Programming via a Mac?

[RagnarD]

Hello again gents...


Still paralyzed by Elk M1G vs HAI Omni IIe decision. As I'm looking, I've discovered that both HAI's PC Access and ElkRP are pc-based software for programming their respective systems. My wife and I are both Mac users. Assuming there's no hidden mac version floating out there, my plan would be to A. run the software in an emulater (like Parallels or VMFusion) or B. revitalize on old Dell laptop JUST to use the programming software, which I really don't want to do.

Anyone out there tried/seen/heard of anything like this? Just feel like making a story up?

TIA!

 

[FaderJockey]

I've been running ELKRP under WinXP/VMware on a mbpro for 2 years.

No issues.

 

[tmbrown97]

I've done a bit of programming from my mac. I've done it two ways...

1. Using Remote Desktop to a POS computer somewhere in the house with a serial connection.
2. - More commonly - I built a Windows XP 32-bit Virtual Machine that runs on my mac via VMWare - with it you can give serial or usb control directly to the VM and use USB to Serial if necessary - and I've used that to play with UPB, Elk and the Elve touchscreen designer.

 

[jaysonc]

I can confirm that Elk-RP runs without issue in Parallels. I have used it that way for many years.

I have actually run a very wide range of Automation software under Parallels without issue. The current copt of commercial virtual machines are all very mature for normal applications. Cutting edge graphics are where support is still maturing.

The only complexity you may run into is the lack of serial ports on the Mac and the sharing of USB devices with Mac OSX. I have always used serial to ethernet and USB to ethernet adapters. Currently I use a serial to ethernet to access a Brultech ECM-1240 (has been running 24/7 for over 9 months) and a USB to ethernet adapter to manage my UBP network via Upstart.

You should be fine with Parallels or VMWare Fusion.

 

[aard3]

Hello again gents...


Still paralyzed by Elk M1G vs HAI Omni IIe decision. As I'm looking, I've discovered that both HAI's PC Access and ElkRP are pc-based software for programming their respective systems. My wife and I are both Mac users. Assuming there's no hidden mac version floating out there, my plan would be to A. run the software in an emulater (like Parallels or VMFusion) or B. revitalize on old Dell laptop JUST to use the programming software, which I really don't want to do.

Anyone out there tried/seen/heard of anything like this? Just feel like making a story up?

TIA!

I use VMWare, and I know one of our sales guys uses parallels with no problem.

Aaron

 

[jharrell]

I used VMware fusion in the past, but now I have UPstart and PCAccess, along with Web-Link II running on my Windows Home Server.

I like this setup the best, WHS can act as a time machine drive back drive and I can Remote Desktop to it even from my iPhone/IPad if I need to checkup on my Omni or UPB. Also it provides good DDNS and a valid SSL cert for web sites running on the box, such as Web-Link.

I keep a UPB PIM connected to the home server permanently for UPStart.

 

[signal15]

VirtualBox is free, and works better than Parallels and VMWare Fusion in my opinion.

It would be awesome if the ELK ethernet expander was replaced with a more capable device that had a web-based admin interface for programming. I HATE having to have a whole separate VM laying around just to configure my ELK.

 

[RagnarD]

Thanks for all the tips everyone, I really appreciate it. Since I'll be going with the Elk and the M1XEP adapter, I'll pick up a copy of Parallels or VMFusion shortly. But this has suddenly led me to another question that might be an issue...

Will I be able to install the M1XEP and get it up and running without using the ElkRP? In other words, can I set that up and begin accessing via ethernet, or am I going to have to guy a serial to USB cable to even get started? Or can I do some initial setup via the keypad? If possible, I'd like to go direct to using the XEP for connection so that I don't have to pick up the adapter cable just for initial setup.

Thanks!

 

[electron]

It has been a while, but I believe it defaults to DHCP, so if you have access to your router dhcp clients list, you should be able to connect to it without a serial adapter.

 

[jaysonc]

Thanks for all the tips everyone, I really appreciate it. Since I'll be going with the Elk and the M1XEP adapter, I'll pick up a copy of Parallels or VMFusion shortly. But this has suddenly led me to another question that might be an issue...

Will I be able to install the M1XEP and get it up and running without using the ElkRP? In other words, can I set that up and begin accessing via ethernet, or am I going to have to guy a serial to USB cable to even get started? Or can I do some initial setup via the keypad? If possible, I'd like to go direct to using the XEP for connection so that I don't have to pick up the adapter cable just for initial setup.

Thanks!

Dan was correct. The XEP ships with DHCP enabled by default. Elk-RP also has a locate feature that will find the XEP and allow you to connect to it without knowing the IP address.