connecting to a rades over cellular networks with airlink devices

Connecting to a RADES Over Cellular Networks with AirLink Devices

Application Note

Cellular connectivity for your Rockwell Remote Access Dial-in Ethernet Modem (RADES) is made possible with an AirLink RJ-11 IP Gateway and a Raven X or Raven-E. The connection is completed on the other side with a Host RJ-11 IP Gateway providing Ethernet connectivity for your RSLINX host.

This application note covers a basic installation of a Raven X or Raven-E with an RJ-11 IP Gate-way to a RADES and a Host RJ-11 IP Gateway to a host server running RSLINX. While any Air-Link modem with Ethernet connectivity will work with the RJ-11 IP Gateway, this application note focuses on the Raven X and Raven-E as the most suitable for the task. The installation directions are for a Raven X but can be used for any AirLink modem with an Ethernet port.

This application note does not cover the many features of these products in any depth or advanced configurations. For more detailed information on these products, please refer to their respective user guides:

• The user guides for the RJ-11 IP Gateway, Host RJ-11 IP Gateway, and the Raven X or Raven-E are available on the product CD or at the AirLink website: http://www.airlink.com/support.

AirLink Communications


• The RADES user guide can be accessed by, while connected directly to the RADES using Ethernet, opening a web browser and entering 192.168.1.1 (or the unit’s current IP address) or on the Rockwell Automation website: http://www.rockwellautomation.com/. The user guide for RSLINX can be obtained from Rockwell Automation.

Before You Start

Software Required• Wireless Ace - Graphical interface for configuring your AirLink modem. Wireless Ace is located

on all modem CDs or you can download Wireless Ace from the AirLink website: http://www.airlink.com/support/modems/utilities/. A default installation of this utility is assumed later in these directions.

Hardware Required• Ethernet Cable - The RJ-11 IP Gateway and Raven X have an auto-sensing Ethernet port, you

can use either a cross-over cable or a straight-through Ethernet cable.

• Power adapters and a power source - You will need a power adapter and power source for the RJ-11 IP Gateway, the Raven-E, and the RADES.

• PC or Laptop - To configure the RJ-11 IP Gateway and the modem, you will need a computer with Internet Access, other than the cellular account, and an available Ethernet port.

Cellular Account Required• Cellular Account - To use this application note, you need to already have an active account

with a cellular provider and to have activated your Raven X or Raven-E with that provider. Air-Link modems are certified to work with a variety of cellular providers.If you need to activate your Raven X or Raven-E, you can use the Setup Wizard for your cellu-lar provider which you can obtain from the AirLink website: http://www.airlink.com/support/.

Important Information about Ports• Port Blocking - Many cellular providers and other ISPs block ports below 1024 which are the

default ports for many server protocols (such as HTTP, telnet, and SSH).

March 2007 2



1.

2.

Configuring your Raven X for the RJ-11 IP Gateway

These steps are just a basic configuration to get you started and allow the Raven X to connect with the RJ-11 IP Gateway. Refer to the user guide for more configuration options for specific environ-ments.

Default settings• Management Interface IP Address: 192.168.13.31.• Telnet and Wireless Ace password: 12345• DHCP server: enabled.• Public Mode - the IP Address assigned by the carrier is assigned to the RJ-11 IP Gateway.

Configuring the Raven X

A. Click on Connect.B. Select UDP.C. Type in the modem’s local IP (default is 192.168.13.31).D. Type in the modem’s password (default 12345)

Note: While this application note covers installing an RJ-11 IP Gateway with a Raven X, the RJ-11 IP Gateway is also designed to work with the Raven-E and any other Airlink modem with an Ethernet connection, using the same configuration outlined here.

Connect your Raven X directly to the Ethernet port on your computer and to power.

Start Wireless Ace and connect to your modem. Start > All Programs > AirLink Communications > Wireless Ace 3G > Wireless Ace 3G

RADES with an RJ-11 IP Gateway and Raven X

March 2007 3



3.

4.

5.

FIGURE 1. Wireless Ace: Connect

Configure the Raven X for Public Mode. Set the *HOSTPRIVMODE to 0. In this mode, the modem assigns the RJ-11 IP Gateway the IP address it has received from your cellular provider. This is the default setting for the modem.

FIGURE 2. Wireless Ace: PPP/Ethernet

FIGURE 3. Wireless Ace: Write

A. Select Status from the menu on the left side of Wireless Ace (under “Groups”).

Select Common > PPP/Ethernet from the menu on the left side of Wireless Ace (under “Groups”).

When you have finished configuring the Ethernet settings, click the Write button on the tool bar of Wireless Ace and wait for the message “Write Successful” to appear in the status bar.

Note the IP address given to the modem by your cellular provider.

0 - Use Public IP

March 2007 4



6.

1.

2.

FIGURE 4. Wireless Ace: Status

B. Note the IP address listed in the Value column for the command *NETIP.

For *NETSTATE, “Network Ready” means your modem is connected on the cellular network and waiting for connections. “Network Dormant” means the modem is connected and waiting for con-nections but the connection has been idle. In either state, the modem is ready for the steps in the next section.

Configuring the IP Address and Interface Port of the RJ-11 IP Gateway

RJ-11 IP Gateway Defaults• Phone port: 7 data bits, even parity, and 1 stop bit (7E1).• Protocol: American/Bell 212A.• Maximum baud: 2400.• DHCP client: enabled.

Configuring the RJ-11 IP Gateway

FIGURE 5. Web Browser : Enter the Location

Disconnect your modem’s Ethernet cable from your computer, but leave the modem connected to power so it remains on the cellular network.

Connect the RJ-11 IP Gateway to power and connect the Ethernet cable from your Raven X to the RJ-11 IP Gateway.

Type “http://”, the IP address from the modem, and “:9080” (see the example in the screenshot below) in the Address or Location bar and press the enter key.

http://166.213.236.221:9080

March 2007 5



3.

The web-based interface will open. On the left side of the window are menu options. The central area of the window is the working area (shown in the close up screen shots for the configuration settings).

FIGURE 6. RJ-11 IP Gateway Interface

FIGURE 7. RJ-11 IP Gateway: Network Settings

In DHCP Mode, the RJ-11 IP Gateway will receive its IP address from the modem.

The IPv4 Address and the IPv4 Netmask should be listed as 0.0.0.0. (The current IP address and current netmask listed above the entry boxes is received from the modem in DHCP mode. It is for display only.)

Since many cellular carriers block the standard web browser ports (80 and 8080), the RJ-11 IP Gateway uses 9080 by default as the port for the web-based interface.

Select Network Settings from the menu on the left.

March 2007 6



4.

FIGURE 8. RJ-11 IP Gateway: Network Interface Settings

The Serial Settings page allows you to specify the baud rate, protocol, character size, parity, stop bits, and flow control behavior for the RJ-11 port (Phone).

FIGURE 9. RJ-11 IP Gateway: Serial Settings

A. Change the Modem Buad Rate and Protocol to 14400 baud (V.32bis).B. Change the Databits to 8 and the Parity to None.

Select Serial Settings from the menu on the left.

March 2007 7



5.

1.

For more information on the serial and other settings, refer to the RJ-11 IP Gateway User Guide.

FIGURE 10. RJ-11 IP Gateway: Reset/Reboot

Click the Reboot button to restart the RJ-11 IP Gateway with the configured settings.

Configuring the RADES to work with the RJ-11 IP Gateway

This basic configuration will enable you to get your RADES working with the RJ-11 IP Gateway quickly.

Default Settings• Mangement Interface IP Address: 192.168.1.1• Web Interface Username: Admin• Password: ZYPCOM

Configuring the RADES

You will need to enable routing capabilities in the RADES so that any packet received by the RADES that doesn’t belong on its local network will be routed out via the phone line to the RJ-11 IP Gateway which will then send the packet to the Raven X which will send it on via the Internet to its destination.

To configure the RADES, you will need to access its internal web-based interface.

A. Open the properties for your network connection. Start>Control Panel>Network Connections, right-click on your local area connection, and select Properties.

Click on the Reset/Reboot menu option for the IP Address configuration and any changes to the serial port settings to take effect.

Temporarily change the IP address on your computer to configure the RADES.

March 2007 8



2.

FIGURE 11. Local Area Connection

B. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click on Properties.C. Note the current settings (so you can return to them when you finish).

FIGURE 12. TCP/IP Properties

D. Change the IP address to 192.168.1.4 .

A. Type http://192.168.1.1 into the address or location line.

Note: When you have completed configuring the RADES, you will want to recon-figure the IP address on your computer to how it was configured before you started these steps. Use the directions in this step to reset the configuration.

Connect the RADES to your computer’s Ethernet port and power. Open up the web browser on your computer.

4

March 2007 9



3.

FIGURE 13. Web Browser

B. Type in the user name: AdminC. Type in the password: ZYPCOM

The user name and password are case sensitive.

The web interface for the RADES will open.

FIGURE 14. RADES: Web interface

Select Dial-In > Access Settings.

http://192.168.1.1

March 2007 10



4.

FIGURE 15. RADES: Dial-In Access Settings

You may need to change Calling Direction to Both to have full communication to and from the RADES and the RSLinx Host using the RJ-11 port. If you only need communication from the Host to the PLCs connected to the RADES, you should leave this at Dial-In Only. Click Apply Changes.

FIGURE 16. RADES: Modem Setup - Dialing/Answering

Select Modem Setup > Dialing/Answering.

March 2007 11



5.

6.

7.

8.

A. Change Auto Answer to 1.B. Click Apply Changes.

FIGURE 17. RADES: Modem Setup - Line Speed/Control

A. Change Line Speed to 14400/V32.bis.B. Click Apply Changes.

FIGURE 18. RADES: Modem Setup - Line Speed/Control

A. Change V42/MNP Select to No EC, Buffer On.B. Change Data Compression to Disabled.C. Click Apply Changes.

Select Modem Setup > Line Speed/Control.

Select Modem Setup > V42/MNP Protocols.

Note: Consult your RADES documentation on how to configure the RADES to work with your PLCs or other devices.

Power cycle the RADES to activate the changes.

When you are done configuring the RADES, return to step 1 to reconfigure your computer’s IP address.

March 2007 12



1.

2.

3.

Configuring the Host RJ-11 IP Gateway for the RSLINX

Host RJ-11 IP Gateway Defaults• Phone port: 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit (8N1).• Protocol: V.32bis.• Maximum baud: 14400 baud .• DHCP client: disabled.• IP Address: 192.168.1.3.

Configuring the Host RJ-11 IP Gateway

FIGURE 19. Web Browser : Enter the Location

Connect the Host RJ-11 IP Gateway to power and connect the Ethernet cable from your computer to the Host RJ-11 IP Gateway.

Open your web browser type “http://192.168.1.3:9080” (see the example in the screenshot below) in the Address or Location bar and press the enter key.

Select Network Settings from the menu on the left.

RSLINX with a Host RJ-11 IP Gateway

http://166.213.236.221:9080http:192.168.1.3:9080

March 2007 13



FIGURE 20. Host RJ-11 IP Gateway: Network Settings

Static IP Mode

If the Host RJ-11 IP Gateway is going to be on a LAN, you many wish to change the static IP address if the default is already in use. The default for the Host RJ-11 IP Gateway is a static IP address of 192.168.1.3.

FIGURE 21. Host RJ-11 IP Gateway: Network Interface Settings

DHCP Mode

In DHCP Mode, the Host RJ-11 IP Gateway will receive its IP address from a DHCP server on the Ethernet network. The IPv4 Address and the IPv4 Netmask should be listed as 0.0.0.0.

FIGURE 22. Host RJ-11 IP Gateway: Network Interface Settings

192.168.1.3

255.255.255.0

March 2007 14



4.

5.

If you change the IP Address or the Netmask, click Save IP Address/Netmask.

The Serial Settings page allows you to specify the baud rate, protocol, character size, parity, stop bits, and flow control behavior for the Host RJ-11 port (Phone).

FIGURE 23. Host RJ-11 IP Gateway: Serial Settings

FIGURE 24. Host RJ-11 IP Gateway: Reset/Reboot

Click the Reboot button to restart the Host RJ-11 IP Gateway with the configured settings.

Select Serial Settings from the menu on the left.

Note: For most configurations, the defaults for the settings are best. Change these parameters only if you know the RSLINX you will be connecting to the Host RJ-11 IP Gateway requires special settings.

Click on the Reset/Reboot menu option for the IP Address configuration and any changes to the serial port settings to take effect.

March 2007 15



If you encounter problems with operation of your AirLink product, AirLink’s support staff can help.

AirLink Support Web Site

The AirLink web site is updated frequently with Setup Wizards, Utilities, How-To Guides, and other documentation: http://www.airlink.com/support.

AirLink Documentation and Guides • User Guides - These guides are specific to your modem type, cellular provider, and cellular

technology and contain comprehensive information about the operation of the modem and its features.

• Quick Start guides - These guides are also specific to the modem type, cellular provider, and cellular technology and are a step by step guide to activating the modem using the Setup Wiz-ard or other steps as applicable.

• Utility Guides - These guides focus on the features of one of the AirLink modem utilities: Wireless Ace, AceView, AceNet, Modem Doctor, etc.

• Application Notes and How-To Guides - These guides detail configuring the modem to work with a specific feature set or how the modem can be set up to work with a specific 3rd party (non-AirLink) device.

• Data Sheets and White Papers - These are technology based information documents.

Contacting Technical Support

For support assistance please email [email protected] or call 510-781-9760 Monday through Friday 5 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time (8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time). Support is not available week-ends or holidays.

AirLink Technical Support

Caution: The configuration suggestions offered in this guide are not supported nor is any equipment other than AirLink products. Only the operation of the modem or software obtained directly from AirLink is supported.Refer to the User Guide for your modem or the AirLink website for AirLink prod-uct warranties.

March 2007 16

connecting to a rades over cellular networks with airlink devices

Documents