Communication Setup

Summary

The NEXT software relies on two types of communications to communicate with Humboldt equipment.

• Network communications are used for communicating with the Elite series (5000 series which includes HM-5030, HM-5020, HM-5470, etc.).
• Serial communications are used for legacy equipment (3000 series which includes HM-3000, HM-2900, HM-2470A, etc.).

Network communications used by the Elite series equipment generally requires zero configuration.  Simply connect the equipment to your network and the NEXT software and the equipment will find each other.  In some network environments, the network options for NEXT software need to be modified, this can be the case with specialized or complex networks.

Network communications used by the NEXT software consist of UDP and TCP messaging.  The UDP ports used by the hardware/software are 15001 and 15002.  The NEXT software needs to be able to receive/send UDP broadcasts and direct UDP messages.  The TCP is necessary to retrieve test files from the equipment.

For communications to operate successfully for the NEXT software rely on a custom Windows service and the Humboldt NEXT Console application should be running at all times. The Humboldt NEXT Console can be found in the Windows System tray and is identifiable with a Humboldt icon.  If the Humboldt NEXT Console is not running it can be opened at any time from the Windows start menu.  The Humboldt NEXT Console is the easiest location to adjust NEXT network/serial communications.

Humboldt NEXT Console Icon Status

• NEXT communications are operating correctly.
• Serial communications are enabled but the communication port is closed.
• NEXT Windows service is not operating (See Next Windows Service for more information).

Procedure

Network Setup

Generally not much network setup is required.  We will describe the network options that can be modified.

Image A: Network Options

Looking at the image above (Image A) of the network options tab from the Humboldt NEXT Console:

Item 1: Device Scan

Click this to have the software scan for any connected Elite series equipment.  A device scan option can also be found in all test modules.  If the serial port is enabled and opened the software will try to scan for serially connected equipment as well.

Item 2: Manually Choose

By default, the software will choose the network it determines it should use to communicate with.  If the computer contains more than one network interface and the equipment will be communicating on that network then choose to select the network manually.  

Item 3: Network Broadcast

checking this option will force the software to send all UDP broadcast messages by means of 255.255.255.255.  This can be necessary if the equipment is on a different network.  If the option is unchecked broadcast will be sent via the gateway IP with the last octet of the gateway being replaced with a 255. By default this option is unchecked.

Item 4: Use given UDP endpoint

This option affects non-broadcast UDP messages.  Checking this option will force the software to use the endpoint given to the software by the network equipment.  By default this is unchecked and the software will use the stand method to send a UDP message.

Item 5: Available Network Adapters

If the option to manually choose the network adapter is checked, the network adapters will be listed here and can be chosen here.

If the elite series is going to be connected to the computer directly please follow these instructions for Direct Connect.

Note: If serial communications will NOT be used UN-checking Use Serial Communications in the serial communication tab will disable all serial communications.

Serial Communications

Initial serial communication setup is required to communicate with legacy equipment.  Communication setup can be done in the Humboldt Message Console or within the Program Options that can be found in any test module.

Humboldt USB adapters can be identified in the software per this label "Humboldt USB Adapter PN:HM-000379".

Please see Humboldt Serial Driver Installation article for installation instructions for this adapter.

Note: If serial communications will NOT be used UN-checking Use Serial Communications will disable all serial communications.

Image B: Serial Options/Setup

Looking at the image above (Image B) of the serial tab from the Humboldt NEXT Console:

Item 1: Serial Status

This show the communication port used by the software and the current status of the serial communications.  Open/Closed indicates the selected serial port is either opened or closed.  If opened the serial port selected is being used by the software.  Serial Disabled indicates Item 3 is unchecked.

Item 2: Device Scan

The software will try to find connected devices through the serial port and the network port.  

Item 3: Use Serial Communications

By default this is checked, serial communications will be used.  If serial communications will not be needed this can be unchecked.

Item 4: Refresh

This will check the computer for any available communication ports.

Item 5: Available Communication Ports

All available communication ports will be listed here and can be chosen here.  Item 4 will refresh this list.

Item 6: Turn Comm Off/On

This will turn the selected communication port on or off.

Item 7: Communication Wizard

This will open a simple wizard that can aid in setting up communications.

Serial Communications Setup

1. Right-click on the Humboldt Message Icon in the system tray () and select View Console (double-clicking on the icon has the same effect).
2. Select the Serial tab.
3. Use Serial Communications should be checked.
4. If you DO NOT know the serial port to use please proceed to step 8; otherwise, proceed to step 5.
5. If you know the communication port the equipment is connected to choose it from the list.  In general, any Humboldt provided USB adapter will be identified with "Humboldt USB Adapter PN:HM-000379" in the communications port list.
6. Click on the Turn Comm On button.
7. Click the Device Scan button to verify communications.  If the correct communication port has been selected and the hardware is connected properly you will see the software notify you of found equipment.  This will complete the communication setup.
8. Click Communication Wizard (Image C).
9. In the Wizard click next.
10. Select the communication port or click the Find Humboldt USB Adapter if using a Humboldt USB adapter (Image D).
11. After the communication port has been chosen click next.
12. Summary of the selected port will be shown, Click Done (Image E).
13. The communication port chosen with the wizard will be opened and ready for use.
14. Click the Device Scan button to verify communications.  If the correct communication port has been selected and the hardware is connected properly you will see the software notify you of found equipment.  This will complete the communication setup.

If you are unable to find devices connected to the serial port you will need to verify the communication port selected is the correct communications port.  If connecting multiple pieces of equipment to the computer you will need to verify the Multi-Mode Communications Setup is correct.

Image C: Introductory tab of serial communications wizard.

Image D: Communication port selection page of the wizard.

Image E: Wizard completion summary.