Rockwell Automation 2706-MB1 MESSAGEVIEW 421 SOFTWARE MANUAL - Manual (Page 92)

5–3 Communications Overview
Publication 2706-817
The RS-232 port of the MessageView terminal may be used to
communicate with:
•
a personal computer running MessageBuilder (see Page 11–6) or
the File Transfer Utility (see Page 11–15).
•
an ASCII Triggering Device (see the list on Page 5–7)
•
an ASCII Input Device (see the list on Page 5–6)
•
one or more slave devices (see the list on Page 5–6)
•
a master device (see the list on Page 5–8)
Switching RS-232 settings in the MessageView terminal
The MessageView terminal shares its RS-232 port between
communications with a computer that has MessageBuilder software
installed, and communications with an Auxiliary Device. The
terminal’s RS-232 port must be switched (configured) to the proper
setting before communications can be established.
Example: The terminal’s RS-232 port’s last communication was
from a bar code reader (an ASCII Input device). Next, the HE Stack
file has to be uploaded to a personal computer that has
MessageBuilder software running. The terminal operator must
configure the RS-232 port as a MessageBuilder port to establish
communication with the computer.
To do this, the operator enters the terminal’s Front Panel Editor. The
first menu item, “Change Port To: MessageBuilder” allows the
operator to switch to the MessageBuilder port settings in one quick
step without entering half a dozen communication parameters. After
the HE Stack file has been uploaded, the terminal operator switches
the “Change Port To:” menu item to ASCII Input and returns the
terminal to Run Mode.
Important: If you find your computer cannot communicate with
the MessageView terminal, verify that the RS-232
port is set to the correct communication device.
RS-232 Port
Communication