Overview

Serial over IP allows a control system to send RS232 commands through a Just Add Power 2G Series system to control sources, displays, and other endpoint devices connected to an Encoder or Decoder.

2G Series devices support three Serial Modes:

• Type 1: Dumb Redirection extends a physical RS232 connection between an Encoder and the Decoders watching it.
• Type 2: Guest Mode provides bidirectional access to an Encoder or Decoder serial port through TCP port 6752.
• Type 3: CLI Access sends one-way serial commands through the device CLI using Telnet port 23.

These instructions also apply to supported Omega and Ultra Series devices operating in 2G Mode. For devices operating on justOS or MaxColor Series firmware, see How to Use Serial over IP (Omega, Ultra, and MaxColor Series).

Choose a Serial Mode

Serial Mode	Use	Connection	Communication
Type 1 Dumb Redirection	Extend a physical RS232 connection through the active Encoder-to-Decoder connection.	Physical RS232 ports	Bidirectional
Type 2 Guest Mode	Connect a control system directly to the serial port of a specific Encoder or Decoder.	TCP port 6752	Bidirectional
Type 3 CLI Access	Execute a CLI command that writes directly to an Encoder or Decoder serial port.	Telnet port 23	One-way

Before You Begin

Gather the following information before configuring Serial over IP:

• The baud rate required by the endpoint device.
• The correct RS232 command and whether it uses ASCII or hexadecimal data.
• Any carriage return, line feed, or other command termination required by the endpoint.
• The required RS232 cable pinout.
• The IP address of the target Encoder or Decoder when using Type 2 or Type 3.

2G Series serial communication uses 8-N-1: eight data bits, no parity, and one stop bit.

When using Type 2 or Type 3, confirm that the control system can reach the target Just Add Power device IP address. Network routing may be required if the control system and Just Add Power devices are on different networks.

For cabling information, see Serial Cable Pinouts.

Set the Serial Mode

The Serial Mode and baud rate can be configured through the legacy 2G Series webUI or by modifying the device startup parameters through the CLI.

Using the webUI

1. Access the 2G Series device webUI.
2. Select the Functions tab.
3. Locate the Serial over IP section.
4. Select the required Operation Mode:
   • Type 1: Dumb Redirection
   • Type 2: Guest Mode
   • Type 3: CLI Access
5. Select the baud rate required by the endpoint device.
6. Click Apply.
7. Reboot the device.

When using Type 1, configure the Encoder and Decoder with the same Serial Mode and baud rate.

Using the CLI

Advanced users can configure the Serial Mode by connecting to the device CLI through Telnet port 23.

Replace 9600 in the following examples with the baud rate required by the endpoint device.

Serial Mode	Configuration Command
Type 1: Dumb Redirection	astparam s s0_baudrate 9600-8n1;astparam s soip_type2 y;astparam s soip_guest_on n;astparam save;sleep 1;reboot
Type 2: Guest Mode	astparam s s0_baudrate 9600-8n1;astparam s soip_type2 y;astparam s soip_guest_on y;astparam save;sleep 1;reboot
Type 3: CLI Access	astparam s s0_baudrate 9600-8n1;astparam s soip_type2 n;astparam s soip_guest_on y;astparam save;sleep 1;reboot

Type 1: Dumb Redirection

Type 1 extends a physical RS232 connection through the Just Add Power system:

• Serial data entering an Encoder is output from every Decoder currently watching that Encoder.
• Serial data entering a Decoder is returned through the Encoder that the Decoder is currently watching.

This provides bidirectional communication and allows the Just Add Power system to function as an RS232 extension.

Requirements

• The Encoder and Decoder must both be configured for Type 1.
• The Encoder, Decoder, control system, and endpoint must use the same baud rate.
• The Decoder must be actively watching the Encoder.
• The serial cables must use the correct pinouts.

Type 2: Guest Mode

Type 2 provides bidirectional access to the serial port of an Encoder or Decoder through TCP port 6752.

The control system opens a TCP connection to the IP address of the target Just Add Power device:

DEVICE_IP:6752

Serial data sent through the connection is output from the device RS232 port exactly as entered. Responses received from the endpoint are returned to the control system through the same open connection.

Use Type 2

1. Configure the target Encoder or Decoder for Type 2: Guest Mode.
2. Confirm that its baud rate matches the endpoint device.
3. Confirm that the Encoder and Decoder are actively linked.
4. Open a TCP connection to the device IP address on port 6752.
5. Send the required serial command through the open connection.
6. Keep the connection open when feedback from the endpoint is required.

Type 3: CLI Access

Type 3 sends one-way serial commands by connecting to the Encoder or Decoder CLI through Telnet port 23. A Linux shell command writes the serial data directly to the device RS232 port.

This mode can send commands to an endpoint device but does not return serial feedback.

Command Format

stty BAUDRATE -F /dev/ttyS0;printf "SERIAL_CODE_HERE" > /dev/ttyS0

Replace BAUDRATE with the baud rate required by the endpoint and replace SERIAL_CODE_HERE with the serial command.

Hexadecimal Commands

When sending hexadecimal data, precede each hexadecimal pair with \x.

For example, the hexadecimal command:

08 22 00 00 00 02 D4

Is formatted as:

\x08\x22\x00\x00\x00\x02\xD4

The complete command at 9600 baud is:

stty 9600 -F /dev/ttyS0;printf "\x08\x22\x00\x00\x00\x02\xD4" > /dev/ttyS0

Include any carriage return, line feed, or other termination required by the endpoint device.

Troubleshooting

If the endpoint device does not respond, verify the following:

• The correct Serial Mode is configured on the Just Add Power device.
• The changes were applied or saved and the device was rebooted.
• The baud rate matches the endpoint device.
• The endpoint supports 8-N-1 serial communication.
• The serial cable uses the correct transmit, receive, and ground pinout.
• A null modem connection is used when required by the endpoint.
• The command is intended for the exact endpoint model.
• The command is formatted correctly as ASCII or hexadecimal data.
• Any required carriage return or line feed is included.
• The Encoder and Decoder are actively linked when using Type 1 or Type 2.
• The control system can reach the target device IP address when using Type 2 or Type 3.
• TCP port 6752 is available when using Type 2.
• Telnet port 23 is available when using Type 3.

For additional diagnostic steps, see Serial RS232 Troubleshooting.