3500 Operation and Maintenance - Section 7: Page 1

Rev K 139317

Host to Rack Communications


Topic Objectives:

You will be able to use the RIM Host Port Test Utility to verify communication
with a 3500 monitoring rack
You will be able to identify and explain how all of the serial connections are used
on the 3500 monitoring rack
Page 2: 3500 Operation and Maintenance - Section 7
Rev K 139317

RIM Connections
RS-232
(only)
Port
RS-232/422
Port
RS-232/422
Switch


The simplest connection to the 3500 monitor rack is the RS-232 connection to the front,
by way of the Rack Interface Module (RIM). Service personnel can connect their laptops
to this port, and configure the monitor rack. It is also possible to start the data acquisition
and operator display software, and collect monitor data through this port. Speeds of
38,400 baud are commonly used as long as the connecting cable is less than
approximately fifty feet (15 m). Slower speeds are still possible up to the maximum
distance specified by the RS-232 protocol, which is one hundred feet (30 m).

While it is possible to disable this port in the configuration, it is almost always left
accessible, making quick connections, configuration changes, and data access easy to
implement without having to work in the rear of the unit with other wiring nearby.

The 3500/20 I/O module allows connection to either an RS-232 or RS-422 interface. The
choice is selected with a small slider switch under the nine pin port. Connection at this
port provides the same access as the front, with a slight improvement. A computer
connected to this back port also has access to any downstream monitor racks that are
connected to the Rack port below. As will be mentioned later, the connection from
monitor rack to monitor rack always uses the RS-422 protocol.
3500 Operation and Maintenance - Section 7: Page 3
Rev K 139317

TDI Connections
MT-RJ
Fiber
Port
RJ-45 Port
RS-232
(only) Port


Connection can be made to the front RS-232 port for rack configuration. It is also
possible to start the data acquisition and operator display software, and collect monitor
data through this port. Speeds up to 115,000 baud can be used. Slower speeds are still
possible up to the maximum distance specified by the RS-232 protocol, which is one
hundred feet (30 m).

The two types of 3500/22M Transient Data Interface (TDI) I/O Modules available for the
3500 Monitoring System are the 10/100 BASE T Ethernet I/O (RJ-45 twisted-pair) and
the 100 BASE FX Ethernet I/O (MT-RJ multi-mode Fiber). The Data Manager I/O used
with the 3500/20 RIM is not compatible with the 3500/22M TDI.

The TDI Ethernet port connects the 3500 rack to a 10 or 100 Mega-bit Ethernet local area
network to which the host computer is also connected. This connection can either use the
RJ-45 10/100Base-T connector or the 100Base-FX connector. The TDI supports standard
LAN architectures and can be routed to the host via hubs and switches.










Page 4: 3500 Operation and Maintenance - Section 7
Rev K 139317

Computer Communications
Interface Devices


RS-422 communications are commonly used with the 3500 monitoring system because
lengths of up to 4,000 feet, or about 1,200 meters, are supported. Since most computers
do not have RS-422 ports built into them, converters and interfaces are designed to be
placed in a slot inside the computer, or to be added on to an outgoing RS-232 connection,
which is available on most computers.

The RS-422 cable must be connected to the back of the rack, as the front connection is
exclusively RS-232. As mentioned earlier, the slider switch under the nine pin port on
the 3500/20 RIM I/O must be set in the RS-422 position for this process to work.
3500 Operation and Maintenance - Section 7: Page 5
Rev K 139317

Daisy Chaining Connections
From host
computer or
preceding rack
To next
succeeding
rack


Once communication is achieved to one rack through the rear RS-232/RS-422 port of the
3500/20 RIM, connecting from the Rack port of one monitor rack to the Host port of
the next may connect other monitor racks on the same serial line. The 3500 monitoring
system allows up to twelve monitoring racks to be connected together this way. The
connection process, called Daisy Chaining, allows a single user on one computer to
access, configure, and acquire data from any or all of the computers on the serial line.

Note: The process of Daisy Chaining can only be used with the 3500/20 RIM and not the
3500/22M TDI. The TDI can use different network configurations specified by the
network it exists on.
Page 6: 3500 Operation and Maintenance - Section 7
Rev K 139317

Daisy Chained Racks
Host Computer
H
o
st C
o
n
n
e
c
tio
n
Rack
Host
Rack
Host


Shown above is an example of a set of Daisy Chained monitor racks.
3500 Operation and Maintenance - Section 7: Page 7
Rev K 139317

Review
RS-232 connectivity
RS-422 connectivity
RJ-45 Ethernet connectivity
MT-RJ Fiber Optic connectivity
Connecting RS-422 to computers
Daisy chaining multiple monitor racks



What components on the 3500 monitor rack can you connect to with an RS-232 cable?

What components on the 3500 monitor rack can you connect to with an RS-422 cable?

Name two ways you can connect an RS-422 cable to a computer.

Explain what Daisy Chaining is, and how it works on the 3500 monitoring system.
Page 8: 3500 Operation and Maintenance - Section 7
Rev K 139317

Host to Rack Communications


Topic Objectives Revisited:

You will be able to use the RIM Host Port Test Utility to verify communication
with a 3500 monitoring rack
You will be able to identify and explain how all of the serial connections are used
on the 3500 monitoring rack