PC Access 3.0 modem connection

[PaulD]

Installing a new 5 port Omni Pro II with ver 2.16a firmware. Trying to connect to it with PC Access 3.0 (latest update) and something is wrong. I can connect and get "on-line" via modem but the connection will not stay connected for long. Typically less than 2 minutes and often just 20-30 seconds before the connection is terminated. Don't know if it is my computer (Dell laptop) or the Omni Pro II terminating the connection. Any thoughts on what might be causing this?

Other notes...I saw in a different thread that the Omni Pro II has a watchdog timer that might be a problem. I shifted to the "status" page to drive message activity but the connection is still terminated while on the status page.

I wouldl like to shift to the serial connection but I have not figured that one out yet. I have the HAI serial adapter and 6 line cord running from my COM1 port (at 9600) over to a Omni Pro II serial port but I cannot get any connection. Master code is OK. Omni serial port set for Omni link. Anything wrong with that setup?

 

[HAI_fjh]

Modem connection usually work well but are very dependant on the phone line.

If you are trying serial you will need the hardware shown in the attached picture. I just pulled this off my system and took a picture so I know it works. The two most common problems with serial are the wrong adapter, or the wrong cable.

There are several adapters available. They all look the same so you must check the part number and description to be sure you have the correct one.

Note the cable ends in the picture. You only need 4 conductors and it may be hard to see but with the two connectors side by side the colors are reversed.

You might also want to consider a network connection. It is fast and easy.

 

[PaulD]

Thanks.
- Phone line is a new install on a new house. No other obvious problems with it. Phones work OK with no static or other indications of a problem.
- Will need to get that adapter. I have several that "look like" it but none have that part number. I tried one that is marked HAI "PIM to PC" plus another generic adapter I have...neither work. Also need to check the cable and make sure the colors line up like you indicated on the one I am using.
- No network set up yet (new house) so I cannot try that one yet.

 

[JamesF]

- No network set up yet (new house) so I cannot try that one yet.

I know it sort of seems like a contradiction of terms, but you don't actually need a network to set up a network connection to the OmniPro II. All you would is a Cat5 Crossover cable. The following steps may seem a little lengthy, however it will enable you to not have to worry about purchasing the serial adapter. Also once you have the alternate configuration setup on your laptop, you shouldn't have to ever do that portion of the setup again.

If you don't have a crossover cable, this link shows you how to make one.

You will need to connect the cable from the network port on your laptop to the network port on the ProII.

Setup On the ProII

1. Navigate to the setup menu. (press 9 then enter your code)
2. Press the "6" Key for Misc.
3. Scroll down to the IP address of the controller and take note of it. I believe the default IP Address is 192.168.0.101 and for this example that is the address I will be using. (If you just want to follow these steps exactly, then verify the IP address is 192.168.0.101 and if it isn't change it to this IP address.)
4. Scroll down 2 more times till you see "Encryption Keys". You will need to take note of these as well. There are two screens of encryption keys and you will need them all.

Setup On the Laptop

1. You will first need to disable the wireless on your laptop.
2. Next you will need to force the IP address of your laptop to be within the same subnet as the ProII. To do this follow these steps.
   • Goto the control panel on your PC
   • Double click on "Network Connections"
   • Right click on "Local Area Connection" and goto "Properties"
   • Double click on "Internet Protocol TCP/IP" then select the "Alternate Configuration" tab.
   • Check the option labeled "User Configured" then enter 192.168.0.100 for the IP address and 255.255.255.0 for the subnet mask. Notice that the IP Address is different then the IP address above, this is not a typo. Once the info is entered, click OK on all the opened windows.

Setup In PC Access

1. Open PC Access.
2. Open the account file.
3. If using PCA3 select Options > Network. If using PCA2 select Network > Configure.
4. Enter the IP Address of the controller in the IP box. (For this example it is 192.168.0.101) and then enter your encryption keys. The default port is 4369 on the controller. Once done with this information click OK.
5. To connect to the board in PCA3 select Communications > Connect > Network. To connect in PCA2 select Connect > Network > Connect.

 

[PaulD]

Thanks all...problem fixed. Picked up the proper HAI adapter and everything works great with serial.

I was aware of the approach to do the network crossover cable but not the details JamesF offered. HAI needs to add that level of detail to the PC Access manual. I will do the real network deal as soon as I have a network in place and hooked up to the OmniPro. I have done that before with an earlier Omni Pro II board and that is my prefered approach since everything is already hooked to the network and I don't need to play with additional cables. However, I wanted to sort out my issues with the serial connection so I was focused on the serial connection for now.

Keep up the good work at HAI.