(W)LAN-Tutorial

(W)LAN – Tutorial
These instructions explain step by step how to establish a connection between a ProfiLux
equipped with a LAN-card (PLM-LAN) or WLAN-card (PLM-WLAN) and a PC. To put these steps
into practice ProfiLuxControl II from version 3.03 upwards and ProfiLux firmware 3.03 (or higher) is
required. If necessary an update must be done; the newest downloads can be found at
www.aquariumcomputer.com .

These steps are necessary to setup a (W)LAN network:

• Setup the card: IP-address; additionally SSID and network topology in the case of a WLAN-
card

• Adjust the WLAN security settings (for WLAN-card only)

• Do adequate settings for ProfiLuxControl

These steps are explained detailed subsequently.

1 Networks
1.1 General
All network members (e.g. PC, DSL-router, ProfiLux with LAN-card) need a unique address – the
IP-address – to be able to communicate with each other. The IP-address consists of 4 numbers
which are separated by a dot; any number can have a value between 0 and 255. This results in a
valid address range of 0.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255. According to the network type (class A, B and
C) for all network members the first, the first and the second or the first to the third number must be
the same. This is defined in the so called subnet mask.

Network type Subnet mask

Class A 255.0.0.0
Class B 255.255.0.0
Class C 255.255.255.0

The type of private networks (like yours at home) is usually class C. Typically the addresses are
192.168.xxx.xxx (you can select xxx freely).

1.2 Example for a home network

Member IP-address
192.168.0.254 Router
192.168.0.100 PC
192.168.0.70 ProfiLux with LAN

Since this is a class C network the first three numbers must be identical (her 192.168.0)!

It is possible to determine the IP-addresses statically (fixed) or to assign them automatically. The
automatic address assignment is performed by a DHCP-server (in most cases a router or server).
The DHCP-server allocates addresses out of an adjustable range to the other network members.

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Important:

• The LAN-card inside ProfiLux must have a static IP-address.

• The addresses of all network members must match.

• If IP-addresses are assigned automatically in your network it must be assured that the
DHCP-server doesn’t allocate the IP-address of ProfiLux a second time. Your DHCP-
server has to be adjusted appropriately.

2 Setting the (W)LAN-card

There are 3 possibilities to set the IP-address (and SSID and topology for WLAN).

2.1 Enter on device directly

The simplest option is to alter the settings directly on the device (ProfiLux). You find the settings
under extras->communication (press f-key, scroll to communication, and select with Return),

• First you will be asked for the device address. Usually there is no need to change the
standard setting 1; confirm with Return.

• Then you can set if this ProfiLux should work as a router – this setting usually can remain;
confirm with Return.

• Now you have to select the communication port you want to adjust. First COM1 – SERIAL
will be displayed, this is the RS232 interface which is present as standard. Use the arrow
keys to select the communication port of the LAN- or WLAN-card. It is called COM2 – LAN
or COM2 – WLAN for example. Confirm selection with Return.

• In the next step you can change the baud rate, the standard value 9600 should not be
changed; confirm with Return.

• At least it is possible to perform an action with this communication port. First no action is
displayed; select the entry IP of LAN (respectively IP of WLAN) with the arrow keys and

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press Return.

• Now you have to enter the IP-address you want to assign to the ProfiLux (respectively to
the (W)LAN-card). According to the example above 192.168.000.070 has to be entered.

• If it is a WLAN-card additional settings have to be made. First you must enter if you want to
establish an ad-hoc connection (direct connection between PC and WLAN-card). If you
choose no the WLAN-card will be configured for network topology infrastructure
(connection via router or access point).

• Thereafter the SSID (Service Set Identifier, names your wireless network) has to be
entered. Ex works LTRX_IBSS is set.

• To save these settings in the (W)LAN-card you have to confirm now by selecting yes and
pressing Return.

After performing preceding steps you set a static IP-address; the ProfiLux can be accessed under
this address. In the event a WLAN-card has been adjusted additionally the type of the network
topology (ad hoc or infrastructure) and the SSID has been set.
Important hint: All radio network security settings the WLAN-card are deactivated after
saving the previous settings. How to set the security settings is explained later.

2.2 Setup with ProfiLuxControl

This is the comfortable way to configure your (W)LAN-card. For this purpose it is necessary that
there is already a connection between PC and ProfiLux, e.g. via USB or RS232.

• Start ProfiLuxControl II and press Connect. Eventually the connection settings must be
adjusted (press button with the 3 dots).

• After connecting successfully click on System on the left side. ProfiLuxControl displays
now the present hardware – ProfiLux and the built-in cards.

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• To setup the LAN-card or WLAN-card click on the corresponding icon; then press
Configuration. Now the configuration dialog is opened.

At this point the IP-address can be entered, in the case of a WLAN-card additionally the
SSID and the network topology (Infrastructure or Ad hoc) can be set.
After clicking on Save the settings will be transmitted to the (W)LAN-card.

After performing preceding steps you set a static IP-address; the ProfiLux can be accessed under
this address. In the event a WLAN-card has been adjusted additionally the type of the network
topology (ad hoc or infrastructure) and the SSID has been set.
Important hint: All radio network security settings of the WLAN-card are deactivated after
saving the previous settings. How to set the security settings is explained later.

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2.3 Setup with DeviceInstaller

The PC-program DeviceInstaller from the company Lantronix can be used to set the IP-address,
topology and other settings via LAN or WLAN. This software can be downloaded from
www.lantronix.com . The use of this tool is not necessary in most cases; we recommend doing the
setup according to the previous sections. The usage of DeviceInstaller is explained by the software
supplier.

3 WLAN-security settings
This section is relevant for WLAN-cards only. In the event you have a LAN-card you can skip this
section.
After setting IP-address, SSID and network topology the radio network security settings are left. If
your wireless network is unprotected (not recommended) you need not to do further settings.

Otherwise proceed as following:

• Deactivate your wireless network security temporally to be able for establishing a

connection to the WLAN-card.

• Start your internet browser (e.g. IE or Navigator) and enter the previous set IP-address in
the address field. In this example the IP-address 192.168.0.170 has been entered.

Now you are asked to enter username and password. Ex works no password is assigned,
so just press OK without entering anything.

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• Then the start page of the configuration menu appears.

Click on WLAN in the menu on the left side.

• Now the page with WLAN-settings is opened:

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Do the adequate security settings under Wireless Network Security; the other settings
should not be changed.
After that click on OK, afterwards click on Apply Settings in the menu on the left side. The
settings will be transmitted now to the card and the card will be rebooted.

• You can close the internet browser, the configuration is completed.

• Restore the wireless security settings of your network (router, access point or PC).

• If the security settings of the WLAN-card and the rest of your network are identical the
WLAN-card will now establish a connection to your network.

4 Establish a (W)LAN-connection with ProfiLuxControl

After integrating the (W)LAN-card successfully in your network the last step has to be performed –
establishing a connection with ProfiLuxControl.

Proceed like this:

• Start ProfiLuxControl and click on the button with the 3 dots (…), subsequently the dialog to
configure the connections will be opened.

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• Now click on New… to create a new connection. This dialog appears:

Here you can enter any name for this connection. Choose the option TCP/IP (direct) for the
type of connection. Under Host-Name the previous set IP-address must be entered, Port
10001 should not be changed. It may be wise to raise Timeout; otherwise a weak
connection may cause a connection breakdown.
After changing the settings Save has to be clicked and the dialog Connections can be
closed with Exit.

• When you are again on the start page of ProfiLuxControl please choose the previous
created connection under connections, and then click on Connect.

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If all settings had been made correctly the connection will be established between
ProfiLuxControl and ProfiLux.

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