FarLinX Connect Mini

The FarLinX Connect Mini is a multi mode HDLC bridging appliance. HDLC lines can be bridged securely across the Internet or other TCP/IP networks also data from a HDLC/LAPB connection can be converted to be transmitted over a TCP connection.

All features are easy to securely manage from your browser. There are daily activity logs with a selectable level of detail, automatically archived on a daily basis. The SNMP support provides alerts for numerous different conditions including critical events such as line down and line up. A line monitor supplied permits analysis of the HDLC/LAPB line.

Key Features

• TCP to HDLC conversion with the route created statically or dynamically, handles a variety of modes including: character streaming and frame length defined
  HDLC ↔ Internet ↔ HDLC bridging including static or dynamic routing
• LAN accessible HDLC/LAPB line as a sharable remotely manageable resource
• Choice of HDLC/LAPB network interface connections: RS232 (V.24), V.35, RS422, RS530, RS449, X.21, RS485
• HDLC line speeds up to 1 Mbps and over 1,200 frames per second each way
• Line Monitor to view HDLC traffic for easy network problem diagnosis
• Browser graphical configuration, SNMP alerts for critical events and activity logging
• Real time display of current connections, line performance, errors, connections and much more
• Small rugged low profile all metal case, low power consumption

• Transparently bridge HDLC type lines over the Internet, reducing line rental costs
• Allow TCP/IP access to a HDLC line where the HDLC line data is provided over the TCP connection
• LAN accessible and sharable HDLC port resource

Statistics

The FarLinX Connect maintains a comprehensive set of statistics and activity counts. This information can be used to indicate the total loads on the bridge and also to give early warning of line performance problems and even misconfigured systems elsewhere in the network.

Logging

All connections setup through the Connect bridge can be logged. The logs are automatically saved on a daily basis. Old logs can be displayed as required. Log events can also be routed to a syslog to allow logging centrally and also permit real time viewing of the log.

SNMP

The Connect bridge supports SNMP alerts with 3 configurable levels. Alerts can be issued for connections, disconnections, connection routing errors, line up and line down events and many more.

System Upgrades

Upgrades to the firmware can be remotely and securely uploaded to the appliance to allow the latest revision firmware to be used. Rollback to a previous version is supported.

Built in HDLC Line Monitor

The FarLinX Connect includes downloadable Line Monitor software installable onto a Windows PC. This allows HDLC traffic to be recorded and displayed in real time. Multiple FarLinX Connects and FarLinX Gateways can be monitored simultaneously. Support to allow the popular Wireshark line monitor to record and display the HDLC and TCP/IP is also included.

This very useful feature allows Network Managers and System Installers to locally or remotely analyse, and rapidly diagnose, problems that may occur on the HDLC lines without the need for expensive external line monitors.

The line traces can be saved and viewed later, for example in a customer support situation.

The FarLinX Connect Mini is configured from a Browser – Chrome, Edge, and Firefox are all supported. Access to the configuration is secured through a user name and password. Secure configuration access is through https.

The majority of configuration changes to the appliance are made dynamically so continuous operation of the FarLinX Connect can be maintained.

Configurations can be saved for later use.

FarSite recognises that this product is frequently used as a key component in networked systems and as such a guaranteed response to unexpected problems is required. Maintenance contracts are available for the FarLinX Connect Mini for fast hardware swap out, firmware upgrades, priority service and rapid problem resolution.