1. Basics of Communications
Presented By Patrick Bolwahnn
April 14, 2005

2. Today… Session Objectives Innovation Results
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.

3. 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

4. WT Background: FY 2003-2004 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

5. 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

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

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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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)

16. Standard Communications:
Special devices
Multiplexer
Loop Splitters

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

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

19. IP Communications: Terminal Servers IP Converters
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

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

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

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

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

24. Wiring: Supported wiring Belden 8723
2 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

25. 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

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

27. 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.

28. Installation Considerations
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

29. 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