Basics of Communications Presented By Patrick Bolwahnn April 14, 2005

Today… Session Objectives –Learning and Understanding the Basics of Reader Communication Innovation –Terminology –Infrastructure Considerations –Equipment and Devices Results –The ability to understand and deploy a well designed reader network.

WT Background: Installed January 1998 Wired February 1998 Recarded Fall of 1998 Services Offered –Copy, Laundry, Vending, Bookstore –Point of Sale, Activity Validation –120 Locations

WT Background: FY –9000 Active Cardholders –$1.5 Million in Deposits Meal Plans – 300k Book Loans – 350k Flexible Spending – 850K –220 On-Campus Locations and 35 Off- Campus Locations –Door Access

Terminology: Network Processor - Transaction Approval Application Processor - Long Term Storage, DB Reader Networks – Communications Devices, Wiring and Readers Locations - Location Number a Reader is Assigned Loop - Physical Wire Addresses - numbers 0-15 assigned to reader

Terminology: Modems – communication device (RS232) Converters – Converts from one protocol to another. IP Communications – Communicating over a Data Network RS232 RS485

Terminology: Do you have to be a wiring expert? No Just need to know enough to make good decisions

Installation Considerations: AP/NP Location Number & Size of Buildings Number Readers in each building Cable topology – fiber, copper Network Strategy and Support –Data Network –Separate Reader Network / VLAN Power connections Shelf/rack space

WTAMU Communications: Remote Line Driver loops IPC loops –1 IPC Loops 25 Active Loops –24 Remotes Loop –2 RF Loops 265 Locations

Reader Networks: Consists of –Network Processor –Communications Devices –Cabling –Readers Cabling and Communication Devices make up the three basic reader loops –Local –Remote –IP Network

Network Processor: Network Processors communicates with each reader on the network and processes their transactions. NP’s Communication is handled through –CP16 Panels –Mux Panel –LAN Cards

Local Loops: Local loops are generally within the same building as the NP. Local loops can be accomplished two ways. –Use CP8 boards which have some RS-485 converters built in. –CP16 boards do not have converters –NP cable to RS 485 converter NP 485 Reader

Remote loops: A Remote Loop is any loop that services a remote building(s) or remote campuses. This can be accomplished through many combinations of devices. –Devices Types Terminal Servers(TS) via a Data Network or Internet Line Drivers RS 485 converters. IP Converters IP Readers

Communications Protocols: Protocols are like different languages. Some protocols the BTSUE system uses to communicate are: –RS 485 Allows multiple units to communicate over the same wire. ( 5 pin) –RS 232 Basic data communication used in PC and device communication, 1 – 1 ( 3 pin) –TCP/IP Standard Networking protocol which Terminal servers, IP Converters, & IP readers utilize on a data network.

Standard Communications: Line Drivers –Short haul modems = less than 2 miles –Long distance modems = more than 2 miles –Types of medium Fiber Copper –Uses Standard RS 232 protocol (3 pin)

Standard Communications: Special devices –Multiplexer –Loop Splitters

Standard Communications: RS 485 Converters –Design to convert RS 232 to 485 protocol –Has 1x10 jack to connect local reader cable network

Standard Communications: NP Line Driver 485 Reader Building A Line Driver Loop Spliter Building B Line Driver Building C Line Driver Computer Center

IP Communications: Terminal Servers –Designed to Convert RS232 to TCP/IP and back again. IP Converters –Design to convert TCP/IP to RS 485 protocol IP enabled Readers VR/MDB2

IP Communications: Data Network NP Terminal Server RS 485 Reader Terminal Server First IP Communications devices were terminal servers

IP Communications: IP Converters –Design to convert TCP/IP to RS 485 protocol

IP Communications: Data Network NP IP Converter RS 485 Reader IP Reader

Other Communication Methods: Radio Frequency –Blackbox RF-115 modem –900 Mhz RS232 protocol –Range up to 20 miles with repeaters

Wiring: Supported wiring –Belden pair with shield Use T568b wall plate with screw lugs or DB 15 –Cat 5 10base-T (most common installation) Twisted Pair Network Cabling Use T568b RJ45 standard network jack

Pros for communication types: Local Loops Lower cost – no LD or TS. -Fast response times. -Independent wiring – not attached to net. Line Driver -Fast Response times. -Independent wiring - not attached to data network. -Slightly Cheaper than TS. -Supported by Blackboard -Simple - No Configuration needed Always up! -Works with Copper and Fiber lines -Easy to troubleshoot IP - easiest/quickest to install, or move -Easy to diagnose communication problems??? -Comes back on-line fairly quickly, when the network is out -Could be used over the Internet to connect remote campuses

Cons for communication types: Local Loops -Difficult to move server. Line Driver -Difficult to move server. -Copper needs optical isolation - Cost of running wiring if not available IP -Network Outage -Denial of Service -Firewall and VLAN’s can block communication if not configured right. -Depends highly on relation- ship with IT

Security Issues with IPC: IPC’s Communicate with the NP with 128bit Blowfish encryption. No problems so far with denial of service attacks. Downstream communication between IPC and Reader is still vulnerable. Having the IPC on a VLAN and behind a firewall greatly increases security.

Recap: Installation Considerations –AP/NP Location –Number & Size of Buildings –Number Readers in each building –Cable topology – fiber, copper –Network Strategy and Support Data Network Separate Reader Network / VLAN –Power connections –Shelf/rack space

Links –Behind the Blackboard System Implementation Guide Follow up Contact Information If you remember one thing… There are many options for deploying your reader network