Systems that incorporate several devices located at remote sites present a big challenge to solution providers. This is particularly true for industrial applications that use several headless embedded computers distributed over a wide area. Although this type of computer is generally accessible from over the network, the existing remote management options present a rather clumsy solution for managing large numbers of embedded computers.
The Telnet/SSH Solution
Perhaps the most common method of managing embedded computers remotely over the network is to use Telnet/SSH. However, one of the main drawbacks to this type of management is that you can only connect to one embedded computer at a time. In addition, the administrator must actively type in the IP address of the embedded computer to establish the Telnet/SSH connection. It can be a real nightmare to keep track of which IP address is associated with which embedded computer.
The Command Line Solution
Another method of managing an embedded computer includes working from the command line. Although this can be done from over the network, most administrators find it difficult to remember all of the commands that are required to manage files and run programs. Script files that combine several commands in one text file can be used to automate the command line method, but this option can also be quite time-consuming for administrators that manage tens if not hundreds of machines.
Using MDM (Moxa Device Manager) to Manage Embedded Computers
Moxa Device Manager (MDM for short) is an easy-to-use remote management tool for managing Moxa's ready-to-run embedded computers over the Internet. Moxa's embedded computers make excellent front-end computers at remote sites for on-site data collection and industrial control applications. MDM is designed to make it easy for system administrators to manage their remote embedded computers. One of the key benefits of MDM is that management tasks, such as configuring the network, managing and/or transmitting text and binary files, and monitoring and controlling processes, can be handled easily using a Windows-based user interface. In addition, MDM can be used to manage different models of embedded computers, and embedded computers that use different operating systems, all from one centrally located computer. As long as the individual embedded computers are pre-installed with an MDM agent, they can be recognized and managed by the unified MDM tool from your PC. These features help ensure that MDM gives system integrators an efficient tool for handling all remote devices from one computer.
In addition to controlling heterogeneous computer systems, the traffic between the MDM tool and any of the MDM agents is encrypted. This feature protects data transmitted from the system. Users can comfortably manage the remote devices without worrying about the usual risks associated with transmitting data over a network.
The Benefits of MDM
Remote Control and Management
Supports all models of Moxa's embedded computers and Linux, WinCE, WinXPe operating systems
Control and monitor remote embedded units over the Internet
Broadcast search for Moxa embedded computers on the same LAN
Get instant device status
List basic information (IP, Model, Firmware version, OS, hostname, CPU, product image, memory information, and storage information) of all devices on the main page
Easy-to-use User Interface
User-friendly "click and operate" interface for remote device management
Friendly windows-based utilities for easy configuration
Command-line Free Configuration and Maintenance
Launch programs automatically when booting up
One-to-multiple file transfers
Perform remote file system management
Configure network interfaces
Monitor and kill processes
View detailed system information
Reboot devices
Upgrade firmware for multiple devices at one time
Update system time
How to Get MDM
Moxa Device Manager comes with MDM Agent, MDM Tool, and MDM Gateway. Users can download the Moxa Device Manager package from the "Support --> Software" page on Moxa's website.
