TCP- basic question

[fj1977]

I want to know how can I do to make a connection between a PC (client) and a laboratory instrument with embedded computer (server) using TCP/IP functions on Labview 7.1. I don't know if I've to make two programs in labview or if I have to do it only the client. I want to send commands to the laboratory instrument  (to start and stop the Data Acquisition) but I don't know how. I don't know if I've to do one program (like Data simple client) in the PC or  if I've to do the Server program too, and I 've to build both in the same PC?

I know this question will be very basic but I'm new in Labview and I need some help to understand this.

Thanks a lot for your help.

[MikeS81]

Hi fj1977,

i'm not sure if i understand what you want. What do you mean with laboratory instrument? In my understanding it's a vi and this is also software like that what you describe with PC(client). Can you please explain a little bit more in detail?

Mike

[fgrootent]

Hello,

You don't have to create 2 LabVIEW programs(VI's).

You just need to open conenction, write(send) tcp/ip message and close the connection.

Furthermore you need to know server IP address and how the build a command suitable for you're labority equipment.

regards 

  Fred

[fj1977]

Hi Mike and Fred,

I'll try to explain me better. I have two equipements: one PC and one laboratoy equipment. I want to know if I can communicate by TCP/IP  with a laboratory equipment building a program like "Simple Data Client.vi" in the PC,but I don't know if I have to build a program like "simple Data Server.vi" too. Maybe I have to build a client.vi and try to communicate with the laboratory equipment without server program?

thanks for your answers.

[MikeS81]

Hi fj1977,

to be able to communicate with your laboratory equipment, you need a client and your equipment has to provide an interface. If there is no server on your equipment, then you can´t connect to it. You need a ftp, http or another server to build a connection. What type of equipment is it?

Mike

[fj1977]

Hi Mike,

I have an ellipsometer (laboratory equipment) with a computer embedded, and I want to communicate from the PC to the ellipsometer using TCP/IP connections. I read in the manual of ellipsometer that I could send ASCII commands to the ellipsometer using TCP/IP connections; but all  the examples that I've seen with TCP communications have two programs: a 'client.vi' and a 'server.vi'.  I really don't know if I have to build in my computer a program like "client.vi" to communicate with the ellipsometer or if I have to build a Server.vi program too.

Thanks a lot for your help.

[MikeS81]

Hi fj1977,

if your manual says that you can send ASCII commands, i think it should also tell you, how to connect to your device.

Mike

[fgrootent]

Hi,

You don't have to create a server.vi program. You only need the client.vi program.

You should look up in the manual on wich (tcp/ip)address you're laboratory equipment

open the connection and send the ascii command to the equipment..

Yes you're rigth you always need a client and a server to communicate but,

the laboratory equipment has a server inside so you don't have to wrtite a server program yourself.

regards

  Fred 

[fj1977]

Hi Mike and Fred!

Thanks you very much for your answers;

OK, I have to build a program like client.vi, but I don't have to build a server.vi.

Now, I'll build a program  in my PC and I'll try to communicate with the ellipsometer.

Thanks a lot!!!

[fj1977]

Hi again,

I have built inside PC a program in labview 7.1 to make TCP/IP communication between PC and laboratory equipment and I get "error 63 occurred at the Open Connection".

I've read all replies  about this error 63 on 'NI Discussion forum', but I can't find the solution.

I've checked the port and IP address of the server and they are correct, and I've configured the labview options (Tools-->Options -->VI server) too.

Now,I don`t know how it's wrong.

can you help me,please?

Thanks for your reply.