1. Which meters have the Ethernet option?
2. How can I connect to an Ethernet meter?
3. How can I setup the IP address?
4. How do I set up the meter?
5. Can I use the Macro Sensors Configuration Utility with Ethernet?
6. How can I 'talk' to an Ethernet meter

The Ethernet option is available for all DMI and DMC series meters.

^ top

You can either connect the meter to your local network or the Internet using a hub or a switch, or you can connect it directly to the Ethernet port of your computer. For the latter option, you need a crossover cable for the connection.

^ top

Texmate is using the Lantronix XPort (FAQ) for the Ethernet option. Lantronix provides a setup software called DeviceInstaller (HTML | FTP) that will scan the local network for XPort devices and then allows you to setup the IP address as well as the serial settings. The serial setup of the XPort has to match the serial setup of the meter.

^ top

The meter must be set up in ASCII (slave) mode as it still communicates with the Ethernet module serially. The serial parameters have to match those on the Ethernet module. As the communication speed is usually restricted by the delays of the Ethernet communication, we recommend leaving the serial setup at 9600 Baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity, no flow control.

^ top

Yes. When you open a New Meter, set the communication to one of the two TCP/IP options:

• TCP/IP
  Choose this option to configure the meter from a PC. This works just like the serial communication.
• Passive TCP/IP
  Choose this option to let the Utility wait for a connection initiated by the meter. This is intended for remote administration of meters with a dynamic IP address and needs a special macro to run on the meter.

^ top

The Ethernet module simply sends ASCII data over a TCP/IP connection. Therefore application software only has to open and connect a socket to the meter and can then use the Texmate ASCII protocol to 'talk' to the meter. Once the communication is established the meter can act either as ASCII slave or as ASCII master (macro mode).

^ top