HK Audio FirSoft - Handbuch (Seite 3)

FirSoft 1.0 3
The progress of the file transfer to the FIRNET controller is shown in the status bar at the bottom
right. The progress bar disappears to indicate the transfer is complete. Then you can load the new
firmware by restarting the device; that is, by cutting and restoring power. The boot process takes a bit longer than usual, after which the new firmware will be installed. Double-check in FIRSOFT to
make sure the latest version of the firmware has been loaded to the controller.
2. Getting Started with FIRSOFT
2.1 Confi guring a network / Assigning IP addresses
Confi guring a network
FIRSOFT communicates with its target FIRNET controllers via a TCP/IP network. Any computer
network hardware equipped with standard RJ45 connectors can serve to establish this link. Make
sure you do not exceed the TCP/IP specification‘s maximum cable length of 100 meters between
two devices. Please use RJ45 straight through or patch cables only. Do not use crossover cables.
Connecting devices
You have two options for connecting FIRNET controllers with each other and to the computer
running FIRSOFT:
1. Direct connection or serial configuration: Connect one end of a CAT5 patch cable to the PC‘s
network port and the other to the first FIRNET controller‘s Ethernet X port. Then connect one end
of a CAT5 patch cable to the first FIRNET controller‘s Ethernet II port and the other to the second
controller‘s Ethernet X port, and so on until you have connected all the controllers.
2. With a switch in a star topology: Connect one end of a CAT5 patch cable to the PC’s network
port and the other to a port on the switch. Then use a CAT5 patch cable to connect each FIRNET
controller‘s Ethernet II port to the switch.
Heads up: The second option is recommended because it‘s more reliable. If one controller in
the first configuration fails, you will non be able to communicate with any of the controllers
that follow the failed device in the signal chain.
Assigning IP addresses
All FIRNET controllers ship with the IP address 192.168.1.100. Each FIRNET controller must be
assigned a unique IP address if you wish to address multiple controllers in a network. IP addresses
cannot be obtained automatically via DHCP. Please read section 7.4.5.3 in the FIRNET manual to
learn more about changing the IP address. Each IP address may only be assigned once within a
network.
Heads up: The computer running FIRSOFT must also have a fixed IP address. Again, dynamic IP
address assignment via DHCP will not work, and you cannot use automatically assigned private
IP addresses.
Heads up: All FIRNET controllers and the computer running FIRSOFT must be part of a subnet.
This means only the last three digits of the IP address vary; the first nine digits have to be the
same for all devices.
Here‘s an example of an IP address assignment:
Device IP address
Computer 192.168.100.90
FIRNET 1 192.168.100.100
FIRNET 2 192.168.100.101
2.2 Launching FIRSOFT
The program was added to the Windows Start menu and a shortcut to the FIRSOFT program file
was placed on your desktop if you okayed these options during installation. Simply double-click one
of these shortcuts to launch the program.
Heads up: If you cannot find either of these shortcuts, go to the Windows Programs folder and
then open the FIRSOFT folder, where you will find the file FIRSOFT.exe. Double-click it to start
the program. You may want to right-click it in the context menu to place a shortcut to this file
on the desktop.
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