Envipco FLEX Dual, Service Manual

Page: 80 / 114

4-22
Chapter 4 RVM Software
4.6.1. Physical Connections
At sites with more than one machine, the machines are connected to a local area network (
LAN
)
switch with Ethernet cables. The
RVM
s can communicate with each other and transfer incoming
and outgoing files.
4.6.2. File Transfers
An internet connection facilitates the transfer of incoming and outgoing files between the
RVM
s on
site and the server at Envipco. One of the machines acts as a site control device: it receives files
from Envipco and distributes them to the other
RVM
s, and it also collects files from the other
RVM
s
to send to Envipco. This connection may be through a modem on a regular telephone line (a land
line connection), or it may be through a cellular modem. If the site is using a land line modem, the
modem is installed on the
PC
board in one of the machines. At sites using a cellular modem, the
modem is installed in a lock box outside of the machines.
When a site connects to Envipco, any of the
RVM
s can act as a site controller. If connected by
cellular modem, data transfers occur even if one or more of the
RVM
s cannot connect at the time of
data collection and distribution. If the machines are connected by a land line modem, the
RVM
with
the modem must be running in order for the file transfer to complete.
The software process by which barcode files are transferred by modem from Envipco to the site’s
RVM
s
is simplified by this summary:
Note:
Each
RVM
has a set connection time. This time is different for each
machine, in order to prevent all of the
RVM
s from trying to connect at
the same time.
1.
When the
RVM
software starts, it polls the other
RVM
s to check if any of
them have a newer barcode file.
2.
If it finds a newer barcode file, it receives and installs it.
3.
When an
RVM
reaches its connection time, it connects to an
FTP
server
at Envipco and checks for a newer barcode file.
4.
If the
FTP
server has a new barcode file, the
RVM
renames it, gets it, and
distributes it to the other
RVM
s. It then deletes the file from the
FTP
server.
Whether or not it finds a newer barcode file, it resets its data collection time
for the next day. At that point, it starts again at Step 2.