Controller / Monitor Question

Trollicus · 09/29/2014, 08:13 PM

I have (at least to me) a somewhat unique situation. I'm setting up a new tank in my office and want to be able to potentially monitor tank levels. Bells and whistles would be nice, but all I'd really need is the ability to send myself an email if there is an emergency triggered - water level/temperature/salinity/etc...

The unique part with the tank being in my office is that I don't have a way to hook up a controller to an ethernet or wi-fi signal as corporate IT wouldn't allow it and it would require some work with our proxy server. In other words, while I could get a system to connect, it isn't worth the possibility of termination.

What I can do is connect a controller via USB to my PC which is on 24/7 and use any program to share data - either with a direct connection to the system or something cloud based. In some searching, I found the Seneye system, but was curious if anything else existed that was a better option that preferably doesn't have subscription fees. In a perfect world, I'd be able to get an Apex controller to connect via my PC instead of directly to the router. Most of these devices (rightfully so) were designed with the average hobbyist or consumer in mind and not a corporate LAN, so any ideas are welcome.

ReefRescue · 09/29/2014, 11:09 PM

hi Trollicus
I believe you can achieve this with Aquatronica controller I can get some more info for you if interested.

Raul-7 · 09/29/2014, 11:29 PM

Profilux III EX [not my photo]

Has USB connectivity and is better than Aquatronica in terms of expandability and support.

They are also launching a cloud based interface by the end of the year.

kurt_n · 09/30/2014, 08:59 AM

Before you go any route, I'd have a detailed discussion with your IT group about what you want to do.

Obviously, you can't have access to the external router, and I'm assuming they're not willing to open a port for you to access the controller externally outside the network. But if you want access from outside the network, short of a cell phone hot-spot, I'm not really seeing how you can do it without going through their network. Even if you connect to your PC, that signal still has to get through the network and out. And I'm pretty sure there are safeguards in place to make sure that doesn't happen. If there aren't, you need new IT folks.

Trollicus · 09/30/2014, 07:12 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. It will be a slow go as I build up. Both the aquatronica and profilux are a bit out of my price range, however.

It isn't really the ports that are the issue, but the device itself. Only company issued devices can be on the network - period - so having it connect to a PC via software would alleviate this.

kurt_n · 09/30/2014, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollicus

...
It isn't really the ports that are the issue, but the device itself. Only company issued devices can be on the network - period - so having it connect to a PC via software would alleviate this.

But having a controller hooked to your PC makes it "on the network" if you are able to access it externally, which is what I assume you want to happen.

If your IT group is cool with this, good for you. But if they allow outside access to a device hooked to your PC, well... not really impressed with the security there.

Trollicus · 09/30/2014, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurt_n

But having a controller hooked to your PC makes it "on the network" if you are able to access it externally, which is what I assume you want to happen.

If your IT group is cool with this, good for you. But if they allow outside access to a device hooked to your PC, well... not really impressed with the security there.

I can hook up devices to my PC, but they would not be communicating. Software on the PC would be doing that. I suppose it is a matter of perspective. Not any different than allowing users to plug in a USB drive or any other component.

kurt_n · 10/01/2014, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollicus

I can hook up devices to my PC, but they would not be communicating. Software on the PC would be doing that. I suppose it is a matter of perspective. Not any different than allowing users to plug in a USB drive or any other component.

Plugging in the device is not the issue... it is the connection to the outside world regardless of what is controlling it. Just make sure your IT dept knows what you want to do and specifically make sure it will go down the way you want so you don't waste a bunch of money. I'll just leave it at that.

09/29/2014, 08:13 PM	#1
Trollicus Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Avon, OH Posts: 73	Controller / Monitor Question I have (at least to me) a somewhat unique situation. I'm setting up a new tank in my office and want to be able to potentially monitor tank levels. Bells and whistles would be nice, but all I'd really need is the ability to send myself an email if there is an emergency triggered - water level/temperature/salinity/etc... The unique part with the tank being in my office is that I don't have a way to hook up a controller to an ethernet or wi-fi signal as corporate IT wouldn't allow it and it would require some work with our proxy server. In other words, while I could get a system to connect, it isn't worth the possibility of termination. What I can do is connect a controller via USB to my PC which is on 24/7 and use any program to share data - either with a direct connection to the system or something cloud based. In some searching, I found the Seneye system, but was curious if anything else existed that was a better option that preferably doesn't have subscription fees. In a perfect world, I'd be able to get an Apex controller to connect via my PC instead of directly to the router. Most of these devices (rightfully so) were designed with the average hobbyist or consumer in mind and not a corporate LAN, so any ideas are welcome.

09/29/2014, 11:09 PM	#2
ReefRescue Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: los angeles Posts: 303	hi Trollicus I believe you can achieve this with Aquatronica controller I can get some more info for you if interested.

09/29/2014, 11:29 PM	#3
Raul-7 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lomita, CA Posts: 891	Profilux III EX [not my photo] Has USB connectivity and is better than Aquatronica in terms of expandability and support. They are also launching a cloud based interface by the end of the year.

09/30/2014, 08:59 AM	#4
kurt_n Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: WA Posts: 2,592	Before you go any route, I'd have a detailed discussion with your IT group about what you want to do. Obviously, you can't have access to the external router, and I'm assuming they're not willing to open a port for you to access the controller externally outside the network. But if you want access from outside the network, short of a cell phone hot-spot, I'm not really seeing how you can do it without going through their network. Even if you connect to your PC, that signal still has to get through the network and out. And I'm pretty sure there are safeguards in place to make sure that doesn't happen. If there aren't, you need new IT folks.

09/30/2014, 07:12 PM	#5
Trollicus Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Avon, OH Posts: 73	Thanks for the suggestions. It will be a slow go as I build up. Both the aquatronica and profilux are a bit out of my price range, however. It isn't really the ports that are the issue, but the device itself. Only company issued devices can be on the network - period - so having it connect to a PC via software would alleviate this.