Connecting to an MS-1
This article explains how to connect to a Vocia MS-1 using Vocia software. The steps taken will vary depending on if the IP address of the MS-1 is known.
If you have no knowledge of the MS-1's IP address, the IP can be discovered and/or changed by first connecting via CobraNet.
If the IP address of the MS-1 is known, you can directly connect via IP.
MS-1 ports
The MS-1 has four separate RJ-45 Network ports that are configure for seperate Network communications tasks.
LAN-1 | IP Port - to connect Vocia Software and VTP |
LAN-2 | Cobranet Port - to connect to other Vocia CobraNet devices |
LAN-3 | VoIP - To connect to a dedicated VoIP network |
LAN-4 | Not Used |
MS-1 default IP
The MS-1 ships from the factory with the following default IP address
- IP address - 192.168.1.101
- Subnet - 255.255.255.0
- Gateway - 0.0.0.0
Connecting via CobraNet
This method can be used when the IP address of the MS-1 is not known. The Vocia software can discover an MS-1 via the device ID in the same manner it discovers other CobraNet devices in the Vocia network. If the IP address of the MS-1 is known please refer to the Connecting via IP section.
The Vocia Device Maintenance dialog always communicates over the Cobranet port and discovers all the MS-1s in the CobraNet network. It provides options to set the IP configuration, reset IP configuration to factory default etc for each MS-1.
Physical connection
Ensure that the PC with Vocia software and MS-1 LAN-2 CobraNet port are connected to the CobraNet network Switch. Alternately, a crossover Ethernet patch cable can be used to connect the PC directly to the MS-1 Cobranet port. The PC LAN port can be configured to use any IP address and subnet as CobraNet communicates over layer 2.
Software connection
Open the Vocia Software. Create a new or open an existing project.
- Create a new project file by clicking ‘New Project’.
- Open a new project by selecting 'Open'.
- When creating a new project ensure the correct Network adapter is selected.
- Go Online. The layout tree will go green once connected.
- Under the Tools menu , select MS-1 Device maintenance. This brings up the Device Maintenance dialog.
- The Discovered MS-1 device should appear in the list. Select the MS-1 and select 'IP Configuration' or 'Reset IP to Factory'.
Once the IP configuration is found or updated for the relevant MS-1, refer to the steps under Connecting via IP.
Troubleshooting
If the MS-1 does not appear in the Device Maintenance view please confirm the correct network interface is selected by using the "Specify Network Card" dialog.
If the MS-1 has a newer version of firmware than the other devices in the system you will get errors when trying to update the firmware in the rest of the system. Messages include a warning that the update has failed and you should not power cycle the device. The easiest way to resolve this issue is to remove (unplug) the MS-1 from the system's Cobranet network, discover the other devices and update their firmware, then add the MS-1 back to the system.
Connecting via IP
This method can be used when the IP address of the MS-1 is known. This is the default way the Vocia Software communicates with the MS-1. If the IP address is not known, please refer to the Connecting via CobraNet section before completing the following tasks.
Physical connection
Ensure that the PC with Vocia software and MS-1 LAN-1 IP port are connected to the IP network switch. Alternately, a crossover Ethernet patch cable can be used to connect the PC directly to the MS-1 IP port. The PC and MS-1 would need to be in the same subnet. If using factory default IP address, the PC must use a unique IP address in the 192.168.1.xxx range.
Note: The MS-1 acts as an IP to CobraNet bridge and the software discovers other Vocia Cobranet devices via this bridge. Hence the MS-1 CobraNet port (LAN-2) would need to be connected to the Vocia Cobranet network for other paging devices to be discovered.
Software connection
Open the Vocia Software. Create a new or open an existing project.
- Create a new project file by clicking ‘New Project’.
- Open a new project by selecting 'Open'
- When creating a new project ensure the correct Network adapter is selected
- Add or confirm there is an MS-1 in the project under the 'Servers' Line item.
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If required, add an MS-1 either by:
- right-clicking the Servers Line in the Layout and 'add MS-1'
- via the 'Project' Menu 'Add Servers'
- There is a requirment to configure the Vocia software so it can route data to the MS-1 located on the IP Control Network.
- Access the MS-1 configuration dialog and select ‘General’ tab.
- Enter the Device IP address of the MS-1 under ‘Control Network settings’.
- Set the Device ID in the configuration dialog to match the setting on the MS-1 unit.
- Go Online - Click the ‘Online’ button to connect to the MS-1 via provided IP address.
- Once online, the Dialog will indicate some green item lines.
- If successful, the MS-1 will indicate it's Status as Online.
Note: ID and Type columns for MS-1 in green indicate IP to CobraNet bridge.
Change MS-1 IP address
Once connected to the MS-1, the Context menu can be accessed to review the current IP settings and update a new IP address if required.
- Right click MS-1 in the software and select ‘IP configuration’ in the context menu to access the IP configuration dialog.
- The current IP configuration is shown and a new IP configuration can be set here for the MS-1.
Extracting a configuration
Once connected to the MS-1, to retrieve an existing system configuration click ‘Extract configuration from System’ under Network menu or simply click the shortcut icon.
Updating firmware
MS-1 firmware updates are done over the LAN-1 IP connection to the host PC. When an MS-1 is present, firmware updates for Vocia CobraNet devices (including TTS-1) are proxied by the MS-1 over the LAN-2 CobraNet link. Firmware is found at Vocia Software & Firmware.
If there are difficulties updating firmware on the MS-1 there are a few items to check.
- ensure that you are logged into the PC as a local admin
- ensure that you are running Vocia software as a local admin
If difficulties still persist
- disable anti-virus (temporarily) and retry
- disable firewall service (temporarily) and retry
- verify the Vocia software and firmware were installed as a local admin
- verify you are running the Vocia software as a local admin