Thursday, 01. April 2010 User-friendly new features for explosion-proof Remote HMIs

Category: Product-News

Firmware upgrade v 2.0 for touch screen operator stations

R. STAHL HMI Systems has released a firmware update for Ethernet-compliant Remote HMI operator interfaces. This firmware provides more comprehensive support for the Thin Client application of the devices for communication with host computers via the RDP or VNC protocols. The update is also notable for usability improvements. For example, the address book that enables fast connections now holds up to forty instead of four entries. Users can browse through these in the on-screen display. Message boxes will now close automatically as soon as they cease to be relevant or become obsolete. Keyboard control has also been improved, i.e. in order to prevent potential operating errors. Key allocation has also become more flexible: the function key or multi-key shortcut to call up the OSD menu can be freely selected from 32 options. This setting is made as a text entry in the main configuration file.

 

Security has also been optimised. DES encoding and decoding algorithms are now available for VNC and RDP passwords, which also allow for an easy exchange of RDP profiles between different stations. When a Remote HMI configuration is exported, the SNA image is also encoded. Both RDP and VNC profiles can be created and tested immediately at the Remote station. VNC authentications can now be carried out manually and on the fly via a pop-up dialogue. In addition, the v2.0 firmware gives users the option to switch off the touch screen function and the virtual keyboard of the devices.

 

The update also covers product maintenance and removes some minor glitches and functional impairments. Amongst others, bug fixes ensure that when the system is started up, the input focus of an RDP client can no longer be lost. A more powerful network diagnosis is now possible with the virtual LEDs. The network standard and physical cable characteristics of the Ethernet connection are identified automatically, and interrupted connections are identified and handled much better. Automatic network IP configuration is available. Featuring 15" or 19" displays, the robust stations are suitable for installation in rough industrial environments as well as in hazardous zone 1, 2, 21 or 22 areas. This HMI solution enables various options to operate host computers in safe areas from stations in the field. An automation or condition monitoring system can e.g. be operated from several different stations in turn. Likewise, users can access different servers from one single Remote HMI. It is furthermore also possible to implement a multi-monitor field station connected to several graphic cards of the same host PC. In addition to a setup using Thin Client communication via Ethernet, the HMIs can also be coupled in the more conventional fashion via a KVM box. With the new firmware, it is now possible to automatically find KVM boxes connected to the PC through DVI and USB interfaces using the network scanner via the Remote station’s system menu.

 

Contact:

R. STAHL HMI Systems

Im Gewerbegebiet Pesch 14
50767 Köln
Germany

Phone: +49 221 / 59808 - 200
Fax: +49 221 / 59808 - 260
E-Mail: office@stahl-hmi.de
Web: www.stahl.de

 

Press Contact:

R. STAHL

Kerstin Wolf

Am Bahnhof 30
74638 Waldenburg
Germany

Phone: +49 7942 / 943 - 4300
Fax: +49 7942 / 943 - 404300
E-Mail: kerstin.wolf@stahl.de
Web: www.stahl.de

 

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