How to Configure a MOXA Device 1

RESCUELOGIC

Software by Cadgraphicswww.RescueLogic.com (612) 722-3233

How to Configure a MOXA Device
A RescueLogic Technical Bulletin

Cadgraphics Incorporated
Makers of RescueLogic Software for Fire and Security Systems
PO Box 11737
St. Paul, MN 55111-0737

www.rescuelogic.com
(612) 722-3233

Safety Made Simple

J une 2014




How to Configure a MOXA Device 1

RESCUELOGIC

Software by Cadgraphicswww.RescueLogic.com (612) 722-3233

How to Configure a MOXA Device


A MOXA Device an NPort serial device server makes it easy to connect your alarm panels to an Ethernet
network so you can monitor them with RescueLogic

software.
Things Youll Need
You will need:
A MOXA NPort 5110A serial device server.
MOXA utility software. Youll get a software CD with each device. You can also download the software
from the MOXA website at www.moxa.com.
Network information. Youll need to get a static IP address from the network administrator wherever a
serial server is to be installed. For each serial server, the network administrator should also provide
values for the Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and possibly DNS Servers. (See page 9 for more details.)
The network administrator should also know that the serial servers will connect using, by default, TCP
Port 4001. It can be changed. TCP Port 23 is a common alternate. (See page 7 for the screen with the
TCP Port setting.)
Serial Port information. The alarm panel manufacturers documentation should show you the RS232
serial port settings. These include: baud rate; data bits, stop bits, and parity. See page 8 for the screen
with serial settings to match up with the settings of your alarm panel. You will also need the wiring
information for the RS232 (or EIA232) connection. Many alarm panels suggest a serial printer would be
an optional accessory wired to this port.

Helpful Hint: This guide is illustrated with actual RescueLogic screen images, which were captured on a
computer that runs Windows 7. If your computer uses a different Windows operating system, your RescueLogic
windows might look different, but you will follow the same step-by-step procedures.

Instructions 2

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Software by Cadgraphicswww.RescueLogic.com (612) 722-3233

Instructions
To begin, insert the CD or download the install program from the web. Then run the NPort Search Utility from your
Windows menu.

The Search Utility will open. Click the Search button to continue.


Helpful Hint: The default IP address of a MOXA NPort is 192.168.127.254. If you set your LAN card configuration
settings with an IP address in the same subnet (such as 192.168.127.100), you do not necessarily need the
Search Utility software. J ust skip to the web configuration shown on page 6, and type 192.168.127.254 in the
Address bar of your browser.


Instructions 3

RESCUELOGIC

Software by Cadgraphicswww.RescueLogic.com (612) 722-3233

A new popup window titled Searching will appear for several seconds, list any MOXA NPorts, then disappear.

After the search window disappears, the list on the list window should show the NPort server with the default IP
Address 192.168.127.254. Double-click the list item to open a browser window and configure.


Instructions 4

RESCUELOGIC

Software by Cadgraphicswww.RescueLogic.com (612) 722-3233

The NPort configuration screen will appear in a web browser. The IP Address of the server will show in your
browsers address bar. The left column has a menu for changing settings. You will need to use three of them:
Operating Settings, Serial Settings, and Network Settings.

If you like, you can also change the name of the server from the Basic Settings menu.

When you are done with any changes on a page, click the Submit button on the bottom of the page.

Configure Operating Settings 5

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Software by Cadgraphicswww.RescueLogic.com (612) 722-3233

Configure Operating Settings
From the Main Menu in the left-hand column, click Port 1 under the Operating Settings label.
Change the default RealCOM operation mode to TCP Server. This setting allows the IP Address socket to be
supervised by RescueLogic, rather than simulate a COM Port.
Change TCP alive check time from 7 to 0. This allows RescueLogic to reconnect immediately when System
Monitor is restarted. The default 7 minutes would make the server wait that long before a reconnect.
Change Max connection from 1 to 4 to allow connections from remote computers for testing.
Note the default 4001 setting for Local TCP Port. The IP Address and this port number are the values that you
will enter in RescueLogic for the socket connection.
Click Submit.

Now click Save/Restart.

Configure Serial Settings 6

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Software by Cadgraphicswww.RescueLogic.com (612) 722-3233

Configure Serial Settings
The serial settings of the NPort must match the alarm panel or printer interface module that you will connect to.
Click Port 1 on the left menu column, under Serial Settings. Set the baud rate, data bits, stop bits, and parity to
match the values specified in the alarm system manufacturers instructions.
Click Submit.

On the page that appears, click Save/Restart.


Configure Network Settings 7

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Software by Cadgraphicswww.RescueLogic.com (612) 722-3233

Configure Network Settings
Click Network Settings, under the Main Menu in the left-hand column. The network administrator should have
provided a static IP Address for use with each serial server. Fill in the blanks to match your systems information:
change the IP Address, Gateway, Netmask and DNS Servers. Leave IP configuration set with the default value
Static.
The SNMP settings are not used, so you can leave the factory defaults

Scroll to the bottom and click Submit.

Another page appears to confirm that you are ready to make the changes permanent. Click Save/Restart.


Configure Network Settings 8

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Software by Cadgraphicswww.RescueLogic.com (612) 722-3233

The IP Address is now changed, and your browser must be changed to match.
When you click on a link, you might see a page with a message that the page failed to load.

Type the changed address in your browsers Address bar and Refresh to see the MOXA configuration page
again.

Your serial server is now ready to communicate with RescueLogic. See the RescueLogic Users Guide chapter on
Communication Paths for the next steps.

Helpful Hint: If your browser does not find the server with the default or the newly assigned IP Address, check
the IP settings of your computers network adapter. The left three quad elements of the IP Address represent the
network, and the right quad element is unique for each endpoint device. Remember to write down your
computers original settings first. Contact your network administrator if these settings are not familiar to you.



About the Author 9

RESCUELOGIC

Software by Cadgraphicswww.RescueLogic.com (612) 722-3233

About the Author
Dan Horon is the President of Cadgraphics Incorporated, makers of RescueLogic software for fire alarm and
security systems. Dan was the chair of the NFPA Task Group on Circuits and Pathways when the chapter was
added to NFPA 72. He still serves on the NFPA Protected Premises Technical Committee, as well as the
Technical Correlating Committee Task Group on Networks. You can email him at [email protected].
Copyright Information
Copyright 2014 by Cadgraphics Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced
or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any
information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without permission in writing from the
publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for
inclusion in a magazine, newspaper, or broadcast.
Patent Information
This guide contains proprietary information. Cadgraphics and RescueLogic techniques and technology are
protected by United States Patents 6,229,429 and 6,369,695.
Trademark Information
Cadgraphics and RescueLogic are registered trademarks of Cadgraphics Incorporated. Safety Made Simple is
the service mark of Cadgraphics Incorporated. Other products mentioned herein are used for identification
purposes only and may be trademarks or service marks of their respective companies. All terms mentioned in this
book that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Cadgraphics
Incorporated cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. The use of a term in this guide should not be
regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.
Disclaimer
Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this guide, the author and the publisher assume
no responsibility for errors or omissions. The information in this guide is subject to change without notice to
improve reliability, design, and function. This guide does not represent a commitment or a contract on behalf of
Cadgraphics Incorporated. In no event will Cadgraphics Incorporated, its agents, or its representatives be liable
for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use the
product or documentation, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. The entire risk as to the results and
performance of Cadgraphics RescueLogic software is assumed by you.