Serial-to-Ethernet Adapter Configuration Guide

Complete setup instructions for connecting RS232/RS485 devices (LED signs, VFD displays) to EAS Station™ via network adapters.

Table of Contents

1. Waveshare RS232/485 TO WIFI POE ETH (B)
2. USR-TCP232-410S Serial Server
3. Moxa NPort 5110 Serial Server
4. Perle IOLAN SDS Serial Server
5. Generic Serial-to-Ethernet Adapters
6. EAS Station™ Configuration
7. Troubleshooting

Waveshare RS232/485 TO WIFI POE ETH (B)

Recommended for: Alpha LED signs, Noritake VFD displays

Initial Setup

1. Connect to Waveshare Web Interface

Default access:

• IP Address: 192.168.1.200 (factory default)
• URL: http://192.168.1.200
• Username: admin
• Password: admin

2. Set Static IP Address

Navigate to: Network Settings

IP Address: 192.168.8.122  (or your preferred IP)
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.8.1  (your network gateway)
DNS Server: 8.8.8.8  (or your DNS server)
DHCP: Disable  (use static IP)

Save and Reboot the adapter.

Serial Port Configuration

For Alpha LED Sign (Premier/BetaBrite)

Navigate to: Wifi-Uart Setting

Uart Setting:

Baudrate: 9600
Data Bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop: 1
Flow Control: None
Baudrate adaptive (RFC2117): Enable

UART AutoFrame Setting:

UART AutoFrame: Enable
AutoFrame Time: 500 ms  (adjust 100-10000ms)
AutoFrame Length: 512 bytes  (adjust 16-4096 bytes)

Registered Package Setting:

Registered Package Type: off
Upload Manner: off

Custom heartbeat packet settings:

Custom Heartbeat: off

Socket Distribution settings:

Socket Distribution: on

Modbus Polling settings:

Modbus Polling: off

Httpdclient Mode settings:

Httpdclient Mode: long

485 Switch Settings:

485 selector switch: off  (use for RS232)

Network A Setting (Primary Port):

Mode: Server
Protocol: TCP
Port: 10001
Server Address: (leave blank - not used in Server mode)
MAX TCP Num. (1~24): 1  (only need one connection)
TCP Time out (MAX 600 s): 0  (no timeout)
TCP connection password authentication: Disable

Socket B Setting (Optional Second Port):

Open the SocketB function: off  (or on if using two devices)
Protocol: TCP
Port: 18899
Server Address: (leave blank)
TCPB Time out: 0

For Noritake VFD Display

Same settings as Alpha LED, except:

Uart Setting:

Baudrate: 38400  (common for VFD, check your model)
Data Bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop: 1

All other settings remain the same.

Wiring Connections

RS232 Wiring (3-wire):

Waveshare → Device
TX       → RX
RX       → TX
GND      → GND

RS485 Wiring (2-wire):

Waveshare → Device
485-A    → A (or +)
485-B    → B (or -)

Power Options

1. PoE (Power over Ethernet): IEEE 802.3af compatible
2. DC Power: 5V DC via barrel jack (included adapter)

EAS Station™ Configuration

# For Alpha LED Sign
LED_SIGN_IP=192.168.8.122
LED_SIGN_PORT=10001

# For VFD Display
VFD_PORT=socket://192.168.8.122:10001
VFD_BAUDRATE=38400

USR-TCP232-410S Serial Server

Recommended for: High-reliability applications, industrial environments

Initial Setup

1. Connect to USR Web Interface

Default access:

• IP Address: 192.168.0.7 (factory default)
• URL: http://192.168.0.7
• Username: admin
• Password: admin

2. Network Configuration

Navigate to: Network Settings → Basic Settings

Work Mode: TCP Server
IP Type: Static IP
IP Address: 192.168.8.122
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.8.1

Serial Port Configuration

Navigate to: Serial Port Settings

For Alpha LED Sign

Baud Rate: 9600
Data Bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop Bits: 1
Flow Control: None

For VFD Display

Baud Rate: 38400
Data Bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop Bits: 1
Flow Control: None

TCP/IP Configuration

Navigate to: TCP/IP Settings

Local Port: 10001
Work Mode: TCP Server
Max Connections: 1
Inactivity Time: 0 (disable timeout)

Advanced Settings

Navigate to: Advanced Settings

Buffered Serial Data Length: 512 bytes
Buffered Serial Data Timeout: 100 ms
Serial Packet Length: 1024 bytes
Enable RFC2217: Yes (optional, for compatibility)

EAS Station™ Configuration

# For Alpha LED Sign
LED_SIGN_IP=192.168.8.122
LED_SIGN_PORT=10001

# For VFD Display
VFD_PORT=socket://192.168.8.122:10001
VFD_BAUDRATE=38400

Moxa NPort 5110 Serial Server

Recommended for: Enterprise deployments, mission-critical systems

Initial Setup

1. Find the Device

Use Moxa's DeviceInstaller tool (Windows) or:

# Linux - scan your network
nmap -p 4800 192.168.1.0/24

Default IP: 192.168.127.254

2. Access Web Interface

• URL: http://192.168.127.254
• Username: admin
• Password: moxa

Network Configuration

Navigate to: Basic Settings → Network

IP Configuration: Static
IP Address: 192.168.8.122
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.8.1

Operating Mode

Navigate to: Operating Settings → Operating Mode

Select: TCP Server Mode

TCP Port: 10001
Inactivity Time: 0 (never disconnect)
Max Connection: 1
Ignore Jammed IP: No
Allow Driver Control: No

Serial Settings

Navigate to: Operating Settings → Port 1

For Alpha LED Sign

Baud Rate: 9600
Parity: None
Data Bits: 8
Stop Bits: 1
Flow Control: None
FIFO: Enabled

For VFD Display

Baud Rate: 38400
Parity: None
Data Bits: 8
Stop Bits: 1
Flow Control: None
FIFO: Enabled

Data Packing

Navigate to: Operating Settings → Data Packing

Delimiter 1: 0D (CR)
Delimiter 2: 0A (LF)
Delimiter Process: Do Nothing
Force Transmit: 100 ms

EAS Station™ Configuration

# For Alpha LED Sign
LED_SIGN_IP=192.168.8.122
LED_SIGN_PORT=10001

# For VFD Display
VFD_PORT=socket://192.168.8.122:10001
VFD_BAUDRATE=38400

Perle IOLAN SDS Serial Server

Recommended for: Secure environments, multiple serial ports

Initial Setup

1. Access Web Interface

Default IP: 192.168.1.100

• URL: http://192.168.1.100
• Username: root
• Password: dbps (or password)

2. Network Configuration

Navigate to: System → IP Configuration

IPv4 Address: 192.168.8.122
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.8.1
DNS Server: 8.8.8.8

Serial Port Configuration

Navigate to: Serial Ports → Port 1 → Settings

For Alpha LED Sign

Baud Rate: 9600
Data Bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop Bits: 1
Flow Control: None

For VFD Display

Baud Rate: 38400
Data Bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop Bits: 1
Flow Control: None

TCP Configuration

Navigate to: Serial Ports → Port 1 → TCP Sockets

Mode: TCP Server
Listen Port: 10001
Protocol: Raw TCP
Connection Timeout: 0 (never)
Max Connections: 1

Data Handling

Navigate to: Serial Ports → Port 1 → Advanced

Input Buffer: 4096 bytes
Output Buffer: 4096 bytes
Tx Delay: 0 ms
Rx Delay: 100 ms

EAS Station™ Configuration

# For Alpha LED Sign
LED_SIGN_IP=192.168.8.122
LED_SIGN_PORT=10001

# For VFD Display
VFD_PORT=socket://192.168.8.122:10001
VFD_BAUDRATE=38400

Generic Serial-to-Ethernet Adapters

Common Settings for Most Adapters

If your adapter isn't listed above, use these general guidelines:

Network Settings

Mode: TCP Server (not Client)
Protocol: TCP (not UDP or Telnet)
IP Address: 192.168.8.122 (static, not DHCP)
Port: 10001 (or your preference)
Max Connections: 1
Timeout: 0 or disabled

Serial Settings - Alpha LED Sign

Baud Rate: 9600
Data Bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop Bits: 1
Flow Control: None

Serial Settings - VFD Display

Baud Rate: 38400 (or 9600, 19200 - check your model)
Data Bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop Bits: 1
Flow Control: None

Data Handling

Buffering: 512-1024 bytes
Timeout: 100-500 ms
RFC2217: Enable (if available)
Telnet: Disable

EAS Station™ Configuration

For LED Signs (Alpha, BetaBrite, etc.)

Via Web UI:

1. Settings → Environment Variables → LED Display
2. LED Sign IP Address: 192.168.8.122
3. LED Sign Port: 10001
4. Save and Restart Hardware Service

Via .env file:

LED_SIGN_ENABLED=true
LED_SIGN_IP=192.168.8.122
LED_SIGN_PORT=10001
LED_DEFAULT_TEXT=PUTNAM COUNTY,EMERGENCY MGMT,NO ALERTS,SYSTEM READY

For VFD Displays (Noritake, etc.)

Via Web UI:

1. Settings → Environment Variables → VFD Display
2. Connection: socket://192.168.8.122:10001
3. Baud Rate: 38400
4. Save and Restart Hardware Service

Via .env file:

VFD_DISPLAY_ENABLED=true
VFD_PORT=socket://192.168.8.122:10001
VFD_BAUDRATE=38400

Testing Your Configuration

Test 1: Network Connectivity

# Ping the adapter
ping -c 3 192.168.8.122

# Expected: Reply from 192.168.8.122

Test 2: TCP Port Access

# Check if port is open
nc -z -v 192.168.8.122 10001

# Expected: Connection to 192.168.8.122 10001 port [tcp/*] succeeded!

Test 3: Send Test Data

# Send test string
echo "TEST" | nc 192.168.8.122 10001

# For Alpha LED (with M-Protocol header):
echo -ne '\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x01\x5A\x30\x30TEST\x04' | nc 192.168.8.122 10001

Test 4: PuTTY Test (Windows/Linux)

Configuration:

Connection Type: Raw
Host Name: 192.168.8.122
Port: 10001

Test:

1. Click "Open"
2. Type characters
3. They should be sent to the serial device
4. LED sign should display text (if properly formatted)

Test 5: EAS Station™ Logs

# Check hardware service logs
sudo journalctl -u eas-station-hardware.target -n 50

# Look for:
# ✅ "Connected to Alpha LED sign at 192.168.8.122:10001"
# ✅ "Connected to Noritake VFD on socket://192.168.8.122:10001"

Troubleshooting

Connection Refused

Symptom: "Connection refused" or "Connection failed"

Check:

1. Adapter IP address: ping 192.168.8.122
2. Port number: Should be 10001
3. Mode: Must be "TCP Server" not "Client"
4. Firewall: Check adapter and network firewall
5. Max connections: Should be at least 1

Connection Times Out

Symptom: Connection attempts hang, no response

Check:

1. Network routing: Can you ping the adapter?
2. Port blocking: Firewall blocking port 10001?
3. Adapter mode: Verify TCP Server mode
4. Adapter reboot: Power cycle the adapter

Data Corruption / Garbage

Symptom: Wrong characters, scrambled output

Check:

1. Baud rate mismatch: Adapter vs. device
2. Wiring: TX/RX might be swapped
3. Data format: 8N1 (8 data, no parity, 1 stop)
4. Flow control: Should be disabled/none
5. Grounding: Ensure GND is connected

Device Not Responding

Symptom: Connection succeeds but device doesn't respond

Check:

1. Serial wiring: TX → RX, RX → TX (crossed)
2. Device power: Is device powered on?
3. Device settings: Check device baud rate
4. Protocol: Verify correct protocol (M-Protocol for Alpha)
5. Buffer settings: Increase timeout/buffer size

Multiple Connections Error

Symptom: "Max connections reached"

Check:

1. Max connections: Set to 1 for single client
2. Stale connections: Reboot adapter to clear
3. Connection timeout: Enable timeout to auto-clear
4. Exclusive mode: Some adapters have an exclusive lock

Comparison Table

Quick Reference Card

Waveshare Settings Summary

Network:
  IP: 192.168.8.122
  Port: 10001
  Mode: Server

Serial:
  Baud: 9600 (LED) or 38400 (VFD)
  Data: 8
  Parity: None
  Stop: 1
  Flow: None

Advanced:
  AutoFrame: Enable
  AutoFrame Time: 500ms
  AutoFrame Length: 512 bytes
  TCP Max: 1
  Timeout: 0

EAS Station™ Settings Summary

# LED Sign
LED_SIGN_IP=192.168.8.122
LED_SIGN_PORT=10001

# VFD Display
VFD_PORT=socket://192.168.8.122:10001
VFD_BAUDRATE=38400

Need Help?

• Check adapter documentation for your specific model
• Test with PuTTY first to isolate EAS Station™ from adapter issues
• Verify serial wiring with a multimeter
• GitHub Issues: https://github.com/KR8MER/eas-station/issues