AlphaSense For Networks

by Compuquest, Inc.

Installation & Getting Started With AlphaSense

Here is a list of steps to take that will have your AlphaSense product operational in a very short time. Please read all the steps below before proceeding. You may wish to print sections of this page as a handy check-off reference as you proceed through the steps.

AlphaSense Main Info Page

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Hardware Setup For First-Time Activation

Remove all AFN components from their packaging.

Connect the RJ45 network cable between LAN1 on AFN and your network receptacle.

For first-time setup of AFN, connect the Host serial cable between AFN Port1 and an available COM port on a PC or laptop.

If a modem is NOT included with your AFN, skip the next three steps.

Connect the modem serial cable to the modem; the other cable end will be used later.
Plug modem power supply into AC power source, and plug power cable into modem.
Connect the RJ11 telco cable between modem RJ11 socket and your telco receptacle.

Connect AFN power module to AC power source, but do not plug power cable into AFN yet.

AFN hardware setup is complete!

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Using ISU

A Windows software application named Initial Setup Utility (ISU) is used for first-time activation of AFN. If your PC does not already have ISU installed, the complete installer may be downloaded from the Compuquest, Inc. website at this link. If you have a version of ISU already installed that is earlier than the latest version shown below, an update installer may be downloaded here. Once your chosen installer file is downloaded, simply double-click on it to install or update ISU on the PC or laptop where you have connected the AFN Port1 cable. When your AFN hardware installation is complete, start ISU.

On the first screen, ISU will ask you if you want to authorize a new AFN unit, or display network address data for a unit that has already been authorized, and is connected to a network. (Also, there is a "Scan" choice, which can instantly scan your network and report address and other info for all AFN ver 3.00+ units found. The scan is much faster than the "query" method, and needs no rebooting or serial connection to the AFN). For first-time activation of AFN, select the choice to enter authorization data.

AFN can obtain its network address automatically, using DHCP, or you can assign the AFN network parameters manually. Make your selection. If you select manual entry, you will be prompted for IP address, netmask, and a default route. If you are not sure of what to enter for these values, contact the network administrator.

ISU will then prompt you for your AFN activation code. Enter the code supplied with your AFN documentation materials. This code is also emailed to AFN customers, and it is best to "paste" the code into ISU to avoid errors.

Once the activation code is entered, you will be at the main screen of ISU. Follow the instructions shown on-screen, first selecting the correct COM port where you attached the AFN cable, and then plug the power cable into AFN. AFN and ISU will communicate for 20-30 seconds in total, and progress status will be indicated. When finished successfully, ISU will display a countdown timer while it is re-initializing. During this period, you should remove the AFN Port1 cable connector, and set it aside for now. If your AFN includes a modem, connect the remaining end of its serial cable to AFN Port1.

When the countdown is done, ISU will display a "GO" button, and show the IP address that AFN is using. Write this IP address down, or bookmark in your browser, so you don't forget it! Then, press the GO button to automatically start your browser with the AFN address loaded, and begin the AFN configuration. The browser will display the AFN login page.

Note: once AFN receives its initial authorization, ISU is not needed. AFN will power-up, and begin functioning alone. Further setups or changes are made using the AFN browser interface. (However, ISU will again be needed if you want to change AFN network IP address parameters from the settings you provided during authorization).

AFN is configured via a web browser interface. Access is password protected. There are two configuration files: one for overall AFN operating parameters, and one for the rulesets used to control and manage AFN's monitoring and messaging functions.

During the time when you are making configuration changes, if AFN is already operational, it may still be responding to any external events, alarms, message data, or signals. When you are finished with your changes, you will click a button, which will update your changes to the AFN system. AFN will wait till any pending messaging is completed before updating, so it may take a few moments until the confirmation appears. Whenever possible, make your changes when AFN is _not_ processing outside data. AFN should be considered "out of service" any time that configuration or setup changes are being made, and the Host data connection stopped if it cannot be removed.

In general, when making changes to an established and working AFN installation, make only one or two changes, then test for results. This makes locating potential problems much easier than when a large number of settings are changed at once.

The two AFN configuration files may be changed interactively using a browser, or they may be completed in a text editor offline, and the entire finished file simply pasted into the AFN browser window.

Configuring AFN operating parameters and rulesets can be accessed off the AFN Main Menu. For side-by-side assistance while preparing or editing your configuration files, here are links to the current default parameter, ruleset, and ruleset detail files from the Compuquest, Inc. website. They include details and examples. If your AFN firmware is older than shown in the default files, remember that the file within your AFN applies for your unit. And, and its easy to upgrade your AFN to get the latest firmware and its additional features at any time.

IMPORTANT: AFN should not be powered down without first stopping the AFN subsystems and realtime modules that are running. Use the tool on the Utilities Page to stop AFN. To re-start AFN after it has been stopped, unplug the power cable at the AFN rear panel, wait 5 seconds, then re-apply power. AFN will then go through its usual power-up sequences. For a cold-boot like this, wait 60 seconds before attempting to access AFN via the browser interface. Recent versions of firmware include a "stop and Reboot AFN" feature on the Utilities Page, so that stopping and restarting AFN may be done remotely over the network.

AlphaSense has 4 primary sources for the data it monitors:

1) An RS232 serial "host" data port (or, it connects to USB, RS485, RS422, current loop, parallel port or printer, etc. using common adapters). This facilitates data connections to virtually any equipment where data is available. If you will be using data from equipment as the external data source, use the serial data cable marked "host" to connect between the AFN host serial port (Port2) and your chosen equipment or adapter. (This is the cable used when ISU performed the initial AFN activation). Configure the host so that the last character byte in every data block sent to AFN is the same character as the AFN parameter "eob" is set to. In AFN, eob is defaulted to ASCII 13 ("carriage return") and is the best choice for most all applications.

2) An additional "virtual serial port" using the optional AFN_VP1 Virtual Serial Port Module . Provides seamless connection to devices nearby or anywhere in the world - with the same feature support as the AFN "host" connection. If you will be using the Virtual Serial Port Module as an external data source, the Installation Instructions explain how to install and connect it.

3) Incoming SNMP traps from any device capable of reaching AFN via LAN or internet. Adds rule-based immediate notification to existing SNMP management systems. AFN will also create and send SNMP traps from data arriving at the host serial port. In models where this feature is supported, it will automatically activate whenever AFN is connected to a network, and relevant configuration parameters have been defined.

4) Dry contact digital inputs using the optional AFN_I14 Digital I/O Module which connects to the AFN host (or virtual) serial port. Provides the interface to relays, sensors, alarm panels, factory automation, environmental recorders, lab instruments, generators, and more. If you will be using the Digital I/O Module as an external data source, the Installation Instructions explain how to install and connect it.

At any time when AFN is running, before or after installation, you can simulate and test data being input into AFN by using the Simulator utility found under the Tools Menu of ISU. This will effectively simulate data from the host equipment that will be connected to AFN, data from the AFN_I14 Digital I/O module, or data from the AFN_VP1 Virtual Serial Port. The Simulator window is shown here:

Simply follow the directions shown on the Simulator window, and enter the data that you wish to test with or that simulates the data source you choose. AFN will receive and process the data in accordance with whatever ruleset(s) are present. Any rule-specified message delivery action will be performed, and the received data as well as relevant action information will be displayed in the log. The main and dialout logfiles may be viewed using any browser, on the AFN Utility page. Processing of incoming SNMP trap data may be easily tested by using any one of the numerous free utilities to send a generic or other trap from a PC to the IP address of the AFN.

If your AFN model includes the dialout modem, insure that it is to connected to AFN Port1, using the supplied Modem serial cable. It is important that only the supplied RJ11 phone cable be connected directly into the AFN modem. Extensions, if more length is needed, may use any RJ11 cabling.

Once AFN is initially activated, its parameter and ruleset configuration files edited for the desired application, and the external data source chosen and connected, AFN is operational. AFN will store all its configuration settings when AFN is stopped, and then power removed. This means that AFN can be configured in one location, and then shipped to another, where it will be immediately operational when power is applied. Changes in both configuration and rulesets can be accomplished from anywhere - just access AFN via browser at its network address. Or, with the PBXaminer Feature Package, use the Secure Access Mode via modem dial-in as an additional way to manage rulesets. Dont forget to change the AFN browser access credentials to something stronger to prevent unauthorized access to AFN, and set a strong password for Secure Access Mode.

AFN Secure Access Mode provides two features via strong password-protected modem dial-in. First, it permits direct access between the remote user and the host equipment that is connected to the AFN host port. The remote caller, using communications software and a modem, dials the phone number of the AFN modem. After providing correct password credentials, the direct access is immediately available. This provides capabilities for remote interaction and tele-maintenance with factory automation systems, PBX equipment, security and access control systems, healthcare equipment, HVAC and building management platforms -- whatever is connected to AFN. Second, the ruleset configuration of AFN may be modified using remote ruleset management, accessed using a sub-menu of Secure Access Mode. This supports existing ruleset activation or de-activation, adding a new ruleset, and deleting an existing one.

The AFN Utilities Menu provides additional ancillary tools to help you manage AFN. Accessible from the AFN Main Browser Menu, the following tools are available:

The AFN System Status page, available from the AFN Main Browser Menu, indicates your AFN model and serial number, firmware version, the identity of any installed Feature Packages, AFN date, time, and timezone. Also shown is whether AFN is running or not, and the elapsed up-time that AFN has been operating since its most recent power-up.

Use the AFN log files!! Available from the Utilities Menu, the Main logfile shows details of both parameter and ruleset config files and any entry errors, and realtime logging of incoming data, ruleset processing as it happens, and status progress of network messaging. The Dialout logfile tracks activity that relates to modem connections and dialout message delivery.

The logfiles are very detailed, and contain timestamps of all events logged. After reviewing the logfiles, if you still need to contact Compuquest, Inc. Customer Support for problem assistance, please email relevant portions of the logfile(s) that pertain to the problem you are having - it will make resolution much, much easier for all involved.