********************************************************************** Media Pro 4000 Brief Date: June 10th 2002 File: ICM-4020E_FAQ_BR061002.txt Module: ICM-4020E, Ethernet Interface Daughter Board (11228) Title: ICM-4020E Frequently Asked Questions ********************************************************************** We've been pleasantly surprised by the amount of interest and depth of questions about our ICM-4020E (Intelligent Controller Module, Ethernet) Product. We'll try to cover them the best that we can, if you think we have left out some important information or you have something to add please feel free to send us a e-mail at Support@Anitech-Systems.com Q1: What are the differences between the ICM-4020 and ICM-4020E, and is the ICM-4020E compatible with the ICM-4020? A1.1: The ICM-4020 uses a proprietary 1Mbit transformer isolated, Manchester encoded multi drop (daisy chain) network (up to 3000') that uses Belden 9463/BYR28826 (blue hose) or Cat 5 cable. A1.2: On the ICM-4020E we have replaced the 1Mbit net and parallel port with two 10/100BaseTx Ethernet ports. (Both on the front panel where the parallel port connector used to be). A1.3: ICM-4020s & ICM-4020Es can not communicate with each other over the network since their two networks are incompatible with each other. A1.4 Other than the above mentioned network differences, and lack of a parallel port the ICM-4020E is compatible with the ICM-4020. A1.5 The same show that is used with a ICM-4020 can be used with a ICM-4020E. (Additional configuration is required for the Ethernet ports.) Q2: Why does the new ICM-4020E have 2 Ethernet ports? A2.1: One Ethernet port of the ICM-4020E is used for MP ENet (real time {30fps} deterministic control network) and is intended to be a isolated network (only Media Pro MP ENet). This was done to isolate the MP ENet from interference by any other devices to increase determinism. A2.2: The other Ethernet port of the ICM-4020E is used as a Ethernet Maintenance port (replaces parallel port) for download of module configuration, data and firmware. Q3: Does the same MP4000 & APU-4000 software we already have support the ICM-4020E over Ethernet? A3.1: MP-4000 v2000 and later (the latest is 2003) support ICM-4020E Ethernet Ports for Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP. A3.2: APU-4000 v1800 or later (the latest is 1801) support ICM-4020E Ethernet Ports for Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP. A2.3 (First Quarter 2002 Software releases and later.) A2.4 Where as the Parallel Port support {ICM-4020} is for Windows 95/98/ME only. Q4: Does the ICM-4020E use the same firmware as the ICM-4020? A4.1: ICM-4020Es firmware file names start with 3225####. A4.2.a: ICM-4020 firmware file names start with 3220####. A4.2.b: 3225121B was the first firmware revision to support the ICM-4020E. A4.3 i.e. the latest ICM-4020E firmware is 3225122A.cod, where as the latest ICM-4020 firmware is 3220122A.cod) Q5: The original ICM-4020's 1Mbit MPNet could be run up to 3000 feet, how far can the ICM-4020E's MP ENet (Ethernet) be run? Are special Cables needed, where can I get them, what about in conduit? A5.1: The ICM-4020E's Ethernet ports have the same limitations as any 10/100BaseTx Ethernet ports do. A5.2: A standard EIA/TIA 568A/B Cat 5 Ethernet crossover cable (flip cable) can connect a PC to the Maint ENet port or connect two ICM-4020Es together over the MP ENet ports. A5.3: Using Cat 5 the maximum distance between an ICM-4020E and a switch (and between switches) is about 100 meters (~328 feet). A5.4: If full duplex fiber is used between switches, distances can be in the 2000 meter range (~6560 feet). A5.5: When installing in metallic conduit, use only shielded cable. (Metallic conduit makes significant changes to cat 5 cable capacitance.) 5.6 Ethernet 10/100BaseTx cable can be found almost anywhere, including plenum & non plenum, shielded & unshielded, solid, stranded, extra flexible, 25 pair, Cat 5/5+/5e/5E/6/7 ... Sources for Cat 5 cables: Anixter, Belden, Data Comm Warehouse, Lutze, ... A5.7: See Also http://anitech-systems.com/MP4000/manual/briefs/ICM-4020E_Hub_Switch_Route_Cable_BR120501.pdf Q6: Does the ICM-4020E use a TCP/IP stack? If so why? If so which layers, frame/packet types, protocols, ports? A6.1: The ICM-4020 uses a TCP/IP stack. A6.2: TCP/IP allows easy integration with standard TCP/IP network programming APIs on PCs. Q7: Do the standard Ethernet connectors hold up in a Theme Park's Attraction/Show control environment? A7.1: Well, they hold up for industrial automation, (e.g. Allen Bradley Ethernet/IP PLCs & Modbus TCP/IP, ...). A7.2: There are also several Industrial rated Ethernet connectors: IP67 RJ45s by Woodhead (RJ-Lnxx) and Phoenix Contact (VARIOSUB), adapters to IP67 M12 Ethernet connectors by Lumberg (Ethermate), Turk/InterlinkBT (eurofast), NEUTRIK (EtherCon)... Q8: How is the ICM-4020E's Ethernet/TCP/IP configured? A8.1.a: When a new show is created, the Ethernet configuration contains defaults. A8.1.b: MP ENet: IP Address 192.168.0.10, Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0 A8.1.c: Maint ENet: IP Address 192.168.0.100 , Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0, Default Gateway 192.168.0.1 A8.2: See Also http://anitech-systems.com/MP4000/manual/briefs/ICM-4020E_MP-4000_APU-4000_BR120501.pdf http://anitech-systems.com/MP4000/manual/briefs/ICM-4020E_Ethernet_Quick_Start_BR011602.pdf Q9: Is Anitech supporting 3rd party PC applications communicating with the ICM-4020E over Ethernet? A9.1: We are working on a API to support 3rd party connectivity with other equipment via the ICM Maint ENet port. A9.2: We are not promoting third party on the MP ENet, just on the Maint ENet port. Q10: Can I monitor or reprogram the show over the Internet? A10.1: We are working on support for accessing a ICM via the Internet or a dial-in router (requires TCP/IP Gateway IP address) in the near future. Q11: Can the ICM-4020Es Ethernet ports be used to exchange data with a PLC over Allen-Bradley Ethernet/IP (CIP) or Modbus TCP/IP? A11: We are working on supporting connectivity to other equipment (such as PLCs) via a ICM Maint port. Q12: How many PCs can be communicating with the ICM-4020E over the Maint ENet port at the same time? A12: Currently only one PC can communicate with the ICM Maint port at a time, it's likely we will change this in the future. Q13: Can other Media Pro racks be communicated with over the MP ENet, or does a cable have to be connected from the PC to each ICM-4020E in the show one at a time to change configuration, download to modules and tune modules? A13: Yes, the PC can download configuration and data to modules and tune their parameters by plugging the PC into one ICM on the MP ENet network and through that ICM communicate with modules in other racks on the same MP ENet network. Q14: How much Ethernet bandwidth is used by the ICM-4020Es? How many Switches can be put between ICMs, what latency is tolerated between ICMs? A14.1: We're not sure how much the bandwidth usage matters, since it's intended to be a isolated network (only MediaPro MP ENet) to isolate the MP ENet from interference of any other devices to insure determinism. (Real time {30fps} deterministic control network.) A14.2 The MP ENet uses both directed & broadcast packets. Currently MP ENet network usage on the order of: ~300pps, ~23KBps, ~2.0%bandwidth over 10BaseT, ~0.2%bandwidth over 100BaseTx. Each additional rack adds ~100pps, ~7KBps. A14.3: The amount of broadcast packets vary, there are at least 3 broadcast packets per frame (30fps). A14.4.a: Be cautious about introducing Latency & Jitter as it may decrease the determinism (even to the point of not real time operation or no operation). A14.4.b For proper operation, the maximum latency between any two ICMs through the MP ENet (Real Time 30 frame per second control network ports) must never exceed 9ms one-way (18 ms round trip for ping or other round trip latency tests). A14.5 See Also http://anitech-systems.com/MP4000/manual/briefs/ICM-4020E_Hub_Switch_Route_Cable_BR120501.pdf Q15: Does the new ICM-4020E work with your current APC-4020 animation consoles that currently use a ICM-4020? Just buy a new ICM-4020E and stick it in the console? A15.1.a: Yes, replacing the ICM-4020 in a APC-4020 with a ICM-4020E allows the APC to connect to Ethernet. (Requires APU-4000 ver 1800 or later.) A15.1.b(note: ICM-4020Es in the APC require an additional insulator on the top of the Ethernet daughter board to prevent any shorts to the shield covering the ICM slot in the console. {Just let us know if the ICM-4020E may be going into a APC-4020, and we'll make certain it has the Ethernet daughter board's insulating sheet}. A15.2: ICM-4020Es would also be required in the Media Pro racks, as a console with a ICM-4020E on MP ENet would not be able to communicate with a ICM-4020. Q16: Can the ICM-4020Es Maint ENet port be connected to a hub, or switch on a LAN so that it can be more easily programmed from multiple locations, or longer distances than a 2 meter flip cable? A16.1: Yes a hub or switch can be used with the Maint ENet port. A16.2.a: Make certain that you don't' end up with conflicting addresses. A16.2.b: Two ICM-4020Es both configured with the same base IP address and same Rack number will interfere with each other if both are on the same LAN. A16.2.c: Any other devices on the LAN that overlap the IP addresses reserved for the ICMs will interfere with each other. A16.2.d: Maint ENet Ports default to the Range 192.168.0.100 - 192.168.0.163 A16.2.e: MP ENet Ports default to the Range 192.168.0.10 - 192.168.0.63 A16.3: Remember for the time being, only 1 PC can talk to each ICM's Maint ENet port at a time. A16.4: There are industrial switches available with features such as 24vdc powered, redundant links, faster failover, extended temperature range, DIN rail mounting, ... (e.g. Contemporary Controls, Hirschmann Electronics, SIXNET, GarrettCom, netdot3, Rruggedcom, ...) Q17: Our IT LAN administrators want to monitor the ICM-4020E's data on their analyzers, how can they differentiate the traffic? A17.1: Filter on the IP addresses that were used to configure the Show's ICM Maint ENet ports. A17.2: The MP ENet should not be used with any other equipment. Q18: Can ICM-4020s be upgraded to ICM-4020Es? If so, what is involved? A18.1: Yes ICM-4020s can be upgraded to ICM-4020Es. (Must be done at Factory.) A18.2: The front panel face plate and Parallel port connector get removed, a Ethernet daughter board and new face plate get installed, as well as one oscillator get changed, and new firmware gets downloaded. Q19: Do the ICM-4020Es support 802.11b wireless. A19.1: While we have not yet tested the ICM-4020Es with a wireless network yet, nothing should prevent them from being used on one. A19.3: You may want to consider using industrial 802.11b frequency hopping Spread Spectrum (up to 3Mbit) equipment instead of commercial/office 802.11b direct sequence Spread Spectrum (up to 11Mbit). The frequency hopping does restrict the bandwidth, but works better in harsh radio environments and will work while moving up to 90km/h (60mph). (e.g. Alvarion BreezeNET PRO.11 Frequency Hopping LAN products.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Specifications subject to change at any time. 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