Controlling Devices from the Control Panel
Connecting a Control Panel to a Chromatography Device

When you open a Control Panel, it is automatically connected to the assigned Timebase, i.e., to the chromatography devices in this timebase. You can modify the timebase assignment any time:

• Open a control panel. Select Connect to Timebase on the Control menu.

The Timebase field on the left reports the name of the currently selected timebase, the Computer field reports the name of the computer on which the corresponding Server is running, and the Protocol field reports the used communication protocol. The list box on the right shows an icon for the local computer (My Computer). If the computer is connected to a network, an icon for the network neighborhood appears, also (see Chromatography Components: Hardware and Software  Network Installation.)

• Click the Plus sign (+) beside an icon to display the items underneath.

• If the server is running, all timebases configured for the local server are listed under My Computer. If the server is not active, the entry is The server is not running.

• All PCs available on the network are listed under Network Neighborhood. Click the "+" sign beside a computer name to display the Chromeleon servers underneath. If there is no active Chromeleon server, the entry is Server not found.

• Select a timebase and click OK to confirm your selection. The name of the timebase is automatically written to the Timebase field on the left.

• If you want to connect to a different timebase whenever you open the control panel, delete the entry in the Timebase field. The panel is no longer assigned to a specific timebase and the message stating that the former timebase is not found does not appear.

• Click OK to have Chromeleon connect the control panel to the selected timebase. If the connection is successful, you can control the connected instruments, using the control elements on the control panel.

 Tip: 

If you want to connect automatically to the currently timebase when you reopen the control panel later, save the panel with the current timebase assignment.

Problems when Connecting to a Timebase

It depends on the selected network protocol whether a non-local server is displayed or can be accessed. The system needs several seconds to check whether the selected protocol can be used. If the connection to a specific timebase is not successful, this can be due to several reasons.

• First, check whether the corresponding server is running.

• If the server is running, try a different network protocol. Chromeleon can communicate via various network protocols, such as IPX, TCP/IP, or NetBEUI.

 Tips:

Communication between two stations requires that the same network protocol is installed and selected on both stations. It is usually sufficient to install the corresponding network protocols: click Settings > Control Panel > Network and Dial-up Connections > Local Area Connection, and then select Properties on the context menu.

Usually, the connection is successful when the TCP/IP or Named Pipes protocol is used. However, the current network installation determines which protocol should be used. Please contact your network administrator.

• It may happen that the required timebase exists (Server is running) but that it is not displayed. In this case, return to the Connect to Timebase dialog box. The timebase is usually displayed then. 
  This may also happen when you connect two computers using an ISDN connection. Usually, the reason is that the network installation is not 100 per cent correct.

• If you use an IPX/SPX compatible protocol, verify that NWLink IPS/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocols is installed and that the check box is selected. To check this, click Settings > Control Panel > Network and Dial-up Connections > Configuration and select Properties on the context menu. If necessary, install the protocol via the Install button.

If the connection is still not successful, contact Dionex Service.

Problems when Controlling Instruments

In addition to the control mode, Chromeleon also provides a Monitor Only mode. If you connect to a timebase that is only available on a network, you can only monitor this timebase.

The Monitor Only status is also assigned when you attempt to access a local timebase that is currently controlled by an external user.

• Deselect Monitor Only on the Control menu to enable complete control over the timebase.