User Guide

Practical Theory: Understanding Polling, Extraction and Backup
9-1
9. Understanding Polling, Extraction and Backup
This chapter explains how polling, extraction, and backup are implemented in Central, Local,
and Service computers running Access and SQL databases. A table summarizes the functions.
The terms status and data are used in this chapter as follows:
Status defined - A report of the normal and error conditions and alarm events for the strings
being monitored.
Data defined - Data (or string data, battery data) are the voltage float values, resistance
values, and discharge values acquired through testing.
The Extract function never deletes status from the monitor. Depending on computer type,
Extract may delete data from the monitor.
9.1. Types of Polling
Polling can be automatic or manual for computers using an Access or SQL database.
Polling defined - The process of having the BMDM program connect to the BDS or MPM
monitor and request present battery and monitor status. Polling may be done automatically.
Auto Polling via RS-232 or LAN (Continuous Polling) - The computer automatically
connects to one or more monitors and then continually polls each string in the database
sequentially. This continuous autopolling is done via network or RS-232 direct connection,
not via modem. The polling interval is adjustable.
Auto Polling via Modem - Autopolling via modem occurs one time per day. Each string is
polled, then autopolling ceases until the next day. This prevents having the telephone line
continuously in use.
Disable Auto Polling / Auto Answering - To allow auto polling or auto answering, do not
select this box on Communication Setup.
9.2. Extraction of Data
Extraction can be automatic or manual for computers using an Access or SQL database.
Status is never deleted using Extract.
Extraction defined - Extraction is the process of having the BMDM program connect to a
BDS or MPM monitor and transferring float, resistance, discharge, and alarm data from
monitor memory to the BMDM database. Depending on computer type, extraction may copy
or copy then remove the data from the monitor. Refer to the table in this chapter.
Manual Extraction - After BMDM to MPM or BDS connection, you may initiate manual
extraction by clicking of any of these buttons: View Resistance, View Intercell, View Current
Historical Alarms, View Discharge, Extract All, and History. You may also start manual
extraction by clicking the Extract All Data button or the Extract Data pop-up menu item
when enabled.
Auto Extraction - Enabled by checking the Auto Extract Data box on Communication Setup.
With auto extraction, data transfers from the monitor to the BMDM database one time a day,
at 10PM for a Local computer or at 12 midnight for a Central computer.