Opticon ESL Server User Manual

Opticon ESL
ESL Server manual
v1.0.62.2
32
Please note that load balancing significantly improves if ESL’s run firmware IBxV0058 or higher.
Be aware that during the rebalancing of the ESLs, they can appear to be offline for 1 to 15 minutes, so
it’s safest to execute the daily load balancing at night to avoid slowing down the image updating process
at daytime.
6.4.3. Firmware update
To upgrade the firmware of ESLs, select one of more ESLs and then press the ‘Firmware update’
browse button and select the correct firmware file for these ESLs, which can be found in the ‘Firmware’
sub-folder of the installation. Make sure the first 3 characters of the firmware file match the reported first
3 characters of the reported firmware version by these ESLs.
7. Database configuration
The ESL server support 8 different database formats:
CSV
Comma separated files. It’s easy to setup and it’s suitable for smaller projects and demos with a
limited number of ESLs. Disadvantage is that the ESL server is difficult to control and monitor by
an external server due to the limited feedback on the status of the ESL system. Also CSV-based
systems tend to become slow when used with large numbers (thousands) of ESLs. Status
information is stored in a SQLite database file. See chapter 7.1.
MySQL
MySQL is an OpenSource relational database system. Requires knowledge about SQL
databases and MySQL has to be installed on your system. MySQL provides the possibility to
monitor and control multiple stores using one central of multiple local SQL databases in
combination with the provided web application. MySQL is suitable for a large number of ESLs
per ESL server. See chapter 7.2.
MS-SQL
MS-SQL is a relational database system from Microsoft. Same advantages and disadvantages
as MySQL and Oracle. MS-SQL has a slightly better performance over MySQL, because the
ESL server is developed on and runs on a Microsoft platform. To use the provided web-
application it is recommended to create an ODBC data source. See chapter 7.2 and chapter 7.3.
Oracle
Oracle is a relational database system from Oracle. Same advantages and disadvantages as
MySQL and MS-SQL. Oracle databases have tons of features, but this also makes them more
complex to set-up and requires serious knowledge about this database format. To use the
provided web-application it is recommended to create an ODBC data source. See chapter 7.2
and chapter 7.3.

Opticon ESL Server Specifications

General

Brand	Opticon
Model	ESL Server
Category	Wireless Router
Language	English

Summary

Features and Specifications

Abstract

Describes the manual's purpose and scope.

ESL Demo Kit Contents

Lists components included in the demo kit.

Physical Features

Details dimensions and weight of ESLs and base stations.

Environmental Specifications

Specifies operating and storage temperature/humidity.

Interface Specifications

Outlines radio interface parameters for base stations and ESLs.

Electrical Specifications

Covers voltage, current, and battery details for ESLs.

Hardware Specifications

Provides detailed CPU, memory, and display specs for components.

Serial Number Identification

Explains how to find serial numbers on devices.

Product Safety Guidelines

Outlines critical safety precautions for handling devices.

Solution Overview

CSV-File Based Solution

Describes the ESL system using CSV files for data.

SQL Database Solution

Explains ESL system integration with SQL databases.

CSV/SQL Hybrid Solution

Details a mixed approach using CSV and SQL for data.

External Content Management Solution

How to integrate with external content systems.

SQL API for Custom Applications

Using SQL API to control and monitor the ESL system.

Setting Up Hardware and Software

ESL Server Application Installation

Step-by-step guide to install the ESL server software.

Base Station Installation and Discovery

How to install and find base stations on the network.

ESL Installation and Activation

Process to install and activate ESL devices.

ESL Mounting Procedures

Guidance on physically mounting ESL devices.

Linking ESLs to Products

Linking via ESL Server Application

Detailed steps for linking using the server application.

Linking using Opticon Batch Terminal

Details on using batch terminals for linking.

Linking using Web Application

Details on using the web application for linking.

Configuring Base Stations

Configuring the RF Channel

Setting the RF channel for optimal performance and reduced interference.

Changing Local Name

Assigning custom names to base stations for easier identification.

Changing PAN ID / LAN ID

Configuring network identifiers for base stations.

Configuring Ethernet Settings

Setting up network parameters like IP address and subnet mask.

Factory Default Reset

Resetting base stations to their original factory settings.

Base Station Firmware Update

Instructions for updating the base station firmware.

Configuration and Monitoring of ESLs

ESL Configuration Options

Overview of ESL configuration parameters.

Associate Interval

Configures time between base station search attempts.

Poll Interval

Sets the frequency of ESL data polling.

Poll Timeout

Defines when ESL times out and searches for a new base station.

Display Orientation

Allows changing the display orientation for mounting flexibility.

Poll - Info Ratio

Determines how often ESLs send status and settings to base stations.

Scan Channels

Configures the range of RF channels for base station scanning.

Temperature Range

Adjusts display update speed based on ambient temperature.

Monitoring ESL Status

Explains how to view ESL status, LQI, battery, and other info.

Filtering ESLs

Using filter options to sort and find specific ESL properties.

Controlling ESLs

Using actions to control ESL behavior.

Available Actions

Lists available actions like Reset, Refresh, Unlink, etc.

Load Balancing

How to distribute ESLs evenly across base stations.

ESL Firmware Update

Steps to upgrade firmware for ESLs.

Database Configuration

CSV Database Configuration

Configuration steps for CSV database setup.

Changing Database Format and Settings

How to modify CSV database settings and format.

SQL Database Configuration

General steps for configuring SQL databases.

Database Tables

Lists the SQL tables used by the ESL server.

Link Table

Describes the link table structure and purpose.

Link Staging Table

Describes the link staging table for data changes.

Product Table

Describes the product table requirements.

Product Staging Table

Describes the product staging table for changes.

ESL Status and Configuration Table

Describes the 'labelstatus' table.

Base Station Status Table

Describes the 'basestationstatus' table.

Logging Table

Describes the 'esllog' table.

Change Log Table

Describes the 'changelog' table.

User Table

Describes the 'user' table for access control.

Connection Setup

Steps for connecting to an SQL database.

Tables Configuration

Selecting product and link tables in the ESL server.

Fields Configuration

Mapping product table fields like Barcode, Unique ID.

Advanced Settings

Various advanced database configuration options.

ODBC Connectivity Configuration

Configuring ODBC connections to SQL databases.

CSV / SQL Hybrid Configuration

Steps to configure the hybrid CSV/SQL solution.

External Content Management Configuration

How to set up the ESL server with external content systems.

Designing ESL Image Layout

Template Selection

Area for managing template assignments and conditions.

Template Conditions

Configuring conditions for template selection.

Using the Template Editor

Interface for creating and editing ESL image templates.

Static and Dynamic Content

Adding fixed text or dynamic data from the database to templates.

Conditional Objects

Making template objects visible based on specific conditions.

Saving and Exporting Templates

Procedures for saving, exporting, and applying templates.

Using Example Data

Previewing templates with sample product data.

Connecting Back Office via CSV

Product Database Format

Details on the supported CSV format for product data.

Product-ESL Link Database Format

Format for linking products to ESLs via CSV.

Middleware Application (CSV-Files Only)

Using middleware to process CSV files.

Barcode Terminal Application

Setting Up the Barcode Terminal

Installing drivers and loading software onto barcode terminals.

Loading Database Files on Terminal

Transferring product data to the barcode terminal.

Creating Links between ESLs and Products

Process of linking ESLs to products via scanning.

Specific Terminal Models (OPH100x, H13, etc.)

Linking procedures for specific terminal models.

OPN2002/3/4/5/6 Linking

Linking procedures for OPN2002/3/4/5/6 terminals.

Sending Link File Back to PC

Transferring created links from terminal back to PC.

Using Web Application for Linking and Monitoring

Web App with Various Databases

Web app configuration with various databases.

Running ESL Server as Service

Service Configuration Details

Details on Windows account and service shutdown timeout.

Appendix A: Demo Barcodes

Example Product Barcodes

Example product barcodes for demonstration purposes.

Appendix B: MySQL Demo Configuration

MySQL Setup Steps

Steps to configure MySQL for demo purposes.

Create Product Tables

Importing SQL script to create product tables.

Product Changes

Methods for updating product data.

Appendix C: MS-SQL Demo Configuration

MS-SQL Setup Steps

Steps to configure MS-SQL for demo purposes.

Create Product Tables

Importing SQL script for MS-SQL product tables.

Product Changes

Methods for updating product data in MS-SQL.

Appendix D: Oracle Demo Configuration

Oracle Setup Steps

Steps to configure Oracle for demo purposes.

Create Product Tables

Importing SQL script for Oracle product tables.

Product Changes

Methods for updating product data in Oracle.

Appendix E: PostgreSQL Demo Configuration

PostgreSQL Setup Steps

Steps to configure PostgreSQL for demo purposes.

Create Product Tables

Importing SQL script for PostgreSQL product tables.

Product Changes

Methods for updating product data in PostgreSQL.

Appendix F: SQLite Demo Configuration

SQLite Setup Steps

Steps to configure SQLite for demo purposes.

Create Product Tables

Importing SQL script for SQLite product tables.

Using CSV-files

Using CSV files for product/link table updates in SQLite.

Appendix G: DB2 Demo Configuration

DB2 Setup Steps

Steps to configure DB2 for demo purposes.

Create Product Tables

Importing SQL script for DB2 product tables.

Using CSV-files

Using CSV files for product/link table updates in DB2.

Appendix H: Restoring ESL Server to Default (CSV)

Restore Default Configuration

How to reset the ESL server configuration to default settings.

Appendix I: Using the SQL API

SQL API Overview

How to use SQL queries to control and monitor the ESL system.

Supported ESL Actions

List of SQL commands for initiating ESL actions.

Supported ESL Settings

SQL commands to change ESL settings like poll interval, temperature.

Supported Base Station Actions

SQL commands for base station actions like reactivate, deact.

Supported Base Station Settings

SQL commands to change base station settings like channel, PAN/LAN ID.

Supported External Trigger Actions

SQL commands for triggering external scripts or batch files.

Appendix J: Version History

Software Version Updates

List of software versions and their changes.