Network Connectivity Solutions

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DynDNS

Introduction

The ID1021 is more then just a network connectivity module for realizing a ethernet interface for your device. Although it is very small (6.4 x 5.0 x 2.5 cm), it has some very powerful features. Features that other, price/size competing, network interface modules do not have. One of these features is that the ID1021 module actually is a application platform that supports multiple concurrent applications. Just as with a PC or workstation applications for the ID1021 are file-based executables. The application executable files are stored on the internal flash disk of the ID1021. For our ready-to-use protocol converters the application files are pre-installed on the flash disk by Necoso. New applications or upgrades for existing applications must be installed on the same flash disk. Standard FTP is used for transfer of files to/from the flash disk. The ID1021 ADK can be used to write your own applications for the ID1021.

Applications from Necoso

To make life easier, Necoso has already developed a number of useful applications for the ID1021. Below you'll find a list of all applications that are commercially available.

Some of the applications are ready-to-use applications and require only configuration of their run-time parameters for making them fit into your network environment. An example of a ready-to-use application is the S2E application which realizes a simple serial-to-ethernet bridge that connects a serial interface (RS232/RS485) of the ID1021 to the ethernet interface. (UDP/TCP socket)

Some applications act as a server and offer services that can be used by other applications. Such server applications come with an Application Programming Interface (API) for the C programming language, which enables application programmers to write own applications that communicate with the server application. An example of a server application is the GSM application comes with an API that allows for easy transmission/reception of SMS messages.

All Necoso applications are available in binary and source code form - click here contact us for more information about a specific application.

Alphabethical list of available applications

CLI application

CLI stands for Command-Line Interface. The CLI application implements a simple telnet command line interface for the ID1021 that allows for entering text commands at a command prompt. Text response messages that may result from command execution are displayed in the same telnet session. By default the CLI includes (internal) commands for:

  • Getting/setting ID1021 Real-Time Clock (RTC) for time and date accounting.

  • Resetting ID1021

  • Reporting version information about firmware and all active applications

  • Inspecting memory locations

  • Checking heap

  • Reporting ID1021 serial number

  • Listing all supported internal and external commands.

The CLI includes an API that allows other applications to add commands of their own. (external commands)

In combination with the GSM application CLI input/output re-direction to the SMS interface is supported. This powerful feature enables SMS based remote control with both internal and external CLI commands.

In combination with the POP3 application and the SMTP application CLI input/output re-direction to the e-mail is supported. This powerful feature enables e-mail based remote control with both internal and external CLI commands.

 

DCF-77 application

The ID1021 has an internal real-time clock (RTC) for date & time accounting. Unfortunately, the RTC has no battery backup and is reset to 01-jan-2000 00:00:00 every time the ID1021 is powered off or reset. The DCF-77 application was implemented to overcome this flaw and enables automated synchronization of the RTC with the time information that is transmitted by the DCF77 radio station in Mainflingen (Germany). The radio station transmits a new time stamp every minute in the long-wave frequency band at 77.5 kHz. Range for the transmissions is about 1500-2000km, covering most of Europe. The DCF-77 application that we developed requires only low-cost receiver hardware (< 20 euro) that is readily-available from Conrad Electronics (product no. 641138) The DCF receiver hardware includes a small antenna and can easily be connected to the ID1021. It requires only one host interface pin at ID1021 side.

 

Diagnostics application

The diagnostics application is a server application for performing low-level diagnostics on other applications. It enables other applications to register their internal run-time variables and counters and realizes a user-friendly web interface for viewing/editing these diagnostic variables. The diagnostics application should be considered a development tool and is normally not used for the retail versions of ID1021 applications.

 

Display core application

The display core application is a high level core application intended for information systems like displays, signs and other information/advertorial panels/devices that need to display information on a real-time basis. The core supports automated time-slot based displaying of sequences of user defined messages and graphics. The display core includes a fully web based user interface for configuration of messages, display sequences, time slots and display durations. Only requires a low level driver for target display/sign or information system to realize an advance advertising/announcement system. Drivers available for a number of commonly used signs and LCD panels.

 

Dynamic DNS application

This application enables use of fixed domain names (e.g. www.mydevice.dyndns.org) for GPRS connections. Normally the IP address that is assigned to a SIM card on attachment to a GPRS network is variable, i.e. has a different value with each GPRS log on. This makes it impossible to use a fixed domain for accessing the device over GPRS. However, there are internet service providers now on the market that offer a (free) dynamic DNS service, especially intended for sites with dynamic IP addresses. The dynamic DNS application make use of such services to realize a fixed domain name for a GPRS enabled device. Click here for more detailed information.

 

GSM application

The GSM application is one of Necoso's "workhorse" applications. It is the basis for network connectivity over a GSM network . Its key features are:

  • SMS transmission and reception

  • TCP/IP communications over GSM data link (classic 9600 baud)

  • TCP/IP communications over GPRS link

  • Non-volatile accounting/metering of transmitted & received SMS messages, GSM data connection time, amount of GPRS transmitted/received data.

  • GPRS: Support for 'always-on' and 'smart-on' access concepts.

  • Optional access control and user authentication using white lists for users and source IP addresses.

  • Logging of events with log application (see below)

  • Support for CLI input/output redirection via SMS. (remote management with SMS)

  • Connection watchdogs for automated reconnection after network failure.

The GSM application includes a complete PPP stack as well as V25 protocol, GSM 07.07 and GSM 07.05 drivers. The application has been tested with the Siemens TC35/TC35T/MC35/MC35T/MC35iT GSM modems and all Dutch GSM providers that currently support GPRS.

The GSM application comes with a web based user interface for configuration, diagnostics and control.

The GSM application is intended as a server application. It comes with an API that allow other applications to make use of its services. The API includes functions for transmission and reception of SMS messages, filtering of incoming/outgoing IP packets (GPRS/GSM data) and notification of specific GSM related events. (connect, disconnect, attachment to GPRS, etc)

An extensive OEM installation manual is available that can easily be customized for your own GSM based OEM products.

 

 

G2E application

The G2E application is the base application for our G2E solutions. It provides the basic bridging functions for transfer of data between a GSM interface (GSM data/GPRS) and the ethernet interface of the ID1021. It includes services for network address translation (NAT), and application layer gateways (ALGs) for HTTP, and FTP. Option for custom ALG for custom protocols.

The G2E application interfaces to the GSM application for communications over a GSM interface.

 

G2S application

The G2S application is the base application for our G2S solutions. It provides the basic bridging functions for transfer of data between a GSM interface (GSM data/GPRS) and a serial (RS232/RS485) interface of the ID1021. Includes optional modem emulation and PPP stack for serial interface. Services for network address translation (NAT), and application layer gateways (ALGs) for HTTP, and FTP are also available. Option for custom ALG for custom protocols.

The G2S application interfaces to the GSM application for communications over a GSM interface.

 

Keyboard application

The keyboard application supports attachment of a PC/AT keyboard to the ID1021. Only a female PS/2 connector and a few resistors are required. The keyboard application includes an API that includes functions for retrieval of keystrokes that are pressed on the keyboard, setting of keyboard LEDs, typematic rate, etc.

 

LCD application

The LCD application realizes an application programming interface (API) for a dot matrix LCD with a LCD controller of the Toshiba T6963x family. The API supports displaying of both text and (monochrome) graphics. (.BMP files)

Together with the CLI application and the keyboard application the LCD application can be used to quickly realize a local interactive user interface for an OEM device, e.g. for configuration or diagnostic purposes. For an usage example of the LCD application, see the Renesas demo suitcase project.

 

 

 

Log application

The log applications supports logging of events to a log files, so that the events can be expected or used at a later moment in time. A log file is a human readable text file that is stored on a non-volatile disk of the ID1021, so the events are maintained and remembered even after power off or reset of the ID1021. For each event a timestamp, a unique event code and (optional) additional event specific information is stored. The log application includes a web interface that enables direct selecting, viewing and erasing of the available logs. An API is available that enables other applications to make use of the services of the log application for maintaining their own logs.

In combination with the GSM application and the CLI application the log application supports remote management of a log file using SMS.

 

Modem application

The modem application uses a serial port of the ID1021 to emulate a Hayes compatible modem. The modem application enables connecting the ID1021 with a RS232 cable to the COM port of any MS-Windows 95/98/ME/XP PC for setting up a dial-up internet connection (TCP/IP) with the ID1021. It enables direct local IP access to the ID1021 and is intended for those situations where the ethernet interface of the ID1021 can not be used or is already in use for other purposes. The modem application includes a complete PPP stack, support for SLIP, and facilities for routing incoming/outgoing IP packets into the ID1021 firmware IP handler.

 

POP3 application

The POP3 application is a POP3 client that supports automated periodic retrieval of e-mail messages from a (remote) POP3 server.

The POP3 application can be used in combination with the CLI application and the SMTP application to realize an e-mail based remote control interface for a device. In this case CLI input/output is redirected to the POP3 and SMTP applications. The subject field of an e-mail is used as an input line for the CLI. Output generated by the CLI is sent back in e-mail format to the originator of the e-mail.

 

 

RAM drive application

The RAM drive application extends the Embedded File System (EFS) of the ID1021 with a volatile drive that can be used for storage of temporary data. As with the other drives of the ID1021, the RAM drive is accessible with FTP for file transfer.

Size and name of the RAM drive are configurable.

 

S2E application

The S2E application is the base application for our S2E solutions. It provides bridging functions for transfer of data between one of the serial interfaces (RS232/RS485) and the ethernet interface of the ID1021.

 

SMTP application

The SMTP application is a SMTP client that supports automated transmission of e-mail messages to a (remote) SMTP server.

The SMTP application can be used in combination with the CLI application and the POP3 application to realize an e-mail based remote control interface for a device. In this case CLI input/output is redirected to the POP3 and SMTP applications. The subject field of an e-mail is used as an input line for the CLI. Output generated by the CLI is sent back in e-mail format to the originator of the e-mail.

 

 

Trace application

The trace application enables run-time tracing of other events and data of other (communications) applications in a telnet window. Normally tracing is used for analyzing/debugging of communications between two devices or process.  Tracing of both foreground and background (interrupt time) events is supported.

An API is available that enables other applications to make use of the services of the trace application for setting up their own custom tracing facilities.

 

Planned applications/applications under development

 

GSM application extension for multiplex mode

Support for multiplex mode communications. This is an extension to existing GSM application for concurrent GPRS, SMS and GSM data traffic.

 

 

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Last updated:07-jan-2013