Contents - Index - Previous - Next

How to install the hardware?
Before starting the application, you have to connect the cables, described at "What's in the box", to your PC running ComTrace and the units, talking to each other via RS232 connection.

Therefore decide, what 2 COM ports you want to use with ComTrace. E.g. you want to use COM1: and COM2: of your system for measurement. So connect the "A" labeled plug of the ComAB cable to COM1 and the "B" labeled plug into COM2 ! The plug labeled "TEST" must be used with the Test line cable, described in the next paragraph.

Use both plugs at the end of the "Test line" cable to insert into a RS232 connection for measurement. The plug in the middle gets connected with the "TEST" plug of the ComAB cable.

If one or more of the connections of the environment, that must be examined, possess 25 pin D-SUB plugs, use the adapters, delivered with ComTrace, do interface down to 9-pin D-SUB plugs.


ATTENTION:
If you don't know, whether the connection wires (send and receive data) of the measured line are cross wired or get transformed via galvanic isolation into or back from another transmission format (like RS485), it's advisable, to plug the "test line" cable directly to the sender or host (e.g. PC). So you know with certainty, what the send and receive lines are. On the other hand the send and receive data shown by ComTrace may be interpreted the wrong way (swapped)!


1. Example:
You have a connection between a PC(Data Terminal Equipment/Host/Sender) and a modem(Data Communciation Equipment). These units are connected via a fitting cable (normaly 1:1 wired). If you now measure that connection with ComTrace on the modem's side, the PC's send data arrise as sent data (D1/TX) in ComTrace's display. The send data of the modem appear as the PC's receive data (D2/RX).




2. Example:
You have a connection between two PCs(Data Terminal Equipment/Host/Sender). These units are connected via a fitting cable (normaly cross wired). If you now measure that connection with ComTrace, the PC's send data, where the "test line" cable is connected to, arrise as sent data (D1/TX) in ComTrace's display. The send data of the other PC (remote location) appear as receive data (D2/RX).





Now you are ready to proceed with the next step "How to start the software?"!

ComTrace Help Contents