot get reliable communications then see Chapter 5 of the Video Turnstile User Manual.
You are now ready to use the VT Setup software to create a site.