Remote control of GC chemstation via DDE

[aidnai]

Hi all,
I am working on a python script that translates DDE to websockets back and forth. I'm planning to use a web browser to connect and send commands/macros. Has anyone attempted something similar? perhaps more elegant?
details:
- Chemstation version B.03.02 running on XP SP3
- Python 3.4 with libraries for JSON, websockets, asyncio, threading

I have already got a barebones demo working (i.e. I can connect to the websocket, send a single command, and watch it execute). I want to add additional commands and two-way communication eventually, but I'm swimming upstream with all this asynchronous stuff. Wondering what others have tried or if I'm maybe on my own here.

Aidan

[chemstation]

Hello Aidan,

I read you post carefully, and based upon you manually using a Web Browser, it appears
that you will be doing manual actions, via macros etc...

I also saw another post that you had updated, and that you were running Win10 Pro,
I am going to make an educated guess that the GC Chemstation is in the WinXP Virtual Machine.
I am going to make another educated guess that the PC is in the Lab, and you are sitting in the office
and want to save time by quickly checking the status of the GC without leaving the office (or home).

Why don't you use the remote desktop functionality?, Win Pro comes with it standard,
(if not Google search will reveal how you can add that functionality to other editions of Win XP.)

You can also do remote data analysis too, the only issue is if someone is sitting in front of
the PC you will lock them out, and they will then disconnect the LAN cable from the wall
if you annoy them.

kind regards
Alex

[aidnai]

Hi Alex,
Thanks for reading and for your reply. In fact, I am trying to automate (on a budget) my sampling. I have built an external sampling system (pneumatic valves) and written a program to control them. This also sends a remote start to the GC. The next step for me is to include external data in the chromatogram/report. Therefore I am looking for a way to interface with GC chemstation.

Perhaps there is something better that I am missing, otherwise I will keep plugging along with my current ideas.

I do like (and use) remoting quite a bit to check on things from home. Very good tip. Thankfully I am really the only person using the GC or lab PCs.

Aidan