Introduction
  

We are entering an era wherein it is not inconceivable that every electronic device that we know of and use today may be networked and controlled remotely. Efforts to this effect have been given a shot in the arm with the imminent introduction of IPv6. The Embedded Webserver is especially suited to embedded Internet appliances and offers easy connectivity to any network via an Ethernet™ or Modem connection.

Our goal is to provide an Internet-enabled device that can be accessed remotely over a network and through which an operator sitting on a client computer can remotely monitor or manipulate networked devices. Such a device may find applications in office and industrial automation, high-speed gaming and medical science, to name a few.

An Embedded Webserver is a microprocessor or microcontroller that contains an Internet software suite as well as application code for monitoring and controlling systems. Embedded Webservers are an integral part of an embedded network. Such a system can serve web pages over a TCP/IP network, allowing any browser with access to the network the ability to control and monitor a network application.

In to the figure above, an industrial plant motor is being controlled through the Embedded Webserver by an operator sitting in an off-site control room over the Internet.

The following are some of the advantages of our Embedded Webserver:

  • Simplifies software and communications - The Embedded Webserver contains dynamic web pages that allow the operator to control and manipulate the embedded device over a TCP/IP-based network. This methodology provides a standardized communication mechanism for all embedded devices. In addition, the use of web pages simplifies software installation and maintenance on the server side, while providing a universal Graphical User Interface (GUI) through a web browser on the client side.

  • Offers increased functionality - Web browsers offer a tremendous advantage over traditional control and monitoring systems where GUI code is running on a computer's operating system. Unlike these traditional systems, browsers are platform independent. They are very easy to use and require minimum operator training. Besides, these days, almost every computer comes with a browser installed. Browsers can be used to provide both informational and dynamic pages. Dynamic pages are interactive and can accept inputs from an operator and provide feedback on the system's status. Creating platform-independent GUIs saves development time and money.

  • Simplifies system management - Web pages can be used to monitor, control and update the embedded webserver system. Any authorized user can access the system through a browser on a client to conduct maintenance, change system settings, and update system software.

The following are some terms you will encounter frequently in this document:

  • GUI - Graphical User Interface

  • HTTP - Hyper Text Transfer Protocol

  • HTML - Hyper Text Markup Language

  • DNS - Domain Naming System

  • CGI - Common Gateway Interface

  • MIME - Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions

To be able to fully understand the contents of this document, you also need to have a brief understanding of how the Internet works, as well as a reasonable knowledge of TCP/IP, HTTP, HTML, Operating System fundamentals and multitasking. A concise introduction to each of these is given here for your convenience.
 
 
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