Why doesn't NetS24 work right in Windows 2000?

This applies to users who are not running AMS version 3.0.5 (or newer).

There have been some reports of NetS24 not working properly on Windows 2000 based systems. The program starts properly, but data can't reliably be sent from the scanners. (It appears that some, but not all data is getting through.) There is a check to see if your problem is the common one that has already been seen.

Check the main screen for NetS24. The text in the screen should begin with many initilization lines. Each line begins with a blue circled ‘i’ followed by the time. Most of them then say “Open file <filename> for packets...”. The last two lines should be “ Start NetS24db DR -min -stop” and “Open pipe DRfor packets DR and terminals 000”. If the last one or two lines keep repeating (every 8-10 seconds or so), you have encountered this “known” bug in NetS24.

A temporary fix is to stop and start NetS24 until the problem goes away. This works for some, but not all systems.

A permanent fix is to get the upgraded version of NetS24. The AMS 3.0.5 CD contains the updated NetS24 files. In addition, the updated files can be sent electronically. Please contact the AMS Help Desk to get the updates.

How do I configure an Access Point?

To begin set-up, the AP must be plugged into power and be hooked up to the PC with a null modem serial cable. You then need to follow these steps:

1. Turn on the power to the access point.
2. Run the HyperTerminal program. You can start it via the Start Menu. It is located at Programs|Accessories|HyperTerminal. After starting the program be sure that it is set to communicate at 19200,N,8,1.
3. On the PC running HyperTerminal, press the ESC key. You will get a Main Menu screen.
4. Press Enter to choose Show System Summary to see how the system is already configured. You will need to take note two items.
   • First is the IP address (especially if DHCP is enabled).
   • The second is the Net_ID (ESS). Check with the systems administrator to see what ESS ID you should use. After writing these two items down, you will need to press ESC to go back out to the main menu.
5. Now hit the down arrow until you get to Enter Admin Mode. You will be prompted for a password. The factory default is "Symbol" (it is case sensitive). Press Enter and you will then have access to the complete set-up functions. Choose AP Installation from the Main Menu.
6. Here you can set the ESS ID and if using a static IP address, you can enter that too. (Note that most sites will be using a static IP address.) Be sure to save before going back to the main menu.
7. If you need to turn off DHCP and set a static IP address (your systems administrator should know if you need to do this), choose Special Functions from the Main Menu. To turn DHCP on or off, arrow down to "Alter Filenames..." and press Enter. Then arrow down to DHCP and use the space bar to toggle DHCP on or off. Save your configuration and then quit HyperTerminal.
8. Reset the AP by cycling the power. The AP is now ready to use.

If the AP needs to be checked and/or reconfigured later, you can repeat the previous procedure. You can also use telnet or a browser to access the AP, but you need to know the IP address (impossible when it’s just “out of the box”).

How do I configure a micro-Access Point?

These instructions are for Windows 2000 based systems.

Before beginning, you need to make sure that you have the latest version of the drivers for the card. You can find them at the MARCORSYSCOM site: http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/ait/AIT_LA3021.asp or directly from the Symbol site: http://www.symbol.com/services/downloads/download_driversw98_me_2000.html.

1. After you have downloaded the latest drivers (currently it's under 250 kB in size), you need to expand (“unzip”) the file onto your hard drive. It's an executable program, so just double-click on the icon. You will get the screen shown here.
   Click on “Unzip” and it will create a new folder with all of the driver files in it (in the same location as the original executable).
   
   
2. Included in those files is the official “readme” file (README.txt). In the beginning you will find the following:
   
   
   Stopping outdated driver from loading in Windows 2000:
   
   Windows 2000 Operating Systems comes with an outdated driver for the Spectrum24 FH PCMCIA Card. Windows 2000 will automatically install the outdated PCMCIA driver when it detects the adapter. In order to take advantage of new features, and in order to use the Plus Pack, you MUST use the new driver included in this package. To do this, you must run "DelW2KINF.exe" program from the "Win2000" folder BEFORE inserting your Spectrum24 FH PCMCIA Card or booting up with your Spectrum24 FH PCMCIA Card inserted.
   
   If you've already inserted the adapter—and therefore Win2000 already installed the outdated driver—you must uninstall the outdated driver by following the steps below:

   1. With the Spectrum24 PCMCIA Card plugged-in, right-click “My Network Places” icon on the desktop and choose “Properties” from the floating menu.
   2. Right-click the Spectrum24 Local Area Connection and choose “Properties” from the floating menu.
   3. Press the “Configure” button.
   4. Click on the “Driver” tab, and press the “Uninstall“ button.
   5. Click “OK:rdquo; on the confirmation message box.
   6. Click “YES” on the Re-Start message box.
   7. As Windows 2000 restarts, REMOVE the Spectrum24 PCMCIA Card from the card slot.
   8. Once Windows 2000 boots up, run the “DelW2KINF.exe” program from the “Win2000” folder.
   9. Insert the Spectrum24 FH PCMCIA Card and proceed with normal driver installation, as described below.
   
   
   
3. After following Symbol's instructions above, you will need to install the card and it's drivers. After installing the card into the slot, you should be prompted to choose your drivers. You want to tell Windows exactly where your new drivers are, so make sure that you choose “Have Disk” and browse back to where you unzipped the drivers. Select the file “SLA30ND5.inf” and choose “Open”. This will then install the drivers.
   
   
4. Once installed, you will need to configure the card. You need to begin by opening the Control Panels (from the Start menu). Double click on Local Area Connection 2. You should then get the screen shown here.
   
   
5. Press the Properties button. You will come to the screen shown here.
   
   
6. You will need to assign an IP address to the card. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click on the OK button. You will get the screen shown here.
   The IP address shown here is an example. For any RDU operating independent of any other system, this should work well. Please note that the scanners will also need to have IP addresses in the same subnet (i.e., in the range 192.168.1.xxx). Press the OK button to save your changes.
   
   
7. After setting the IP address, you will be back at the screen shown in number 5. Now press the Configure button (near the top right of the screen). You will see the screen shown here.
   
   
8. Click on the Spetrum24 tab and you will see the screen shown here. You will need to assign an ESS ID. The value shown here is the default value for the scanners. It is recommended that you not use a default value. If the RDU and scanners will only be used with AMS, one possible choice would be to use “AMS” as the ESS ID. In any case, the scanners will all need to have to be configured with the same ESS ID.
   Note: The ESS ID value accepts numbers and letters, both upper- and lower-case. However, it is difficult to enter lower-case letters on the scanner. Don't use lower-case letters in the ESS ID!
   
   
9. Now click on the Advanced button. You will get the screen shown here. You need to check the boxes for Enable Micro AP and 1 Megabit Base Rate. Press the OK button to save. Repeat pressing the OK button on each window until back to the screen shown in number 4 (on the left). Press the Close button. The card should now be configured to work as a micro-Access Point.
   
   But there is still one more step before it can be used with AMS.
   
   
10. NetS24 must be configured. Follow the instructions in the AMS help. There are two items to note.
    • First, the IP address listed at the bottom of the NetS24 main screen may be, may not be, the same IP address that you set the access point to. Although a little confusing, it doesn't affect operation. (Since there are two network cards in the system, NetS24 picks one to show. In many cases it's the built-in one, in some it's the access point.)
    • Two, when configuring the terminals (via the Terminals Tab in Setup), make sure that the Host IP address is set to the IP of the micro-access point. The entry for the access point(s) can (should) be removed.