The service NetPing Dashboard allows creating an own interactive network map and a power supply control panel for devices individually, having spent several minutes. The service displays data from sensors connected to NetPing devices, which is updated in a real time. In addition, this service provides an opportunity to control built-in relays of a series of NetPing devices for a remote management of power supply sockets, thus adjusting the buttons for controlling sockets at the interactive map NetPing Dashboard.
In this article, creating a simple and convenient controlling panel for «smart sockets», located remotely in different branches of a company is described. At the picture above you can see a ready control panel for power supply of devices. Using this control panel, it is possible to turn on, turn off, reset and track a status of devices added to a scheme remotely.
To create a control panel for a power supply of devices based on the interactive service NetPing Dashboard, there is a need to have the following:
- An Android phone with installed Google Chrome browser and an access to the Internet;
- A series of NetPing devices for remote management of power supply sockets. Types of devices are chosen according to the purpose and importance of equipment connected to them
Managing Power Supply Control Panel for Devices Using NetPing Dashboard
Our company has three geographically separated offices. Each company has a network and server equipment, which is connected to controllable NetPing sockets. Some NetPing devices for a remote power supply have got an additional functionality, which provides managing by SMS commands besides managing via Ethernet and SNMP. In addition, several NetPing devices with a built-in GSM modem have a battery. It is a great idea to get one to connect equipment running services that have a critical downtime.
- Prepare a background scheme of a location of offices with equipment for an interactive page of the service NetPing Dashboard, which is possible to be done in any graphical editor. A graphical scheme will improve understanding and simplify viewing a dashboard for controlling «smart sockets». In the process of preparing a background image, do not forget to leave spare space to locate controls on the scheme later.
Open the service NetPing Dashboard in the phone web browser and add a previously prepared background image. To do this, click the button «Change Scheme» in the upper menu of the service.
In the window «Download Scheme», enter a URL address of the image and click the button «Save».
In the NetPing Dashboard of the version 1.18, a background image is added to the map only through a URL address. Downloading background images from the memory of the phone is unavailable. Instead, download a background to a shared file-exchanger on the Internet before adding.
- Add a sensor for a relay status to know a status of the socket in any moment of time: «1» – the socket is turned on, «0» – the socket is turned off. To do this, there is a need to click the button «Add...» in the upper part of the NetPing Dashboard window and select the item «Relay Status Sensor» from a drop down menu:
Fill in all necessary fields in the window «Relay Status» and click the button «Add sensor»:
where:
Address of Device – is an IP address of the NetPing device.
Name of Sensor – name of a sensor displayed at the dashboard.
Line Number – is a number of a built-in relay of the NetPing device.
Displayed Value – is a field for choosing parameters «Current Status» and «Managing Source». A parameter «Current Status» will be displaying a current status of a built-in relay.
Login – is a username for authorization at the NetPing device.
Password – is a secret word for authorization at the NetPing device.
The same way sensors for a relay status are added to other devices at the dashboard. It is possible to move added elements through the dashboard into necessary locations by dragging the element by a finger.
- Now it is left to add the buttons «Turn on» and «Turn off» for each device to control a relay. To do this, there is a need to click the button «Add...» in the upper part of the NetPing Dashboard window and select the item «Relay Management Button»:
Fill in all required fields in the window «Relay Management» and click the button «Add Sensor»:
where:
Address of Device – is an IP address of the NetPing device.
Name of Button – is a text, which will be displayed on the button at the dashboard for management a power supply of devices.
Switch into Reverse Status – is a checkbox, when checked, a button will switch a relay status into an opposite one. When selecting this parameter, there is a need to specify a pulse length in seconds.
Type of Button – is a parameter, which determines an action of the button when clicking it.
Number of Sensor – is a number of a built-in relay of the NetPing device.
Login – is a username for authorization at the NetPing device.
Password – is a secret word for authorization at the NetPing device.
Then there is a need to move buttons into necessary areas of the dashboard. As a result of Android phone configurations described above, the dashboard for controlling a power supply of devices on the basis of the interactive service NetPing Dashboard will have the next appearance:
- To edit the element on the dashboard, press it by a finger and the window for editing settings will be opened. In the same window, it is possible to delete the element tapping the button «Remove device».
The interactive map NetPing Dashboard provides a possibility to create similar control panels, maps for monitoring devices and microclimate at objects for free. Using NetPing dashboard allows technical staff to control devices, follow parameters and readings of sensors from any geographical location. I.e. technical staff is always aware of what happens and can react to an emergency at any moment of time.
