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The Communication Tunnel

The Regular Approach

There are many types of equipment require computer diagnostics and/or management. Usually the equipment manufacture produces special software for those purposes and expects a computer (mostly PC) directly connected to the equipment.

The direct connection means the use of COM (RS-232/serial) or USB cable, which connects regular computer/notebook interface to the equipment. The operating distance, in that case, is limited by the length of the cable and rarely exceeds several meters.

Unfortunately, sometimes, when the equipment is complex, heavy, located faraway from service center, or mobile there is a need to make a distant diagnostics first. For instance, in order to repair the equipment service personnel have to separately determine what replacements are to be made first as there is no ability to carry all the possible components at once. Only after components to be replaced are determined the required parts can be delivered and replaced by a certified person.

The Tunnel

The Communication Tunnel technology is intended to connect regular controlling/diagnosing software to the equipment remotely, at any distance, via the internet.

On one side of the tunnel regular computer/notebook is used with regular (supplied by equipment manufacture) software. The software is configured to use the tunnel end-point as virtual, generated by the tunnel end-point COM/USB instead of standard COM/USB interface, exactly as it is configured for the locally connected equipment. There is no practical difference for the software operator whether the equipment is actually located.

On the other side of the tunnel there is a need to connect the equipment to the internet. There are several options to connect the equipment to the second end-point of the tunnel and the internet. The end-point software can be installed to internet connected:

Desktop/notebook computer. The computer is connected to the equipment with regular (staff) COM/USB cable, running end-point software, the computer has to have any type of internet connection;
PocketPC or MobilePhone. The device is connected to the equipment via Bluetooth (a third party Bluetooth dongle/converter has to be used), running end-point software and has any type of mobile internet connection (GPRS/EDGE/3G/Wi-Fi);