KB00232 - Connecting an External Clock to FTR R...

Summary
This article describes how to connect an external clock so that it displays the record time generated by a recorder hosted on an installation of FTR Reporter Server.


More Information

FTR supports an external clock that displays the record time generated by FTR Reporter. However, FTR Reporter Server hosts many recorders as separate instances of the underlying recording engine - all running on a dedicated server computer. The server may be a located a considerable distance from each of the court rooms where external clocks are required. It is not practical to create many COM ports and then run clock cables from the server to each court room. The solution described in this article uses an Ethernet connection to send the record time from the recorders to each clock.

Note: The standard FTR Serial/USB Clock is compatible with FTR Reporter Server using option 2 (below) and requires that you purchase and install a separate Serial-to Ethernet converter. When ordering a fully compatible clock (option 1 below) for use with FTR Reporter Server, please order the clock directly from the supplier with the Ethernet option installed.

Solution
To connect a courtroom clock to FTR Reporter Server, do the following:

• Purchase a clock with built-in Ethernet
• Configure the Ethernet interface
• Install and configure the COM port redirector
• Configure FTR Reporter Server

Step 1. Purchase a compatible clock
Purchase a clock with a built-in Ethernet connection.

Vendor: Applied Technical Systems, Shreveport, Louisiana USA ph 800-444-7161

URL: http://www.ats-usa.com

Clock models:

CC-186 (single-sided) with Option 521
CC-186/2 (double-sided) with Option 521

Special Instructions: Be sure to request the clock with OPTION 521 (Lantronix version)


Step 2. Configure Ethernet Interface

• Install the external clocks, optional adaptors and connect to the network. Note the MAC address of each clock and/or Lantronix adaptor and its location.
  Note: The MAC address is printed on the clock and Lantronix adaptor.
• Download the Lantronix Device Installer and Users Guide.
• Install the Device Installer on a computer on the same network as the FTR Reporter Server (not necessarily the server).
• Start the Device Installer and wait for auto-discover to find the clocks and/or Serial adaptors. Otherwise manually connect by MAC address.
• Configure each clock/serial adaptor as follows:
  
• Communication settings:
  Static IP or fixed address by DHCP (must be well considered to avoid network clashes)
  Baud=2400
• Other settings:
  8 bits, no parity, 1 stop
  Remote IP and port left blank

Step 3. Install and configure the COM Port Redirector

• Setup FTR Reporter Server (see the Administrators Guide) and log on to that server
• Download and install Lantronix COM Port Redirector (CPR) on the server and wait for CPR to detect each clock.
• Download and read the COM Port Redirector user’s guide.
• Set the device and port name to match the location of the clock (e.g. “Courtroom 21”)
• Add a COM port for each clock
• Configure the COM port by setting the IP address and setting the TCP port to 10001 (See CPR user’s guide.)
• Enable buffer writes
• Disable Server Reconnect * (default)
• Disable Timeout Reconnection *

* Disabling automatic reconnection ensures that an error code is passed to FTR software so the FTR software can then re-establish the connection.

Step 4. Configure FTR Reporter Server

• Start the Reporter Server Configuration Tool
• Select each recorder and identify which court it is recording
• Set the COM port for that recorder to the port configured to connect to the clock installed in that court.