Sample connection record configuration
- Last UpdatedApr 24, 2025
- 5 minute read
A connection record is where you configure the delays and timeouts that apply to a connection. The sample provided shows example configurations for a connection record using a permanent leased, temporary dialup and permanent VSAT connection.
The Main tab in the Connection Row Edit dialog box is used to configure settings associated with the speed of the connection. The Scan Edit tab is used to determine communication mode and time limits associated with connections, pole-cycles and delay times. The Physical Connection Edit tab is used to configure the connection type.
The following tables provide sample field settings for three different kinds of connections (leased line, dialup and VSAT) in the Scan Edit and Physical Connection Edit tabs.
Note: The examples in this section use host poll, the common primary-secondary polling mode.
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Sample Scan Edit tab field settings |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ADE Field |
Perm. Leased |
Temp. Dialup |
Perm. VSAT |
Notes |
|
Comm. Mode |
Host Poll |
Host Poll |
Host Poll |
|
|
Max. Time to Connect |
60 |
120 |
60 |
This is the maximum overall time required for a connection to be established. It is usually higher for a dial connection because the host has to dial and then wait for the modem in the field to answer. It tends to be lower for VSAT, since the connection is usually to a local VSAT router.For dial connections, if this timeout and several other timeouts in the modem and connection records do not meet certain criteria, the host may dial the remote continuously. For more information, refer to the Dial connection delays documentation.This field is also used with dial connections as a timeout for modem reservations. If the system does not obtain a modem before this timeout expires, it generates an alarm. |
|
Reconnection-delay Time |
30 |
30 |
30 |
When a connection attempt fails, this number represents the delay before the next attempt is made.For a temporary connection, this is the amount of time between when a connection is closed and when it is re-established. |
|
Min. Poll- cycle Time |
15 |
0 |
30 |
This value, configurable for host poll mode only, is the minimum time between the beginning of one poll cycle and the beginning of the next poll cycle. You can configure it to minimize communication charges based on traffic or amount of data transferred. Since VSAT charges are based on the amount of data transferred, this time is generally longer for VSAT connections to reduce the frequency of poll data commands. Dialup configurations typically use the remote scheduler to poll at specific times during the day, rather than using the "poll-cycle" round-robin method. For more information, refer to the Configure a remote scheduled event documentation. |
|
Number of Poll Retries |
2 |
3 |
2 |
This field is configurable for host poll mode only. It specifies the number of times the host should retry obtaining data from a remote if the initial query fails. The number of poll retries is usually higher for dial connections, since they are most likely to get a noisy line. The number of retries should be large enough to prevent nuisance alarms, but not so large that Omnicomm holds onto the line for too long a time, which results in high line charges. |
|
Delay Between Remotes (ms) |
25 |
0 |
50 |
For host poll mode only, this delay distributes polls around the poll cycle. When using microwave radios, this delay can be configured to account for keying times. The lower limit for this field is zero; use it as desired. |
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Communication- delay Time (ms) |
1000 |
1000 |
5000 |
This is the maximum, additional overhead required because of delays inherent in the communications medium. It is always higher for VSAT to account for propagation delay. |
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Physical Connection Edit tab field settings |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ADE Field |
Perm. Leased |
Temp. Dialup |
Perm. VSAT |
Notes |
|
Connection Type |
Network |
Dial |
Network |
Leased-line and VSAT configurations commonly use the network connection type. This connection type is used when remotes are connected to the host through a terminal server via leased-line modems or radios, or when remotes are connected directly through a terminal server via RS-232 connection. Dial configurations use the dial connection type. This connection type is used when remotes are connected to the host via dial-out modem. Dial connections require that you configure both connection and modem records. |
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Port Number |
2300 |
N/A |
2100 |
For leased-line and VSAT connections, this is the specific port connection for the line at the terminal server (or remote for TCP/IP- connected remotes). The port number varies depending on the brand of terminal server. For temporary dial connections, the port number is stored in the modem record, as a modem may be used for more than one connection. |
|
Dial Telephone # |
N/A |
14035551 212 |
N/A |
A dial telephone number is required for dial connections only. This number is configured in the connection record rather than the modem record because, in many case, modems are dynamically allocated and can be used to dial many different connections. Note that before you can dial using a connection, the modem connection strings must be defined in the modem record. The contents of the Dial Telephone # field are inserted in place of the %s placeholder in the connect command string for the modem. |
|
# of Dial-connection Retries |
N/A |
2 |
N/A |
For dial and cry-out connections only, this is the number of dial attempts made before the host declares the connection "failed." If this timeout and several other timeouts in the modem and connection records do not meet certain criteria, a situation could arise in which the host dials the remote continuously. |
|
Max. # of Dial- connection Failure |
N/A |
5 |
N/A |
For dial and cry-out connections only, this is the number of consecutive dial connection failures that must occur before the system generates a failure alarm. When the number of failures exceeds this threshold, the system generates only one alarm. No further alarms are generated while the dial connection remains in the failed state. |
|
Auto-answer Timeout (sec) |
N/A |
30 |
N/A |
This timeout – configurable for dial connections only – is the number of seconds allowed for the modem in the field to answer a call. (i.e., the amount of time the host waits for a response after sending a dial string.) This delay is added to the delay configured for a dial command in the Timeout field of the Modem Command Configuration dialog box. Refer to Sample modem record configuration. If this timeout and several other timeouts in the modem and connection records do not meet certain criteria, a situation could arise in which the host dials the remote continuously. |
|
Temporary Connection |
No |
Yes |
No |
A temporary connection is closed as soon as the minimum number of poll cycles is completed provided there are no outstanding command requests. |
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Min. # of Poll Cycles Before Release |
N/A |
2 |
N/A |
For temporary connections or dial connections, this is the minimum number of poll cycles that must be completed before Omnicomm releases the modem and closes the connection. |
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Default Signal Config |
7N1200s 2 |
7E9600s 1 |
8N4800s 1 |
Default signal configuration is critical for all connection types. For leased-line, multi-drop modem connections or direct RS-232 line connections, the default signal configuration must match the bit-rate speed of the remotes that are using the connection. This allows the host to calculate communication timeout values. A dial connection uses the default signal configuration that defines the connection between the modem in the field and the remote. Note that the default signal configuration in the connection record must match the one in the modem record before the modem can be used. |