Why there is a Ethernet Port on the Tektronix AFG3252, if I can't use it? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 07:46:36 am
content: So,I finally connected all my Ethernet TEA Devices to a network and I am having trouble with my Tektronix AFG3252.First I don't fully understand why there is a Ethernet port there, in all the manuals I read, they tell you how to set it up but no clue what you can do for it.After more reading I assume it can be used by the software ArbExpress, so I downloaded the last compatible version for my old mister:https://www.tek.com/signal-generator/afg3000-function-generator/afg3011-software/arbexpress-waveform-creation-and-editinbut no joy I am getting an error message and I can't connect.A few info more:1) DHCP worksOn my AFG3252 if I turn DHCP on, I get a "good" IP automatically.2) I can see the AFG3252 by pinging it3) Here the error message I get:Here the AFG3252 settings:Any idea?Thanks in advance.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 09:50:26 am
content: Do you have DHCP set for On on the AFG? (although it shows 10.14 it also seems to be showing Off). Keep trying with DHCP On. The error message indicates it doesn’t know its mode: GPIB or Ethernet - is there a menu setting that let’s you specify one or the other or both as enabled? Likely when you get it connected to app software you will be able to make Arbs and maybe/probably be able to remotely control other settings (waveform type such as sine, square, etc plus frequency and amplitude etc).

author: ivi_yak
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 09:52:52 am
content: Hi, your Windows PC should have static IP address 192.168.10.1 see attachments

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 10:04:16 am
content: See page ~18https://download.tek.com/manual/071163105web.pdf#page79Push the front-panel Utility button. Push the I/O Interface > Ethernet bezel buttons.The Ethernet Network Settings menu is displayed.By selecting the DHCP On, the instrument can set its network address automatically through DHCP.You might need to assign a static IP address but first be sure to enable remote control through the front panel Utility menu; if that doesn’t work with DHCP then try setting up a static IP address (on both the AFG and the PC as ivi_yak shows) - but first make sure the Utility setting is enabled for ethernet. DHCP will probably work fine after Utility is set for ethernet I/O enabled.Page 18, Step 3

author: tv84
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 10:54:11 am
content: The fact that you can successfully ping the machine doesn't answer all the questions.Did you scan the open ports?If not, that should be your next step to see which services are available on the machine.

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 11:45:14 am
content: Quote from: tv84 on May 15, 2020, 10:54:11 amHi Sir! It was on my todo list:with DHCP offCode:nmap 192.168.10.14Starting Nmap 7.80 ( https://nmap.org ) at 2020-05-15 13:42 W. Europe Daylight TimeNmap scan report for localhost (192.168.10.14)Host is up (0.000098s latency).Not shown: 999 closed portsPORT STATE SERVICE111/tcp open rpcbindMAC Address: 08:00:11:1F:23:2E (Tektronix)with DHCP onCode:nmap 192.168.10.78Starting Nmap 7.80 ( https://nmap.org ) at 2020-05-15 13:47 W. Europe Daylight TimeNmap scan report for localhost (192.168.10.78)Host is up (0.0034s latency).Not shown: 999 closed portsPORT STATE SERVICE111/tcp open rpcbindMAC Address: 08:00:11:1F:23:2E (Tektronix)

author: tv84
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 11:46:14 am
content: Do:nmap -p- <IP>

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 11:49:54 am
content: Code:nmap -p- 192.168.10.78Starting Nmap 7.80 ( https://nmap.org ) at 2020-05-15 13:48 W. Europe Daylight TimeNmap scan report for localhost (192.168.10.78)Host is up (0.00029s latency).Not shown: 65532 closed portsPORT STATE SERVICE111/tcp open rpcbind1005/tcp open unknown1008/tcp open ufsdMAC Address: 08:00:11:1F:23:2E (Tektronix)Nmap done: 1 IP address (1 host up) scanned in 14.98 secondsInteresting.EDIT: Same results with DHCP off.

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 12:02:41 pm
content: Quote from: ivi_yak on May 15, 2020, 09:52:52 amWhy my PC IP should match the GATEWAY of the AFG3252?Anyway I tried it, it does not work.

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 12:15:20 pm
content: Quote from: Electro Fan on May 15, 2020, 10:04:16 amDHCP works but regardless I can not talk with the device.Quote from: Electro Fan on May 15, 2020, 10:04:16 amI press Ethernet Menu and I get the ETH menu configuration, does it means the ETH remote control is enabled?Anyway ArbExpress does not want to.

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 12:36:35 pm
content: Downgraded ArbExpress to v2.9, same results.This time 2.9 ArbExpress complains to not find a TEKVISA SW installed.Do I need TEKVISA? According to the tek support page TEKVISA is not supported by any AFG...

author: tv84
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 12:42:18 pm
content: Quote from: Zucca on May 15, 2020, 12:02:41 pmOf course it shouldn't.You PC has one IP. Your GW has another one and your AFG has another one.From IP standpoint all is good.With/out DHCP all is working as it should.Now, you need to enable something on the AFG to allow remote access or some process is not running in the AFG to let you access its features.I don't know what is the use of those 1005, 1008 ports. Maybe one of them is SCPI.

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 12:44:37 pm
content: I guess tv84 suggested that you should scan for open ports on the tek:nmap -p- 192.168.10.14

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 12:55:26 pm
content: Thanks tv84, we are on the same page.What worries me, during the ArbExpress 3.1 install, I got a message at the end like: "please install .NET framework 1.1 or above, if you have it already you can ignore this message."I had very bad experiences in the past with SW that are using .NET framework.Now if I try to install .NET framework 4.7 it tells me it's already installed and I do not need to...I send an email to Tek support... will see.BTW: Is Tek not in this forum yet? I know about Keithley, Keysight, R&S and many others....

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 12:58:05 pm
content: Are yousureper Page 18, step 3 that you turned on Ethernet? If so, try turning on GPIB and see if that shows as enabled in the menu you posted earlier. If GPIB displays as On, toggle back to ethernet and see if it shows as On.Post a photo showing the I/O interface menu item showing ethernet is selected.

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 01:19:31 pm
content: Quote from: Electro Fan on May 15, 2020, 12:58:05 pmI can't be sure because I can't find a menu where you can select GPIB or/and Ethernet.Here a Video for you (you can also see the DHCP working):https://www.dropbox.com/s/f2z6fxce70zchsc/2020-05-15%2015.13.15.mp4?dl=0Anyway back to the manual, the step 3 on page 18 is to set up the Ethernet, does it mean also activate it?

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 01:38:33 pm
content: https://forum.tek.com/viewtopic.php?f=529&t=142248Let's try the TekForum before the official Tek Support.

author: eutectique
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 05:43:54 pm
content: Quote from: Zucca on May 15, 2020, 11:49:54 amCan you now say:telnet 192.168.10.78 1005ortelnet 192.168.10.78 1008If it connects, say*IDN?(page 2-24 of theProgrammer Manual)For example, here is me talking to my scope:~> telnet 10.40.23.22 4000Trying 10.40.23.22...Connected to 10.40.23.22.Escape character is '^]'.*IDN?TEKTRONIX,MDO4054C,C012223,CF:91.1CT FV:v1.08You get the idea.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 10:18:58 pm
content: Quote from: Zucca on May 15, 2020, 01:19:31 pmOk, thanks for posting the video. That's helpful. Hang in there. This thing is going to connect.Yes, I think selecting Ethernet does seem to be activating Ethernet (but it would be interesting to also see what happens when you select GPIB. Does that disable Ethernet?) Assuming you have Ethernet enabled.... next thought....I noticed that when you turned DHCP on it showed an address of 192.168.10.78 and when you turned DHCP off it set the address to 192.168.10.14. That is interesting because you had DHCP off, so it had to get 10.14 from somewhere - probably your router. You might look in your router to confirm everything is set appropriately.Next place to look again is where ivi_yak suggested, which is on your PC port card. Maybe check those settings. Probably preaching to the choir, but your PC port, router, and the AFG all need to work together in the network. One of the three is doing something off kilter that we haven't found yet.Do you have any other devices on your network beside the PC that you can confirm are accepting addressing handouts via DHCP as normally expected?Another thought.... Any chance you have MAC filtering on somewhere?

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 10:43:19 pm
content: Quote from: tv84 on May 15, 2020, 12:42:18 pmI think OP might have meant should the PC and the AFG both match (use) the same Gateway address (192.168.10.1), and the answer is yes. Having said that of course each device should have it's own IP address.What kind of router is being used? Any chance the router supports Wifi in addition to ethernet cables? If so, any chance MAC filtering is on? It's strange because it looks like the ping tests show connectivity but the device isn't fully connecting. Also, as mentioned DHCP is showing 10.74 and the ping tests and one of the (DHCP OFF) screens showed 10.14. I think it would be good to make sure via either DHCP or a static address we're consistently square on the device address, and then look at why ping works but the data isn't getting through. It's going to be a big Duh for all of us when it starts working.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 10:47:10 pm
content: Quote from: Zucca on May 15, 2020, 01:19:31 pmRight after you hit Utility and then I/O interface the next two soft buttons you should see should be GPIB and Ethernet. It was hard to see in your video but it looked like you hit I/O interface and then quickly hit Ethernet - but I think just before you hit Ethernet the GPIB soft button was there.

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 16, 2020, 09:41:32 pm
content: Quote from: eutectique on May 15, 2020, 05:43:54 pmThanks but it does not work. Tomorrow I will continue to analyze the problem, now I go bed.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2020, 11:27:42 pm
content: I'm sure you tried and I don't know why it would make any difference but try another ethernet cable?Better ideas would be to 1) move the AFG to another network (different router and PC) and see if it behaves any different, and/or 2) add another new node (some other device) to your current network to make sure it connects.

author: tv84
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 09:54:12 am
content: Electro Fan, he has demonstrated that he has IP connectivity to the AFG, pings and DHCP working, etc.Stop taking this to the physical realm. This is a logical thing.- Have you tried to disable the FW in your Windows machine to be sure that you are not stopping any traffic from reaching the AFG?- Does your router do any port limitation/FW?- Have you seen (from other guys or manual) which ports should be open? In other words, have you investigated which ports the AFG app is supposed to use?These are the fundamental questions that you need answers for now.EDIT: Nico's right, assuming the PC and AFG is in the same subnet no worry about the router.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 10:35:07 am
content: 1) Just take the router out of the equation. If the devices are on the same network then the only function of the router is to provide IP addresses by DHCP.2) Make sure every device has a unique IP address but matches the netmask. If the netmask says 255.255.255.0 it means the first 3 numbers of the IP address must be identical otherwise devices can not exchange IP traffic.3) It could be a Windows firewall problem; disable the firewall just to rule it out.4) Make sure the AFG3252 has the latest firmware

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 12:55:58 pm
content: Quote from: tv84 on May 17, 2020, 09:54:12 amHi tv84, It’s just a different approach to isolating (locating and confirming the location of) the logical problem. It’s either in the PC, the router, or the AFG - but so far we don’t know which of the three. By substituting devices we could determine in which physical device the logical problem exists. Might be faster and easier to fix the problem if we knew where it is.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 01:13:17 pm
content: It does seem that the router is the least likely of the 3 to be the problem, but if we could physically remove it and the problem continues as is then we could also logically remove it. Likewise, if we had another PC we could see if it connects, if not it would likely be an issue in the AFG. Probably don’t have another same model AFG laying around so first choice would be to find another PC.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 02:12:47 pm
content: Quote from: Electro Fan on May 17, 2020, 01:13:17 pmYou are way overthinking it. If the PC can ping the function generator then the connectivity at the IP level is there. From there is it a problem with specific traffic being blocked or not accepted. This either a problem at the PC side (firewall) or the function generator (remote access not enabled). If the software requires TekVisa then I hope he is using a VM. Solving TekVisa problems usually require re-installing Windows.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 02:37:06 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on May 17, 2020, 02:12:47 pmMaybe overthinking it but if I had a choice between determining if the problem was in the AFG or the PC, or just proceeding to reinstall Windows, I’m pretty sure reinstalling Windows would not be the first choice.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 03:07:10 pm
content: Here is a very old thread:https://forum.tek.com/viewtopic.php?t=137729&__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=0d450cd14d34a1b1616b97289353e44ee2dddf98-1589727156-0-AY8hyzeJjvDE3sSdDP4K2-sjZtVpqAFyWVFiPZZ8fPvbrqHvM7nUz0pGC0RgilO_F9SwJJEbew5mlO1L8vAd-bbxPIKZMDP2FaR_rwcs5VKkDQvdGs8Z8bIJxdQQ4tyoU8Dd37LK88848EeU5F8CFQfHxGxQnFTsNU0uF3gJmJKmML5pUM3wDVOBmOeUqQe9Ni09DHhLaK7WMX_cCCJbL9zRCsi0gLsDxIef1Bs85p4xFu-MGzvXLoRls5p0QIahC9EPRajvIZG2hc0GxxzKERI12v5KZGHRGzke6ptXfW2xtD4WBNNpHhPjhN7xcHHHimMRcBZ4ykNg3i99QJjP2N9Iss3Wxcgp_rvgInFSlOtjIndicates ArbExpress 2.8 had a problem with connectivity. For the user in the thread 2.9 fixed it. Looks like the OP is up to 3.1 which theoretically should be better than 2.8 and 2.9 - but on the notion that almost anything is more fun than reinstalling windows and rebuilding a PC, if we aren't going to isolate the problem and just try stuff, I'd try reinstalling ArbExpress. OP indicates he has the latest but a quick look-see shows 3.4 is available (not sure 3.4 is compatible with OP's specific AFG rev).https://www.tek.com/signal-generator/afg2021-software-0Just putting some ideas out there...

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 03:17:48 pm
content: Another radical hardware idea: what happens when you connect the AFG to the PC via USB?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 04:09:41 pm
content: Quote from: Electro Fan on May 17, 2020, 02:37:06 pmZucca already mentioned in the first post he can ping the function generator. That means the network is OK and thus his problem is in the software.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 05:33:19 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on May 17, 2020, 04:09:41 pmI think just because you can ping a device it does not mean you don't have a "network" problem. The problem with a network can be in software just as much as it can be in hardware. But let's say it's not a "network" problem.Have you 100% confirmed that the problem is in the PC? Or might it be a problem with the AFG? If there's any chance it's in the AFG I'd be inclined to next try something/anything other than reinstalling Windows. And even if it's in the PC, I'd be inclined to try something / almost anything before reinstalling Windows and rebuilding the computer.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 06:56:51 pm
content: If ping works, the network connection between two devices works. Period. No need to look further into the network (except for a firewall but that is easy to disable).Now I'm sure Zucca knows how to read a manual so I assume he has set up the AFG3252 correctly or at least tried all relevent settings. From my own experience with the Tektronix TLA700 logic analysers I know setting up the Tektronix software is finicky at best and re-installation of the whole computer is often the only way out. Maybe an option for Zucca is to install the right version of the application software, TekVisa and .Net framework whle praying it will work. It really is that bad.An easy way out is to install Virtualbox and install Windows in there to run the Tektronix software. That is how I have solved running Tektronix software.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 07:41:57 pm
content: Ok, if possible I'd still try to confirm if the problem is really in the PC or the AFG before going forward but it's also entirely possible that's it's some combination.In any event... if there isn't another PC around to try, then installing (or reinstalling) .Net, the Tek sw and whatever else is needed makes sense. Or like you say Zucca could install Virtualbox and another copy of Windows. That might be easier I think than flattening the machine and starting from scratch (unless it's some type of dev/test platform with few apps and files of importance, and/or he is able/willing to reimage.) In general I'd be holding out on reinstalling the core OS and rebuilding the machine for as long as possible. If every time something didn't play nicely with Windows we reinstalled Windows we'd be working for Microsoft.Looking forward to hearing what the problem was, and what the solution is.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 08:06:40 pm
content: Nico/tv, go easy on meJust for grins I tried to use ethernet to control an Agilent (I know it's different than Tektronix) arb function gen. I hadn't used the ethernet connection in a long time but it connected right away when I opened the Keysight app. So then I tried USB which hadn't been used for even longer. I plugged in the USB cable and sure enough, the connection to the app started working. I can't remember what all the sw piece parts were to make this stuff play nicely but I think some VI or other glue software is involved. I could be wrong about this but my thought is that if the app connects with USB maybe that might help narrow something down a bit. (Not to mention at least the machines would be talking better than they are currently.) It's just one USB cable - might take a few minutes total. Just a thought.Edits: I of course unplugged the ethernet cable before trying the USB cable so as not to confuse what was really making the connection.I also looked around in the app and there are definitely a number of settings related to VISA, so it might be possible that buried deeper in ArbExpress (or maybe some companion piece of software from NI or Tektronix) there is a setting that isn't happy.

author: tv84
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 08:32:55 am
content: Quote from: Electro Fan on May 17, 2020, 08:06:40 pmThe OP says he would like to make the ETH connection work. Of course if USB suits his purpose, then go for it. I also am against reinstalling Windows and I'm a true believer that it can be overcome without reinstalling it.But, what is missing here is someone who has done what the OP is trying. Because we can only give clues but no definitive answers.

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 09:07:57 pm
content: Lookhere.QuoteThis should be written in the reference manual!!!! Lord have mercy I am a sinner.So I guess Putty will not do the job, do I need to install python or there is a better way to get a VXI-11 up and running in windows?Anyway, what a PITA.

author: tv84
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 09:47:45 pm
content: Herehttps://www.tek.com/support/faqs/does-afg3000-series-support-raw-socket-connectionshttps://www.tek.com/support/faqs/what-tekvisa-and-how-can-i-use-it-communicate-and-control-my-instrumentTekVISA Programmer Manual

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 09:57:52 pm
content: Quote from: Zucca on May 18, 2020, 09:07:57 pmCool. Getting closer!I don't quite get why you should have to do all this stuff to just make a piece of test equipment connect so you can use the manufacturer's app - but I'm probably missing something, maybe a lotHere is something I came across; might help even though it was written for/by Siglent, or maybe there is a better way. (Better not show this to tautech or he might remind us it would have been easier to do this with a Siglent product.)https://siglentna.com/application-note/programming-example-vxi11-python-lan/

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 10:25:58 pm
content: Quote from: Electro Fan on May 18, 2020, 09:57:52 pmBeen watching this thread and as Zucca revealed, there's nothing like RTFM !Yep I/O connections can be frustrating but once you have your head around what's required it is normally straight forward.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 08:45:27 pm
content: Progress?

author: Omicron
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2020, 08:02:19 pm
content: I had the same problem. Downgrading ArbExpress to version 3.4 fixed it for me. I think 3.5 is broken. It adds support for their new range of AFGs but apparently it breaks support for the older ones.Just remember that you first need to make the devices show up in TekVISA device manager. They will then appear automatically in ArbExpress.