NXlink Kenwood Radio Messaging Gateway

Overview

NXlink provides a gateway to pass messages to and from Kenwood portable radios. It connects directly to Kenwood NXDN systems, supporting individual and group calls. Three messaging interfaces are included: Email, Paging and Web

Email Interface

NXlink contains a built-in email server, allowing it to accept emails directly from a wide range of sources. When a radio responds to a message, NXlink automatically sends a reply back to the original messages. IP address filtering and white-listing are used to prevent spam.

Example: Hospitality Industry

Many hotels use management software such as Guestware, HotSOS or hotel ServicePro to provide the best possible experience to guests. These systems need to communicate with staff to provide information such as work orders or real-time alerts. By equiping staff with Kenwood portable radios, they can receive these messages immediately, using NXlink as an email gateway. The NXlink server receives emails from the hotel management software, matches the email address to the assigned staff radio or radio group, then instantly forwards the message over the radio network. Employees can respond to the message by selecting a predefined response in the radio. These responses are returned to the NXlink server, where they are emailed back to the hotel management software as a reply to the original message.

Example: Small Hotels

Smaller hotels may not be using any management software, but the need still exists to communicate clearly and quickly with maintenance and cleaning staff. These staff members can be assigned Kenwood portable radios, allowing them to send and receive messages. A supervisor can use a standard email application (such as Outlook) to send messages to the NXlink system. These messages are forwarded to the assigned staff radio or radio group immediately. Any responses from the staff members will be sent as a reply to the original email.

Pager Interface

NXlink can be configured to monitor file locations for pager messages. These messages are processed and matched to an individual radio or set of radios, then sent out over the radio network. When sending messages to a set of radios, each message is transmitted separately to enable message acknowledgments (rather then broadcasting to a radio group).

Example: Manufacturing Plants

Many manufacturing plants use PLCs to monitor processes and machines. When events occur, such as a process completion or machine malfunction, these controllers can send alerts over the plant network. Technicians equiped with Kenwood portable radios can receive these alerts immediately, using NXLink as a pager gateway.

Web Interface

NXlink can also operate in a stand-alone mode where it does not require any external software or hardware to generated messages. A built-in web server provides a web page where users can select radios from a list, then send and receive messages directly over the radio network. A secure login page is used to prevent unauthorized access.

NXlink Installation Instructions (click here for quickstart set-up)

NXlink is powered by the DataGate server application. DataGate can be downloaded from the Datalink Systems downloads website, and requires a Windows PC or server. See the DataGate manual for specifications and installation instructions (www.datalinksystemsinc.com/support/datagate.pdf).

Once DataGate is installed, it must be configured to connect to the Kenwood radio network. DataGate supports NX-200/300 portable radios (NX-220/320 are not compatible). Refer to the DataGate manual section on Data Sources for information on setting up Kenwood connections. In the simplest mode, DataGate connects to a local base radio via a serial port or serial to Ethernet adapter. This local radio is used to pass messages to the portable radios. For NXDN trunking networks, DataGate can also connect to a radio repeater using a console IP connection.

Each portable radio or radio group must now be added to the DataGate asset list. Refer to the Asset section in the DataGate manual. Radios should be programmed with hardware type set to "Kenwood Radio", and then assigned a unit or group ID to indicate where data should be sent to.

Email Interface

For the email interface, the DataGate server must be configured to act as an email server. The DataGate manual section on Email Settings describes this set up process in detail. Finally, the software used to generate emails (such as hotel management applications) must be configured to send emails to the DataGate addresses.

Pager Interface

The Pager Message Files section in the DataGate manual describes how the pager interface works. Contact us if you require processing of data in other formats.

Web Interface

See the DataGate manual Web information under the Options section. You will also need to create a list of users who will have log in access to the messaging web page. See the Users section in the manual for details.

If you get stuck you can email us for support at support@datalinksystemsinc.com. Please be as detailed as possible for an easy to understand response.