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Damocles network communication protocols

The units from Damocles family control the binary inputs and outputs over the network, eventually measure the value of temperature sensor. The immediate values are available over the network communication protocols here mentioned.

The measured data from Damocles are available by different ways corresponding to various applications. Modbus/TCP is intended for industry and the visualization used in the industry, SNMP is intended for telecommunications and remote management. It´s possible use XML for simpler applications control using scripts on the server side.

>> Damocles model XXXX - models overview

Question/Answer type of communication

The Question/Answer protocols are intended for periodic reading of all sensors values. Damocles is in the TCP Server mode, waits for request from supervising application.

 

 

WEB - HTML (WWW page)

States of binary inputs and outputs are displayed on a simple WWW page which is first loaded when accessing Damocles using web browser. The page is reloaded every 5 to 30 seconds (see the Damocles models manual).

If some variable reaches the value that is set as ALARM value, this binary input or a sensor is colored red.

Access to this WWW page is not restricted by password, it only writes values and there is also nothing to modify. The access can be restricted by IP address filtering.

Note: On the other hand for access to the Flash Setup user name and password can be demanded. You can find this option in "General Setup" bookmark in FLASH Setup. In case you forget your password new configuration of the device to "Set to Default" over RS-232 Setup is necessary.

 


 

HTTP - XML tags

All current monitored values are displayed in the defined .XML page (for example values.xml - see the model documentation) and they can be read easily from XML tags by any application. It represents the most efficient way of retrieving data for Machine-to-Machine TCP/IP communication, because values from all sensors are stored in one file. XML entry is comprehensible for a man as well, process independent on SW platform and information can be retrieved even without a special software.

Note: We recommend using XML as the input interface for your SW applications...

Example of XML record for a binary input:

<Entry>  
<Name>Input 1 </Name> - input name
<Value>1</Value> - input state
<CNT>0</CNT>  - counter
<Color>2</Color>  - status
<Idx>0</Idx> - identification
</Entry>  

Note: Majority of the Damocles models contains two XML files which differ in range of commands. The smaller file (typically values.xml) is used for print-out of connected sensors state. The second file (typically setup.xml) contains full device configuration data and you can dump sensor values, names of sensors, their alarm state configuration and others using your SW application. If the setting of Damocles allows it, you can change some parameters over this file.

 

Modbus over TCP

The Modbus is a communication protocol developed for measuring devices communicating over RS-485 or RS-232. The Modbus protocol allows sharing the variables' memory area over one of the physical interface, from measuring values for instance. Modbus/TCP represents the extension of this protocol for Ethernet communication.

Easy implementation into visualization systems for industrial professions is advantageous.....

Mapping the variables of the Modbus/TCP protocol for Damocles model 2404

Analog/Digital values
Address I/O Type Function Units Description
100 Input Int 4   Number of sensors
101 Input Int 4 0,1°C Temperature 1 - current value
200 - Int 4 - Number of counters
2xx -t Int 4 - Input xx counter - adress 201(H) - 202(L) 
2xx - Int 16 - Setting input xx counter - adress 201(H) - 202(L)
 
Digital values
1xx Input bit 2 0 - open, 1 - close Input current value, where xx is index of output
2xx Input bit 1 0 - open, 1 - close Output current value, where x is index of output
2xx Output bit 5 0 - open, 1 - close Output set value, where x is index of output


Damocles Damocles operates as a TCP Server on port 502 (Modbus standard). Communications run on the addresses defined by the Modbus/TCP protocol. For more information, see http://www.modbus.org.

Schedule of individual parameters mapping can be found in the Damocles models manual.

>> AN28: Damocles family & Modbus/TCP

 

SNMP - question / answer

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is suitable for primary system information exchange using short packets.

Individual variables are organized and described in so-called MIB (Management Information Base) table, which can be used for any device. The MIB table is distributed as a separate .mib file that can be downloaded to Damocles from our main web pages or found on the supplied CD which is part of start set.

SNMP is an asynchronous protocol based on the client/server model (here SNMP Client/SNMP Agent). This means that the supervisor (SNMP Client) queries for the state of the individual values and SNMP Agent, implemented in the device, responds.

SNMP protocol support is provided in many languages intended for creating dynamic WWW pages (e.g. PHP, ASP, Java, Perl, Python and others). Thanks to existing modules it is possible to allow access to reading or writing the data, provided by peripheral device to the system (e.g. a Poseidon), over the SNMP protocol quite quickly.

In classic communication mode, the communication proceeds in terms of questions and answers. The variables are defined by a numeric string that is described in the MIB table that also defines the meanings of the individual variables, format and names. If you know the hierarchy (numeric string – e. g. „.1.3.6.1.4.1.21796.3.3.1.1.2.3“ – state of binary input 3) for a specific value, you don’t need the MIB table.

Basic terms:

  • MIB table (Management Information Base) – .mib file is a text-based file, describing individual variables supported by the device. It contains variables' addresses, their name, description and numeric format.
  • OID (Object Identificator) is an identifier of the variable in the variables’ chart. It is represented by a long number, defining the variable’s position within the variable tree structure.

Some programs do not support MIB files for working with SNMP. With these programs, you must enter the OID strings manually. The strings can be found in the MIB table, but to save you looking there, we provide a summary of several variables, their OID in Damocles models manual.

 

 

E-mail (SMTP)

If sending of an Email is allowed as a reaction to Alarm, Damocles sends email directly or via supervising program. It is standard email, where recipient, subject and some parts of the message can be set.

Methods of sending the email

  • Email is sent via external program
    On a local server, the program runs and via SNMP supervises the state of one or more Damocles units. In case of Alarm status, the program sends notice via email.
    • (+) If you have more Damocles units, the central point is advantgeous for the administrator, he can set all supervising parameters in this point and hasn´t to set them in each unit.
    • (+) Email is always logged by an independent authority
    • (+) Email format is programmable
    • (-) It is necessary to guarantee a running application where to send SNMP Traps from Damocles units and transmit emails. This means to rely on:
      • function of the local server and its program
      • functionality of the connection server - Damocles unit
      • functionality of the connection server - SMTP server
  • E-mail sent via external SMTP server
    Damocles connects directly to set SMTP server and transmits email for sending.
    • (-) External SMTP server necessary
    • (+) SMTP server logs sent emails
    • Damocles supports user name and password authorization
  • E-mail sent via Damocles directly to recipient's server - SMTP server isn´t used
    This method is advantageous if the SMTP server for sending emails from the Damocles unit is not always accessible. The Damocles unit sends email directly to recipient's SMTP server. It means that Damocles unit is SMTP server for itmself.
    • (+) You do not need SMTP server
    • (-) Email can be deleted by the server, according to missing reverse MX record which can recipient verify. Necessary to test recipient.
    • Email is never logged
    • Damocles needs to set the DNS server

 

 

SNMP traps

If the reaction of Alarm state by sending SNMP trap is allowed, Damocles sends SNMP Trap to the specified IP address in the moments when the Alarm state is beginning and when the Alarm state is finishing .

The trap consists of two SNMP traps for increasing of security and compatibility with other systems.
The format of the packet is described in MIB table, the first packet contains information about Alarm beginning and the second packet contains information about sensor in alarm status.

The alarm is state value so that after alarm termination (for example temperature goes back to the defined range) another two SNMP Traps are transmitted.

The trap system was developed to speed up delivery of information about changes of state because in the classic SNMP mode - question/answer, the period between each query can last from miliseconds up to several hours. For input contacts it is possible to define sending Alarm at Opening /Closing or the alarm can be disabled completely.

Detailed description and a summary of SNMP Traps can be found in the MIB table. The Damocles model manual contains enhanced description.


SMS (over supplied software)

The alarm status notification can be realized with redirecting the Email to SMS. The redirecting is executed by supplied software which runs as the service in the background of your system.

Methods of SMS sending

  • SMS sent via GSM modem from server
    On a local server, a program runs and via SNMP supervises the state of one or more Damocles units. In Alarm status it sends notice via SMS using GSM modem which is connected directly to the server....
    • (+) For more Damocles units central point is advantageous for setting all parameters in one step.
    • (+) Alarm is always logged by an independent authority, it can be sent to Email as well
    • (+) SMS format is programmable
    • (+) Via SMS request from your phone, you can verify the state of several connected Damocles units
    • (-) It is necessary to guarantee running application where to send SNMP Traps from Damocles units and transmits SMS. This means to rely on:
      • function of the local server and its program
      • functionality of the connection of server - Damocles unit
      • functionality of the connected GSM modem

 

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