serial links
rs232 network: to control multiple projectors with a computer/controller having an rs232 interface, first set all projectors to the same baud rate as the controller, then chain the projectors together by connecting the rs232 out connector of the first projector (already connected to the computer/controller) to the rs232 in connector of the next projector in the chain. continue connecting projectors in this manner until you’ve reached the last projector in the chain, so that only the last projector has an unused rs232 out port. see figure 2.32
mixed network: to control multiple projectors with a computer/controller having an rs422 interface, first set them all to the same baud rate as your rs422 controller.
you must enable this combination of rs422 and rs232 in the communications menu. set the “network routing” option to “rs232 and rs422 joined”. see section 3 for details.
then chain the projectors together by connecting an rs232 port of the first projector (already connected to the computer/controller through the rs422 port) to an rs232 port on the next projector in the chain. continue connecting projectors in this manner until you’ve reached the last projector in the chain, so that only the last projector has one unused rs232 port. see figure 2.33.
that communication parameters such as baud rate must be set to match the particular controlling device before connecting as a network—refer to the documentation that came with your controlling device in order to determine the proper baud rate. see 3.8, adjusting system parameters and advanced controls if you need help changing the projector baud rate. in addition, set the network routing to “rs232 and rs422 joined” if you want to reach all projectors.
1) to avoid damage, connect only properly wired serial communication cables. see appendix c for details. 2) it is recommended that each rs232 communication cable be no more than 25 feet in length. use high quality cables.
ethernet networks
ethernet network setup: to add one or more projectors to an ethernet network, use standard cat5 cable to connect each projector’s ethernet port to a hub belonging to the network. a controller or pc must also be connected to the hub. see figure 2. 34.
setting the projector’s ip address: upon connection to most ethernet networks, each projector’s factory default ip address of 0.0.0.0 triggers the network’s dhcp (dynamic host configuration protocol) server function to automatically assign an ip address that is valid and unique for use on that network. depending on the network, this dhcp-assigned ip address usually remains stable for a single session, but may change with subsequent power-ups and logins. on some networks, the address will remain stable from session to session. in all cases, the projector’s ip address and port appear in the status menu as well as the ether net settings submenu.see figure 2.35
note that if a projector’s ip address is anything other than 0.0.0.0 (shown as 000.000.000.000 in the ethernet settings menu) upon connection to an ethernet network, or if dhcp is not available on the network, the automatic dhcp server function for supplying a valid and unique ip address to the projector is disabled. instead, a specific and static ip address must be defined in projector memory—enter the new address in the ethernet settings submenu, or send to the projector via a serial command.. the ip address will be in effect until it is changed again, or until the dhcp checkbox is re-enabled for use with a dhcp server on the network.
only the port and ip address of the projector can be changed. the subnet mask is fixed (255.255.255.0).
changing the port#: on some ethernet networks, firewall rest rictions may require that the port number of the projector be changed from its default of 3002. if so, enter a new port number in the ethernet settings menu or include the new port# in an xip serial command sent to the projector.
separating networks
by default, communications originating from one type of serial controller—rs232 vs. rs422 vs. ethernet—stay on the corresponding network path. this separation is indicated by a “separate” setting for “network routing” in the communications menu. if you are using an rs422 controller, for example, it will communicate only with the projector to which it is connected unless you change this setting to either “rs232 and rs422 joined” or “all joined”(figure 2.36).
communicating to ports
to relay all messages to all ports—rs232, rs422, and ethernet—set the “network routing” option in the communications menu for each projector to “all joined”.
this configuration is useful if you are using a non-rs232 controller with the rs232 linking available between these projectors. for example, you may want to use both an rs422-compatible controller and an ethernet-connected pc for working with a network of projectors linked via their rs232 in/out ports (figure 2.37).
to isolate just rs422 communications, select “rs232 and ethernet joined”. in figure 2.37, only projector #3 will respond to the rs422 controller. to isolate just ethernet communications, select “rs232 and rs422 joined”—only projector #1 will respond via ethernet.