The recent release of Red Lion’s Crimson 3.1 software has enabled a host of new and improved features enabling clean, fast and responsive remote access. In particular, mobile-responsible web servers benefit, as there’s zero coding required to access CSV data logs and data tables and graphical web pages are simple and easy.

The ZeroConfig feature introduces a direct host name addressing, which makes trying to remember the IP address a thing of the past. Referring to the image below, ‘hmi’ the local name is completely customizable and can be changed to suit the application. For example we may name this ‘hmi.treatment.local’ to provide the HMI plant location in plain English.

This means in the address bar of your browser, you can use http://hmi.local instead of http://192.168.2.20.

The new web server built into Crimson 3.1 has been completely revamped to support the latest web technology. It uses blazing fast update speeds with real-time responsiveness for motion displays. When remote control is enabled, you can activate real world functions onsite thousands of kilometres away in just milliseconds.

This new web server technology continually sends a very small kilobyte ‘json’ file that updates to mirror the real HMI page graphics. This technology reduces connection bandwidth and increases update refresh rates to a lightning quick speed that’s not affected by graphical content used to create the HMI pages. This feature is vital when using slow 3G mobile or high latency links.

Enable web page access via the Ethernet port, by simply ticking a box (seen below). This provides remote access to the same display on the front of the HMI via an Ethernet web server. The Identification field allows users to customise the Website name, main header and home label on the web page.

Creating custom content pages is also easy. Referring to images below, there are no limitations, so you are free to add as many webpages as you want. The tags simply drag and drop into the content box to display web tables. We have named this ‘Web1’ for this example.

By adding tags and enabling properties such as allow editing, you can access simple but effective data tables.

Red Lion have also introduced ‘TLS safe’ web browsing enabling the use of HTTPS and certificate management to truly add a safe networking dimension. In addition to its standard security web server features that include authentication and creditional user access, plus IP restricted access.

Javascript and CSS is also supported for customised and powerful webpages.

Complimenting the Crimson software, is Red Lion’s 3G HSPA modem cards for full remote view and control abilities covering their large range of HMI’s, Edge and Core Controller with RTU features and it’s compatibility with over 300 protocols at your disposal.

Happy surfing!