Just My Blogs

noreply@blogger.com (Bloggerben) — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 02:14:00 +0000

Once I got netduino pushing to starfish I installed MySQL and wrote a PHP script to strip the two temperature readings from the CSV and load into a MySQL database.

For now the netduino plus 2 controller is pushing data every ten minutes which is then loaded into the database automatically eventually providing a mechanism for remote access of the data via SOAP server and WSDL.

The MySql database is named "netduino" with a table named "Temperature".

I have added three parameters to the table, "stamp", "type", and "value". The stamp variable is type TIMESTAMP meaning it will automatically be generated by mysql when the record is inserted. The type variable is a string to contain the name of the measurement i.e. "Temperature01" and the value variable is a float which holds the actual measurement value.

I have had this running continuously since yesterday so I have accumulated a few readings in the database.

Next step is to install a PHP SOAP protocol server that will serve up the two measurements via XML object that can be parsed and displayed on the project page of www.charlesbvance.com

As soon as the circuit boards I have ordered arrive I will assemble the Thermocouple amplifiers and hopefully begin logging actual temperatures instead of meaningless voltage values.

noreply@blogger.com (Bloggerben) — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 03:51:00 +0000

I stayed up way to late last night becoming engaged in working through some of the strategies for protocols available to communicate the micro controller generated measurements into the cloud. I made inroads with the communications aspects although I have not settled on anything final at this stage of development and testing. I did choose what I consider to be an awesome platform for cloud computing, the Digital Ocean. In less than a minute a VPS server, called a "droplet" is instantiated and ready to go with full root access and your choice of linux based operating systems for only 5 bucks a month.

In keeping with the motif of the "digital ocean" I named my first "droplet" in the ocean Starfish.

I quickly installed Apache 2.2 web server, PHP 5 and MySQL with the idea that the data points transmitted will be stored in the database for later retrieval. For now I am pushing a small two data point CSV file to Starfish via Apache web services. I didn't realize that simple HTTP 1.0 PUT methods are not allowed by Apache which caused a fairly substantial detour while I sorted that issue out. I wanted to stay with the simple PUT method because of the lack of overhead required on board the micro controller.

Apache however was a bit uncooperative dutifully rejecting any requests to place the CSV file on Starfish via the non secure PUT transaction. After a few Google searches I found the work around, basically adding a script line in the Apache configuration file to route the illegal request to a PHP script for processing. Using the PHP script ensures that the request is processed successfully and the CSV file is permitetd to be written to the desired location. Security via API keys or other encryption methods can be incorporated into the PHP method handler.

Unfortunately this configuration is only going to be good for a small number of data points and additional error handling code will be needed to address data drops and pauses, I am going to be taking a look at SOAP protocol in order to accept larger more reliable XML data transfers.

Netduino in the cloud

noreply@blogger.com (Bloggerben) — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 03:09:00 +0000

The Netduino is writing two data points to the Xively cloud. Next I need to build a thermocouple op amp to input a couple of actual temperatures to the Netduino so the Xively feed will be an actual measurement instead of just static voltage readings.

Next step is to read the measurements from the cloud and show them on a webpage.

noreply@blogger.com (Bloggerben) — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 04:06:00 +0000

I am working on an interesting new technology based on connecting small low cost controllers to the internet. There are many different types of devices capable of communicating with the internet including Arduino and Netduino but I have chosen the Netduino since it can be programmed using C# and the Dot Net Framework.

C# is the extensibility language of Archestra System Paltform so any knowledge I gain can be transferred to system platform implementations. Perhaps this is the vehicle for process and other manufacturing information to be collected and disseminated via secure connections in the cloud.

Need to know how many widgets were made on line X today? Just check your secure corporate webpage containing all of the relevant process or manufacturing cell information needed.

Trouble brewing? The system can report potential issues along with diagnostic information to designated experts via email, text message or other internet connected media pathways.

I see the possibilities as limitless, 100 bucks gets you a few analog inputs, a few digital outputs a few digital inputs, a connection to the internet and local data logging to an SD chip.

Changes

noreply@blogger.com (Bloggerben) — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 14:30:00 +0000

I really should be more faithful to this blog, instead I seem to be sporadic at best. No excuses, I will commit to be more regular in the future. The motivation for this blog are changes, a new job and a new academic beginning. On Monday I will start my new job as Senior Systems Specialist with ENGlobal tasked with programming and commissioning pump station controls for the Caspian Pipeline Consortium project in Russia and Kazakhstan. The assignment should prove both challenging and interesting requiring trips to that part of the world, I will keep you posted.

The other change is my acceptance into the Sam Houston State University Graduate School. I will be pursuing a master degree in Information Assurance and Security.

From the University website the description for the degree is:
"The Master of Science in Information Assurance and Security degree prepares students for professional careers in commercial, industrial and governmental information assurance. Graduates of the program will utilize knowledge and methods to insure the protection of corporate information resources. Graduates will be able to effectively harden and secure network systems, prevent network damage, perform risk assessment and plan for disaster recovery. This degree is accessible to students who have completed undergraduate Computer Science or Management Information Systems majors or minors and to those with baccalaureate degrees in related technical fields and appropriate professional experience. "

noreply@blogger.com (Bloggerben) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 03:07:00 +0000

Thirty years ago computer networking was still in its infancy, the internet was a dark and wild place where only the bravest men of science dared to tread. There was no America Online or Google, only Internet Relay Chats and a funny little program called "mosaic" that could unravel the cryptic addresses of the maze of computers if you were smart enough to understand the numerology of what would one day become the world wide web. It wasn't until the 1990's when Al Gore invented the information super highway that things really took off and millions of computers came online. It wasn't until after the government built the superhighway through the wilderness that the AOL's and the Ebay's became possible, and with the flow of cash came the fraudsters and the black hat hackers seeking to steal whatever wasn't tied down. Today the World Wide Web is a very sophisticated place where the zombie bot nets will rob you blind and decimate your systems if you do not protect yourself. Mere firewalls alone will not do it, security must be a full court press of a myriad of techniques and strategies, our applications must have security built in not bolted on if we are going to be protected from the cyber war that rages on the other side of our keyboard.

The future is now, everything is streaming into the cloud, that nebulous ether world where bits and bytes combine and entwine, where the stealthy and the dark seek to plunder by stealing our most sensitive information. The predators of this age are armed with encrypted malware designed to inject itself into our systems infecting and duplicating its vile intentions into the most vulnerable parts of the user application converting our systems into mindless armies obeying the will of an evil and faceless task master.

In order to survive businesses must have a full suite of security oriented strategies in place to detect and thwart attacks before they occur.

noreply@blogger.com (Bloggerben) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:01:00 +0000

Rounding out the final weeks of this session, N-Tier Web Applications, the Senior Capstone and Cyber-Warfare. All very interesting and challenging topics I especially have enjoyed the cyber warfare class learning all about the Russian Business Network, a nefarious group of hackers paying top black hats big bucks for the next zero-day exploit and the sinister "Kremlin" connection. We all must be very aware of what we place on the web since there are many ways that our personal information can be exploited and used to hurt us.

This week I experienced first hand the horrors of losing important personal information when I dropped my wallet in the theater never to be seen again, I only wish the thieves that found it would have simply taken the cash and dropped the wallet off at the lost and found instead I was forced to endure the agony of changing bank accounts, credit cards, and witnessing scenes from deliverance first hand while slogging though the line at our local government office to receive my replacement driver's license.

Ah, well that is behind me now and Life Lock has a new member...good stuff.

noreply@blogger.com (Bloggerben) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:41:00 +0000

Haven't done this in a while. I am hitting the mid term of my first eight weeks of my last semester, whew! That means in a few short months I will have completed the requirements for the bachelor degree in Computer Science. I am currently updating my e-folio as part of the Senior Capstone CIS490.

Week 3 of Web Developement II

noreply@blogger.com (Bloggerben) — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 15:45:00 +0000

Just completing week 2 of Web Development II, this week we learned to use JavaScript. I implemented a couple of simple Date Time functions in addition to completing a couple of exercises. These can be found at the Project/JavaScript page of this site.

I found JavaScript syntax to be arcane and overly complicated, I still prefer to use C# as my code behind the web pages. While I have studied other computer languages, Pascal, C++, Java, JavaScript, PHP, Python, etc. I still prefer C# as my language of choice, perhaps it's all the time I have invested as a Microsoft Windows developer rather than a linux/unix developer.

ASP NET

noreply@blogger.com (Bloggerben) — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 04:25:00 +0000

Starting the capstone project for completion of the web development series of classes. I am not much of a web developer, I prefer C# over HTML and ASPX but web development is a reality in business whether placing a metric or offering an html report via RSS or email its important information to understand. However, this is somewhat painful to learn.

Hello! Welcome to My Personal Assistant Site

noreply@blogger.com (Bloggerben) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 02:21:00 +0000

This is the first blog I have made for my new personal website. I find web development classes challenging and interesting. I'm looking forward to completing the requirements for my BSCS degree.