Tech Memo #050

Technical Memorandum

Product: All Controls with software versions 5.00 and 6.00 and higher Date: March 2005

Subject: Network Connection Considerations

Action: See below

Instructions: See Below

Instructions:

WARNING! : Operation and maintenance of automated equipment involves potential hazards.

Only authorized service personnel should perform this service.

Description: This tech memo describes the connection of the control to a customer’s local area
network and some of the issues that may arise due to that connection. This list is by no means all
inclusive but attempts to shed some light on the process. Because there are many different network
systems, the general connection rules may need to be altered by a qualified network technician on a
case by case basis.

Network Operating System:

The Hypertherm Automation controllers are designed to work with Microsoft based network operating
systems including:

Windows NT 4.0 or later Workgroups

Windows NT 4.0 or later Domains
Windows 98 Workgroups

When connecting to one of these operating systems you should refer to the networking appendix of the
software version that is installed on your controller. In each case the control has the name “CNC” and
the user is “operator” with a password of “1396”. If you are connecting to a Domain then these names
must be valid for the domain to which the controller is connecting.

The controller is set up at the factory to automatically log into the network, using a fiber optic network
adapter, on power up. If it is necessary to change the user names and/or password you may have to go
to the registry editor to make these changes. The appropriate keys are located in:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE->Software->Microsoft->Windows NT->CurrentVersion->WinLogon

Entries must be provided here for the domain name (if used) and for the user name and password.
Configuring the Controller:

There are several things that you need to be aware of in order to make the control work on the network.
Setting these up will usually involve attaching a keyboard and mouse to the controller. Before you begin
you need to know:

A. Will you be using a DHCP Server on the network?

a. If NOT using a DHCP Server what are the TCP/IP network settings
A. Will the controller be part of a Windows Domain or Workgroup?
B. What is the name of the Domain or Workgroup?
C. Has the “operator” user and password been added to the server?
D. If using a Domain – you will need an administrator, or a user and password which allows joining
a new computer to the Domain.

In the following steps when you need to enter a name or number, do NOT include the quotes " !

1. Be sure that to create a user account on your network file server ( Windows Server ? ).
a. The user name should be "operator"
b. The password should be set to "1396"

2. Attach the keyboard and mouse to the controller, and plug the fiber optic card into the fiber to copper
converter box.

3. Plug the LAN cable into the network connector on the converter box, and supply power to the
converter box.

4. Turn on power to the controller.

5. When the control is up and running, press Setups (F4), then Password (F5), and enter "6931" for the
password.

6. Press the System (F5) button.

7. Press the "Network and Remote Tools" (F6) button.

8. When asked about Remote Assistant answer NO.

9. Double Click on the network interface connected to your LAN.

10. Click on Properties.

11. Scroll down to the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) item and Double Click it.

12. If you are using a DHCP Server, then make sure that the IP address and DNS Server addresses are
set to automatic.

13. If you are NOT using DHCP then you will need to make these entries manually, see the attached
documents.

14. Press the Done or OK keys to get back to the Control program.

15. Press the Alt-F4 key pair to cancel out of the program and get back to Windows.

16. Go to the windows "Control Panel"

17. Double click on the "System"

18. Select the "Computer Name" tab

19. Click on the "Change" button.

20. The computer name should be listed as CNC

21. Select either Domain or Workgroup, and enter the appropriate name.

22. You will be asked for a name and password of an account to add to the Domain.
This is the name and password of an administrator who can add or change accounts
on your server.

23. You should see a message welcoming you to the Domain!

24. Power down the controller and remove the keyboard and mouse. When you power up the control it
should log onto the network and you will be able to map to shared network directories.
Hardware Considerations:

If the controller was purchased from Hypertherm Automation with the networking option included, it will
be shipped with a 3COM “fiber optic” network card installed. The operating system will also be setup to
use DHCP to obtain the required TCP/IP address. This setup allows the controller to automatically
obtain all the needed network settings when it is turned on, and connected to a network which includes a
DHCP server.

The advantage of this approach is that it eliminates the need for a network administrator to keep manual
records of assigned IP addresses and ensures that the address, netmask, DNS server, and gateway
addresses are automatically set to be compatible with the customer’s network.

If the customers network does NOT support DHCP ( a situation that is becoming rare ) then it will be
necessary to go into the network setting screen and change the TCP/IP settings by hand in order to
make the control compatible with the customer’s network. Making changes here will involve putting a
keyboard and mouse on the controller and accessing the Windows XP network setup parameters.
Select any listed network adapters that are NOT being used and double click.

Click on the “Disable” button to stop Windows from trying to service these unused adapters

Select the Network adapter that is being used and double click on it.

Then Click on the “Properties” Button

You will now see a screen for setting the connection properties for the adapter actually being used for
the network connection.

Scroll down and select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) entry. Then click on “Properties”

To use DHCP to assign the network parameters leave the settings set to obtain automatically.
If a DHCP is NOT available, or if the intent is NOT to utilize one, then specify the needed address
information. Note that in this case you MUST provide a valid IP address ( not used elsewhere in the
network ) and the appropriate netmask and DNS Server address, as shown below. NOTE: These
settings are EXAMPLES and NOT the ones to use for YOUR network.

Once the needed entries are made double check that only one network card is active and reboot the
system.

In some cases it may be desirable to install an alternative networking method, such as a wireless
interface card. We have not tested these alternate systems here but other customers have reported
some degree of success with them. In any event, if a different network card is installed in the system
then you MUST either remove the existing network card, or disable it. If a networking card is setup for
DHCP operation, and is NOT connected to a DHCP server, then it will cause significant delays in the
startup process and may lead to other problems. The general rule should be that there is only ONE
active network interface installed in the controller at any time.