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DataMan Connection Troubleshooting
Basic troubleshooting for connecting to DataMan readers over a network connection.
11/30/2024
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Basic troubleshooting for connecting to DataMan readers over a network connection.
The following article is divided into 3 sections related to troubleshooting DataMan connection issues:
If the DataMan is sufficiently powered there should be a green LED light showing on the DataMan to indicate that it is powered.
When plugged into the network port or directly to the PC’s network port, check to see that the network activity LED light on the camera and PC’s LAN portlights (or flickers). If they do not, one of the following could be defective – PC’s network port/adapter, camera’s network module, network cable.
If there is no power using a PoE injector try using a different injector to isolate the issue to the injector or a camera itself. Try a different network cable just to be certain that the issue is not with the cable.
NOTE – a DataMan cannot be powered by PoE and wired for 24V to a PSU – i.e., a PoE model cannot be wired for 24V for power, and a wired model cannot be PoE.
If the DataMan does not power, there is no need to continue troubleshooting. Please contact your reseller or Cognex product services for your replacement options.
For the DMST to be able to discover and connect to available DataMan on the network, communications over port 1069, both TCP and UDP – inbound and outbound, will need to be open. Outgoing rules are usually not required unless the network is strict enough that it requires explicit rules.
Click on the Windows Start button and type “resmon” (without quotations), and open resmon (resource monitor).
Go to the Network tab and check the box to the left of the SetupTool.exe process. It may be necessary to open the DataMan Setup Tool (DMST) application or click Refresh on the DMST home page for the SetupTool.exe to appear in the list.
Expand the Listening Ports at the bottom. Look at the firewall status for the SetupTool.exe process. They should be all “Allowed, not restricted”. If “Not Allowed” or “Restricted” is present proceed to the next set of instructions to add firewall rules.
Click on the Windows Start button and type “defender” (without quotations) and open the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.
Find the DataMan Setup Tool listed and look for a red circle with a slash. If DataMan Setup Tool is not listed go to the next section to create firewall rules.
For each DataMan Setup Tool listed (there may be several) with a red circle and a slash, Double-click each and choose the Allow the Connection radial button. Then click OK.
Go to the Outbound Rules section on the left column and repeat the previous step for the outbound DMST rules.
Test the DMST by clicking Refresh on the DMST home page to see if the expected devices show up.
If no rules are present, click on the Windows Start button and type “cmd” (without quotations). At the top will be listed Command Prompt – right-click it and choose Open as Administrator.
Below are four lines of commands. Copy each command into the Command Prompt and press Enter. After Enter is pressed an “Ok” message confirming that the rule was created will appear. Repeat the process for each of the remaining 3 lines.
Test the DMST by clicking Refresh on the DMST home page to see if the expected devices show up.
NOTE: Often, when connecting a DataMan reader directly to a PC's network port, the Windows OS may configure it as a public network. Even though firewall rules have been created to allow communications to a private network there may not be rules to allow communications over a public network or the communications is being blocked.
Out-of-the-box DataMan cameras are configured for DHCP. If DHCP is not available, the DataMan will randomly assign itself an IP address in the 169.254.xxx.xxx range with a subnet of 255.255.0.0. Try changing the network adapter's IP address to 169.254.100.100 with a subnet of 255.255.0.0 to see if it will open a connection to the camera. Both the camera and PC (or network adapter reset) may need to be power cycled before a connection can be established.
Click on the Windows Start button and type “ncpa.cpl” (without quotations) and open the control panel item.
Look at the network connection (adapter) the DataMan is plugged into. If it says “Network cable unplugged” check the network cables and power to the DataMan camera. There should be at least one green LED light showing on the DataMan to indicate that it is powered. Check to see that the network activity LED light on the camera and PC’s LAN port light (flickers). If they do not, one of the following could be defective – PC’s network port/adapter, camera’s network module, network cable. This will need to be addressed before proceeding.
If the network connection shows “Unidentified network”, right-click the adapter, and choose Properties. Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). If trying to connect to an out-of-the-box DataMan reader, Obtain an IP address automatically will need to be selected. If the DataMan was previously configured with a specific IP address and subnet mask, confirm here that the network settings on the camera are compatible with the connected network.
CAUTION: Network adapters are often configured with specific settings that have been set by a network administrator. Check with IT before changing these settings.