EsdTest Multiple Station help

The software will allow using multiple test stations with one computer, but it is not recommended.  Reasons for using one computer with every test station include:
Having a computer and monitor at every station is recommended because the employee can instantly see if his/her card has been accepted and what the results of the test are. 
The animation graphics are fairly easy to understand by people of any language, and there are multiple languages available available. 
The system will record data even if the network is disabled. 
Most companies have extra obsolete computers that will work in this application, so computer cost is not an issue. The cost of a new computer and monitor, laptop, or tablet is less than $300 total (e.g. Dell).

However, if multiple test stations are required to run on one computer, then the following is required:
1. The card readers (card scanners) must have an RS232 output.
2. Each combo meter and each card reader require an RS232 cable back to the computer.
3. The stations should be located within 100 of the computer (although 200 seems to work if the card readers are transmitting at low speed 9600 baud)
4. The computer should be a Pentium preferably with Microsoft XP, although 98 and 2000 should work.
5. The computer needs a PCI com port card with two com ports for each station. A typical 6 port card requires a PCI card slot for the card (which has 2 RS232 connectors on it), and two more back panel slots for the four additional RS232ports (two per slot).  RS232-Ethernet converters may also be used, but can have problems if the network ever fails.  USB to RS232 converters are not recommended due to the cable distance driving issues.  If you have to add one USB to RS232 converter, use it for the card reader, not the combo meter.
6. Once the PCI com port card is installed, install its drivers  you might have to install a driver for each added com port.  Once they are installed, the Microsoft Hardware Device Manager should be used to check that each com port is functional.  Next, a com port testing program (such as two Hyper Terminal windows and a null modem) should be used to determine which com port number was assigned to which RS232 connector (on the PC rear panel), and the connectors should be labeled.  Once the com ports have been labeled and verified, then proceed with the EsdTest software setup.

EsdTest program multiple station setup
A. Open the EsdTest program
B. Click on Setup
C. Click on Multiple Reader Configuration
D. Enter the number of stations that will be connected to the computer (a station is one tester and one card reader).  This must be set to 2 or more, or the program will default to the single station mode.  To run with only a single remote station, set this number to 2, and set up a second station with the status of that station set to Inactive.
E. Enter the Station name in the first column.  This will be the name that is displayed in the status logs.  An example would be Station 1, or Tester 1 or East Entrance, etc.
F. Enter the com port number that the card reader for that station is connected to.  This will be a number 1  99 that you set up in step 6 above.
G. Enter the com port number that the combo meter for that station is connected to.  This will be a number 1  99 that you set up in step 6 above.  If this station is an Exit Only station, then leave blank or set to 0.
H. Enter an A if the station is active (on line) or enter an I if the station is inactive (off line)
I. If this is an Exit Only station and there is a separate remote relay box at this station (not included in the tester) then enter the comport number.  Otherwise leave blank.  
J. If there is a separate remote relay box at this station then enter the relay number of the remote relay box to activate, since there are more than one relay per box.  Otherwise leave blank or set to 0.  
K. If there is a separate remote relay box at this station then enter the relay latching (door open) time is seconds (1-59).
L. Repeat steps E-H for each station.
M. If an RS232- Ethernet converter is used, then the converter virtual com port may close if an Ethernet network failure occurs.  In this case a number from 10-60 seconds can be entered into the Port status check interval.  The EsdTest program will then check the com port periodically to ensure that it is still open, and will reopen it if it is closed.
N. Click OK when finished


EsdTest Card Reader Set up
O. Click on Setup
P. Click on Employee Selection Configuration
Q. Select the type of card reader
R. Click on Edit Reader Parameters
S. Select the Characters to use ALL setting unless you only want a specific field
T. The com port number will be ignored
U. Select OK
V. Select OK

Employee Information
W. The employee badge number must be more than 1 character long


Operation
When more than one station is entered into the Multiple Reader Configuration window, the software will enter the multiple station display mode.  There are two display panes.  The upper pane shows the present status of each station, and the lower pane shows the accumulated test log results.

