Controlling 1 RS232 Projector with 2 masters

liviolow

Hi there,

Can anyone advice me on whether I can control 1 RS32 projector with 2 masters by creating a split head out of the Main RS232 cables.

Meaning to say the RS232 cable out from the projector will split into master 1 and 2.

When master 1 goes down, Master 2 still can control the projector.

Thank you!

Sensiva

IP/RS232

As far as I know, there might be RS232 splitters in the market, didn't test them , or even think they might work probably , specially in handling timing based feedback responses.

So, if I were you I would use an IP/RS232 server like Extron IPL , SENA or Global cache, then master 1 can connect to that server (IP connection) and send strings which will be forwarded to that servers RS232 port, once master 1 goes offline master two starts connecting, and once master 1 back online master2 should terminate its connection to let master 1 get the wheel

By the way vining knows alot about those servers... You may ask him, and keep your conversation in this thread to be available to all other members

Cheers

liviolow

Sensiva wrote: »

As far as I know, there might be RS232 splitters in the market, didn't test them , or even think they might work probably , specially in handling timing based feedback responses.

So, if I were you I would use an IP/RS232 server like Extron IPL , SENA or Global cache, then master 1 can connect to that server (IP connection) and send strings which will be forwarded to that servers RS232 port, once master 1 goes offline master two starts connecting, and once master 1 back online master2 should terminate its connection to let master 1 get the wheel

By the way vining knows alot about those servers... You may ask him, and keep your conversation in this thread to be available to all other members

Cheers

Hi there,

Thanks for the advice. But my problem is that the whole institution have around a minimum of 100 projectors all run by RS232. The cost will be massive if I were to use server out to the devices rite?

gary_cummins

If both masters are on the same network, you can just use Master to Master Communication....Then 100's of controllers could control 1 projector.

jjames

Would something like this be applicable?

It's a serial port switch; 1 in, 20 out.

http://www.digital-loggers.com/ss20.html

Sensiva

liviolow wrote: »

Hi there,

Thanks for the advice. But my problem is that the whole institution have around a minimum of 100 projectors all run by RS232. The cost will be massive if I were to use server out to the devices rite?

I thought your problem is how to implement redundant controllers in case of one went offline.

I wonder how will you manage this large number.

Any way, both will be cost massive, but IP/RS232 servers will be much less than many NI controllers and many 232 ports cards installed in many hub shells through a large ICSNET network... OMG!

Sensiva

I wish it could be true

jjames wrote: »

Would something like this be applicable?

It's a serial port switch; 1 in, 20 out.

http://www.digital-loggers.com/ss20.html

The link sounds to be promising but the manual.... Grrrr

read the highlighted lines in the attached image.

DHawthorne

gary_cummins wrote: »

If both masters are on the same network, you can just use Master to Master Communication....Then 100's of controllers could control 1 projector.

Actually, in that kind of scenario, only one master is controlling the projector, and the other masters are controlling that master. If the controlling master fails, they all fail.

Perhaps a better answer to the original question is an IP-serial device that will accept multiple IP connections.

liviolow

gary_cummins wrote: »

If both masters are on the same network, you can just use Master to Master Communication....Then 100's of controllers could control 1 projector.

Well I hope its dat simple. User wanted to have another the backup master to function on its own should the main goes down.

E.G. If the main goes down, The backup can still control the projectors.

liviolow

Sensiva wrote: »

I thought your problem is how to implement redundant controllers in case of one went offline.

I wonder how will you manage this large number.

Any way, both will be cost massive, but IP/RS232 servers will be much less than many NI controllers and many 232 ports cards installed in many hub shells through a large ICSNET network... OMG!

Well they wanted to have the master setting to be cardframe with all RS232 cards with expansion of RS232 ports using another cardframes with COM2 cards and link it via Axlink. Hope I dun sound confusing I guess.

liviolow

DHawthorne wrote: »

Actually, in that kind of scenario, only one master is controlling the projector, and the other masters are controlling that master. If the controlling master fails, they all fail.

Perhaps a better answer to the original question is an IP-serial device that will accept multiple IP connections.

The projectors are already installed there for quite a while. Our masters are just add ons to replace their old systems. Previously RS232 has already been laid for the foundation in the past (Cre$tron controlled.. Ouch!)

Do you have an advice on what IP-Serial Device which I can actually use safely?

DHawthorne

You can give these a look; you would be able to retain existing wiring and just add the appropriate model to the end of the cable, then network it in. They say they support multiple IP clients, but you may want to give support over there a call to make sure they will do what you want (and for all I know, they have a better solution - they bill themselves as serial communications specialists).

http://www.bb-elec.com/product_family.asp?familyid=2

liviolow

DHawthorne wrote: »

You can give these a look; you would be able to retain existing wiring and just add the appropriate model to the end of the cable, then network it in. They say they support multiple IP clients, but you may want to give support over there a call to make sure they will do what you want (and for all I know, they have a better solution - they bill themselves as serial communications specialists).

http://www.bb-elec.com/product_family.asp?familyid=2

Thanks alot! I will give them a ring on this. Looks really promising!