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Frequently Asked Questions

This page will attempt to answer some of the more common technical queries that we receive from our customers. It also describes the type and, where applicable, the availability of items that can be used in conjunction with Feedback equipment.

Questions

Feedback Terminal Cabling Questions

  1. What are the host connections from a Feedback Terminal Server(TS) or Network Interface(NI)?
  2. What communications cable should be used with Feedback terminals?
  3. What is the maximum recommended network length?
  4. What cable should be used to connect an external Barcode or Magstripe reader to a Feedback Terminal?
  5. What is the minimum number of connections needed to establish an RS232 link to a terminal?

Care and Maintenance

  1. How can Barcode or Magstripe reader heads be safely cleaned and what can be used?

Miscellaneous

  1. How do I Identify the type of Feedback product I have?
  2. How do you get into Diagnostic Mode on a Feedback Terminal?
  3. Where can I get an 'F' piece adaptor for the 10BASE2 connection on certain Feedback Ethernet terminals?
  4. How can I get the measurements for mounting Feedback Terminals and Readers?
  5. What colours can I use for printing barcodes?
  6. How can I check communications to my Feedback FAMS terminal?
  7. How do I tell which type of ethernet interface my feedback equipment is using from the MAC address?

Software Queries

  1. How do I find out the firmware number of a Feedback terminal?
  2. What are the minimum system requirements for microtrak IP+ software?
  3. How do I upload a file to an Ethernet Feedback terminal?
  4. How do I disable a validation table via software commands?


Answers

Feedback Terminal Cabling Questions



  1. What are the host connections from a Feedback Terminal Server(TS) or Network Interface(NI)?
    The following cable drawings can be downloaded and are in *.pdf format:

    (21K) 422-203 Host Cable NI - AT download here
    (21K) 422-204 Host Cable NI - XT download here
    (22K) 751-229 Host Cable TS - FACT download here
    (19K) 751-230 Host Cable TS - FAMS download here
    (21K) 751-231 Host Cable TS - AT download here
    (22K) 751-232 Host Cable TS - XT download here
    (24K) 751-233 Host Cable TS - AT (Handshake) download here
    (23K) 751-234 Host Cable TS - XT (Handshake) download here


  2. What communications cable should be used with Feedback terminals?
    Listed below are the communications cables that we recommend:

    4-wire FAMS networks: Screened twin twisted pair 22AWG Type 1 data cable (RS part no. 367-959) or Telephone cable, type: CW 1308 twin pair (RS part no. 368-413)

    2-wire FAMS networks: Screened single twisted pair 22AWG Type 3 data cable (RS part no. 360-649) or Telephone cable, type: CW 1308 single pair (RS part no. 368-407)

    FACT networks: Belden 8451 - single pair 22AWG shielded (RS part no. 360-649) or Telephone cable, type: CW 1308 single pair (RS part no. 368-407)

    LAN networks: Due to the many variants involved in 10baseT and 10base2 networks, we do not recommend any specific cabling as this is dictated by the system requirements. However, RS once again supply a wide range of suitable cables.

  3. What is the maximum recommended network length?
    The TOTAL length for a FACT network must not exceed 5kms.
    The total length for a FAMS network depends on the interface device being used. For a Network Interface (422-500) it is 5kms. However, if using a Terminal Server, it is 5kms per port and so it could theoretically be 20kms depending on the type. For more information, see our networking section .

  4. What cable should be used to connect an external Barcode or Magstripe reader to a Feedback Terminal?
    A suitable cable for connecting both types of reader to a Feedback Terminal is Belden 9536 (RS part no. 382-453).

  5. What is the minimum number of connections needed to establish an RS232 link to a terminal?
    You only require 3 connections.
    They are TX, RX and 0V.

    Terminal 9-Pin D-Type
    RXD 3
    TXD 2
    0V 5

Care and Maintenance



  1. How can Barcode or Magstripe reader heads be safely cleaned and what can be used?
    The cleaning of standard contact Barcode and Magstripe heads can safely be carried out using the MCR head cleaning kit available from RS (RS part no. 218-526). Alternatively, if access to the head is possible, then cotton buds and Isopropyl alcohol can be used (available from any high street chemist).

Miscellaneous



  1. How do I Identify the type of Feedback product I have?
    ALL Feedback Terminals have a particular Build Standard (BS) or Product Code (PC) number and a unique serial number.
    These numbers can be found on a silver label that is either engraved and riveted into place or is printed and stuck on. All labels are positioned at the bottom and/or back of the terminal.
    If contacting the Feedback Data Customer Services department, please quote these numbers to enable us to quickly identify the product.

  2. How do you get into Diagnostic Mode on a Feedback Terminal?
    5000 and 7000 series terminals can be accessed either via the cable loom at the rear, by linking the two connections marked 'DIAG SELECT' or by SW4 of the switch bank inside on the main pcb.
    The Kestrel diagnostics can be selected by linking the two pins marked 'DIAG' on the engine pcb. The Rugged series can be accessed via the marked point on the cable loom at the rear.
    NOTE: All later terminals can be set to keypad entry of diagnostic mode.

  3. Where can I get an 'F' piece adaptor for the 10BASE2 connection on certain Feedback Ethernet terminals?
    The adaptor is available from Farnell Components (part no. 251-082).

  4. How can I get the measurements for mounting Feedback Terminals and Readers?
    The following templates are available to assist in mounting Feedback supplied Terminals and Readers and are in *.pdf format:

    (173K) TMPL001-01 868 Barcode Reader Template download here
    (160K) TMPL002-01 Area Controller Template download here
    (149K) TMPL003-01 Door Controller Template download here
    (158K) TMPL004-01 Kestrel Template download here
    (139K) TMPL005-01 MR Sensors Magstripe Reader Template download here
    (136K) TMPL006-01 Paxton Magstripe Reader Template download here
    (149K) TMPL007-01 Waterproof Terminal Template (top & bottom) download here
    (148K) TMPL008-01 Waterproof Terminal Template (sides) download here
    (138K) TMPL009-01 HID Reader Template download here
    (139K) TMPL013-01 878 Barcode Reader Template download here


  5. What colours can I use for printing barcodes?
    There are certain colours that cannot be read and example barcodes are detailed below:


  6. How can I check communications to my Feedback FAMS terminal?
    Feedback have a very useful utility called FAMSTEST.EXE which allows basic commands to be sent to the terminals and check communication integrity. It is available from our Software Downloads area. For instructions on using FAMSTEST.EXE, see product information sheet INF03101 available for download from our User Documentation section.

  7. How do I tell which type of ethernet interface my feedback equipment is using from the MAC address?
    The feedback MAC address convention is as follows:

    HBM - 00-A0-XX-XX-XX-XX (old)
    Lantronix - 00-20-XX-XX-XX-XX (current)
    Integral - 00-60-XX-XX-XX-XX (current)

Software Queries



  1. How do I find out the firmware number of a Feedback terminal?
    This can be done in three ways. On older terminals, there will be a label affixed to the top of the eprom with the firmware number and issue printed onto it. On most terminals you can also enter diagnostic test 19 and this will display the number and issue fitted. Alternatively, if this is inconvenient, a '?' command can be sent to the terminal via FAMSTEST.EXE which will report the number. For instructions on using FAMSTEST.EXE, see product information sheet INF03101 available for download from our Support section. FAMSTEST.EXE is available from our Software Downloads page.

  2. What are the minimum system requirements for microtrak IP+ software?
    The minimum recommended system requirements are: 1GHz Pentium III™, 512 Mb RAM, Windows 98™, 20Gb hard drive and 1024x768 resolution SVGA monitor.

  3. How do I upload a file to an Ethernet Feedback terminal?
    You can use our own Windows® application TCPTX.EXE which is available for download from our Software Download page.

  4. How do I disable a validation table via software commands?
    Using famstest.exe, send a lower case 'l' followed by an upper case 'N'. To enable validation again, replace the 'N' with a 'Y'. This will disable/enable table checking.