TCP communication and Remote Panel programming

[Dsurana]

Hi all:

I am developing a LabVIEW program which is to used remotely. I am planning on using Remote Panel Access or TCP Communication for my application. I would like to know why is a better choice and what are the factors I should consider in choosing one of these. Jsut for information, I am also using serial communication in this program using RS232 cable.

Thanks in advance,

[mfitzsimons]

Have you considered using the WEB Publish feature in LV?  It will allow you to develop your application as normal application (non-remote).  When done, install it on the remote PC and use the WEB Publish feature.  You can view and take control of the front panel with no additional programming from any PC that has a WEB browser.  You will need to have LV run time installed on the PC that you run the WEB browser on.  It will prompt for download if you do not have it installed.

I don't know if this will work for your application,

Matt

[Dennis_Knutson]

Matt is correct that the remote panel feature is the easiest to implement. You only have to write a single application and then publish it. Depending on your version of LabVIEW, you will have either 1 or 5 remote client licenses. If you use TCP/IP, you'll have to write a separate client application. If the server application is what you need to connect to a serial instrument, then go with a remote panel. If you need the client to connect to a serial instrument and send data to the server, then you cannot use a remote panel to do that.

[Dsurana]

Thank you guys, that helped. I also want to know whether I can web pulbize an executable server program. What I mean is do I need LabVIEW at the server program to view the web published version or can I make the server program to be a executable and have remote panel of this on web? I hope my question is clear.

 I intention is to develop this application such that finally LabVIEW is not required even at the server.

[mfitzsimons]

As stated above:

You can view and take control of the front panel with no additional programming from any PC that has a WEB browser.  You will need to have LV run time installed on the PC that you run the WEB browser on.  It will prompt for download if you do not have it installed.

So these means Yes and No.  You have to have LV Run Time installed on the PC that is viewing the WEB page but it will prompt you to download it and it is FREE.

Matt

[Dsurana]

Hi Matt:

Thank you for your reply. I tried to web publize my application but I couldnt get it to work. Firstly, I dint see the preview of the VI , there is a message displayed : "Additional Plugins are required to display all the media on this page" then a link takes to the runtime engine download - http://digital.ni.com/softlib.nsf/webcategories/85256410006C055586256BBB002C1065?opendocument&node=132060_US , but here I cannot install runtime engine for free...I am confused...?? Do u know what I am doing wrong ?

I am using LabVIEW 7.1 Full Version.

Also in my previous message I meant to ask if I can have a executable file of the VI that I want to publize?? This way I dont want LabVIEW development software on the server computer as well as on the computer where I would be controlling the web publication( provided I install run-time engine here).

Please advice, thanks in advance.

[mfitzsimons]

I am not sure what the legal aspects are for the Run Time Engine.  You will have to dig deeper or contact NI if it will not let you load it.  From what I read is:

Additionally, the Run-Time Engine allows your browser to display VIs that are embedded in Web pages.  There are two downloads that are available. You only need to install one of them. LVRunTimeEng.exe is a smaller download intended when viewing Remote Front Panels in Web pages. It does not contain the full run-time engine, but will allow some executables to run..............

http://digital.ni.com/softlib.nsf/websearch/1F1EBEA6D03A67E6862570A400531F97?opendocument&node=132050_US 

Yes, you can have an executable and that would be the preferred method.  Start small and work up to the final version.  Start by using your developer version and have it generate the WEB page.  Using the same computer you can view the page and take control using Microsoft Internet Express.  From there build it into an application, try it again.  When all looks good then put it on the server.  You are limited by licenses on how many WEB pages you can have running.

Hope this helps,

Matt

Message Edited by mfitzsimons on 11-01-2005 10:17 AM

[mfitzsimons]

More Info:

• Five connections included with LabVIEW Professional Development System
• One connection included with LabVIEW Full Development System
• Purchase up to 50 simultaneous connections

Download the Free LabVIEW Run-Time Engine

https://www.ni.com/en/support/downloads/software-products/download.labview-runtime.html

Free is good

Matt

[Megan B.]

Hi Dsurana,

Here is a link where you can download any version of the LabVIEW Run-Time Engine: https://www.ni.com/en/support/downloads/software-products/download.labview-runtime.html

It looks to me like the previous links you have seen are for the LabVIEW 8 Run-Time (the most current version of LabVIEW).  Since you are using 7.1, you will need to go to the above link.  Also, before you can download from the NI website, you will need to create or log in with a user profile.  You will not need to pay for the Run-Time, however.

Good luck!
Megan B.
National Instruments

[mfitzsimons]

Megan,

To clarify, it says under LV 8.0 Run Time download that:

Installation Instructions (English)

Run LVRunTimeEng.exe or LabVIEW_8.0_Runtime_Engine.exe to install the LabVIEW 7.1 Run-Time Engine.

If you were attempting to view a VI through a browser and you were directed to this site by your Web browser, the VI will display correctly after you install the Run-Time Engine

So will it install LV 7.1? Confused at the moment.

Matt