Serial connection to I/A Series G3 ENC serial system shell using Windows HyperTerminal

[Product_Support]

Issue

Serial connection to I/A Series G3 ENC serial system shell using Windows HyperTerminal

Product Line

TAC IA Series

Environment

• I/A Series G3 Enterprise Network Controllers:
• ENC-410-1
• ENC-410-1-N
• ENC-520-2
• ENC-520-2-N

Cause

There maybe a need to access the ENC via its serial port if the IP address of the ENC is unknown or for troubleshooting purposes when the ENC's Ethernet port is not functioning.

Resolution

Hardware required for connection to ENC's RS-232 port:

• 8-conductor flat silver satin stranded cable with standard male (plug) RJ-45 connectors.
• RJ-45 to DB-9 adapter (part number: UNCC-405) or a socket-to-plug type RJ-45 to DB-25 adapter (part number: UNCC-430).
• A functioning COM port on your computer.
• A 2-pin jumper for connection to the ENC's 'Mode' connector.

Refer to the Installations Instructions for ENC-410 (pages 10 & 11) or ENC-520 (pages 10 & 11) for details on the cable and adapter.  Pinout configuration for a RJ-45 to DB-9 Null Modem Adapter (part number UNCC-405) used for serial i... also refers to these pin outs.

Connection to ENC's serial system shell using Windows HyperTerminal (for operating systems without HyperTerminal, please refer to Hyperterminal on Microsoft Windows Operating Systems😞

1. Connect the cable and adapter between the ENC’s RS-232 port and the RS-232 COM port you are using on your computer.
2. Start HyperTerminal (Programs > Accessories > Communications > HyperTerminal).
3. In the 'Connection Description' dialog, type a name for this session. For example, 'Connection to ENC'. Click OK.
4. In the 'Connect to' dialog, use the 'Connect using' drop-down list to select the COM port you are using on your computer. Click OK.
5. In the Com(n) Properties dialog, choose the following settings:
   Bits per second: 57600
   Data bits: 8
   Parity: None
   Stop bits: 1
   Flow control: None
   Click OK.
6. On the ENC circuit board, locate the 4-pin Mode connector and put a 2-pin jumper on the 2 outer pins. Refer to page 7 of the ENC-410 or ENC-520 Installation Instructions for position of the Mode connector.
7. With your HyperTerminal session active and configured to log to a file, remove power from the ENC, let it cycle down, then reapply power.  The easiest way to power cycle the ENC is to unplug the 6-pin power plug from the circuit board, wait 15 seconds and plug it back in.  After some number of seconds, text should appear in the HyperTerminal window similar to:
   Press any key to stop auto-boot...
8. Do not press any key, wait for the login prompt. If you did press a key to stop auto-boot, select option 1.
9. At the login prompt, enter the platform user name, and at the password prompt, the platform password. The default user name is 'tac' and password is 'niagara'. The system shell menu should now appear. You should able to see the IP address of the ENC now.
10. When finished using the serial system shell, do the following:
    • Remove the 2-pin jumper from the Mode connector of the ENC.
    • From the system shell menu, select the Reboot option. Type 'y' at the 'Are you sure you want to reboot [y/n]' prompt, and press Enter. Shutdown-related text appears in the HyperTerminal window, and then the connection is dropped.
11. Press the Disconnect button on the HyperTerminal tool bar.
12. Exit from the HyperTerminal application, selecting to Save if you wish to reuse this HyperTerminal setup for future connection to an ENC.

If you are troubleshooting the ENC, send the HyperTerminal start up messages to Product Support for analysis.