FX9500 - How to rescue via serial console

[Ted Finch]

This is how I 'rescued' a FX9500 that was not connecting over the network cable. For some unknown reason the FX9500 had lost all IP data and would not even respond to the default IP address of 169.254.1.1

Software. You need a serial terminal program such as Putty.
Hardware. You need a USB cable and / or a RS232 Serial cable to connect from the PC to the USB port of the FX9500. If you use the old style serial conection then you may also need a USB to serial converter.

From the FX9500 manual

Connecting the Serial Port
The FX9500 RFID Reader is equipped with one DB9 type RS-232 serial port for communication up to 115200
Baud. If using the serial port for RFID Reader communication, connect a serial cable from the COM port on the PC
to the serial port on the RFID Reader. The maximum serial cable length is 12 feet at 115200 Baud.

Connecting the USB Ports
The FX9500 RFID Reader is equipped with two USB 2.0 ports. The USB Type B port provides connectivity to the
FX9500 console. This connection is used to send commands and receive responses and is typically connected to
your server. The USB Type A port is used for external devices such as printers, external hard drives, or other
peripherals. For standard communications, connect a USB Type B cable to the RFID Reader and then to your PC or server.
The maximum cable length is 5 meters to the nearest hub, router, or computer.

Connect the reader to the PC using your choice of serial connection.
On the computer launch Putty ( or other terminal program)
For Putty:
    1. Select the Serial button
    2. In the Serial field add the COM port for the serial cable you are using.
    3. In speed enter 115200
    4. Click Open
 The FX9500 console application opens in the terminal with a prompt >>>

Login with the command reader.login( login=factory, pwd=HERCf95*..)

Enter the command com.network.1.ip_address

This should show the current IP address of the reader.
ok 169.254.1.1
>>>

If an IP address is given then you can connect via the web console using that address e.g.  http://169.254.1.1
BUT if the reader has a problem then this may be blank or none.

ok none
>>>
To reset the IP address enter the following command.

com.network.1.set(method=static, ip_address=169.254.1.1,subnet_mask=255.255.255.0,default_gateway=169.254.1.1)

The IP address will now be fixed and you can use the web console to connect and set or reset the configuration as you need.

Remember that your PC must be on the same subnet as the reader so you may need to give the PC a fixed IP address of 169.254.1.10 to make the initial connection.

Paradoxically I hope this helps but you never have to use it!!

Ted

[allans]

Just wanted to say thanks for the great write up, I was able to reset the reader I just purchased in a matter of minutes!

[Jeff K]

I am trying to recover my brick.  and it is responding error.parser.illegal_value bad login/password

[Jeff K]

never mind found this

ftp://ecribmaster.com/pub/Documentation/RFID/Motorola%20FX9500%20Configuration.pdf

this is what it should be

[Oscar's Race Results]

Googling around I came to this post. 

Went to reader and the RS232 plug has a plate screwed in over it.  Also the square /  doghouse shaped USB port has a plug in it as does the regular USB port left of it.

Is this part of something somebody did to keep you out of the control panel?

Oscar

[JK Race Timing Systems]

Sounds like someone was oevrprotective of their settings or just didnt want anyone screwing with their hard earned settings , take your pick.  very strange

[Oscar's Race Results]

More on my recalcitrant 9500.  

Recently purchased FX9500 used on EBay for $300 (US).  It has some issues so am still debating returning it.  Love the speed as it gets about 14 times as many reads and goes out 20% farther than 7400's.

1.  Cannot get into control panel.  Clicking 169.254.1.1 in Session One with an internet connection on gets a "refuses to connect." With an FX7400, it opens control panel for reader. 

Tried opening 9500 literally dozens of times.  Defaults (paperclips) to 169.254.1.1 and runs fine on direct ethernet to laptop.   

 

On a wireless router, it is assigned 192.168.0.101 as determined by Session One.  It never shows up on an ipconfig run. Runs well on the wireless router also.  My timing CPU is set to

static 192.168.1.4. Floating it gets 169.254.200.40 in ipconfig.  

With great help and patience of Ted Finch, I was able to PuTTY in and get the 169.254.1.1 as a verification that this is the default IP.  Ted also said that the "0" in 192.168.0.xxx indicates it is secured. There were pull out plugs in both USB ports and a metal plate is screwed in over the RS232 port.  

As an aside discovery: the motherboard plug into my laptop is loose.  You can pull it back and the computer can't see it.  Happily, the reader continues to read.  When the plug is pushed back in, after 5 to 15 seconds, the laptop gets everything that was read while "detached". 

2.  POE does not work. Same POE rig as for FX7400's. It does not even flicker.  Could this also be defeated by a software setting in the inaccessible control panel?

Thanks for any insights,

Oscar

[Ted Finch]

Oscar

FX9500 does not have POE capability.

The 192.168.0.xxx is the ip address given by the router using DHCP, if you use the router to connect the reader and laptop then they should be on the same subnet and more easily  'see' each other.

To get to the web browser interface you may need to use https:// instead of http:// as clearly the previous user was very security conscious. So if both devices are connected via the router check the reader address using session one and/or ping to 192.168.0.101 then try https://192.168.0.101 or http://192.168.0.101 or what ever is the correct ip address.

It is possible there is some custom firmware inside that has the web browser turned off in which case you may be stumped else a long exercise in learning the Serial Interface commands ( which are not well documented!)

BUT if the reader does work OK with ART then go with the current set up and enjoy the speed.

I hope it works out for you

Ted

[Run Roanoke]

Hey, anyone have any advice I have connected the serial port to usb.  I start putty I put in the info, but when the command box opens it doesn't give me the >>> just a blank box.  any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Geoff Hall]

i'm getting the same error when i try. 

>>> reader.login( login=factory, pwd=HERCf95*..)

error.parser.illegal_value bad login/password

Any thoughts?

[Peak Performance Timing]

Punt....

[Walter Wilms]

Hi Ted,

I see you posted this back in 2016.

But it saved my day in 2021!

Thanks for this post!

Op zaterdag 7 maart 2020 om 07:14:53 UTC+1 schreef peakperfor...@gmail.com:

Punt....

[Ted Finch]

I recently had occasion to fix a rest FX9500. As well as the notes above to set the IP address I found that the admin account password had been changed from the default 'change' so I needed to rest the admin password.

At the serial console type in “reader.set_pwd(admin, blah, change)”

•             This will change the admin password to “change”
•             b. “blah” is a placeholder variable.  Do no omit this.

Once accepted then the admin account could be used on the web interface.

Cheers

Ted

[Ted Finch]

A wee thing.
If you connect using Putty or a terminal program then press Enter a couple of times to tell the console you are there.
You then get the prompt >>>

Then you can enter   reader.login( login=factory, pwd=HERCf95*..)

etc.

Ted

[William Sanchez]

I just bought three FX9500's on ebay and this came in so handy! Thank you for taking the time to make this post. 

[Carlos Galhano]

Great post Ted!

Thanks