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AULNet

Basic review

Communication between the remote device and AKTAKOM remote control software is based on the AULNet technology. TCP/IP socket subset, familiar to UNIX and Windows users, forms network communication endpoints.

AULNet

As shown on the scheme above "AULNet server" can be either a built-in LAN-controller unit or a server application running on a remote computer locally connected to the device.

To a user’s point of view, accessing to the instrument with AULNet at any point of the network doesn’t practically differ fr om a local access. The "full" name used during the device initialization (in this program - at the connection to the device) is the only difference.
The device full name contains its unique ID (device type and model + serial number), physical connection method (local operating system driver type) and server name. Name parts are separated with a double colon.

Ready for operation AKTAKOM applications usually automate both socket list processing and full names creating. However it is possible to specify connected device name manually. For more info read the rules below.

Syntax:

Angle brackets (<>) are used for names and parameters input; square brackets ([]) - optional fields. The remaining characters must be used without modification. A vertical bar (|) separates alternative methods of parameter input: "either | or."

[AULNET[<interface_type>]::[<socket>::]]<device_name>

where:

<interface_type> - one of the symbolic AUL interface designation, e.g.: AUN (AUNUsb.sys standard driver), AUXPR (USB Xpress driver), AVCOM (virtual COM-port), AEPP (parallel EPP-port driver).

<socket> = <socket_number>|<socket_parameters>

It specifies the socket used to communicate with the device. Socket number comes from the server list processing function, or socket options are directly described (see below). Socket number from the list is specified with a decimal number.

<socket_parameters>= @N<server>[@P<port>][@T<timeout>][@L<username>]

@N<server> - domain name (DNS, 256 characters at most) or physically connected to the tool server IP-address. @P<port> - the socket port number (decimal number, by default - 1024). @T<timeout> - socket connection timeout value (in milliseconds, default value - 5000). @L<username> - login to connect to the server (248 characters at most, default name - AULNetPass).

For example:

Nwww.user123.aktakom.com@P1080@ Llogin123

or: @ N127.0.0.1@ P1024

<device>=<model_name>[#<serial_number>]

AUL-device name, composed of the model name (8 characters) and an optional serial number (16 characters at most), separated with a space with a "hash" sign - #.

For example: AHP-3121#2310768.

Substitutional characters and defaults

Some parts of the full device name can be omitted or replaced with an asterisk - *.

If either an AULNET part is completely omitted (only device_name is given), or socket string is omitted or empty, the device is considered to be local and AULNET technology is not used to communicate with it.

If <interface_type> field is omitted, the default interface is selected depending on the device model.

If <device_name> field does not contain serial number, the attempt is made to the first suitable device ready for use instead of the initial one.

If there is an asterisk symbol <*> instead of the <socket> field, the search of the specified device is made on all of the servers from the list (set by special functions).

If there is an asterisk symbol <*> instead of the <serial_number> field, the resort attempt is made to the first ready for use one-to-one corresponding device.

Specific device drivers can additionaly support defaults for supported models.

Examples:

ACK-3106

Attempting to the first ready device, which can be used as an ACK-3106 (including oscillographic modules ACK-4106, ACK-4166 and ACK-3107 with USB-hub module) and connected to the local machine. A direct connection (without the use of AULNET) is used.

AULNET::@N127.0.0.1@P1024::ACK-3106#*

Attempting to the first free ACK-3106 model (oscillographic modules ACK-4106, ACK-4166, ACK-3107 with USB-hub module are ignored), connected to a local machine (IP-address to access the network "itself to itself " - 127.0.0.1) on the port 1024. If there is no socket server with such settings, then it will be added to the list. Added socket list number can be obtained from the open device handler interface. AULNET connection is used.

AULNETAUN:: 2:: AME-1204 # 123456789

Attemptiong the specific AME-1204 model with exact serial number 123456789 and connected through the AUNUsb interface to a socket, determined by record number 2 from the previously entered server list. If such entry is not listed, the error will be returned EAULNET_SOCKET_INDEF(-25) - «The socket is not defined».

AULNET::*::AHP-3121#123456789

Search of AHP-3121 model with serial number 123456789 on all servers from the previous list (direct local connections are checked first).

AULNet socket settings in application

It allows a user to configure the sockets for the work with the devices through a TCP / IP computer network (including the Web).

The table presents the list of AULNet sockets. Tick off those of them wh ere the program should search for available devices. To edit the contents of the table use the control elements at the bottom of the tab.

Name - name of the socket, domain name (DNS, 256 characters at most) or physically connected to the device server IP-address.

Port - socket port number (decimal).

Timeout - timeout value for connection with the socket (in milliseconds, default - 5000).

Login - login for the connection to the server (248 characters at most, by default - AULNetPass).

Buttons - "Add a socket" buttons (the settings entered are added to the table as a new socket), "Remove the socket" (selected socket is removed from the table), "Change the socket" (selected socked parameters are replaced with the entered ones), "Refresh list " (the table contents is synchronized with the socket list stored in the device driver).