Just as people have to come to rely heavily upon computer networks at home and in their offices, more and more people are discovering the extraordinary benefits that a networked data logger system can offer.
Now you can use an existing Ethernet network to connect to and monitor Veriteq data loggers remotely on an on-going basis. By tying into an existing network, you can set up flexible and expandable data logging systems that can display real-time data, automatically back-up and store data logger information, send e-mail alarms, and much more.
"Using an existing network allows customers to start small and add additional monitoring points as they need them", explains Rick Schellenberg, Veriteq's Marketing Manager. "Tapping into an Ethernet system helps users avoid hard-wiring and cabling costs, and customers can easily move points around to suit their application needs." Schellenberg adds that such a system combines the advantages of a centralized hard-wired system (remote monitoring, alarming, reporting, and data backup) with the reliability and flexibility of a chart recorder system (localized data storage and minimal wiring).
Easy Network Connections
To connect a Veriteq data logger to a network, a product called a "device server" is used. Also referred to as "Ethernet to serial adapters" or "RS-232 to TCP/IP converters", device servers are hardware products that interface serial devices, such as Veriteq data loggers, to common TCP/IP Ethernet networks.
Device servers are small boxes that have one or more serial ports on one side and an Ethernet connector on the other side. They are essentially tiny microcomputers that convert the serial communication used by the Veriteq data loggers into TCP/IP (the communications standard used on the Internet). This allows an easy exchange of information between the serial device and the network.
The device servers work by creating virtual COM ports on a network PC that are addressable by a host PC on the network or, with Veriteq's viewLinc software, any other PC on the network.
To get started with Ethernet data logging, refer to "Ethernet Data Logging: 5 Easy Steps".