New software solutions for the ECM-1220.H

[jharrell]

... From what I have seen the protocol didn't need to be simplified, but getting in to TCP/IP is a big deal for me.

I wonder if the traditional solution would work, namely use an RS-232-to-Ethernet adapter like a Lantronix UDS10. These adapters have been successfully used with all kinds of serial-based gadgets.

If it had an exposed rs-232 port, but currently they only sell a usb or ZigBee version, internally it's an rs-232 port hardwired into the usb or zigbee interface, they mentioned doing a"limited run" with a real rs-232 port exposed.

 

[zimmer62]

I think an added benefit of this middleware software, would be allowing it to report to multiple applications at once. RS232 doesn't really like it when multiple programs are talking at the same time. So this program would be the master, and the only program that's making an actual connection to the box using any method supported.

It looks like they have the ability to report data to their webserver using some of their software, and you could also have your home automation software talking to it at the same time. Thus not having to chose not to use their web server for live readouts just because you want to integrate this with your home automation system.

It's possible I'm misunderstanding, but using the supplied virtual com port you should be able to skip the tray software completely and talk directly to the serial communication.

I've looked over the PDF document that I got from Paul, and it looks like it's the same RS-232 protocol when you talk to it over USB, Zigbee, or Ethernet. Its likely that their Ethernet solution is going to be an Ethernet gateway that requires some sort of software running on the PC to make a virtual com port to Ethernet device that still accepts the same serial communication.

Please someone correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[jharrell]

I think an added benefit of this middleware software, would be allowing it to report to multiple applications at once. RS232 doesn't really like it when multiple programs are talking at the same time. So this program would be the master, and the only program that's making an actual connection to the box using any method supported.

It looks like they have the ability to report data to their webserver using some of their software, and you could also have your home automation software talking to it at the same time. Thus not having to chose not to use their web server for live readouts just because you want to integrate this with your home automation system.

It's possible I'm misunderstanding, but using the supplied virtual com port you should be able to skip the tray software completely and talk directly to the serial communication.

I've looked over the PDF document that I got from Paul, and it looks like it's the same RS-232 protocol when you talk to it over USB, Zigbee, or Ethernet. Its likely that their Ethernet solution is going to be an Ethernet gateway that requires some sort of software running on the PC to make a virtual com port to Ethernet device that still accepts the same serial communication.

Please someone correct me if I'm wrong!

Yes RS-232 is a point to point connection only, but Serial to Ethernet devices usually allow multiple connection at once multiplexing the data down to the one serial port just like this tray app, the virtual com port driver is just a thin wrapper over a tcp/ip port. In many cases it easier to forgo the VCP and talk directly using TCP/IP( Many times it's just telnet), the VCP is just there to support programs that where only coded to use a com port. A TCP connection is actually presented as serial data connection and in most OS'es once you setup either the com port or the TCP connection you actually read and write data the same way to both.

I would gladly pay an extra $50 if one of these was soldered right on the Brultech :xport