Subject: From: Date:

Re: [ECS] control via tcp/ip, was [ECS] Cable Modem - Feature suggestion Dan Hoehnen Fri, 25 Sep 1998 09:32:24 -0400 (EDT)

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There is absolutely no offense taken.  I, personally, think the web 
interface is the way to go and will be THE way it is done in the not so 
distant future.  But, it was easier for me to get ace running as a stand 
alone program and not require people to know how to build web pages, so 
that's why I started with ace the way it is.

The net connections works like this.  The ace server is always listening 
for a client to connect on a certain port.  If you want to connect a 
client, just tell teh client what the ip address is of the server and the 
port to use and the client will connect tothe server.  Ace doesn't care 
if it is the internet or an intranet at home or whatever, it just wants 
the protocol to be tcp/ip.  

I tested the internet capability by using both phone lines in my house.  
I had my server pc dial my ISP.  I then also had my client pc dial my 
ISP.  I looked at my dialup connection properties on the server pc to get 
my dynamically assigned ip address.  I then entered that address into the 
client and told it to connect.  It did.  

Of course, a static ip address would be easier.  But, they do make 
programs that will e-mail an address or create a web page with your 
currently assigned ip address each time you logon.  

On Thu, 24 Sep 1998, Dan Carrington wrote:

> Dan, just so you know, I mean no offense in suggesting the web brouser
> posibility for an interface for ECS versus an overhead program like
> ACE.  I have not had the chance to try ACE as of yet as I don't have
> extra computers for control machines arround the house.  I see that you
> say ACE can run on internet or intranet.  I didn't know that.  How does
> that work?  Also, does ACE run on any other machines than PC's?
> 
> Dan Carrington
> 
> 
> 
> Dan Hoehnen wrote:
> > 
> > The ACE software product may do just what you need.  The ACE server runs
> > on the same pc as ecs.  The ace server and ecs communicate via dde.  The
> > server supports tcp/ip connections from multiple ace clients.  Each ace
> > client displays 30 buttons.  These 30 buttons can be divided into pages
> > and groups.  Depending on which page and group is active, teh 30 buttons
> > take on different functions.  Each button can be configured to send a
> > command to ecs.  Each button can also be configured to monitor an item's
> > state in ecs and ecs will send a msg to ace whenever that item's state
> > changes.  The button's text and/or color can then be changed based on the
> > ecs item state message.  The tcp/ip connection can be via the internet or
> > any intranet.
> > 
> > Yes, I am the author of ace, so I guess I may be biased.  You can
> > download a fully functional trial version and there are several ecs users
> > currently using ace who can help answer ecs-ace questions.
> > 
> > ACE has not yet been officially released, but it is close.  I just need
> > to get the documentation and web site up to date.  You can download the
> > latest version from:
> > 
> > www.infinet.com/~dhoehnen/software/ace.htm
> > 
> > If you decide to try it, download the full install disks and the upgrade
> > file.  Install the full install disks and then install the upgrade file
> > so you are using the latest version.
> > 
> > You can get more info from ace users via the ace mailing list by sending
> > mail to:  ace-ha@coollist.com
> > 
> > You can subscribe to the list by going to www.coollist.com and
> > subscribing to the list named ace-ha.
> > 
> > I have been thinking of writing an ActiveX control to put on a web page
> > that allows access to ace.  This would allow you to design your own web
> > interface to control ace and ecs.  It sounds like this is what everyone
> > wants (and probably the way we will all be doing things pretty soon).
> >
> 

Dan Hoehnen                            
dhoehnen@infinet.com                   
He who dies with the most toys, wins! 
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