netlink

14. Saving NetLink Parameters

This chapter discusses NetLink functions related to saving and restoring user-defined parameters. Two different functions are discussed; saving parameters to flash memory, and saving parameters to an ASCII file at your polling device.

14.1. Saving Parameters to Flash Memory

During configuration, newly defined parameters are stored in NetLink's temporary memory. Although these new parameters will determine the unit's current setup, parameters stored in temporary memory may be lost if there is a power interruption. To ensure that setup parameters are retained, it is recommended to save parameters to flash memory.

When parameters are changed, the unit will display a prompt to notify the user that newly defined parameters have not been saved. Main Menu item 7 is used to save parameters from temporary memory to flash memory.

If the user exits from command mode without first saving new parameters, NetLink will display a menu that offers the following options:

Save and Exit: NetLink will save all configuration parameters to flash memory and then exit.

Exit Without Saving: NetLink will exit from command mode without saving parameters to flash memory. Newly defined parameters will still be stored in temporary memory, but may be lost if there is an interruption of power to the unit.

Restore Previous Parameters: Newly defined parameters will be discarded and NetLink will be reconfigured with the parameters that were previously saved to flash memory.

Note: Command ^B74 can also be used to save user-defined NetLink parameters to flash memory. As described in Section 18, Command ^B74 offers the option save parameters to flash memory or restore parameters from flash memory.

14.2. Saving and Restoring Parameters from an ASCII File

After NetLink has been configured, parameters can be saved to an ASCII text file using the File Mode in ProComm or another communications program. Later, if the configuration is altered or deleted, saved parameters can be uploaded to quickly reconfigure the unit without the need to manually enter each parameter.

When parameters are downloaded to an ASCII File, NetLink will send the parameters that are displayed by the status screens.

NetLink offers two different methods for saving parameters to an ASCII file; the Menu Driven Method and the Command Driven Method.

14.2.1. Saving Parameters to an ASCII File (Menu Driven Method)

This method uses NetLink's menu system to initiate the download.

Set your communications program (e.g. ProComm) to receive an ASCII text file and specify a file name for the saved parameters.
1. When using ProComm, press [Page Down] to activate the "Receive Parameters" mode. Select "Raw ASCII". Type in a filename for the saved parameters and press [Enter].
Access the NetLink Command Mode as described in Section 18.1.
Download NetLink's parameter settings to an ASCII file.

From the NetLink Main Menu, type 3 and press [Enter], the System Functions menu will appear as shown in Figure 14.1.

When the System Functions menu appears, type 6 and press [Enter] to begin the download. NetLink will send parameters to the polling device, where they will be saved to the ASCII filename selected in Step 1.
If you are using ProComm, press [Esc] to exit the Receive Parameters Mode.

14.2.2. Saving Parameters to an ASCII File (Command Driven Method)

NetLink parameters can also be saved to an ASCII file using Command ^B99. Command ^B99 performs the same task as the System Function Menu's "Download Parameters" function.

To save parameters to an ASCII file using the Command Driven Method, proceed as follows:

Set your communications program (e.g. ProComm) to receive an ASCII text file and specify a file name for the saved parameters.

When using ProComm, press [Page Down] to activate the "Receive Parameters" mode. Select "Raw ASCII". Type in a filename for the saved parameters and press [Enter].

 
SYSTEM FUNCTIONS: 

1.  Security Level 
2.  "Passthrough" Mode 
3.  "Monitor" Mode 
4.  Clear Alarm Condition 
5.  Clear Alarm Clue Counters 
6.  Download Parameters 
7.  Audit Trail Functions 
8.  Upload Firmware 

Enter Selection, 
Press <ESC> to return to previous menu ...

Figure 14.1: System Functions Menu

Access command mode as described in Section 18.1.
1. If the password function is enabled, enter the valid Supervisor Level password. NetLink must be operating in Supervisor Mode in order for the download command to function.
2. Note that this procedure can be performed from anywhere in the NetLink menu system.
Before invoking Command ^B99, make certain the command echo is disabled at the NetLink command port which will drive the download. If the command echo is enabled when Command ^B99 is invoked, the ^B99 command will be included in the file with the saved parameters. This will cause problems when the file is uploaded to the NetLink unit,

The Command Echo is enabled/disabled using the Port Configuration Menus as described in Section 4.4.
If desired, the command echo can also be temporarily suppressed by entering the ^A character in place of the ^B character (e.g. ^A99). Note that this method can also be applied to other ^Bxx commands to temporarily suppress the command echo.

Invoke command ^B99. From any NetLink command menu, type ^B99 (or ^A99) and then press [Enter]. NetLink parameters will be sent to the polling device, where they will be saved to the ASCII filename selected in Step 1.

When using ProComm, press [Esc] to exit from Receive Parameters Mode when the download is complete.

14.3. Configuring NetLink with Saved Parameters

Once parameters have been saved to an ASCII file, the file can then be uploaded to the NetLink to reconfigure the unit without manually defining each parameter.

The ASCII file with the saved parameters can also be uploaded to other NetLink units. This allows rapid set-up when a number of units will be configured with the same parameters.

Access command mode as described in Section 18.1.

If the password function is enabled, enter the valid Supervisor Level password. NetLink must be operating in Supervisor Mode in order for this procedure to function.
Note that this procedure can be performed from anywhere in the NetLink menu system.

Use your communication program's (e.g. ProComm's) upload function to transfer the file that contains the saved parameters to the NetLink unit via modem or the Console Port.

Select ASCII File Format.
Specify the filename and directory location for the file with the saved parameters. Note that it is very important to enter the correct filename and location. Sending an incorrect file to the NetLink unit will cause unpredictable results.

If an Error message is received at any time during the parameter upload, repeat steps 1 and 2 above to resend the entire file.

Notes:
- If the file with the saved parameters is sent to NetLink via the Computer Port (from a local PC), changes will take effect immediately.
- If the parameter file is sent to NetLink via the Modem Port, Modem Communication Parameters will not take effect until after you exit from Command Mode. The Port Status Screen will not show the new Modem Port parameters until you have exited and re-entered Command Mode.