LX-1 Dragsled
July 23, 2004
The LX-1 Dragsled is a very modern computer design and is configured as what is sometimes referred to as a Network Appliance. This means in order to communicate with the Dragsled no special software is required - all your computer needs to have is a Ethernet Jack or LAN connection - which almost all modern computers and laptops do.
The device is therefore similar to a networked Laser printer or any website you may visit on the internet. Because the LX-1 uses a embedded linux processor full networking is supported, if the device is plugged into the corporate LAN it is possible for more than one person to access it securely at the one time. there are differing levels of usernae access controls to allow for this.
In addition with the correct configuration, security permissions, and firewall rules, it is possible for you to allow remote diagnostics and upgrading remotely from our factory, no matter where you are in the world. (Don't worry if you don't follow or if these are unfamiliar terms.)
The dragled, just like all other networked devices (including your computer), has to have an "IP"(Internet Protocol) address. All the machines on your corporate LAN have an IP address, and all servers and devices on the internet have an IP address.
Normally you don't type in an IP address when you are accessing a webpage from your webbrowser, you simpy type inthe name of a a website. When you came to this website for example, www.engtech.ca, what actually happens is that this "name" is looked up in an address book system called DNS (Domain Name Server) and is translated that to the correct IP address. In the case of our website, www.engtech.ca => 69.57.184.170
For the LX-1 Dragsled, unless your "IT guy" wants to set it up to have a name on your LAN or computer, you **will** type in the IP address of the dragsled to access it.
The only difficult part is that we have to get an IP address for the Dragsled that is compatible with either your Corporate LAN or your computer or laptop. The simplest scenario, however, is if your LAN has a machine providing something called "DHCP"(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) if so - then everything becomes automatic.
But even if DHCP is not available, there's still no problem - the Dragsled is very adaptable. In addition to being able to work with DHCP, it can store ten additional network settings. This is useful if it needs to be used in different network environments. (Such as in different detachments, or when connected directly to your Laptop instead of the corporate LAN.)
Note: Because we have carefully followed webstandards, it is also possible to connect the LX-1 Dragsled to other devices which have a browser and a network connection, this may include certain cell phones, handheld computers, or mobile in vehicle computers!
---
Read Part 2
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://engtech.ca/mt/engtech-tb.cgi/9
» Drag Sled from Typical Projects
Linux Based Drag Sled adds advanced features to functionality.... [Read More]
» Part 2 - Dragsled Communications. from Resources
To summarize what was said in part 1, The LX-1 Dragsled is a networked device. It requires an IP address that is compatible with your computer/network. At that point it is accessed like any other webpage. Now how to determine... [Read More]