- What is the CyberNode, and the CyberNode Lite?
- What is the difference between the CyberNode and the CyberNode Lite?
- How can the CyberNode or CyberNode Lite be used?
- Why should I use the CyberNode or CyberNode Lite?
- How would the CyberNode or CyberNode Lite be configured in my application?
- How and what will I need to develop my application with the CyberNode or CyberNode Lite?
- What software is included with the CyberNode?
- What development tools are required for developing my web applications?
- What OS does the CyberNode utilize?
- What are the average rates of data the CyberNode can process and how much data can it buffer?
- How much data can I store on the CyberNode?
- Does the CyberNode have a firewall?
- Do I have to be an Internet/intranet expert to set up and use the CyberNode?
- Can the CyberNode be used as an Internet server?
- Is the CyberNode difficult to install?
- Does the CyberNode integrate with my existing intranet servers?
- Will I have to bring down my existing network to install the CyberNode?
- Can multiple users access the CyberNode simultaneously?
- What communication protocols does the CyberNode support?
- What kind of user interface does the CyberNode provide?
- How do I assign the CyberNode's IP address?
- What about security and the CyberNode?
- Can I use standard web authoring tools to design pages for the CyberNode?
- How much does the CyberNode cost?
- What is the CyberNode's warranty?
- What type of support is available on the CyberNode?
- What is the network communication medium?
- What is PC/104?
- What type of PC/104 cards are available for the CyberNode?
- Are software drivers available for the PC/104 cards?
- Can DOS applications or drivers run natively on the CyberNode?
- How many I/O points can the CyberNode handle?
| Q: | What is the CyberNode and the CyberNode Lite? |
| A: | The CyberNode is an industrial
thin internet server combined with data acquisition capabilities. With the
CyberNode, data can be acquired from sensors, systems, or other industrial networks and
transmitted using standard internet protocols. The data can be displayed on a HTML
(web) page using common internet browsers such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or
Netscape Navigator. In addition, the data can be directly accessed by other
applications or databases. Back to Top |
| Q: | What is the difference between the CyberNode and the CyberNode Lite? |
| A: | The CyberNode Lite, CN-000001,
provides ethernet 10-BaseT interface with two RS 232 serial ports. Through PC/104 cards
(industrial ISA stack through cards) additional device and communication interfaces can be
added. This includes Modem, ISDN terminal adapter, RS485 or other digital device
interfaces. The CyberNode, CN-000002, comes packaged with all the features of the CyberNode Lite; in addition to a DSP based data acquisition system. A variety of A/D, D/A and digital I/O modules may be configured depending on your application requirements. Back to Top |
| Q: | How can the CyberNode or CyberNode Lite be used? |
| A: | The CyberNode can be used for
local data collection, bridging local sensor information, existing systems, and equipment
to your factory or corporate intranet. The data can be organized and displayed
on web pages to enable access and display on web browsers. Alternatively the CyberNode can be used for remote data telemetry using the internet. A CyberNode can be configured to run as a web site or as an internet remote client, allowing data from remote systems to be transferred over the internet. Back to Top |
| Q: | Why should I use the CyberNode or CyberNode Lite? |
| A: | The CyberNode can save your money
and enable effective communication of mission critical data around your
organization. Remote data transmission through the internet is cost efficient
and more reliable then direct communication on the standard phone networks. You can
effectively eliminate your telecommunications long distance charges with the CyberNode. Display, visualization, and storage of the data can accomplished with user friendly web browsers and state of the art database systems. The CyberNode provides a bridge to the mainstream of networking technologies. Back to Top |
| Q: | How would the CyberNode or CyberNode Lite be configured in my application? |
| A: | Think of the CyberNode as special
type of computer. It is limited in cost and functionality specifically for the
purpose of moving information over the internet. Like any other
computer, a program must be developed for it to do its job. In the
CyberNode's case a web site needs to be developed and an application program
which manages the collection of data and the transfer of the data to the web interface
accomplish this. Back to Top |
| Q: | How and what will I need to develop my application with the CyberNode or CyberNode Lite? |
| A: | Developing software for the
CyberNode is similar to developing software for other internet servers. The
web site must be developed. Typically, this can be accomplished in common web
site development environments such as Microsoft FrontPage. The CyberNode's base operating system is Microsoft WIN32 compliant and application programs can be developed in Microsoft Visual C++. In addition, a Java Virtual Machine is available for Java code development. If data acquisition drivers need to be written, the CyberNode uses Texas Instruments Digital Signal Processor as its data collection engine. DSP drivers can be written to collect any type of data from a variety of devices. The CyberNode architecture is 100% open, which allows access to the tools and software used to develop the CyberNode. This allows you to use the platform as a base starting point for any application you wish to use in the CyberNode. Back to Top |
| Q: | What software is included with the CyberNode? |
| A: | The unit is shipped with a run
time version of Flasher, a diskless BIOS used to program non-volatile, permanent memory.
Flasher manages system configurations such as IP addresses, serial port settings,
time/date, user name, and password. In addition, it allows you to transfer your web site
files and application programs to the CyberNode. Flasher is extensible if you need to add
custom configuration settings; moreover, a source code license is available, but not
necessary. The basic web server application software which can be extended and modified for specific needs can be purchased from Appliance-Lab so you can develop your own applications for the CyberNode. Also provided with the CyberNode is CCOS. CCOS is the base driver level for the DSP. With it, new drives can be quickly and easily added by writing 5 procedures.
Back to Top |
| Q: | What development tools are required for developing my web applications? |
| A: | If you wish to construct your own
site and perform the driver development on CyberNode, the following is required:
Back to Top |
| Q: | What OS does the CyberNode utilize? |
| A: | The CyberNode uses a real-time OS
provided to us by Phar Lap Software. ETS Real-time provides a WIN32 API compliant OS which
allows a developer to use standard Microsoft development tools such as Microsoft Visual
C++ for designing application code. ETS also comes with a tool for auto HTML page
generation called HTML-On-The-Fly. This can be used to construct dynamic web pages. Back to Top |
| Q: | What are the average rates of data the CyberNode can process, and how much data can it buffer? |
| A: | The CyberNode, data acquisition
system is DSP based. The shipped software driver layer CCOS is optimized for
multi-channel, multi-rate acquisition. The maximum aggregate sample rate using CCOS is
500,000 samples/second. CCOS allows for one or more floating points to add and multiply
for each sample, as it is taken. Using block processing, where the samples are buffered
before DSP processing, 1,500,000 samples/sec can be achieved. The interface between the DSP data acquisition system and the web server processor is a highly efficient shared memory architecture. It is more efficient and less costly than traditional ISA or PCI bus interfaces. Back to Top |
| Q: | How much data can I store on the CyberNode? |
| A: | It is limited to 5 megabytes of
flash memory and 32 megabytes of DRAM which is sufficient for small and medium
sites. Flash memory has a life span of 100,000 writes; frequently updated
information should be stored in DRAM.Back to Top |
| Q: | Does the CyberNode have a firewall? |
| A: | Once the CyberNode's flashRAM is
switched to read-only-mode, there is no way to hack the CyberNode. It is a simple
way to have a completely secure web server outside of the firewall. Back to Top |
| Q: | Do I have to be an Internet/internet expert to set up and use the CyberNode? |
| A: | The CyberNode was designed to make
building intranet sites easy to accomplish even if you are not a web expert. With
its tools, such as Flasher, the CyberNode has made it possible for non-technical people to
set up and use an intranet site.Back to Top |
| Q: | Can the CyberNode be used as an Internet server? |
| A: | The CyberNode is based on Internet
technology, meaning that the CyberNode can be used as an Internet server. However,
the CyberNode has been optimized to provide services to intranet workgroups.Back to Top |
| Q: | Is the CyberNode difficult to install? |
| A: | The CyberNode is extremely simple
to install. Once you plug it in to any 10BaseT port all you do is point your web
browser at it. Configuration of the server, using Flasher, should take under 15
minutes.Back to Top |
| Q: | Does the CyberNode integrate with my existing intranet servers? |
| A: | The CyberNode works well with
your existing intranet servers. The CyberNode is not intended to replace your
enterprise intranet (using tools such as Netscape or Microsoft IIS servers on Dual-Pentium
Pro machines). Instead, the CyberNode is intended to work in the same environment as
your enterprise intranet and augment the capabilities that intranets provide by acting as
a workgroup/departmental intranet server. This allows individual departments to post
content to and manage their own intranet server without overburdening the network
administrator with extra work.Back to Top |
| Q: | Will I have to bring down my existing network to install the CyberNode? |
| A: | Not at all. The CyberNode
is a self-contained intranet server that operates independently of any other servers on
your network.Back to Top |
| Q: | Can multiple users access the CyberNode simultaneously? |
| A: | Yes. Up to 10 concurrent
connections can be managed by the CyberNode per second.Back to Top |
| Q: | What communication protocols does the CyberNode support? |
| A: | The CyberNode communicates via the
Internet standard, TCP/IP, PPP, CSLIP, and SLIP.Back to Top |
| Q: | What kind of user interface does the CyberNode provide? |
| A: | The CyberNode is accessed via
industry-standard web browsers, including Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape
Navigator. In addition, the CyberNode provides FTP services, enabling and FTP client
to upload/download files or documents that reside on the CyberNode.Back to Top |
| Q: | How do I assign the CyberNode's IP address? |
| A: | The CyberNode can use any of the
following mechanisms for obtaining an IP address: DHCP, BootP, RARP, or manual IP
configuration. Using Flasher software the IP information can be configured.Back to Top |
| Q: | What about security and the CyberNode? |
| A: | The CyberNode has built in features to ensure the
integrity of your local data and website files located on the CyberNode. The
security features are designed at the lowest levels for both the hardware and software.
First the configuration of the CyberNode is both physically and logically
separated from the base operation of the Web Server which runs on the CyberNode.
Flasher purposely was architected as separate (non-web) but
network friendly utility for setting up the CyberNode and programming its web site files
and application programs. Furthermore, the CyberNode uses a unique
hardware/software interface to read and write to its permanent flash storage. The only
application capable of writing to the CyberNode is Flasher. (Other, system use flash
drives which are susceptible to virus and other security breaches.) On the web site, the standard internet security measures can be taken, including username/password verification, secure sockets, third party authentication. In addition, for closed systems in which both the client computers hosting the browsers and the CyberNodes are deployed and known. Encryption/Decryption as well as data compression can be performed extremely efficiently by the CyberNode's onboard digital signal processor (DSP). |
| Q: | Can I use standard web authoring tools to design pages for the CyberNode? |
| A: | The CyberNode comes with all that
is required to build a workgroup intranet site. No further tools are required.
However, if desired, standard web authoring tools can be used to add content to the
CyberNode.Back to Top |
| Q: | How much does the CyberNode cost? |
| A: | The CyberNode' manufacturer's
suggested list price (MSLP) is US$1,495.Back to Top |
| Q: | What is the CyberNode's warranty? |
| A: | The CyberNode carries a 1 year
parts and labor warranty.Back to Top |
| Q: | What type of support is available on the CyberNode? |
| A: | Support for the CyberNode is
provided through a number of mechanisms, including email, WWW, and phone support.Back to Top |
| Q: | What is the network communication medium? |
| A: | The CyberNode comes with on-board ethernet 10BaseT. Additionally add-on cards for the PC/104 will allow 33.6 modems, ISDN terminal adapters, LonWorks, ArcNet, and other network cards. |
| Q: | What is PC/104? |
| A: | PC/104 is a bus standard similar to the ISA-bus found in desktop PC's. The electrical characteristics are identical, but the mechanical specifications are different. PC/104 cards are much more compact and stack together which eliminates the need for a motherboard backplane or card cage. PC/104 cards are ruggedized and designed for the harsh environments of industrial automation. |
| Q: | What type of PC/104 cards are available for the CyberNode? |
| A: | There are numerous PC/104 cards available. There are network, digital and analog I/O, video frame grabbers, VGA display adapters, modems, ISDN terminal adapters, wireless communication, and GPS cards to name a few. Appliance-Lab sells a variety of these cards as add-on options to the CyberNode. |
| Q: | Are software drivers available for the PC/104 cards? |
| A: | Appliance-Lab does supply drivers for some of the cards. Otherwise, software drivers will have to be developed. Appliance-Lab will provide limited support for the software development. |
| Q: | Can DOS applications or drivers run natively on the CyberNode? |
| A: | No. However, since our operating system is Microsoft compatible, this software can easily be converted and rebuilt to run on the CyberNode. |
| Q: | How many I/O points can the CyberNode handle? |
| A: | The CyberNode can provide up to 32 DSP controlled Analog I/Os, 48 Digital I/Os or a combination of 16 Analog channels and 24 Digital channels. Additional analog or digital inputs and outputs can be supported through 4 optional PC/104 interface modules. In addition, a PCMCIA Type 3 card slot can be purchased as a build option for the front of the CyberNode. |
If you don't see the answer to your question, or would like further information, please contact us by email: support@app-lab.com or phone: 512-444-7911. See Contact Us for complete details.
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Last modified: July 11, 2001