Network Communications Problems
The instrument and the Ascent program use a default network address to communicate. Normally it will not need to be changed. However, it is possible that this address may interact negatively with other devices on a network. This conflict may result in other network connections being lost while the instrument is connected to your computer.
To resolve this conflict, change the USB or Ethernet network settings in the instrument and Ascent program.
Notes:
Your changes will only take effect once the instrument hardware has been reset.
If you change the network address you must change it in both the instrument and software so that they can communicate (this does not apply if you are only changing the last digit of the IP address).
Setting the USB Network Address
- From the instrument's Main Menu press
Options then
Network. - Press
USB and use the number keys to enter your new IP address, netmask and gateway. Press 
after you enter each item. - Press
+
to reset the instrument hardware and apply your changes. - Connect the Commtest supplied data transfer cable to the USB ports of the instrument and computer and power up the instrument.
- In the Ascent program select Edit>Manage>vbInstruments...
- Double-click the instrument from the list of those available. If no instrument is shown see the Ascent Reference Guide for instructions on adding your instrument to Ascent.
- Enter the new IP address into the IP address: field in the USB area. Click Apply to save the change.
Setting the Ethernet Network Address
- From the instrument's Main Menu press Options then Network.
- Press Ethernet. A message will appear asking if you wish to use a DHCP server to assign an IP address to the instrument.
- Press to use DHCP then press + to reset and apply your changes, or;
- Press
and enter your new network IP values manually. Press + to reset the instrument hardware and apply your changes.
Note: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a network protocol that automatically configures TCP/IP networked devices.
Last Reviewed: 09/Jun/2009 Source: vbSeries Reference Guide Revision 15 April 2008 - pages 154 - 156