Network ComPort (NCP) Plug-in

This feature can be used to establish communication between FinishLynx and other hardware or software devices such as scoreboards, wind gauges or LapTime devices. FinishLynx supports three types of network communication protocols and the various Serial Port: drop-down menus in the Options dialog will be populated with additional selections. See Port Settings for more information.

How to setup a scoreboard, wind gauge or LapTime device using Network (connect)?

Choose this option when FinishLynx connects to a device that listens for commands on a specified network port.

  • To setup using Network (connect):
  1. From the Scoreboard, Wind or LapTime tab of the Options dialog, click the Serial Port: drop-down menu.
  2. Select Network (connect).
  3. Enter the IP Address of the device (for example, 192.168.0.50)
  4. Enter the Port number the device listens (see device manufacturer instructions).
  5. Configure other settings.
  6. Click Ok.
  • FinishLynx will attempt to connect to the device.

Figure: Network ComPort

How to setup a scoreboard, wind gauge or LapTime device using Network (listen)?

This option requires the other device to connect to the FinishLynx IP address on a specified port.

  • To setup using Network (listen):
  1. From the Scoreboard, Wind or LapTime tab of the Options... dialog, click the Serial Port: drop-down menu.
  2. Select Network (listen).
  3. Enter the Port number the other device will attempt connection.
  4. Configure other settings.
  5. Click OK.
  • FinishLynx will wait for the device to connect.

Figure: Network ComPort

How to connect to a scoreboard, wind gauge or LapTime device via SeriaLynx?

SeriaLynx can be used to allow network connections to serial devices. For instructions on how to configure SeriaLynx, see the SeriaLynx (Lantronix WiBox) User Guide.

  • To setup a connection via SeriaLynx:
  1. From the Scoreboard, Wind or LapTime tab of the Options dialog, click the Serial Port: drop-down menu.
  2. Select Network (connect).
  3. Enter the IP Address labeled on the SeriaLynx unit.
  4. Enter the Port number (10001 or 10002) labeled on the SeriaLynx unit.
  5. Configure other settings as required.
  6. Click OK.

FinishLynx will attempt to connect to SeriaLynx.

note: NCP is required whenever a SeriaLynx unit is used.

How to connect to a scoreboard, wind gauge or LapTime device using UDP?

User Datagram Protocol (UPD) broadcasts data over the network, instead of using a defined connection. Some devices, such as Daktronics scoreboards, require a UDP to send or receive data.

  • To direct broadcast packets to devices attached to one specific network card:
  1. Set the network card's subnet mask to 255.255.255.0.
  2. In the IP Address field, type the first three numbers of the IP address receiving the broadcast packet and then type 255. For example, if the host IP address is: 192.168.0.50, and the subnet mask is 255.255.255.0, then enter the subnet directed broadcast address of: 192.168.0.255.

tip: To send data in global broadcast packets so every device on the network receives the data, leave the IP address field blank.

Figure: Network ComPort