Help > IT Topics > Network Information

The network is the backbone for the Rotronic Monitoring System within a company. Without a network, it is not possible to access real time data from the system. All of the network settings will define how RMS will be configured. IT support is crucial prior to any RMS installations.

Whereas Internet is not necessary for RMS to run, the measurement devices and the computers are connected to the network. A network is started with a foundation of routers and switches and a complex system of addresses and protocols to communicate.

A router offers the following services

oConnects your network to the Internet.

oDistributes IP addresses (either static or DHCP).

oProtects information from security threats.

oOffers a WiFi connection.

A switch offers the following services

oConnects multiple devices (computers, printers, servers, data loggers, gateways) on the same network within a building or campus.

oEnables connected devices to communicate with each other.

oOffers power over Ethernet (PoE) for RMS devices.

Normally each building will already have a network and RMS can simply be added to the network. In order to carry out the installation of the RMS devices, it is crucial to know:

oWhere is the server located?

▪If working with an on-premise server, the server address is required and needs to be programmed into the RMS device using the RMS-CONFIG software.

▪If working with the Rotronic Cloud, no additional RMS device configuration is necessary.

oCan the hardware communicate with the software?

▪On a Web server or Hypertext Transfer Protocol daemon (HTTPD), port 80 is the standard port that the server listens to or expects to receive from a Web client. Is the port 80 open?

▪If the port 80 is not open, what port is open for the Web client? Please see with the local IT team for more details.

oAre IP addresses static or DHCP?

▪If the IP addresses are static, then they should be attributed to the MAC address of the RMS device.

▪If the IP addresses are DHCP, no additional RMS device configuration is necessary.

If device are not on the same network, they cannot communicate with each other, making an RMS setup impossible. All devices (computer, server, data loggers, mobile phone, etc.) need to be on the same network.

Within the IP settings, the following points can be configured if the network is working with static IP addresses:

oIP address: an IP address is a unique string of numbers separated by full stops that identifies each computer (or device) using the Internet Protocol to communicate over a network.

oSubnet mask: a subnet mask is a string of numbers separated by full stops that identifies on which sub-network the network is running.

oDefault gateway: a default gateway is a string of numbers separated by full stops that identifies through which gateway communication to devices from other networks is established.

oPreferred DNS server: the DNS server translates domain names into IP addresses. The preferred DNS is a specified primary choice to handle Internet protocol mapping.

oAlternate DNS server: if the preferred DNS times out after a time limit defined by an operating system, it will then attempt to try the alternate DNS.

All of these IP settings are defined by the IT team, thus their help is crucial for any RMS installation.