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AN20: UDP Config in your applications

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Most of the HW group devices allow you to set the IP address using UDP broadcast. It is implemented in the Hercules utility, for example. The AN20 is intended for companies that want to implement the device search in their applications.

In the "UDP Config" tab of the Hercules utility its possible to search a local network segment for our device using UDP broadcast. The you can for example change the device's IP address, MASK and GateWay. This application note describes the format used to search for devices only, it does not describe the codes for entering the configuration in the module.

How does device lookup/setup work?

The PC software sends a message as UDP broadcast on port 9999 in this format:

\377\377\377\377\377\377IIIIMMMMFFFFWWWWUC12345678(c)HW-server.com
All devices with activated UDP Config on the specific network segment will answer this message. The answer format is described below.
All the devices, which answered the request, are now in the "UDP Config mode" until a timeout expires. This means, that they wait for an UDP frame with new settings for a certain time. Until the frame comes, the device works normally.
If the device receives an UDP frame with new settings and a corresponding cipher, the new settings are saved and the device is restarted. This document describes only the process of searching for the device, not the configuration change.

Module identification and codes

The device will answer the UDP broadcast with a frame, where it send its setting and a special code. Then the device (module or a HW unit) awaits another frame with configuration from the PC (the Hercules utility). The received frame is verified, and if the encoding is correct it's accepted, otherwise it's ignored. This way also the recipient is identified, if the frame from the PC is sent as UDP broadcast. But this is not necessary, it can also be sent as Unicast, and then it will be answered only by the target device.

Device answers (module or HW unit)

00	unsigned char	MAC[6];	// MAC address of the module
06	unsigned char	IP[4];	// IP address
0A	unsigned char	Mask[4];	// Subnet mask
0E	unsigned char	FwIP[4];	// Acceptable address range IP
12	unsigned char	FwMask[4];	// Acceptable address range MASK
16	unsigned char	Unit[2];	// Device type - more
1A	unsigned char	GW[4];	// GW address (sometime called User1)
1E	unsigned char	User2[2];	// DEVICE CTRL bits settings - more
20	unsigned char	Port[2];	// incomming TCP port number
22	unsigned char	crypt[16];	// Cryption for Write

Device type
Unit2[1]	A0 A1 A2 A3 A4 B0 B1 B2
Unit2[0]	C0 C1 C2 C3 D0 D1 D2 D3
A - Device type	5 bits	// Device FW type name (e.g. Poseidon)
B - General firmware version	3 bits	// Device FW main number (1.8.2]
C - Firmware version	4 bits	// Device FW second number (1.8.2]
D - Firmware sub-version	4 bits	// Device FW third number (1.8.2]

DEVICE CTRL bits settings
User2[0] & 1	bit 0	R/W	Enable TCP TEA authorization
User2[0] & 2	bit 1	R/W	Enable NVT
User2[0] & 4	bit 2	R/W	Enable TCP Setup (default on the port 99)
User2[0] & 8	bit 3	Read only	DHCP support (0 = DHCP not supported)
User2[0] & 16	bit 4	R/W	Enable DHCP, fixed IP address ignored

From the previous description you can now see, how to use the module search in your applications. If you also need to modify the configuration of the module, please contact us we will send you detailed information.

The described algorythm, including a MAC address filtering, can be found in the IP Relay Controller software source codes - these codes are compiled using "Borland C++ Builder 6.0".

DOWNLOAD & Links

IPRC (IP Relay Control) source codes (Borland C++ Builder 6.0)
PortStoreEye_src.zip - PS Eye - source codes (Borland C++ Builder 6.0)
Other Application Notes