USB connections to bell systems

Purpose of USB port

The bell system's USB port will connect to a Windows compatible PC. Management Suite software running on the PC is a collection of utilities and applications that provides additional functionality to the bell system.

Systems with USB ports

• All solid state rack mountable carillons rear panel at left bottom corner (Six-SS, Millennium, Platinum)
• All black wall mounted bell control panels on bottom surface (2106, 2108, 2206, 2208)

Connecting the bell system to a PC

Connect the cable between the PC and the bell system only after the Management Suite driver software has been installed.

If you wish to access this PC remotely, you can do this using a remote desktop host/client such as,

• Windows Remote Desktop Connection (included with Windows) over the local area network or VPN (or port forwarding if you understand the risks)
• GoToMyPC and LogMeIn are premium programs with expensive subscriptions
• TeamViewer is free for non-commercial use

Cable type

The USB cable has a Male A connector on the PC end and a Male B connector on the bell system end. Length of the cable should be ten feet or less. A quality cable that has been tested to work on Chime Master systems is available for order.

Extending the USB port

SIIG USB 2.0 4-Port Extender

Extends USB distance up to 80 meters (260 feet) via CAT6 cable (point to point, not a network).

Networking the USB port

If the PC is a distance away from the bell system then a network connection must be used.

Chime Master systems do not have network interfaces. Customers often call asking for the MAC address, because they see the RJ-45 connector on the back (for RS485 tower control data) and assume it is an Ethernet port. It is not and there is no MAC address.

One of the following devices must be used to network the carillon. Insert one of the following devices between the USB port on the bell system and a network connection. A device driver will be installed on a computer (on the same network and sub-net) that will make the USB port of the networked device look like it is on the local PC.

• Silex wireless solutions available from Mouser
• Silex wired solutions available from Amazon.
• Digi-AnywhereUSB available from Amazon and Digikey.

Consult your IT department decide which solution is best for you.

Silex installation

Wireless

One reason to choose the Silex wireless solution is that it provides a safety air-gap between equipment in the tower that is exposed to lightning and other static sources outside the building and expensive inside equipment on the network.

For a wireless connection with the Silex, click the link above then go to Documentation and choose the PDF file Setup Guide. Refer to the diagram that names the Parts and Functions while following this procedure.

• Plug in the Chime Master carillon.
• Connect a USB cable between the USB port of the Silex and the port on the carillon.
• Plug the wire from the AC adapter into the Silex power connector port and plug in the AC adapter to power.
• Using the push switch, turn power on to the Silex and the single green power LED should appear solid. The WLAN LED will blink Orange or be solid green.
• Push the WPS button on your wireless router. Push and hold the push switch (power button) on the Silex until the WLAN LED blinks green.
  • If it blinks red, there was a failure. Unplug the Silex and start again at the asterisk.
• Return to the Silex product page and click on DS-520AN Support in the Quick Links section of the page. From the support page you can download SX-Virtual Link for Windows.
• Install SX-Virtual Link and run it. The CMS carillon should be shown as connected.
• When you open the Management Suite software, the top should display that you are (Connected).

Wired

For a wired or network connection with the Silex, click the link above then go to Documentation and choose Setup Guide. Refer to the Parts and Functions section. Plug in the Chime Master carillon. In the USB port of the Silex, plug in the USB cord directly from the carillon. In the network port, use a network cable to plug directly into the network. In the power connector port, plug in the AC adapter and plug it into the wall. Using the push switch, turn power on to the Silex and the single green power LED should appear solid. Again, go to the link above and hover your mouse over Support and under the Downloads column, click Device Connectivity. Find the model number of your product in the list. Click SX-Virtual Link and choose the latest version of the software application for your processing system. Please note that the Management Suite software only works on Windows-based PCs at this time. Once it is finished downloading, unzip the file and run the Cosetup Application or Autorun.exe. Then you can open the SX Virtual Link on your computer and the CMS carillon should be connected. When you open the Management Suite software, the top should display that you are (Connected).