Custom Web Pages
On the PCS4, custom web pages are supported. You can determine the layout and appearance of the pages displayed on your screen. Server side includes (SSIs) enable you to obtain information from the unit and display the information on web pages. Query strings allow you to send information and commands to the unit to change its configuration or provide you with feedback. (See “Query Strings,” on the next page.)
Server Side Includes (SSIs)
Server sides includes are a type of HTML comment that directs the web server to dynamically generate data for a web page whenever it is requested. SSIs typically use SIS commands to communicate with the products or attached control devices. Using SSIs, you can design and display custom pages, with PCS4 information provided by the SIS commands.
The basic format for an Extron SSI is:
where x is the SIS command to be executed.
When a web page is requested, the web server removes the SSI and replaces it with the answer to the SIS command within quotes.
Server Side Include Using the Host SIS command
SIS Command
| N |
*type with no spaces
SIS command
to be processed
by the IP Link
Figure 24. Example of SSI Command
In the figure above, the N command is used to request the PCS4 part number.
Query Strings
A query string is the portion of a URL that appears after the question mark. The query string contains parameters or instructions for the web server to execute. The basic format for a query string within a link is:
<a href=”index.html?cmd=x”>Receptacle 1</a>
where x is the SIS command to be executed.
When a link is accessed on a web page, the URL is passed to the web server to tell it which web page to return to the browser. The portion of the URL after the question mark is the query string, which contains the SIS command that the IPL T PCS4 will remove and execute.
Like SSI formatted commands, query strings can use any valid SIS command.
IPL T PCS4 • HTML Configuration and Control 35