[Elecraft] Seeking input on KPA1500 station

[Dave B]

Unless you have some of the popular AV/AM software packages running,
that will actively prevent such things.

Don't ask how I know, but we have LAN equipped kit at work, where sadly
due to the AV/AM security software that we have no visibility into, it
intercepts and blocks many LAN protocols and such, that it doesn't know
about.

We have to get IP addresses white listed for them to work, and even then
there are issues.    It's easier to use an old PC that has been stripped
of all such nonsense, we just make sure it's never used on the office
LAN itself these days.

That, and if there is a LAN port, you usually need a way to control it's
settings (IP address, Mask, default gateway etc) else you need to use
RARP to find it's IP address from it's MAC address.   As per the popular
(and very good) Lantronix product line.   But finding an AV/AM package
that will not scream blue murder when it sees RARP being used is another
stumbling block.

Then, there are the potential security issues.  How many LAN equipped
bits of kit, have had their IP stack fully vetted and tested to behave
correctly under all situations, plus the products own firmware needs to
be written with security in mind.

There's enough chaos already from consumer IoT things, from light bulbs
to TV/PVR boxes, we don't want similar nonsense in the shack, nor want
Elecraft to become yet another IoT bot target.   (Google "mirai botnet"
for an example.)

RS232 works, & is difficult to remotely hijack for malicious purposes.  
USB connectivity works too (often emulating legacy com ports etc) and is
easy to implement.   There is nothing "Wrong" with LAN ports for control
and I/O etc, but in this day and age, it has to be done perfectly, or
not at all.  And doing that is not trivial!

Plus, any "PC software" will need to be cross platform too.  NOT just
Windoze.   (A Java app perhaps?)   Or, fully disclose and publish the
protocol used by the "device" so the rest of us can use it.

Plus, will users who don't even understand simple serial port settings
even get their heads around LAN address settings and such, plus some
people will then want WiFi because they don't like wired LAN systems.  
Where do you stop?

Oh, and EMC issues.  QRO RF and LAN systems often don't co-exist well,
also LAN cables can, and often do leak QRM, so you'll be needing STP
cables, not exactly low cost.  Again, I know this from first hand
experience, at work and play!

Why not use Optical fibre links, and simple RS232 like
commands/responses.  RF proof, no radiated EMI, no ground loop issues,
low cost, and 99% of all the needed code probably already exists.  
Ready made cables and I/O ports exist (Toslink among others, good enough
for the golden ears brigade, so...)

Just my take on it.

73.  Dave G0WBX.


On 17/06/17 15:34, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Seeking input on KPA1500 station
> 	configurations
>
>
> My 2 cents.
>
> Drop the RS232 line totally and have only an IP / Lan connection.  This
> will solve so many connectivity issues.  With a PC client software, it will
> just find the amplifier.
>
> This is what other Amp vendors are now doing and it is litterly plug and
> play.
>
> The next K-radio should also be LAN aware.
>
> Mike va3mw