Introduction

E2050 Software/Firmware Architecture

The Gateway connects the local area network (LAN) from the computer system to the GPIB bus. Network-equipped computer systems that are supported for use with the Gateway include Series 700 workstations and 32-bit PCs. Following the client/server model of computing, the computer system is the client, and the E2050 LAN/GPIB Gateway acts as the server.

Client System

Server

GPIB Instrument

 

E2050

 

 

LAN

GPIB bus

Client - Server Configuration

Thus, I/O applications running on the computer system can transparently interface to GPIB-based instruments over the LAN. Since several computer systems can access the LAN/GPIB Gateway, groups of users can share access to the same GPIB instruments via the Gateway. In addition, existing I/O applications that are supported with the LAN/GPIB Gateway and are designed for GPIB can use the Gateway without modification beyond an address change.

The Gateway and its attached GPIB instruments can be placed anywhere on the network (rather than with a particular controller or server computer system). This includes networks which span different geographic locations, such as when networked computer systems are located at several different sites. Hence, GPIB instruments can be located where they are most convenient for I/O application users.

In addition, you can have more than one LAN/GPIB Gateway on a network, providing “clusters” of GPIB instrumentation at different locations. This further aids users in accessing the instrumentation they need for their specific I/O applications.

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Chapter 1

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Agilent Technologies E2050-90003 manual Lan, Client Server Configuration