Pathway Pathport Manager 3 User Guide - Manual (Page 14)

Pathport Manager User’s Guide
14
S
TARTING UP YOUR
P
ATHPORT
S
YSTEM
From the factory, Pathport nodes are configured to continually re-boot until they
receive new IP addresses and operating software from Pathport Manager. This
is to prevent mismatched software versions, as well as conflicting network
addresses.
IP Addresses:
Every device on a Pathport network ( or any IP network) must be assigned a
unique IP address. This address acts as a unique identifier for a device as long
as it is connected to a given network. Many networks are configured with servers
that assign these addresses dynamically to help reduce the chance of two
devices having the same address. Pathport nodes rely on being configured by
such a server the first time they are run. When run in Windows, Pathport
Manager contains one such server, called a "BOOTP Server".
Firmware Uploads:
Pathport nodes also rely on a special server to provide them with operating
software the first time they are run. This server uses a protocol called TFTP ( or
Trivial File Transfer Protocol) to send the firmware file to the nodes. Within
Pathport Manager, a TFTP server is programmed to search within the "firmware"
folder for the firmware file that the Pathport requests - normally a file named
"ppimage.bin". This file is required in order to start the Pathports.
Starting the Pathport Nodes (Windows Users only):
1. Start Pathport Manager.
2. Make sure your Pathport nodes are not connected or not powered up.
3. Next, make sure you have set up your PC's IP address correctly within
Pathport Manager.
4. From the Options Menu, select "Pathport Communications" , then "Enable
Firmware Uploads" . A checkmark will appear in the box within the menu
item: