Connecting with remote instruments

If the RV50X configuration and data plan both support two-way communication, you can change the settings of each instrument in the system.

Connecting to the LI-7500A/RS/DS or LI-7200/RS

To connect to an LI-7500A/RS/DS or LI-7200/RS that is behind the gateway:

1. On a computer that has internet access, launch the gas analyzer PC software (win-GHG).
2. 
2. Enter the gateway IP address of the RV50X gateway.
3. The port will be typically 7200 (or what you set up in Table 4‑2) for the LI-7500A/RS/DS or LI-7200/RS analyzers.
4. • If the RV50X has a Static IP address, simply type it in (see Viewing the RV50X IP address).
   • If the RV50X has a Dynamic IP address, retrieve the IP address from the DDNS service provider and enter it (see Dynamic IP address).
3. Set the update rate to 0.1 Hz to reduce the amount of data transferred and click Connect.

After connecting to the instrument you can check the performance and modify the configuration as you normally would, or manage logged data as described in Eddy covariance file management and data transfer.

Eddy covariance file management and data transfer

The LI-COR File Transfer Application (FTA) is a simple tool that allows you to manage data that is stored on the gas analyzer USB drive. It is installed with the gas analyzer PC software. With FTA you can download raw data from your eddy covariance station whenever you desire or automatically at scheduled times, copy data to an archive on the USB device, and delete files from the USB device.

This section assumes that you have completed all the required steps in Configuring the RV50X and that you have verified that the RV50X can connect with the Internet.

The operation described here relates to gas analyzer PC software, which is available from www.licor.com/env/support).

1. Launch the software, connect to an instrument, and click the download button.
2. 
2. Connect to your eddy covariance system.
3. Enter the IP Address for RV50X (see Viewing the RV50X IP address), port 7222, Password (default password is licor) and click Verify Connection.
4. 
3. The available operations are described below.

USB Drive Information displays the size of the USB drive, available memory, number of .ghg files, number of flux results files, number of daily summary files, and the number of files in the archive. When new files are transferred, they are then moved to the archive or deleted, depending on the Transfer Options selected.

Transfer Options are used to configure FTA settings and other features:

• Destination: This is where the transferred files will be placed. Ideally, this will be a directory on your computer or a server. Or you can choose a cloud-based service such as a Dropbox directory on your computer.
• When to transfer: You can Transfer files daily at a scheduled time or Transfer files now (click the start button).
  Note: If you Transfer files daily, you should close the File Transfer application to your system tray (close it, but choose No) so it continues running in the background. Also be sure your computer does not go to sleep before the scheduled transfer.
• Files to transfer: Select Raw data files (.ghg, .data., metadata) to transfer all raw data files. Select Flux Results to transfer SmartFlux System results. Select Daily Summaries to download a small summary of the flux results. Select Archived files to copy the archives.
  Note: When you check a box a corresponding tab will be added to the box. Here you can choose which files you want to download.
• After transfer: You can choose Move files to the archive. This is useful if you want to keep a copy of the files on the USB drive but you want them compressed to save space. You can Delete files from the instrument to remove them from the USB drive. Use this option if you want to clear space from the flash drive and you have backed up the data elsewhere. You can also choose to Do nothing after the transfer.

After configuring the transfer and selecting files, click Start to begin transfer immediately.

Connecting to the LI-7700

This section describes how to connect with the LI-7700 from a computer with Internet access. You will find this useful if you want to review the performance of the instrument or alter the configuration.

1. On a computer that has Internet access, launch the LI-7700 configuration software.
2. Click the Connect button and select Ethernet.
3. In the Select Instrument: field, enter the IP address of the RV50X.
4. • If the RV50X has a Static IP address, simply type it in (see Viewing the RV50X IP address).
   • If the RV50X has a Dynamic IP address, retrieve the IP address from the DDNS service provider (see Dynamic IP address) and type it in.
5. 
6. 
3. Click Connect.

After connecting to the instrument you can check the performance and modify the configuration as you normally would.

Connecting to a LI-COR Biomet Data Acquisition System

To connect with the LI-COR data acquisition system with the Blueprint Utility:

1. On an internet-connected computer, launch the Blueprint Utility.
2. Enter the IP address for the RV50X that hosts the Data Acquisition System.
3. Click Connect.
4. You may need to set the serial port.

Connecting to the PhenoCam

To connect directly to the PhenoCam:

1. Open a web browser.
2. Type the RV50X IP address into the address bar, followed by a colon and the Private Start Port.
3. It will take a format similar to this: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:7980
3. Press Enter to connect.

Connecting to the biomet system (Sutron logger)

This section describes how to connect with the Biomet System (Sutron logger) from a computer with Internet access. You will find this useful if you want to retrieve data, review the performance of the system, or alter the configuration. You will need to open port 23 on the RV50X, as described in Support: AirLink RV50X Cellular Communication).

1. On a computer that has Internet access, launch the Sutron XTerm configuration software.
2. Select TELNET from the Hardware field, then enter the RV50X IP address as the URL. Click OK.
3. • If the RV50X has a Static IP address, simply type it in (see Static IP address).
   • If the RV50X has a Dynamic IP address, retrieve the IP address from the DDNS service provider (see Dynamic IP address) and type it in.
   • Change the Telnet Port to 2300.
4. 

Note on Internet Security: The Telnet port (23) used by the 9210B datalogger is unsecured. Information transferred over this port is unencrypted and can be intercepted. If you leave this port open, your system may be vulnerable to hackers. Therefore, we recommend that you only open port 23 if and when you need direct access to the 9210B datalogger, and that you close the port after you have finished. To close the port, click the button.

After connecting to the instrument you can check the performance and modify the configuration as you normally would.

Connecting to the LI-8100A system

If the RV50X is configured to support two-way communication you can change the settings of the LI-8100A remotely.

1. On a computer that has Internet access, launch the LI-8100A configuration software and click the Connect button.
2. 
2. Select TCP/IP, enter the RV50X IP Address, and click Connect.
3. • If the RV50X has a Static IP address, simply type it in (see Viewing the RV50X IP address).
   • If the RV50X has a Dynamic IP address, retrieve the IP address from the DDNS service provider (see Dynamic IP address) and type it in.
4. 

After connecting to the instrument you can check the performance and modify the configuration as you normally would.

LI-8100A data management and file transfer

The LI-8100A software has a built-in file manager that you can use to copy files to your computer.

1. Connect with the LI-8100A as described in Support: AirLink RV50X Cellular Communication.
2. Launch the File Manager (Utilities > File Manager).
3. 
4. The Local PC panel on the left displays the file directories on your computer. The Internal Storage panel on the upper right displays the LI-8100A data files currently stored on the LI-8100A internal flash memory and the free memory available. The Compact Flash Card panel on the lower right shows the files stored and memory available on the compact flash card (if it is installed).
3. Move files from the LI-8100A.
4. Select the file you want to transfer and select Transfer to PC or Copy to CF. When Transfer to PC is selected, the file(s) will be transferred to the selected destination in the Local PC panel.
5. or
6. Drag and drop the file(s) you want to transfer.

Some useful keyboard shortcuts: Most of the common keyboard shortcuts can be used when selecting and/or moving files in the LI-8100A directory list. For example, press CTRL + A to select all files, Shift + click to select a range of files, or CTRL + click to select multiple files individually. You can also ‘drag and drop’ selected files to a PC destination or to the Compact Flash card.

Copying files from internal storage…

Click the Transfer to PC button to move the highlighted file(s). When you are finished moving files, you can delete selected files or all files by clicking Delete or Delete All, respectively. Click Refresh to update the file list. Click Copy to CF to move the selected files to the compact flash card. Click View File to open the entire file in a new text window. You can also drag and drop files to/from the internal storage.

Files generated by the LI-8100A are denoted with a .81x file extension, and contain all of the raw data records and summaries.

Copying files from the compact flash card…

Click on Format to format the compact flash card. Note that all files on the card will be deleted. Click the Transfer to PC button to move the highlighted file(s). When you are finished moving files, you can delete all files by clicking Delete All. Click View File to open the entire file in a new text window. Click Eject Card to unmount the compact flash card and safely remove from the instrument. Click Refresh to update the file list.