Frequently Asked Questions

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Knowledge Base > Discontinued Products > Express 4x4

What is DSP and how does to apply to Composer-based hardware?

Advanced Digital Signal Processing is at the core of our Composer-based hardware. Our solutions simply design and deliver superb fidelity, adding value for designers, integrators, and end users.

Can I talk to Composer-based DSPs using HyperTerminal?

If the unit has RS-232 control, yes.  HyperTerminal can be used to simulate an external controller.

Default settings:

Baud: 38400

Data bits: 8

Parity: None

Stop bits: 1

Flow control: None

How do I set the IP address of a SymNet Express unit?

Establish serial communication.

Edit menu > Site Ethernet Preferences.

Click on the Ring you wish to configure.

Click Edit Unit Settings.

Enable IP control, then enter the appropriate IP information and click Write Settings to Unit.  Or, Read Settings from Unit.  This dialog syncs the IP information between software and hardware.

 

What is SymVue Discovery?

SymNet Designer 9.1+ software features a discovery app that gives users immediate visibility of IP equipped devices on your network.  Learn more in this Tech Tip:

Tech Tip: SymVue Discovery

I receive Download Failed error when downloading to my SymNet Express unit over IP.

If you receive the following error when downloading to a SymNet Express unit over IP you may need to increase the MTU (maximum transmission unit) settings associated with your computer’s NIC (network interface card):

Download failed: Failed to download configuration on Ring #1, Address #1.

If your MTU settings are not large enough you will not be able to download over IP, though upload may still be possible.  Serial communication will not be affected.

MTU is the largest protocol data unit in bytes that can pass onwards.  SymNet will require an MTU setting of at least 1492.

To check your current MTU setting:

Start > Run > open: cmd

From the command prompt window type:
netsh interface ipv4 show subinterfaces

This will show the network interfaces on your computer and the packet size (MTU) limitation.  Make note of the MTU value and name of your Local Area Connection.

To change the MTU type:
netsh interface ipv4 set subinterface “Local Area Connection” mtu=nnnn store=persistent

where
Local Area Connection is the name of the network connection on your computer connected to SymNet.

nnnn is the desired value for MTU.

The updated Designer 9.0 example design files and super-modules did not install with SymNet Designer 9.0 or higher.

If you are installing the full release version 9.0 but had a beta version previously installed, you must first completely uninstall the beta version for the new example files to appear.

If the example design files and super-modules do not appear after uninstalling the beta version and installing the full release, it may be necessary to manually delete the SND 9.0 beta registry section (HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareSymetrixSymNet Designer 9.0) as well as the SymNet Designer 9.0 folder (My DocumentsSymNet Designer 9.0).

Then re-install SymNet Designer 9.0 and the new example files will appear.

USB to serial (RS-232) converter and Symetrix manufactured products.

Many USB to serial converters (RS-232) were designed and manufactured before the release of Windows XP. If you are having trouble connecting to a device with a USB to serial converter, make sure you have a current driver. Go to the converter manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver(s).

Where can I find an owner's manual for my Symetrix product?

All technical and operational instructions and documentation for current Symetrix products are contained within the Help menu of the Designer and/or Composer software. Simply click on the question-mark icon on the toolbar in Designer/Composer and search your topic.

Download the latest version of Designer or Composer at www.symetrix.co.

Should Symetrix hardware have an extra rack space above and below it in the equipment rack?

Anecdotal evidence suggests a longer life-span of Symetrix hardware that is separated by at least one additional space in the equipment rack.  This is in addition to following the guidelines for maximum recommended ambient operation temperature.  See unit’s Quick Start Guide for information.

After upgrading to SymNet Designer from an earlier version, my control screens are behaving strangely.

There is a remote chance that the control screen or SymVue panel created in an earlier version of Designer contains control data that no longer matches the current module.  (Pre Designer 8.0 and older increases this risk.)

First, replace the control in the control screen with a new one from the existing module.  If this does not solve the problem, it may be necessary to replace the original module from which the control was copied.

I receive a ‘Component transfer error’ when attempting to uninstall SymNet Designer 9.0 or higher.

If you have installed multiple versions of SymNet Designer using the ‘Repair’ option, there is a possibility the uninstall utility will encounter difficulties when trying to remove all associated files.

Start the uninstall process again from the Control Panel using Add or Remove Programs (XP)/Uninstall or change a program (Vista).  If the error is encountered, repeat uninstall process until the utility completes without error.

Verify uninstall by making sure the following folders were removed:

Registry entry:  HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareSymetrixSymNet Designer 9.0

In My Documents:  My DocumentsSymNet Designer 9.0

Is my Microsoft Vista operating system compatible with SymNet Designer 9.0 software?

The following Vista operating systems are officially supported for SymNet Designer 9.0 software:

Windows Vista Business – 32-bit OS installation only

Windows Vista Ultimate – 32-bit OS installation only

The following Vista operating systems are currently not supported for SymNet Designer 9.0 software:

Windows Vista 64-bit (any version)

The following Vista operating systems are not tested for SymNet Designer 9.0 software:

Windows Vista Home

Windows Vista Home Premium Edition

Although Windows Vista Home and Home Premium have not been tested by Symetrix Inc., there are currently no known issues with Vista Home and Home Premium 32-bit operating systems and SymNet Designer 9.0 software compared to the supported Windows Vista Business or Ultimate Edition operating systems.

Be sure you are running only latest version SymNet Designer software available at www.symetrix.co.

Does Express have a default IP address?

No.  IP settings are static and user specified.

What pins are used on the serial cable?

2, 3, 5, straight-through.

How do I control SymNet over the Internet?

In SymNet Designer 9.1 and later it is possible to control multiple IP equipped SymNet units over the Internet (wide area network, or WAN).  Multiple devices can be accessed from a single external IP address.  This is accomplished by using unique port numbers for each device.

To configure WAN communication for your system open the Help files contained within the SymNet Designer software and perform a search for “WAN” or see the chapter entitled “Menu Bar – File – Preferences.”

Can you acccess multiple SymNet units over the Internet?

Did you know SymNet Designer 9.1 or later can access multiple SymNet units over the Internet?  Find out more in this Tech Tip:

Tech_Tip: WAN Access for SymNet Systems

Is Express DHCP capable?

No.

What is the maximum voltage recommended for the analog control inputs on a SymNet device?

The input stage of an analog control input of a SymNet device will clamp on an input exceeding +5.5V.  Anything above +5.5V will draw excessive current (the amount depending on the output resistance of the device supplying the current) and could possibly damage the input stage.  Keep analog control input current to below +5.5V.

Where can I find an Ethernet application with IP capable Symetrix products?

SymNet Remote Terminal is a UDP terminal test application for testing Ethernet-based control for Symetrix products.

SymNet Remote Terminal.zip

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