how can i use labview and datasocket to control a GPIB instrument remotely via a standard web browser

[patel 111]

i have the labview 6.0 base package running on a windows machine and also have a windows 2000 server. can my task be performed or do i need any additional software/add-ons

[LesHammer]

Unless you already have the GPIB card for the server, it's about the same price to get an NI ENET-GPIB (or Agilent LAN-GPIB). These devices control your GPIB instruments through the LAN. VISA makes them program just like any other GPIB instrument.

If you already have the GPIB card in the server, it depends upon your VISA. With Agilent VISA in the server, you can turn on "LAN Server" - which puts all the server's GPIB devices on the LAN. Then a VISA LAN Client on your local machine can pick them up remotely - again treating them as "normal" GPIB instruments. I don't know if NI has the equivalent of this.

Les.Hammer@CompleteTest.com

[Dennis_Knutson]

Les is correct about controlling an instrument on a LAN and NI-VISA has the same capabilities as Agilent VISA. If however, you want to control an instrument over the Internet, the best thing would be to upgrade your version of LabVIEW. Since 6.1, LabVIEW has the capability to easily publish web pages with control capability and not just monitoring. It can be done with 6.0 but it's just not as easy. You'll have to create an ActiveX control and do some HTML coding, If you're stuck with an older version of LabVIEW, I would recomend the book "Internet Applications in LabVIEW" by Jeffrey Travis. His web site is here and you can also order the book from amazon.com.