NET (Network)

Indicator State	Summary	Requirement	Microscan Implementation
Steady OFF	No power, no IP address	If the device does not have an IP address (or is powered off), the network status indicator will be steady OFF.	Per requirement. Before device has acquired an IP address via DHCP.
Flashing GREEN	No connections	If the device has no established connections, but has obtained an IP address, the network status indicator will be flashing GREEN.	Per requirement. After device has acquired an IP address (static or DHCP).
Steady GREEN	Connected	If the device has at least one established connection (even to the Message Router), the network status indicator will be steady GREEN.	Per requirement.
Flashing RED	Connection timeout	If one or more of the connections in which the device is the target has timed out, the network status indicator will be flashing RED.	Per requirement, but limited. Flashing RED will only last for 3 seconds, then will revert to flashing GREEN.
Steady RED	Duplicate IP	If the device has detected that its IP address is already in use, the network status indicator will be steady RED.	Not implemented.
Flashing GREEN / RED	Self-test	While the device is performing its power-up testing, the module status indicator will be flashing GREEN / RED.	Per requirement, but unlikely to be seen.

Interface Standards

Interface Standards, established by the Electronic Industries Association (EIA), specify such things as the signaling voltage levels, maximum cable lengths, and number of drivers. In the QX-870, selection of interface is made by pin assignment and, in the case of host communication, by software switching between RS-232 and RS-422/RS-485.

RS-232 defines an interface between two devices such as, for example, the scanner and host. It differs from the other interfaces by dedicating individual pins to specific functions and by requiring both devices to share a common ground line. Since both device chassis are connected to a common ground, a ground loop potential and the possibility of noise interference exists. Therefore cable lengths are limited to a maximum of 50 feet (19.7m). Despite being the most limited, this interface is used frequently because of the large installed base of RS-232 equipment.

RS-422, unlike RS-232, measures signals deferentially; that is, the receiver looks at the potentials between the two receive (or transmit) wires rather than the potential between signal and ground. As a result, cables, if shielded, can be up to 4000 feet (1219m) in length. Like RS-232, RS-422 communication is designed for only two devices on a single line and must have a common ground. It can be used wherever RS-232 is used.

TCP/IP and EtherNet/IP protocols are supported over Ethernet. A 6-byte hardware address is used, which is divided into a 3-byte vendor ID and a 3-byte vendor-defined field. Ethernet-enabled device manufacturers are assigned a unique vendor ID, and are then responsible for insuring that all of their devices have unique addresses in the last 3 bytes.