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In
this Issue |
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COVER
STORY
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| Secure Remote
Management with Console Servers |
| The
use of Ethernet networks for commercial and industrial
applications presents a number of security issues. Good
security should mean that the data is safe from unauthorized
access
as well as accidental loss due to equipment
failure or physical damage. Keeping data safe requires a backup
system to monitor errors, perform troubleshooting, and
maintain the connections of all networked devices.
With such a backup system
in place, administrators may respond more quickly and effectively
to problems with the network or devices, resulting in
significant savings in time and expense. An
important
and powerful
tool for providing better
security is the console access server, which provides secure
management of networked devices from one or more locations.
A console
access server should allow the system administrator to
access the console ports of serial devices
over a LAN, a dial-up connection, or the Internet. When
the devices
are
operating
normally,
administrators can use SNMP over the data
network to manage equipment. However, if the network, Ethernet
port, or SNMP write function fails, administrators must
go onsite and reboot the malfunctioning device. Making
such a trip can can be time-consuming and
expensive. As an alternative to using SNMP, console servers
can be used to troubleshoot, configure, and reboot equipment
from a local control center, or
even from outside the data network. By providing remote
access
to critical
equipment
settings
and functions, including the ability to reboot, administrators
are not limited by physical considerations
and can respond to problems
more quickly and with greater flexibility. In the
event of a total system failure, console access servers
may
be
essential
in ensuring that costly downtime is minimized.
Since
anyone who gains access to the console port of a server
or router could
potentially take control of the entire network, special
care must be taken to prevent unauthorized
intrusion when
using a console access server to connect to serial devices
over a public network. A console
access server should include robust security features
such as the socket authentication,
secure shell support, and dial-up security provided by MOXA旧 NPort
6000 Series terminal servers. Local or RADIUS authentication
requires a username and password before access is granted.
Since Telnet session screens and keystrokes are transmitted
over the network in clear text form, SSHv2 encrypts the data before transmission.
PAP and CHAP protocols can also be used to provide an additional
layer of data
transmission security.
With
the increase in connecting traditional serial devices
to Ethernet networks, the interception of serial data
by unauthorized
parties has become
an important security consideration. This is particularly
true when data includes confidential personal or corporate
information. A solid security plan should include several
levels of encryption. DES is
no longer sufficiently secure, so implementations
that offer 3 DES and AES encryption are preferable.
Due to the processing power required for some of these
encryption methods, the encryption
protocols should be hardwired into the server, as is done
on NPort 6000 Series terminal servers.
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NEW
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS |
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| Wide
Temperature IA241/IA240-T Embedded Computers
Now Ready |
 MOXA's
new ThinkCore IA241-T and IA240-T ready-to-run embedded
computers offer an affordable solution for demanding
industrial environments. The "no fan" IA241-T
and IA240-T consume less power than regular computers,
and are guaranteed to operate reliably in a temperature
range of -40 to
75°C.
The
ThinkCore IA241-T and IA240-T are suitable for the following
applications:
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Outdoor applications, such as in deserts or mountain
areas, for which it is too difficult or costly to build
a climate-controlled shelter for sensitive electronic
equipment.
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Indoor applications, such as on a factory floor, that
require placing equipment near machines that generate
high heat.
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Other applications in harsh environments. For example,
machines with military specifications often need to
operate reliably in low or high temperatures.
Click
here for product details and ordering information.
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| Patented
Software Encryption Lock Protects
Intellectual Property |
|
MOXA
is launching a patented "Software Encryption Lock" to
help you protect your software programs.
The
purpose of this patented technology is to protect software
from being copied illegally. Using the encryption
lock is easy:
- Configure
the encryption key on the target device (e.g., the
MOXA ThinkCore IA241/IA240).
- Configure
the same encryption key on the PC that you use to develop
your software programs.
Once
the encryption key has been set, your software programs
cannot be used without
knowing the correct encryption key. In other words, neither
end-users nor
competitors
will be able to steal or copy your intellectual property
for either personal or commercial use.
Currently,
this patented technology can be used with ThinkCore IA241/IA240
embedded computers. However, MOXA will begin promoting
the Software Encryption Key technology with new products
as well.
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| New
Serial
Port Powered Converters Are Ready to Ship |
Two
new serial port powered media converters are available
from MOXA. The TCF-90 is a high-speed RS-232 to optical
fiber converter, and the TCC-80I is the world's first
high-speed, isolated, serial port powered converter.
 The
TCF-90
is a compact, high-speed RS-232 to optical fiber converter
that extends RS-232 transmission from 15 meters to 5 km
(TCF-90-M, multi-mode) or 40 km (TCF-90-S, single-mode).
The TCF-90 is designed to get power from the attached
serial port, which eliminates the need for an external
power source. A pair of TCF-90 converters can be used
to connect two RS-232 serial devices to each other in
full duplex transmission mode using optical fiber. Moreover,
the TCF-90 isolates the devices from dangerous increases
in ground potential, ground loops, and electrical EMI/RFI
noise. This greatly reduces RF radiation and susceptibility
to electromagnetic radiation to enhance data security.
 The
TCC-80I
is the world's first high-speed, isolated, serial port
powered converter. It is powered by the host's RS-232
port and
provides complete signal conversion between RS-232 and
RS-422/485 devices. The TCC-80I converts back and forth
between RS-232's TxD and RxD lines to either half duplex
2-wire RS-485 or the balanced signal of full duplex 4-wire
RS-422/485. In addition, the TCC-80I's built-in 15 KV
ESD surge protector provides the output ports with comprehensive
protection against surges and spikes. Perhaps the most
important feature is the 2.5 KV isolation designed to
prevent ground loop currents, reduce damage caused by
data loss, and prevent damage to the communication interfaces.
The TCC-80I is also designed to provide RS-485 auto data
direction control, in which the RS-485 driver is enabled
automatically when the circuitry senses the TxD output
from the RS-232 signal. Programming effort is not required
to control the transmission direction of the half duplex
RS-485 signal.
Back
to top |
| UPort
1130—High Speed, Plug-and-Play USB-to-Serial Adaptor |
 We
are pleased to introduce a new member of the MOXA
UPort
family of USB-to-serial adaptors. The UPort 1130 is a
1-port USB-to-serial adaptor that enables users to
attach
an RS-422/485 serial device to a laptop or workstation旧
USB port. The adaptor features full-speed USB 1.1 operation
and serial transmission speeds up to 921.6 Kbps. It is
a handy, plug-and-play tool for engineers who need to
manage serial devices from a portable workstation or
notebook. The UPort 1130 is a perfect fit for mobile,
instrumentation,
and point-of-sale (POS) applications.
High Compatibility
The UPort 1130 features USB 1.1 full-speed data transmission,
and is fully compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.0. Users
may select the desired serial interface through software,
giving the UPort 1130 a clear advantage over other similar
products. The supported interfaces are RS-422, 4-wire
RS-485, and 2-wire RS-485. In addition, the UPort 1130
has 15 KV ESD protection built in, ensuring reliable
operation in harsh industrial environments.
 Convenient
Terminal Block Converter
The UPort 1130 is designed for industrial applications.
A compact terminal block converter (female DB9 to terminal
block) is included with the UPort 1130 to simplify serial
device wiring.
Features
at a glance:
NOTE:
The UPort 1130 will be available on October 9th.
Back
to top |
| New
Dipole Antenna for MOXA's Wireless Device Servers |
A
new dipole antenna is now available as an optional accessory
for MOXA's wireless device servers. The dipole
antenna is designed to increase the antenna gain for
a wireless
device from 2 dBi to 5 dBi.
The
antenna comes with a long cable that allows users to
install the device server
inside a metallic shielding
container, while placing the antenna outside the container. The
antenna also has a built-in magnet for easy attachment
to metal containers.
|
Electrical Properties |
| Frequency
Range |
2.4
to 2.5 GHz |
| Impedance |
50
Ohm nominal |
| VSWR |
<
2 |
| Gain |
5
dBi |
| Radiation |
Omni |
| Polarization |
Vertical |
| Electrical
Wave |
λ/4
dipole |
| Connector |
SMA
M/R |
| Mechanical
Properties |
| Antenna
Cover |
PU |
| Color |
Silver,
dark grey |
| Operating
Temperature |
-20
to 60°C |
| Storage
Temperature |
-30
to 75°C |
The
new dipole antenna can be used with NPort
W2250/2150 and NPort
W2004.
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PRODUCT APPLICATIONS |
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Using
MOXA Ethernet Switches to Simplify the Development
and Servicing
of Printing Machines
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| A
leading machine builder that has been in business for forty
years has approximately five hundred employees and numerous
customers worldwide. The company delivers total printing
machine solutions that range from initial planning and production
startup to after-sales service. The company works with many
well-known companies, such as Siemens and Koenig & Bauer,
and sells twenty to thirty sets of printing machine solutions
every year. The company is a market leader in control and
workflow solutions for highly automated production processes
for newspaper printing and publishing houses.
Industrial-strength
printing machines must provide many years of trouble-free
operation
with minimum downtime, so it is necessary to integrate
reliability and fast maintenance of network devices
into the
machines. This printing machine builder adds additional
value by providing a WAN-based support service that
can remotely
monitor and diagnosis a customer's printing machines.
This real-time monitoring via the WAN requires an extremely
reliable
and fast network infrastructure.
System
Description
This company's printing machines are built in sections,
with between 2 and 15 sections installed in each printing
house. The actual number depends on the printing volume
and the scale of the operation. The printing machines use
a decentralized control concept. Each printing machine section
is equipped with four cabinets that house PLCs, I/Os, motor
controllers, and Ethernet switches. The machine builder
uses Moxa's EDS-508-MM-SC
Ethernet switches in the cabinets to collect and forward
all of the working information from each section to a control
console. This section console allows the printing section
to be monitored and controlled, giving each section the
ability to operate independently, link with other sections,
or be controlled by the console from a remote site. The
section consoles are connected using an EDS-726
Ethernet switch with Turbo Ring functionality to form a
redundant fiber network for extremely reliable high-speed
data collection.
Using
a network
configuration makes responsive monitoring a reality,
and allows each section to be controlled. The result
is fast
data recovery and the ability to cover long distances between
the sections of a large-scale press operation. All
of this
data can also be transferred to the machine builder's
control center, allowing customers to use the "Tele-support
Service" for their printing machines. If exceptions
are encountered or a machine fails, the information
is sent
in real time to the Tele-support control center via the
Internet, so that a support engineer can quickly diagnosis
and solve the problem from a remote location.
>>
Click here for a closer view <<
Business Benefits from Moxa:
-
Rugged and durable Ethernet devices with high MTBF ensure
long-term trouble-free operation.
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Turbo Ring recovery time < 300 ms ensures real-time
non-stop network monitoring.
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Remote Read/Write capability via Moxa's EDS series SNMP-based
switches.
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The EDS-508 and EDS-726 can send out a warning e-mail
when a user-configured exception is detected, providing
system
managers with real-time alarm messages that help
with remote monitoring and diagnosis.
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The EDS-508 and EDS-726 come with two power inputs to
prevent data loss from power failure.
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Connect the EDS-508 and EDS-726 to a fiber optic network
to provide long transmission distances for large-scale
printing
press operations.
Back
to top |
| Using
the UC-7110 for Variable Message Sign (VMS) Systems |
| LED
Variable Message Sign (VMS) systems are used for transportation
management to display information and improve traffic safety
and efficiency. VMS systems are different
from conventional outdoor LED displays,
and typically have the following features:
- Long-distance
communication control (more than 10 km)
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Auto-test for VMS conditions and malfunctions
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Auto-test for VMS parameter display and adjustment
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Both basic and advanced control modes for logic display
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Independent controller and display for easy maintenance
A transportation
management company in Beijing, China, is using MOXA's UC-7110
embedded computer as the central controller of their LED
VMS system. The UC-7110 makes it easy for users to change
the contents of the LED display to provide drivers with
up-to-date information about traffic conditions.
>>
Click here for a closer view <<
This
application has the following benefits:
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The UC-7110 provides a wide range of interfaces, making
it suitable for transportation monitoring. The UC-7110
can use either a serial network or Ethernet network to
connect to the control center.
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The UC-7110 runs on embedded uCLinux. Software developers
can use high-level programming languages, which helps
to reduce the number of programming errors.
- The
UC-7110's ARM9 central processor performs well for many
kinds of applications, enhancing the reliability of the
VMS system.
Please
click
here for more information about the UC-7110 embedded
computer.
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MOXA
NEWS |
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| MOXA's
PCI Boards Receive 64-bit Windows WHQL Certification |
|  MOXA's
PCI Express boards received approval from Microsoft's
Windows Hardware Quality Laboratories (WHQL) in July,
and now MOXA's Universal PCI and PCI boards are
following
suit. All of MOXA's PCI boards, including the CP-118EL,
CP-168EL, CP-104EL, C320Turbo/PCI, C218Turbo/PCI,
CP-118U, CP-168U V2,CP-104UL V2, CP-104JU V2, CP-134U
V2 Series, CP-102U/UL, CP-132UL V2 Series, C168H/PCI,
C104H/PCI Series, CP-114 Series, and the CP-132 Series,
will carry the "Designed for Windows XP,
Windows XP x64, Windows 2003, Windows 2003 x64" logo.
The addition of this logo shows that MOXA has been
devoting much effort to upgrading its multiport serial
board product line to ensure that the MOXA serial
boards can match
the improved performance of PCs.
Click
here to link to MOXA's website for detailed product
information, or to download the latest drivers.
Note:
The Windows Hardware Quality Laboratories (WHQL) is
the branch of Microsoft that tests hardware and drivers
for compatibility issues with the Windows operating
system. Microsoft established its "Designed for
Microsoft Windows" logo to help customers identify
products that deliver a high-quality computing experience
with the Microsoft Windows XP/2003 operating system.
The "Designed for Microsoft Windows" logo
on a product indicates that the product will be stable
when running Windows XP/2003, the related software
or driver components can be installed or removed easily,
and the basic experience with the product and the
operating system will be the same or better after
upgrading to future versions of Windows.
Back
to top |
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| NPort
W2150 and W2250 Wireless Serial Device Servers
Are Now RoHS-compliant |
| The
RoHS-compliant versions of the NPort W2150 and NPort
W2250 wireless serial device servers
are now ready. The NPort W2250/2150 wireless serial device
servers extend wireless networking capabilities to printers,
scales, medical equipment, manufacturing machinery, bar
code readers, card readers, point-of-sale equipment and
other data collection devices. The NPort W2250/2150's
RS-232/422/485 3-in-1 serial interface is suitable for
use with most
serial devices.
Moxa is dedicated
to helping create and maintain a safe and clean environment,
but our efforts are not limited to just the product. We
have also taken great care to ensure that the product box,
all types of packing material, plastic box handles, ink,
and all other material used to process and ship our products,
meet the RoHS guidelines.
Please click
here for detailed information about MOXA's "Green
Promise."
Back
to top |
| MOXA
Solution Forum Sets a Benchmark for Ethernet-in-Process-Control
Automation |
|  The
most recent MOXA Solution Forum, which was a joint effort
by MOXA, MTL Singapore, and SMAR, was held in Singapore
on August 28. At this meeting, three solution providers
shared the trends, technologies, latest applications, and
case studies of Ethernet in the process control automation
field. Based on the favorable responses from attendees,
the forum set a benchmark for using Ethernet in the process
control automation market.
The Solution
Forum in Singapore was an interactive seminar for anyone
interested in Industrial Ethernet communication solutions
for process control automation. The forum attracted more
than 70 participants from many key automation players, including
Emerson, Yokogawa, Honeywell, ABB, and Invensys, who joined
the solution forum to exchange valuable information on how
to create a healthy industrial Ethernet infrastructure by
using the latest industrial Ethernet technology and solutions
for a variety of applications in process control automation.
In particular, applications for oil & gas, transportation,
and fire & gas monitoring were vigorously discussed
at the forum.
The MOXA
Solution Forum is a series of seminars that focus on
the trends towards industries, market applications, solutions,
and enabling Industrial Ethernet technologies. Together
with global and local solution partners, MOXA shared successful
project experiences with customers, and demonstrated the
latest Industrial Ethernet solutions and applications for
vertical market development. A new MOXA Solution Forum is
held almost every month in a different country around the
world. We cordially invites all users of device networking
products to join us for the next forum meeting.
For more information
about the MOXA Solution forum, please visit the MOXA
website, or contact one of MOXA's regional representatives.
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