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Vega-MV Router Multiviewer - User Manual
Issue 1 Revision 2
Page 203
© 2017 SAM
Introduction
Hydra Open Protocol A.1
Appendix A Hydra Open Protocol
A.1 Introduction
The Vega-MV contains a selection of the commands defined in the Barco Hydra Open
Protocol. They have been adapted to control the Vega-MV in as close as possible way as
they would control a Hydra, with the aim being to enable existing scripts already used with a
Hydra to be utilized. This protocol uses XML to control certain features of the Vega-MV in a
user-friendly way on a LAN or through the serial port.
A.2 Formatting
All messages sent to and received from the Vega-MV use XML formatting, with each
message enclosed in the tag XML. The first element inside the XML tag is always PACKET.
The structure is always of the format:
<XML>
<PACKET MODULE=”MV” VERSION=”1.0”>
…
</PACKET>
</XML>
The
MODULE
and
VERSION
attributes in the
PACKET
element are not essential - they are
simply there to comply with the Hydra Open Protocol, but are ignored. The response to this
will be the same.
A.3 Connections
The Hydra Open Protocol has two types of connections - one for transactions and one for
event handling. However, the Vega-MV currently only supports transaction types. The normal
procedure for sending transactions is:
•
Connect using TCP port 8881 to the Vega-MV.
•
Send a transaction as XML formatted text.
•
Receive the result of this transaction as XML formatted text.
•
Repeat this procedure for further transactions. The connection can be kept open for
as long as necessary.
•
Close the socket when finished.
The procedure for sending transactions using the serial port is the same, except that the TCP
socket connection is not applicable.
If the serial port is to be used, then the MV-NET card serial port needs to be configured to use
the Hydra Open Protocol option in the
Module menu > Setup Module > Protocols
tab. For
controlling over ethernet, no configuration needs to be done, because the Vega-MV is always
listening on ethernet port 8881 for a connection to be established.