How to Create Network Status Tags

 

Creating a New Network Status Tag

1. Open the VTS Tag Browser in the VTS Toolbar (right)
2. Select ‘Network Status’ in the Types drop menu
3. Click the ‘New’ button

This will open the ‘New Network Status Properties’ dialog. 
The following steps will walk you through each of the three tabs.  When you are finished, click OK.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Configuring the ID Tab

The Name, Area, Description, and Help Search Key properties always appear on the ID tab for all standard tag types.

1. Give the Tag a unique, meaningful name
2. Create an Area called Network to group all Network Status Tags
3. Enter a description that will help you identify the tag within the VTS Tab Browser

 

 

Configuring the Settings Tab

1. The Settings tab for a network status tag enables you to specify the workstations you wish this tag to monitor.
2. The Machine 1 Name drop-down list enables you to enter the name of the first workstation to be monitored, or select the workstation from the drop-down list.
3. The Machine 1 IP field enables you to enter the IP address of the first workstation to be monitored.  Contact your Network Administrator for this information.
4. The Machine 1 Subnet field enables you to enter the subnet for the first workstation to be monitored by this tag.  Contact your Network Administrator for this information.
5. The Machine 2 Name drop-down list enables you to enter the name of the second workstation to be monitored or select the name of the workstation from the drop-down list.
6. The Machine 2 IP field enables you to enter the IP address of the second workstation to be monitored by this tag.  Contact your Network Administrator for this information.
7. The Machine 2 Subnet field enables you to enter the subnet for the second workstation to be monitored by this tag.  Contact your Network Administrator for this information.
8. The Manual Data property enables you to enter a test value for this tag, rather than reading the value from the monitored workstations. For example, the Manual Data property may be set to 0, indicating that the workstation is not connected; or 1, indicating that the workstation is connected.
9. Questionable Data indicates that the data being reported by this tag might not be accurate.  By default, the Questionable Data checkbox is selected for every new tag you create.  If selected, the drawing method for this tag will feature a question mark symbol.  Once this data has been confirmed, right-click on the drawing method for the tag to turn off Questionable Data.

Configuring the Alarm Setup Tab

The Alarm Setup tab (right) enables you to configure alarm conditions for this tag.

• The Alarm Priority drop-down list enables you to select the priority of the alarm for this tag, should it enter an alarm state. The available priorities are:
  • 0 – Event
  • 1 – Critical
  • 2 – High
  • 3 – Warning
  • 4 – Notice
• The Delay field enables you to enter the amount of time (in seconds or fractions of a second) that the system will wait before triggering an alarm for this tag.
• The Sound field enables you to identify what sound will be played when this alarm is triggered. 
  • If the Sound field is set to 0, no sound will be played when this alarm is triggered.
  • If the Sound field is set to 1, an alarm sound (configured on the associated alarm priority tag) will be played.
  • If the Sound field identifies the name of a .WAV sound file, it will override any alarm sound configured for the associated alarm priority tag. When specifying a sound file, you must enter its name and extension (e.g. MySound.wav). The sound file must be a .WAV file, and must be stored in the application directory.
• The Alarm Disable checkbox is typically used during routine maintenance, or when you know that an interruption in communications will occur for a period of time.
  • If the Alarm Disable checkbox is selected, the alarm associated with this tag is disabled.
  • If the Alarm Disable checkbox is not selected, the alarm associated with this tag is enabled.
• The Popup Enable checkbox enables a popup dialog to be displayed whenever the alarm is triggered.  It is strongly suggested that this feature be used sparingly.

When you have finished completing all three tabs in the properties dialog, click OK.
 
Drawing a Network Status Tag

Now that you have created a new Network Status Tag, you can begin adding it to your application displays.

1. Use the Bitmap button   on the Tool Bar to add two workstation images to your application screen
   
   
   
   
2. Select your new Network Status tag in the VTS Tag Browser
3. Click the Draw button
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   This will open the Network Status Drawing Methods window.
4. Select the Network Link drawing method
5. Move your mouse (and the Network Status tag placeholder image) between the two workstation images
6. Click your mouse
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   This will open the VTS Graphic Editor.  Here you can select colors for the three states of the Network Status tag or simply keep the default colors.
7. Click OK
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. Drag the points on either side of the Network Status drawing method to connect the two workstation images
   
   Note: The Network Status tag immediately displays the current status of the network connection between these servers.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. Test the connection outside of VTS to ensure that the displayed value of the Network Status tag is correct.
10. Close the VTS Toolbar to place the application in Runtime Mode.
11. To remove the question mark, right-click on the Network Status tag and de-select Questionable Data.

 

 

Your new Network Status tag is now ready to use.

Contacting Trihedral

For more information about creating and configuring Network Status tags, see Chapter 5 of the VTS Developers Guide.

You can also email Trihedral Engineering or call one of our locations below.

Trihedral Engineering Ltd. Canada  1.800.463.2783
Trihedral United Kingdom                  +44 (0) 1224 258910
Trihedral, Inc. USA                               1.407.888.8203