How to connect to the chromatography system

Introduction

A computer can have up to four chromatography systems connected at a time. This section describes how to connect to the systems, and different connection modes.

How to establish a connection

The table below describes how to connect a chromatography system that is locally connected to your computer.

Step

Action

1

Open a System Control module.

Note: Each UNICORN installation may have up to four System Control modules. The number of modules are selected when the software is installed.

2

  • Select the System:Connect menu command.

or

  • Click the Connect to system toolbar icon.

Result: The System Connect dialog box opens.

3

Select the system you want to connect.

4

Click OK.

Remote connections

Each computer workstation may have up to four chromatography systems connected locally. In a network installation you may connect a system that is physically connected to another computer, the local station. Your system is then a remote station.

The local station that is connected to the chromatography system must be logged on to the network and the UNICORN drivers must be running. However, the connection will work even if the UNICORN program is not running on the local station.

Network log on

Ensure that your workstation is logged on to the network before you start a chromatography system that is directly connected to the station. You can operate a local system without logging on to the network, but there are several disadvantages to this:

  • Files stored on network drives are not accessible.

  • Changes made to global files, e.g. user settings files, will apply only locally and will be lost the next time you log on to the network.

  • Result files that are directed to a network drive will be stored in the Failed folder on the local station.

Connection modes

Several workstations can connect to a single chromatography system at the same time but only one workstation can be in control mode. The other connections are in view mode and the connected workstations can only monitor the system activity, but not issue any commands.

The system status is indicated on the status bar at the bottom of the System Control window. The table below describes the different connection modes, the corresponding status texts and some of the various actions you can take to change the connection mode.

Connection mode

Status Text

Possible action to change connection mode

Not connected

 

Connect to a system.

Control mode.

 

Disconnect from or leave control of the system.

(The system is controlled by you.)

View mode

 

No connection possible.

(The system is controlled by another user.)

View mode

 

Click the Connect to system icon and supply a password.

(The system is locked by another user.)

View mode

 

Connect to the system.

(The system has been left unlocked.)

How to leave control of a system

The table below describes how to leave control of a system so that it is available to be controlled by other users.

Step

Action

1

  • Select System:Leave Control.

or

  • Click the Leave control of system icon.

Result: The Leave Control of system dialog box opens.

2

Click the radio buttons to select to leave the system unlocked or locked.

3

Enter a password (if the system is to be locked).

4

Click OK.

How to disconnect a system

The table below describes how to disconnect from a system.

Step

Action

1

  • Select System:Disconnect.

or

  • Click the Disconnect from system icon.

2

Result:

If the system is in view mode

  • the system is disconnected.

If the system is in control mode

  • the Leave Control of System dialog box opens.

3

Select to leave the system locked or unlocked.

4

Click OK.

Result: The system is disconnected.

How to disconnect when quitting

When you log off or quit from UNICORN you automatically disconnect all connected systems. A Leave Control of System dialog box will be opened for each system that was connected.

Note: If you disconnect from a system in control mode and re-connect to it, you may be connected in view mode. Another user may have taken control in the meantime.

How to view or print a system summary

You can view and print a total summary of a selected system from the System Table Summary dialog box.

The table below describes how to view and print an information summary of a selected systemthe systems:

Step

Action

1

Choose Administration:System Setup in the UNICORN Manager.

Result: The System Setup dialog box is displayed:

2

  • Select the system you want a summary of.

  • Click the Summary button.

Result: The System Table Summary dialog box is displayed:

3

  • Click the Print button to print the information.

  • Click the Close button to exit the dialog box.

2005-06-15