CirDNS

CirDNS ACTIVE MODE SOFTWARE

CirDNS software is designed to connect units in
remote locations via 3G / GPRS Internet access
systems using dynamic IP connections.
This document is the use and operation manual for the CirDNS
software. If misplaced, the manual may be downloaded from
CIRCUTOR's web site:
www.circutor.com

1.-

DESCRIPTION

Communication applications that access a remote

location via Internet require the host connection to
have a fixed IP address or identifier (DynDNS), so
that the communications master (client or software)
can access and treat the data recorded by different
analyzers.
With conventional systems, it is the client or
communication master that connects the units,
routing the communication frames to the field
devices using known names or IP addresses.
This situation is even more complex when there are
many sites, because the user must set up a fixed IP
address or DynDNS system with the mobile
telephone operator for each site, so that the
communications master can query data from remote
units.
The main purpose of the CirDNS system developed
by CIRCUTOR is to make sure that the slave units
inform the master about the IP assigned by the
operator through a local DHCP server so that it is
available to the master communications system.
Therefore, the user avoids having to hire and
maintain a fixed IP system or DynDNS in its remote
control locations.
The only location requiring a fixed IP address is the
main location, where the system receiving the remote
IPs of the EDS 3G units is hosted.

2.-

CONFIGURING EDS 3G UNITS

The Dynamic DNS configuration section must be

available in the internal configuration web site for
connecting remote units to the central server,
regardless of the local area network configuration
implemented in the site device (fixed IP address or
DHCP).

devices are connected so that the units can inform

the system of their assigned IP.
In this case, the Internet connection router in the
central position will need a route for establishing a
NAT access rule before activating a UDP connection
port in the connection server (connection path).
To this end, external data received through the
router is routed to the CirDNS server and to a known
UDP port determined by the user.
The external port enabled in the router is the port
that must be configured in the EDS 3G "Port"
section.

2.4.- Password
Any EDS 3G may be connected to a CirDNS
connection server on DHCP.
Besides the server address and port, the only other
requirement for said system to accept and treat the
connection is the required system password; a
necessary condition for activating the connection in
the system. To do so, the password configured in
the CirDNS software must be entered in the
"Password" field. The password is an alphanumeric
key of up to 12 digits without spaces.

2.5.- Save changes

Once the configuration set out in the previous
sections is complete, the information must be saved
using the Save Setup option. To return to the
default configuration, select "Load default setup" or
deactivate the "Dynamic DNS Setup" option.

3.-

4.1.5.- Host file

The Hosts file stores all the address information
obtained by the EDS 3G units. The file is updated
constantly and always contains updated information
on the IPs acquired by the units.
Given the relevance of the information and the
inherent possibility of a physical server breakdown, a
copy of the file should always be maintained or stored
on-line in a data server. If the units become isolated
for a considerable amount of time due to a
breakdown and the operator assigns them a new IP,
they clearly would not inform the system until it is
completely restored with the same configuration
parameters.
The path where the Hosts configuration file will be
saved must be configured. The default path is
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts.

4.1.6.- Password
The "Password" is an alphanumeric key of up to 12
digits without spaces. Said password should be
configured in the remote units and the DHCP server
requests it before connecting the units to the system.

4.1.7.- Log path

The system maintains a permanent log of the
connection attempts of all units. All system
information that may be requested by CIRCUTOR if a
query related to the system configuration is made will
be generated in this file.
The path where the log file is saved should be
configured.

INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE

After ensuring that the machine meets minimum

software requirements (see section 5.- Minimum
Requirements), insert the CD included with EDS 3G,
which contains the CirDNS software installation file.
Run the "Setup.exe" program located in the CirDNS
folder, which can be selected from the start autorun
function. Follow the installation program instructions
until the software has been installed.

4.-

CirDNS SOFTWARE

CirDNS is a simple software program that receives

and makes the IPs of the different remote units
available to third-party applications by executing a
local DHCP server in the server.
The CirDNS software is composed of two blocks:
the configuration module of the DHCP server
(CirDNS Setup), and the connections status display
console (Status).

4.2.- Status display console

CirDNS Status is a simple display console that shows
the units which at some time were registered in the
system and with their last IP address.
If the remote units are disconnected or unconfigured,
the console will not erase said units or their log.

4.1.- DHCP Server Configuration Module

This configuration is disabled by default. The active
connection option must first be enabled with the
CirDNS option before use, after which all
associated fields may be configured using that
function.

2.1.- Hostname
Each element connected to the CIRDNS system
must have an identifier or alias. This alphanumeric
identifier is the name that appears when connected
to the system and which identifies the IP assigned by
the operator. A "Hostname" cannot be repeated
within the same CirDNS connection server.

The user must use the configuration module to

provide the system with all the required information
for receiving the connections and activating the local
DHCP server installed on the machine.

4.1.1.- Access Port (UDP)

This is the connection access port and,
consequently, it is the configured destination port on
the NAT rule configured in the central connection
router. The port is of the UDP type with a default
configuration of 5000.

4.3.- CirDNS Service

4.1.2.- DNS Port

The service is active as long as the computer where it

is installed is running. Said service keeps the DHCP
service of all of the units registered on the console
active.

The "Hostname" is the name that identifies it in the

local DHCP server by adding the extension
"hostname.cirdns".

Port used by the DNS service. It should be set to

port 53 unless the network administrator
recommends changing it.

2.2.- Server

4.1.3.- Main DNS Server

The "Server" option determines the IP or DHCP

destination name to which the device will be actively
connected for identifying its assigned IP. This is an
alphanumerical field that can be configured with an
IP address or Web routing function.

Main network server IP or address. When a user

request is received and the required address does
not have the hostmain.cirdns domain, said DNS
address will be used as an alternate network server
in order to search for and open the requested page.

2.3.- Port

4.1.4.- Local CirDNS Server

The "Port" option is the central server access port

where the CirDNS DHCP server associated to the
EDS3G units is installed. Said computer must be
equipped with a UDP access port where the remote

The server IP or local address where the CirDNS

DHCP server has been installed. To be able to
configure this parameter, the machine must always
have the same IP address or DHCP name and its
assignment cannot be done randomly and/or
dynamically.

The CirDNS connection server is identical to a

Windows service, with the main purpose being to
stabilise the system and ensure service continuity
(the status can be checked here: Control Panel
Administration Tools Services - CirDNS).

The service must be started-up in order to remain

active. We recommend applying recovery tasks in the
service properties (service restart) in case of errors or
incidents on the machine that hosts the system.

4.4.- DHCP Server available on the LAN

It could happen that the applications with a need to
communicate with remote units are installed on other
servers on the Local Area Network.
To ensure the applications have access to the remote
device in this situation, the IP of the server where the
CirDNS software is installed should be configured as
a primary or alternative DNS server,. Therefore, when

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CirDNS
a hostname.cirdns address is entered, its computer
will directly access the remote EDS 3G unit it has
referenced using the DHCP server installed in said
connection server.

5.-

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

The computer in which the application is installed

must meet the following minimum requirements for
the correct operation of the CirDNS connection
server:
-

Microsoft Windows (32 and 64 bit):

2008 Server 7 Professional

Intel Core Processor, i5 or higher

Minimum 2 GB RAM

100 GB hard drive (200 MB installation)

CD-ROM Unit

In order to function properly, the software must be

installed by an Administrator or by a user with
administrator privileges.

6.-

TECHNICAL SERVICE

For questions about the operation of the unit or

problems with it, contact our service staff at
CIRCUTOR, SA
CIRCUTOR, SA - Technical Assistance Service
Vial Sant Jordi, s/n
08232 Viladecavalls (Barcelona), SPAIN
Tel.: 902 449 459 (Spain)
Tel.: (+34) 93 745 29 00 (Outside Spain)
e-mail: sat@circutor.es

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M98246701-03-12A