NetPort is a program used to connect clocks to a computer, via another
computer and a TCP/IP network.
This article describes the options available to NetPort users.
Remote Connections
Via NetPort
NetPort allows one computer to use the Com port on another computer.
So long as the two computers are connected via a TCP/IP network,
then NetPort can make connecting in this way very easy.
As you can see in the above diagram, the Computer running TNA
4 connects to the computer running NetPort via the TCP/IP Network.
And the computer running NetPort connects to the clock(s) in
the normal way via the COM port.
You will find the NetPort install on your TNA 4 CD. If you don't
have your CD handy then you can download NetPort from the Downloads
page.
The Install file is called NetPortSetup.Exe. Run this Exe on
the Remote computer to install NetPort.
After installing NetPort you can set it running by going to the
Start Menu, to Programs, CapeSoft, NetPort
and then choosing NetPort.
Tip : The install will have
added a NetPort shortcut to the Start-Menu. So another way to
start NetPort for the first time is simply to reboot the computer.
When NetPort is running on the computer then it appears as a
small icon in the system tray. For Example;
If you click on this Icon with your mouse then you'll see the NetTalk
Options window.
Ports Tab
This tab displays the ports that have been opened by a remote
program. If you double clock on one of the lines in the list box
then you'll be able to see the data flowing in and out of that
port.
Log Tab
Log Events : Tick this on if you want the events to be
logged to a text file. The log file is called NetPortLog.Txt
and it's in the same directory as the NetPort program files.
View Log : Opens the log file in Notepad, or WordPad,
so that you can view it, or print it and so on.
Clear Log : Empties the log file.
This tab also shows you recent log events. This history of the last
few events is displayed on the tab even if logging is turned off.
Options Tab
Base Port : This is the TCP/IP Port number which will
be used by the remote program.
Note that if you have a fire wall between NetPort and the remote
program, then the fire wall will probably need to be opened for
this port. You will also need to open subsequent ports (sequentially
following the command port) for the data channels that NetPort
will use.
Allow Management through Web Browser : All of the options
displayed on the NetPort options window can also be displayed,
and changed, from a remote computer with a web browser. This is
particularly useful if NetPort is running on a computer that is
hard to get to physically.
Of course this does open the door for other people to tamper with
the NetPort settings on this machine, so don't tick this option
on unless you have to. If you do tick it on then make sure
you set the web password as explained below.
Port : The default web server port is 80. However if there
is another web server running on this machine then 80 is probably
not available. In that case use a port number like 8080 or 8088.
Web Password : If management via a web browser is allowed,
then enter a password here. When accessing NetPort via the browser
then you will first need to enter the password before you can
view the log, or change any of the settings.
If you have turned on the option to allow management via a web
browser, then you will need 2 pieces of network information. Firstly
the name, or IP number of the machine, and secondly the port number.
If you have the machine name (for example Daisy) and the
port number (for example 8088) then enter the following
in your browser;
http://daisy:8088
you should see the login screen appear, at which point you should
enter the Web Password as set above.
If you only have the IP number (for example 192.168.2.34)
and the port number (for example 8088) then use;
http://192.168.2.34:8088
If (and only if) the port number is set to 80 then you can call
it without the port number. For example;
http://daisy
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