The front panel contains numeric and text readouts, graphs, tables, and other user interface components. Generally, the user in the above SPC application simply wants to view the LabVIEW front panel in a Web browser. This capability is built into LabVIEW without any specific program development on the part of the LabVIEW user. The developer of the LabVIEW application configures the desired Web server behavior in a dialog box. Users can apply security per directory and per application program.
Clients can view the published front panels as either a single snapshot or continuously updated.
The ability to view continuously updated data allows clients to view live changes in data and on-screen animations, such as the operation of a process or experiment. The Web opens up many opportunities for remote control of measurement and automation applications. Historically, it has been quite difficult and typically involved proprietary communication protocols to allow clients to log into a system and change operating parameters. These systems use either proprietary protocols or simple serial protocols for control and communication. Now, using wireless Ethernet technology, RTUs can be connected using standard Internet technology that is transparently communicated by a variety of wireless technologies.