Frequently Asked Questions
| TCP/IP AX3000 Terminal |
Enter the AX3000 Set-Up
How to get AX3000 Hardware/firmware information?
Firmware Revision Information
Hardware Information
Administration Command List
DOWNLOADING FIRMWARE
How Can I Get Axel Firmware Files?
Downloading Firmware by TFTP Protocol
Using BOOTP Protocol in Event of Problem
MISCELLANEOUS
Wireless: Connecting an AX3000 over 802.11
TFT Flat Screen: the Text Mode
Using the TCP/IP AX3000 as a Serial Terminal
Touch Screen: Connection and Use
Barcode Reader: Connection and Use
Two possible cases according the AX3000 firmware revision.
Revision 9832e or HigherPrevious Revisions
Two set-up are available:
- the terminal set-up: press <Ctrl><Alt><Esc>
to enter the current session configuration
- the TCP/IP set-up: press <Ctrl><Alt><*>
to enter the TCP/IP configuration
An AX3000 is characterized by:
To get the AX3000 firmware revision and the hardware revision, use one of the following:
The AX3000 firmware revision is composed of:
- hardware information (here in red)
- a general firmware descriptor (here in blue)
- available emulations (here in black)
- possible firmware options (here in green)
Examples:
- FK14-BV11f/TCP.FR.0303a:RDP&STD
- FK5-BV12a/TCP.XX.0303a:I52&ANS!NFU
- FK16-BV12a/TCP.XX.0303a:VNC&STD&QVT-SRI!DNS
Note: Click here, to know how to get the hardware information.
The AX3000 hardware information is FKx-BVyyy
The beginning of the firmware version is FCT.NA.yywwi:
Note: three parameters depend on the firmware nationality:
ANSI and VT emulations are provided as standard feature. This group of emulation is coded ':STD'. An optional emulation can be added. In this case the ':STD' code is replaced by the emulation code:
After the emulation specification, firmware option(s) can be met. A '-' is used as separator between supported emulation (see above) and these options. A '&' is used as separator between two options.
The main firmware options are:
When multiple-option firmware is requested, and due to memory reasons, some standard options have to be removed. Removed options are signified by a '!'. Possible options are:
The AX3000 hardware is identified by a 'Flash Key' (FK). There are currently five different generations of hardware in the field, each requiring specific firmware:
The correct firmware file must be downloaded for your AX3000 hardware. Example: if FK3 firmware file is downloaded into FK5 hardware, the download process will fail.
The AX3000 hardware version is included in the general AX3000 firmware revision (ex.: FK11-BV1.2a/TCP.XX.0303a.STD). Click here, to know how to get the hardware information.
Several administration commands are offered by the AX3000. These commands are launched by using a remote administration command (rsh for example) which is available as standard features from most major operating systems.
The following table lists the available AX3000 administration commands:
| Command | Description |
| ax_reboot |
Rebooting the AX3000. |
| ax_sinit |
Resetting an AX3000 resource (screen session or aux. port). |
| setup_get |
Requesting the AX3000 Set-Up. |
| setup_send |
Setting-up the AX3000 through a text file. |
| ax_download |
Requesting an AX3000 firmware downloading |
| ax_version |
Requesting the AX3000 firmware revision |
| ax_getstat |
Requesting the AX3000 statistics. |
Note: these commands are also available with uppercase characters (ax_version and AX_VERSION are the same command).
The Axel firmware files are free of charge and are available on request. Contact us ([email protected]) and the requested firmware will be sent either by mail or email.
Note: firmware files are not available on our Web site.
The tftp protocol is the standard protocol for downloading firmware. This protocol is provided as either given as a standard protocol (Unix/Linux, AS/400...) or available as an additional software (Windows for example). For more information, please read the AX3000 User's Manual or consult the related FAQ.
The download operation is generally run from the Office Server
Set-Up. The following parameters must be given:
- filename of the firmware file
- AX3000 IP Address,
-
Name or IP address of the tftp server,
-
Name or IP address of the router to reach the tftp server (optional
parameter).
Note: the download operation can also be remotely run
by using the rsh command (or rcmd for SCO UNIX):
| rsh axname ax_download filename tftpserver tftprouter |
IMPORTANT: if an error occurs during the stage when firmware is erased, the AX3000 will be without valid firmware. The use of BOOTP protocol is needed to get valid a firmware. Click here for more information about bootp protocol.
The bootp protocol is used to get information required for downloading firmware with tftp (tftp host IP address and firmware filename). This protocol is provided as either given as a standard protocol (Unix/Linux, AS/400...) or available as an additional software (Windows for example). For more information, please read the AX3000 User's Manual or consult the related FAQ.
When the AX3000 firmware is invalid, BOOTP requests are automatically sent by the AX3000. This allows the AX3000 to get information (firmware name, its IP address and the TFTP server IP address) to download the firmware by TFTP.
The BOOTP protocol can also be run through the AX3000 Set-Up or by the following remote administration command:
| rsh axname ax_download |
When the bootp request is answered, theAX3000 firmware is downloaded by using tftp. Click here for more information about tftp.
Connecting an TCP/IP Axel terminal over 802.11 is done through a "Wireless Ethernet Bridge".
Note: a wireless Ethernet bridge is an adapter used as a "gateway" between Ethernet connectivity and wireless connectivity.
To offer wireless access to the Axel terminal, simply connect the AX3000 Ethernet port to the wireless Ethernet bridge.
Compliance: There are no known issues with any standard Wireless Ethernet Bridges. (Axel certified the WET11 wireless Ethernet bridge from Linksys with AX3000 models 65/65E and 75/75E.)
When the terminal is used in graphics mode (VNC or RDP), there is no specific requirement to connect a TFT flat screen. The flat screen is handled in the same way than a CRT monitor. But we only advise to set the AX3000 monitor type to 'TFT Flat Screen" (this will automatically set the VGA frequency to 60Hz).
Problems may occur when the text mode is used (5250, ANSI, VT220, etc.). The text mode resolution is specific (720x400). When the TFTP monitor only supports graphics modes (640x480, 800x600, etc.), the text mode is simulated. In this case the display is not correct (up and down black margins, trembling characters, etc).
To check if the text mode is really supported by the TFT monitor:
In event of problem, enable (or disable) the AX3000 TCP/IP Status Line (enter the AX3000 Set-Up and select [Configuration]-[Terminal]-[General]).
When problems occur only in 132-column mode (for example, AS/400 spooler), if a model 65/65E or 75/75E is used, set the AX3000 Monitor Type to 'TFT Flat Screen".
Two possible cases according the AX3000 firmware revision.
Revision 9832e or HigherPrevious Revisions
TCP/IP AX3000s are equipped with a flash memory. So, any firmware
can be downloaded. A "serial mode" firmware is available
for free of charge. That means a TCP/IP AX3000 (model 55, 55E
or 56) equipped with such a firmware can be set to act as a serial
AX3000 (model 40B).
To download new firmware use the tftp protocol. Click
here for more information about tftp protocol.
Embedded touch screen support is offered by Axel terminals. "Touch screen events" are automatically remapped by the Axel terminal into "mouse events". No additional driver or settings are required on the server (Windows, Unix/Linux, AS/400...).
The terminal requires specific firmware (please call Axel) which allows the AUX1 port to be set to a "touch screen" mode. A calibration function allowing the touch screen to be detected and calibrated is provided.
Note: the "touch screen" function is available for all TCP/IP Axel terminals with the "TSC" firmware option. Only the serial controller ACCUTOUCH 2210 (from ELO TOUCH) is supported.
Two methods are available to connect a barcode reader to the AX3000:
