How to Set Up a Static IP Address

Abstract

You must configure your PC to communicate with the Vibration Research I/O unit for the hardware to connect to VibrationVIEW. You can do so by setting up a static IP address on the network card connected to the I/O unit.

Question

How do I get my PC to communicate with the hardware?

Answer

Setting up a Static IP Address

1. Navigate to your PC’s Control Panel.
2. Select Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
3. On the left side of the dialog box, select Change adapter settings.
4. Right-click the network card dedicated to the I/O unit and select Properties.

Click to expand.

5. Disable/uncheck all options except “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).”

Note: TCP/IPv6 can also be selected (recommended). This selection allows IPv6 connections to the I/O unit from VibrationVIEW, which can help avoid IP address collisions. Most versions of Windows will configure network cards with IPv6 configuration.

Click to expand.

If TCP/IPv6 is selected, select OK. The network card is now configured to communicate with the I/O unit. If your network card is unable to use IPv6, continue with the following steps to configure the network card for use with VibrationVIEW.

For IPv4 Only

6. In the Properties dialog box, select the Properties button.
7. Select the “Use the following IP address” radio button. Assign the IP address to 192.168.3.10 and the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0.
   • If multiple network cards are installed in the computer the IP address can be adjusted. Other recommended values are 192.168.2.10 and 192.168.4.10, although any Class C or Class D subnet will work.

Click to expand.

8. Select OK.
9. On the Properties dialog box, click the Sharing tab. The “Internet Connection Sharing” option for the connection should be disabled/unchecked. Select OK.

The network card is now configured to communicate with the I/O unit.

Connecting to VibrationVIEW

VibrationVIEW must be configured to use the network connection after it is set up.

Directions for configuring VibrationVIEW to the network connection:

1. Start the VibrationVIEW software program.
2. Select Configuration > Hardware.
3. Select the network card you configured on the PC. Typically, it is 192.168.3.10.

Click to expand.

4. Select Probe and then select Apply.
5. The software will add the I/O unit serial number to the drop-down menu for Channels 1 to 4 after the hardware connects to the computer. Select the I/O unit serial number to configure Channels 1 to 4 and, optionally, Channels 5 to 8, Channels 9 to 12, and 13 through 128 (in blocks of 4 channels for the VR9500).

The software assigns the I/O units addresses from the range listed under “Assign Control Box Network Addresses.” This parameter does not need to be changed.