Simple IM Example

July 2013

Before launching into using the Instant Messenger feature, please test your installation configuration with the following simple example.

Whilst the IM feature has many controls - for first time use - it is strongly advised that you get a bare bones, secure-less connection working first of all - then, once working correctly, lock it up afterwords.

Create a new DASH project then go to Main Menu > Admin > Options...

Admin System Options

On the System TAB, enter a Server Name, choose a MAC from your available Ethernet Adapters, set a polling interval, and choose your preferred device driver.

(Note: For the example, it doesn't really matter what the driver selection is - but select the driver you INTEND to use for convenience later.)

Then click on the I-Messenger TAB...

I-Messenger TAB Settings

As stated - for now we just want a "wide open" interface to get the system working properly. So, check [ ] Enable Instant Messenger, then enter the IM login details* of your Desktop.DASH account. That's all for now.

(*These details are encrypted to disc when you press OK - and are not sent, stored or otherwise embezzled by the software. For your own peace of mind though, please make up a new account for every installation.)

Press [OK] to finish, and if prompted, choose a project folder to save to.

We now want to add 2 Display Controls to the dashboard. One for the IM Status, and one for a message we can remotely update via Instant Messenger too.

Insert a new Display with Main Menu > Dashboard > Display. Right-click and select Setup then enter the following details...

IMStatus Display Form

Enter "IMStatus" as the User Label, and choose U30 as the DataPoint.

(Note: "IMStatus" is arbitrary - choose a text that meets you own needs. U30 however is mandatory - it is the store allocated to recording the IM Status messages.)

That's it. Press [Ok] to save.

The status should immediately reflect that the IM is not currently active...

IM Current Status

Next, we need a display control which we can send messages to, so add a new display control too...

This is a display control that you will be able to read and write to via Instant Messenger.

Choose a simple, concise User Label, e.g. "MSG" (ensure there are no spaces) and set the DataPoint to U0...

IM Message Display Form

(Note: U0 through U9 are available for your own text display purposes.)

Press [Ok] to finish, and the new display control should reflect as follows...

Message Display Form

Now, for the MSG form we need to permit remote review and control, so right click the form and choose Web Properties...

Web Properties Options

Check [ ] Allow Remote Reads, and [ ] Allow remote Writes, leaving the User Level at 0.

Press [OK] to finish.

Super IMPORTANT Stuff Follows!

Whilst IM can be started automatically - that's really for automated start-up of Desktop.DASH during an unattended restart, as configured in the Admin settings.

However, when you're sitting in front of the host PC - use the Manual Start and Stop menu options...

Start IM Manually

(Note: With a manual start, the IM client is ALWAYS enabled and proves to be more reliable than when constantly starting and stopping it under automation.)

Ok, so the IM client may or not be functional - to determine it's actual state go into DEMO Mode (Hit F5)...

Start in DEMO Mode

That's right, we are not connected to a real PLC and we have no PLC DataPoints mapped to the dashboard - so we just want to test the IM functionality here.

You will be prompted to confirm, because you really are allowing remote (internet enabled) control at this point...

Start The Instant Messenger Client Prompt

Depending upon your Internet connection and the supplied IM account credentials, if all is well, you will now see the IMStatus as shown below...

IM Client Authenticated

Having PREVIOUSLY configured the buddy connection between your IM Client and it's other friends, log into your GMAIL (or other IM Client), buddy account, connect to your Dash IM client and type "?" to get the DASH Server info...

Buddy IM Connected

To read the current text in your MSG display just type MSG (or msg) - it's not case sensitive.

And finally, to update your MSG display, type the message your want, for example MSG Hello World...

IM Message for Hello World

Conclusion

If you got this far and all is working, then you can experiment some more, build up your dashboard, and then add the controls available, like the White List feature, to lock it up.

However, if at this point and you're having troubles then please email us.

Go Back Desktop.DASH Instant Messenger