Overview |
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purpose is to connect a network of computers
that are running Somnologica and are connected
to an Embla through the serial port. The
picture below shows a typical scenario.
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Networking - low level |
For
a networked sleep lab two options are possible,
the computers may share a network with other
computers in the institute/company or they
may be set up on a separate network. When
shared on a network with other computers
the system manager of the network should
handle the setup of the network. The system
is independent on the networking protocols
used and whereas TCP/IP is the preferred
protocol, other protocols (such as IPX or
Netbeui) are equally acceptable.
For a separate network to be set up for
the sleep lab the network should be an Ethernet
network. This means that the computers are
connected in a star-like connection to an
Ethernet network hub or switch. The hub
typically supports 10 Mbps transfer speeds,
while a switch may support 100Mbps. As the
computers will be storing data locally (on
the hard disks) the speed of the network
is only of concern when archiving is being
done. A 10 Mbps network should be sufficient
for most cases.
The cabling should be CAT-5 TP, with a maximum
length from hub to computer of 90 meters. |
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Networking - high level |
For
a separate network the are two possibilities
of network configuration, either a domain
is set up or the computers are connected
in a workgroup. For a domain, one computer
must act as the Domain Controller and must
be set up with the Windows NT Server operating
system. This is a more expensive solution,
but gives added control of the network (user
rights, access rights etc.) In the workgroup
scenario all computers are set up with the
Windows NT Workgroup operating system. This
is a recommended solution for most cases.
The workgroup must have a name and all computers
must belong to the same workgroup. A typical
workgroup name is SLEEP, but the workgroup
name may also indicate the name of the clinic
(e.g. COOLLAB). Each computer must have
a unique name within the workgroup. This
name should be descriptive of the computer,
either its location or purpose. Examples
of names are SNORE1, ROOM4, REVIEW2, etc.
Keep workgroup and computer names short.
The picture below shows a computer wired
to the Medcare domain. |
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| The
computers should be set up with only the
TCP/IP network protocol only. Use static
IP addresses in the following range: 192.168.0.x,
where x can be any number from 1 to 255.
The addresses in this range (actually 192.168.x.y)
are permitted for local area networks, but
may not be seen on the internet. They are
therefore suggested when setting up internal
networks. Use 192.168.0.1 for the first
computer, 192.168.0.2 for the next and so
on. For all computers use the subnet mask
255.255.255.0 and no default gateway. |
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| Other
settings should be the Windows NT default
settings (DNS host name is the name of the
computer in the workgroup, no WINS servers
are specified and no ip forwarding in routing). |
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To
make sure that a computer is connected to
the network use the ping utility to try
to locate other computers. To run the ping
command first open a Command Prompt Window
(Start / Run / CMD) and then issue the following
command:
ping 192.168.0.3
if this number belongs to one of the other
computers. If the computer can be seen on
the network a reply will be displayed on
the screen, otherwise the request will time
out. |
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Access privileges |
| Regarding
access priviledges it is assumed that the
computers will not be used for anything
besides the recording, reviewing and reporting
of sleep or other measurements. It is therefore
suggested that all computers have the following
two users set up: |
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| User:
Administrator |
User:
sleepX |
| Password:
xxx |
Password:
yyy |
| Groups:
Administrators |
Groups:
Users |
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The Administrator is a default user in Windows
NT which has all rights on the computer.
If the setup of the computer needs to be
changed or a software needs to be installed
on the computer the Administrator must be
logged on. The Administrator user should
be given the same password on all the computers
in the workgroup.
A default user with user access (the name
'sleepX' is just a suggestion, could be
anything - X notes a number here, as sleep2)
must then be created on each computer. The
user should have a unique name, but have
the same password as the users on the other
computers. This way it is possible to give
one of the users special access, but it
also means that only one password needs
to be remembered. One option is to have
the username the same as the name of the
computer.
To set up users the User Manager software
must be opened. This is located in Start
/ Programs / Administrative Tools / User
Manager.
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Note
that when a new user is created the user
by default belongs to the Users group.
The users group must then be given full
access to the Recordings folder. This is
done by being logged on as Administrator,
right-clicking the Recordings folder, selecting
Properties, Security, Permissions and adding
Users to the list with Full Control access.
If the Security tab is not visible in the
Properties of the folder the file system
is most likely set up as FAT and this operation
must be cancelled (will most likely not
cause any problems).
It is then suggested that users log on using
the limited access (the Users group user)
when doing standard recordings and reviewing.
This will prevent them from deleting software
or modifying the computer in undesirable
ways. It is not recommended to allow all
users to log on as Administrators. |
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