TNA 4 Connecting CapeClocks via PC dialing

Introduction The Complete Solution Starter Kits Software Hardware

Pricing Availability Reports Documentation Downloads

Connecting CapeClocks via Modems - PC Dialling

Required Level : Standard

Required Version : 3.04 or later

In some sites it is necessary to use modems to connect the remote clocks to the computer system. This document describes connecting the Pc to the clocks, via modem, if you want the PC to dial the clock.

Related Articles

Choosing which end should do the dialling

Cables for Modem Clocks

Cabling

See the document entitled Cables for Modem Clocks for information on the cable required to connect the PC to the Modem, and the cable required to connect the Modem to the CapeClock.

Preparing the Remote Modem

The Remote modem (i.e. the one that will be attached to the clock) needs to be correctly configured so that it will work properly. To configure the remote modem follow the following steps;

If the TNA 4 Server module is running on the PC then close it.
Attach the remote modem to the PC using the normal PC / Modem cable.
Open the Configuration module, go to the Setup menu, to the Clocks and then select the Modems option.
Click on the Test Modem button.
Make sure the COM port is selected correctly at the top of the screen.
Click on Reset Modem. You should see the word OK appear in the window.
Click on the Prepare Remote Modem button.

You can repeat the above sequence for as many modems as you have to prepare.

Preparing the CapeClock

The TNA 4 Server module is unable to detect the modem clock automatically. Therefore the clock must either be manually addressed, and manually added to the Configuration Module, or the clock must be auto-detected locally, and then moved to the remote site.

Probably the easiest way is simply to add the clock to the local system in the normal way, letting the Server module auto-detect (and address it). This will also ensure that all the initial information is sent to the clock.

If this is not possible then follow these steps;

Use the CapeClock utility to give the clock an address. The address must be between 1 and 255, and must be unique for the customer.
Add the device manually to the Configuration module. Use Controller number 0 and the same Device number as that set in (1).
On the Details setting option set the Clock Type, as well as any of the other clock details.
On the Connection settings option set the Modem Clock Setup items;
Select the Type of modem from the modem list. This is the type of the local modem, i.e. the one that will be connected to the PC.
Set the Dial String, e.g. ATDT7058584 - for dialling out via a PABX then remember you need to get an outside line - i.e. usually ATDT0,7058584.
Set the times when the PC will connect during the day. Remember to us the 24:00 clock for setting times...

Testing the Connection

You can test the setup by going to the Devices Setup screen. (i.e. Configuration module, Setup menu, Clocks and the Clocks option). Highlight the clock you want to test, and click on the Set Time button. It will usually take 30 seconds to a minute before the clock is connected. If the time and date display then everything is working well.

While the clock is connected in this way, then all the other buttons apply as normal. You can make changes to the clock information, send the card base, and so on. After a minute of inactivity then the Server module will automatically hang up the modem.

Any changes made to the system when the clock is not connected will be stored and sent to the clock when it is connected. Thus immediately after connecting to the clock the clock may be busy automatically catching up with these changes.

Automatic Updates on Demand

Quite a few of the changes you can make on the system can affect the information stored in the clocks. When the clocks are connected directly then they are automatically updated immediately. However when the clocks are connected via a modem then they are only updated with the next connection.

If you want the clocks to be updated automatically, then you can set the Immediate time. To do this go to the Configuration module, to the Setup menu, to the Server Options option. Then select the Communications Modems settings option and set the Minutes for Modem time in minutes. If this amount is set to 0 then effectively this feature is disabled. If it is set to 1 then the Server module will automatically attempt to connect whenever a change to the configuration is more than 1 minute old. A typical setting here would therefore be 10, which means that commands can be aggregated for 10 minutes before they are sent.