2 Managing Drivers

2.2.1.1 Defining the Parameters of the EdgeSimulator

To configure the EdgeSimulator, define the <Parameter> tag of the <Driver> element by entering the name of the input file, which is an XML file describing the configuration for the EdgeSimulator. In Example 2-2, the defaultValue attribute for this file in the <Parameter> tag is ..\..\edge\config\Simulation.xml.

The file resides at:

ORACLE_HOME/edge/config

<DriverList id="23">
    <Driver id="24">
      <ClassName>oracle.edge.impl.driver.EdgeSimulator</ClassName>
      <Description>This is the internal simulator</Description>
      <Name>Edge Simulator Driver</Name>
      <Parameters id="25">
        <Parameter id="26" name="FileName"
         defaultValue="..\..\edge\config\Simulation.xml" description="Simulator's 
         configuration file" encrypted="false">
          <valueType type="string"/>
        </Parameter>
      </Parameters>
      <Version>1.0</Version>
    </Driver>

The input file tells the simulator how to generate the fake events using the following instructions:

• <EventList>

  The <EventList> element defines a loop. This element is also the main block that groups all of the other instructions together. <EventList> has one attribute, repeat, which must be present to control looping. The value for repeat must be a decimal number from 0 to LONG_MAX. To generate events only once, set the repeat attribute to 1. Setting repeat to n results in all instructions looping n times. Setting repeat to 0 disables the block and causes the parser to skip it.

  Example 2-3 illustrates the syntax for generating two events, pausing, generating two more events, and then looping 20 times:

  Example 2-3 Defining a Loop

  <EventList repeat='20'>
  <Event> … </Event>
  <Event> … </Event>
  <EventInterval>…</ EventInterval>
  <Event> … </Event>
  <Event> … </Event>
  </EventList>
  

  You can include any number of instructions inside the <EventList> element. The order in which they are defined is the order in which they are executed.

• <EventInterval>

  The EventInterval element instructs the Simulator to pause for a certain period of time before proceeding. This is usually used to throttle the data rate. A decimal number defines the time period, in milliseconds, to wait for before executing the next instruction. Example 2-4 illustrates instructions for the Simulator to wait for half a second between each event and three seconds between loops:

  Example 2-4 EventInterval

  <EventList repeat='20'>
     <Event> … </Event>
     <EventInterval>500</ EventInterval>
     <Event> … </Event>
     <EventInterval>500</ EventInterval>
     <Event> … </Event>
     <EventInterval>3000</ EventInterval>
  </EventList>
  

• <Event>

  The <Event> element tells the Simulator to send an event. The child elements (described in Table 2–1) control the event's fields.

  Table 2-1 Event Elements for the Simulator

  Event Field	Value
  <type>	The number value that corresponds to the type of event. Table 1-1 describes the values of the <type> field. The Oracle Application Server Wireless Developer's Guide describes the values for the <type> field in further detail.
  <subtype>	The number value for the subtype. For example, the subtype value in Example 2-5 corresponds with a General Instruction Event, which is an event sent by application or a device to tell a specific device to perform an operation. In Example 2-5, the value of 1 turns on the device. Refer to the Oracle Application Server Wireless Developer's Guide for more information on Instruction Events.
  <id>	The text value of this field identifies a tag (that is, a read or target) to an event instruction. In Example 2-5, one of the <id> values for a tag is 03ffff045679.
  <data>	The tag data. This is an optional field
  <deviceName>	The name of the device or application that generates the event. The <deviceName> enables the Simulator to appear as if it is another device when generating events.

  
  

  Example 2-5 illustrates an input file which includes two groups of events: the first one runs only once and the second runs 20 times.

  Example 2-5 Simulator Input File

  <EdgeEventSimulation>
        <EventList repeat='1'>
           <Event>
              <type>100</type>
              <subtype>1</subtype>
              <id>03ffff045679</id>
              <data>No Data</data>
              <deviceName>My Device</deviceName>
          </Event>
     <EventInterval>500</ EventInterval>
        <Event>
           <type>100</type>
              <subtype>1</subtype>
              <id>03ffff045680</id>
              <data>No Data</data>
              <deviceName>My Device</deviceName>
       </Event>
            <EventInterval>3000</ EventInterval>
     </EventList>
     <EventList repeat='20'>
        <Event>
           <type>100</type>
           <subtype>1</subtype>
           <id>04ffff045679</id>
           <data>No Data</data>
           <deviceName>My Device</deviceName>
      </Event>
           <EventInterval>500</ EventInterval>
       <Event>
           <type>100</type>
            <subtype>1</subtype>
            <id>04ffff045680</id>
            <data>No Data</data>
            <deviceName>My Device</deviceName>
       </Event>
     </EventList>
  </EdgeEventSimulation>
  

Although the format of the Event type is fixed, you can extend the Event type by mapping its fields to different meanings depending on the type of event.

2.2.1.2 Connecting the Simulator to the Oracle Sensor Edge Server

To connect the Simulator to the Oracle Sensor Edge Server, create a device from the driver by defining the <Name>.

To create a device for the Simulator driver:

1. Locate the <DeviceGroup> to which to add the Simulator device. If needed, add a new <DeviceGroup> element. For more information on the children of the <DeviceGroup>, refer to Section 1.2.4.

2. Add a new <Device> section for the Simulator. (You can copy a <Device> section from an existing device to use as a template.

3. Set the name of the device within the <Name> tag.

4. Set the element definition in the <DriverName> tag to Edge Simulator Driver.

5. Within the <Extension> element, set the value of the reference attribute to that of the Edge Simulator Driver.

6. Within the <ParameterInsts> element, set the location of the simulator's input XML file.

7. Save edgeserver.xml and restart the Oracle Sensor Edge Server to instantiate the device.

2.2.2.1 Finding the IP Address of the Alien RFID Reader

By default, the Alien RFID reader uses DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) to get its IP address upon connection to the network. To discover the IP address without a DCHP server, use the RFID Gateway Demo software as follows:

1. Install the RFID Gateway Demo software.

   1. Run the setup.exe (on the Alien Technology CD).

   2. Select Install RFID Gateway Demo Software and follow the installation instructions. A folder called Alien RFID Gateway appears in the Programs folder of the Start menu.

2. When the RFID Gateway Demo Software is installed, use it to discover the IP address as follows:

   1. Start the Alien RFID software by selecting Alien RFID Gateway (located in the Alien RFID Gateway folder of the Start menu). Upon startup, the Alien RFID Gateway software scans the serial ports of the computer and the network and displays a list of the Alien RFID readers and their IP addresses in the window that appears. For example, a reader might be listed as Alien RFID Reader@144.25.171.209.

   2. Get the IP address of the Alien RFID Reader from the list. Using this address, you can configure the Alien RFID reader to the Web browser.

2.2.2.2 Connecting the Alien RFID Reader to a Web Browser

Because the Alien reader has a built-in Web Server, you can connect it to a Web browser by pointing the browser to the IP address of the Alien device, such as http://144.25.171.209. When prompted, enter a user name and password. Because the default settings should be correct, you can then create a device from the RFID reader, which is an instance of the device. For more information on creating devices, see Section 1.5.

2.2.2.3 Creating a Device for the Alien RFID Reader

To connect the Alien RFID reader to the Oracle Sensor Edge Server, you must create a device (that is, an instance of) the Alien RFID reader.

To create a device for the Alien RFID reader:

1. Locate the <DeviceGroup> to which to add the Alien RFID reader's device. If needed, add a new <DeviceGroup> element. For more information on the children of the <DeviceGroup>, refer to Section 1.2.4.

2. Add a new <Device> section for the Alien Device. (You can copy a <Device> section from an existing device to use as a template.

3. Set the name of the device within the <Name> tag.

4. Enter AlienDevice as the element content for the <DriverName> tag.

5. Within the <Extension> element, set the value of the reference attribute to that of the AlienDevice driver.

6. Within the <ParameterInsts> element, create the following <ParameterInst> elements as described in Section 1.2.4.1. Table 2-0 describes the element content for the <ParameterInst> elements for an Alien Reader device.

   Table 2-2 <ParameterInst> Elements for the Alien Reader Device

   <Name>	<ParameterMetaData>	<Value>
   IP Address	Enter the reference number for the extension reference that points to <Parameter> tag containing the IPAddress attribute.	Enter the hostname or IP address of the machine running the Device Controller as its element content. If the machine runs on the same machine as the Oracle Sensor Edge Server, enter 127.0.0.1
   PortNo	Enter the reference number for the extension reference that points to <Parameter> tag containing the Portno attribute.	Enter the port number used to communicate with the device (23 is the default).
   Username	Enter the reference number for the extension reference that points to <Parameter> tag containing the Username attribute.	Enter the access user of the Alien RFID reader.
   Password	Enter the reference number for the extension reference that points to <Parameter> tag containing the password attribute.	Enter the password for the Alien RFID reader
   AntennaSeqIDList	Enter the reference number for the extension reference that points to <Parameter> tag containing the AntennaSeqIDList attribute	Enter a list of identifiers to identify each antenna.
   AntennaMappedDeviceNameList	Enter the reference number for the extension reference that points to <Parameter> tag containing the AntennaMappedDeviceNameList attribute	Enter a list of mapped device names associated with each antenna.

   
   

7. Save edgeserver.xml and restart the Oracle Sensor Edge Server to instantiate the device.

2.2.3.1 Installing the IntelliTag IDK

To install the IDK and tools:

1. Connect the RFID reader to either a serial port, the PCMCIA slot of a PC, or a network segment. Connect a serial reader with a null modem (2/3 swap) cable. For more information, refer to the Intermec documentation.

2. Extract the content of the compressed file to a temporary directory, such as (c:\temp):ORACLE_HOME\edge\lib\IDK_Beta_4.0.1.tgz. (You can also download the latest version of the IDK from Intermec's Web site)

3. Install the IDK by running the install at C:\temp\setup.exe.

4. At the installer's first page, select Next.

5. In the Agreements page, read the license agreement and select Yes or No. Selecting No prevents you from proceeding.

6. On the next page, enter your name, the company name, and then select Anyone who uses this computer. Click Next.

7. Select a directory for the IDK. Use the default, if possible.

8. Select Typical for the setup type and then click Next.

9. Click Next to install the IDK and programs to the PC.

2.2.3.2 Registering the Serial and PCMCIA Readers

You must register devices for the Serial and PCMCIA readers. The following steps to register these devices to do not apply to Ethernet readers.

To register devices:

1. From the Start menu, select Intellitag IDK and then Device Registry Application.

2. Select the Register Readers tab. Be sure that the reader is connected.

3. Select an existing reader from the Select Reader drop-down list or enter the name of a new reader in the New Reader Name field and then click Register New Reader.

4. In the Port Name field, enter the name of the port that you use to connect to the reader.

Accept the default settings (unless you have changed the device).

2.2.3.3 Configuring Readers

Once you register a reader, you next configure it by editing the rfconfig.ini file. Open the rfconfig.ini file from the Start menu, select IntelliTag IDK and then rfconfig.ini. The file, which opens in Notepad is formatted as a standard Windows INI file. Each section of the file represents a new reader configuration, as illustrated by the [Reader_One] section in Example 2-8.

[Reader_One]
RFID_SWTT_FILE_NAME=C:\Program Files\Intermec\Intellitag IDK\swtt.ini
RFID_ATTR_TYPE=IT500 UAP Reader
IT500_PORT_TYPE=TCPIP
IT500_PORT_NUMBER=6543
IT500_CONNECT_TRIES=1
IT500_PORT_NAME=192.168.200.47
IT500_DEBUG_FILE_NAME="c:\IT500_Reader.log"
IT500_ANTENNA_TRIES=5
IT500_ANTENNAS=1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
IT500_READ_TRIES=5
IT500_WRITE_TRIES=5
IT500_INTERR_DEBUG=0
IT500_READER_DEBUG=0
dll_name=C:\Program Files\Intermec\Intellitag IDK\it500.dll
IT500_IDENTIFY_TRIES=1
IT500_INITIALIZATION_TRIES=1
IT500_SIM_TAGS=5
IT500_IDENTIFY_READ_END_ADDR=17
IT500_HARDWARE_TYPE_CHECK=0
IT500_AUTOID_TIMEOUT=20

Although you can rename [Reader One] to any name, note this name for future reference. Modify (or verify) the following settings for the rfconfig.ini file:

• IT500_PORT_TYPE

  This parameter tells the API the type of connection to use, such as TCPIP for a network reader or serial or PCMCIA reader.

• IT500_PORT_NAME

  If it is a serial or PCMCIA reader, this parameter sets the name of the reader that you registered (see Section 2.2.3.2). For network readers, this is the hostname or IP address of the reader.

• IT500_PORT_NUMBER

  This parameter specifies the TCP/IP port used to connect to the reader. The default setting is 6543. This parameter should only be defined for a network reader.

• IT500_ANTENNAS

  This is a mask for the antennae that are active and connected to the reader. The first digit corresponds to the first antenna. For example, if you have Antennas 1 and 3 connected to the reader and Antenna 1 is the first antenna, then set the parameter to IT500_ANTENNAS=1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0. For four antennae connected consecutively, set this parameter to T500_ANTENNAS=1 2 3 4 0 0 0 0.

  Save the Notepad file and then close it after you complete the configuration.

2.2.3.4 Testing the Readers

To test the reader using Intermec tools:

1. From the Programs folder of the Start menu, click Intellitag IDK and then RF Tag Map.

2. Click Select to select a reader configuration. A dialog box appears listing the configurations defined in the rfconfig.ini file.

3. Select a reader configuration and then click Select. The Open button is activated.

4. Click the Open button to connect to the device

5. If then reader is connected properly, then the buttons in the Tag Map section are enabled.

6. Click Start to start the reader.

7. Wave the sample tags in front of the antenna. The tag ID and payload should be read and appear on the screen.

2.2.3.5 Installing the Oracle Sensor Edge Server Device Controller

Install the Device Controller by extracting the ORACLE_HOME\edge\controller\deviceController.zip file into the C:\ directory. This extracts the Device Controller files into the C:\controller directory.

2.2.3.6 Starting the Oracle Sensor Edge Server Device Controller

To start the device controller:

1. Start a command-line console (cmd.exe)

2. Navigate to the C:\deviceController directory and then run the following command:

   startIntermec.bat <ReaderName> <Port>

   where <ReaderName> is the is the configuration name of the reader in the rfconfig.ini file and <Port> is the port on which the IntermecDevice driver listens so that it can communicate with this Device Controller.

   For example, to start the Device Controller for the reader called Penn_A at port 6666, run the following command:

   startIntermec.bat Penn_A 6666

   After the Device Controller for the reader starts, create a device from the IntermecDevice driver that enables the Oracle Sensor Edge Server to communicate to the reader through this Device Controller.

2.2.3.7 Configuring the Oracle Sensor Edge Server to Communication with the Device

You must create a device, an instance of the IntermecDriver driver, to enable the Oracle Sensor Edge Server to communicate with the Device Controller by editing the <DeviceGroups> element of edgeserver.xml (Example 2-9).

<DeviceGroups id="81">
    <DeviceGroup id="82">
      <DeviceList id="83">
         <Device id="84">
          <Name>Intermec Device</Name>
          <DriverName>IntermecDevice</DriverName>
       <Extension reference="35"/>
          <ParameterInsts id="85">
            <ParameterInst id="86">
              <Name>PortNo</Name>
              <ParameterMetaData reference="37"/>
              <Value>6666</Value>
            </ParameterInst>
            <ParameterInst id="87">
              <Name>IPAddress</Name>
              <ParameterMetaData reference="38"/>
              <Value>192.168.0.52</Value>
            </ParameterInst>
            <ParameterInst id="88">
              <Name>AntennaSeqIdList</Name>
              <ParameterMetaData reference="39"/>
              <Value>12000000</Value>
            </ParameterInst>
            <ParameterInst id="89">
              <Name>AntennaMappedDeviceNameList</Name>
             <ParameterMetaData reference="40"/>
              <Value>IT500_READER</Value>
            </ParameterInst>
          </ParameterInsts>
          <FilterInsts id="90"/>
        </Device>
      </DeviceList>
      <EventCollectWaitTime>500</EventCollectWaitTime>
      <FilterInsts id="91"/>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <IsSystem>true</IsSystem>
      <Name>Unassigned</Name>
    </DeviceGroup>
  </DeviceGroups>

To create a device:

1. Locate the <DeviceGroup> to which to add the device for the IntermecDevice reader. If needed, add a new <DeviceGroup> element. For more information on the children of the <DeviceGroup>, refer to .

2. Add a new <Device> section for the Intermec Device. (You can copy a <Device> section from an existing device to use as a template.

3. Set the name of the device within the <Name> tag.

4. Enter IntermecDevice as the element content for the <DriverName> tag.

5. Within the <Extension> element, set the value of the reference attribute to that of the IntermecDevice driver.

6. Within the <ParameterInsts> element, create the following <ParameterInst> elements as described in Section 1.2.4.1. Table 2-3 describes the element content for the <ParameterInst> elements for the device.

   Table 2-3 <ParameterInst> Elements for the Intermec Device Driver

   <Name>	<ParameterMetaData>	<Value>
   IP Address	Enter the reference number for the extension reference that points to <Parameter> tag containing the IPAddress attribute	Enter the hostname or IP address of the machine running the Device Controller as its element content. If the machine runs on the same machine as the Oracle Sensor Edge Server, enter 127.0.0.1.
   PortNo	Enter the reference number for the extension reference that points to <Parameter> tag containing the Portno attribute.	Enter the port number used to start the Device Controller (6666 is the default).
   AntennaSeqIDList	Enter the reference number for the extension reference that points to <Parameter> tag containing the AntennaSeqIDList attribute.	Enter a list of identifiers to identify each antenna.
   AntennaMappedDeviceNameList	Enter the reference number for the extension reference that points to <Parameter> tag containing the AntennaMappedDeviceNameList attribute.	Enter a list of mapped device names associated with each antenna.

   
   

7. Save edgeserver.xml and restart the Oracle Sensor Edge Server to instantiate the device. For more information on starting and stopping the Oracle Sensor Edge Server, refer to Section 1.3.

2.2.4.1 Installing the Patlite Hardware

To connect the Patlite device, you must have the following hardware:

• A free RS232C communication port

• A Female/Female, nine-pin RS232 cable with a straight-through pin type (such as a modem cable).

To set up the hardware:

1. Connect the lightstack to a power supply.

2. Connect one end of the serial cable to the lightstack.

3. Connect the other end of the serial cable to the serial port.

2.2.4.2 Configuring the Oracle Edge Server Device Controller for the Patlite Device

After you install the Device Controller (as described in Section 2.2.3.5), edit the deviceController/config/dcconfig.xml file as follows:

• Change the comName parameter to the com port that you are using.

• If the default port is currently in use on the local machine, change the value for lcPort to an available TCP/IP port number.

  In Example 2-10, the dcconfig.xml file uses COM3 as the value for comName and the default port of 7878 for the lcPort parameter.

  Example 2-10 Configuring the Com Port in dcconfig.xml

  <?xml version="1.0"?>
     <Configuration>
        <ConfigParam name="lcPort" value="7878" />
        <ConfigParam name="comName" value="COM3" />
     </Configuration>
  

2.2.4.3 Starting the Device Controller for the Patlite Device

To start the device controller:

1. Navigate to deviceController/deploy/win.

2. Run startLight.bat. A message similar to Example 2-10 appears.

   Example 2-11 Status Message

   C:\deviceController\deploy\win>startlight
   Local ip is: 144.25.168.146
   Establishing the listener at port:  [7878]...
   Waiting for connections...
   

After the Device Controller starts, you can enable communication between the Oracle Sensor Edge Server and the Device Controller for the Patlite device by creating a device from the Patlite Device driver.

2.2.4.4 Configuring the Oracle Sensor Edge Server to Communicate with the Device Controller

You must create a device, an instance of the Patlite Device driver, to enable the Oracle Sensor Edge Server to communicate with the Device Controller.

To create a device:

1. Locate the <DeviceGroup> to which to add the device for the Patlite driver. If needed, add a new <DeviceGroup> element. For more information on the children of the <DeviceGroup>, refer to Section 1.2.4.

2. Add a new <Device> section for the Patlite device. (You can copy a <Device> section from an existing device to use as a template.

3. Set the name of the device within the <Name> tag.

4. Enter PatliteDriver as the element content for the <DriverName> tag.

5. Within the <Extension> element, set the value of the reference attribute to that of the Patlite driver.

6. Within the <ParameterInsts> element, create the following <ParameterInst> elements as described in Section 1.2.4. Table 2-4 describes the element content for the <ParameterInst> elements for the device.

   Table 2-4 <ParameterInst> Elements for the Patlite Device

   <Name>	<ParameterMetaData>	<Value>
   IP Address	Enter the reference number for the extension reference that points to <Parameter> tag containing the IPAddress attribute.	Enter the hostname or IP address of the machine running the Device Controller as its element content.
   PortNo	Enter the reference number for the extension reference that points to <Parameter> tag containing the Portno attribute.	Enter the port number set in the dcconfig.ini file (7878 is the default)

   
   

7. Save edgeserver.xml and restart the Oracle Sensor Edge Server to instantiate the device. For more information on starting and stopping the Oracle Sensor Edge Server, refer to Section 1.3.