Clocks are usually attached to a computer via the Communications port. (This port has many names including the Serial port, COM port or RS232 Port.) But what happens if the clock cannot be directly attached to the PC? Then you have to find another way to connect the clock to the TNA 2000 program. 

This document discusses connecting it via a piece of software called NetPort.

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Concept

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 2000 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.

There is no limit to the number of machines that can be running NetPort, so you can connect to a number of different computers using this technique.

You can attach up to 250 clocks and controllers to each COM port in the usual way.

Before you Start

Tip : Before you begin moving the clock to the remote computer, it is a good idea to first configure it by attaching it directly to the TNA 2000 computer. This will save quite a bit of effort later on. To do this;

A) Make sure the communications module on the computer is running.

B) Open the Hardware module and select Devices from the Setup menu.

C) Connect the clock to the computer's COM port using the cable provided.

D) Wait until the computer detects and addresses the clock. The clock display will change when this happens. 

E) Once the Comms activity (as reported in the Hardware Module) has returned to Polling then the clock can be unplugged from the PC.

F) If you are connecting more than one clock then repeat steps C through E until all the clocks have been addressed, and configured.

Configuration

There are 2 parts to the configuration. Part 1 is installing and configuring NetPort on the remote computer. Part 2 is configuring the settings in the hardware module so that it can use that computer.

Note that you will need TNA 2000 Professional Level to make use of NetPort.

Installing NetPort.

You will find the NetPort install on your TNA 2000 CD. If you don't have your CD handy then you can download NetPort from the TNA 2000 Downloads page. (www.tna2000.com/downloads)

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.

All the options will be set to suitable defaults once NetPort is installed. If you would like to learn more about the various advanced features of NetPort then see the article NetPort Options Explained

Advanced Tip to NetWork Manager : If you are connecting to this computer via a FireWall then you will need to open the FireWall for the Base Port. You will also need to open an additional port of BasePort+1 for which is used for the data.

Getting the Remote Computer details.

You will need 4 pieces of information about this computer  so that you can correctly configure TNA 2000. 

1) The IP number of the Computer. If you're not sure how to get the IP number of the computer then see the article What is the IP number of your machine

2) The Base Port number that NetPort is running on. (By default this is port number 6385).

3) The COM port that the clocks are attached to.

4) The Device Number of the clock. The easiest way to know this is simply to turn the power to the clock off and on again. On start-up the clock displays as the Device number on the screen. This will be a number from 1 to 255.

Configuring TNA 2000

The second part of the process is configuring the TNA 2000 program to use this remote port. This is done in the Hardware module. Select Devices from the Setup menu.  

Now highlight the device with the same number as in (4) above and click on the Change button. Go across to the Connection tab.

On this screen enter the items of information collected above.

• The IP of Clock is the IP number of the remote computer as noted in (1) above
• The IP Port Number is the NetPort Base Port as noted in (2) above.
• And the Clock Port is the Com port that you noted in (3) above.
• Also since you're using NetPort tick on the option IP Connection via NetPort.

Click on OK when you've finished entering the details for the Clock.