Specifications

2 ExtroNews 14.1 January – March 2003
Introducing the IPL T S2 (cont.)
attached serial device, including projectors,
cameras, and displays.
A Better Way
Ultimately, the IPL T S2 allows A/V
professionals to build smarter systems. It’s
an inexpensive way to reduce equipment
downtime, lower maintenance costs
through preventive service, and help
manage devices via a corporate LAN or the
Internet. A/V professionals and their
customers benefit by having more flexibility
and upgradeability, even over long
distances.
So, in the example above, a technician
can access, monitor, and troubleshoot the
school’s A/V equipment from one location
on campus. Via a Web browser, the
technician can program the IPL T S2 to track
the projector’s lamp life and generate an e-
mail alert at 1800 hours, well before its life
maximum of 2000 hours. The e-mail alert
can be received by a computer, cell phone,
PDA, or pager. The technician can then
order and replace the new lamp before the
existing one burns out. In addition, all
systems can be scheduled to power on or
off at pre-determined times, and each
device can be automatically monitored for
its connection to the LAN. As a result,
equipment is proactively serviced and
downtime is minimized, a technician knows
the status of all devices at any time, utility
expenses are reduced, and the end-user is
highly satisfied. Most importantly, this end-
user can focus on their core competency:
education.
Web Server and Customizable
Web Pages
The Extron IPL T S2 is part of a growing
family of IP Tools
™
, a new series of
products that provides remote monitoring,
control, maintenance, and status of A/V
devices through Ethernet. The IPL T S2 uses
Extron’s exclusive IP Link
™
technology,
which is specifically engineered to meet
the needs of professional A/V
environments. IP Link technology enables
serially controlled (RS-232/422/485)
products to be connected to Ethernet, and
it has already been built into many Extron
products, including the Matrix 12800, the
ISS series of seamless switchers, CrossPoint
Plus, and the ISM series of matrix
switchers.
The IPL T S2 contains an integrated,
high-performance Web server with 1.5 MB
of Flash memory for storing HTML files,
JavaScript, Flash animation, and graphics.
Customizable Web pages can be created
and stored using off-the-shelf programs,
such as Macromedia Dreamweaver or
Microsoft
®
FrontPage. A/V professionals
can populate the pages with their own
brand name, logo, and marketing
message, and design how the alert data
can be displayed, such as a bar graph, pie
chart, or colored on/off buttons.
Customizing allows A/V design and
integration firms to differentiate
themselves from the competition – they’re
not confined to a standard look and feel.
IP Link Configuration Software
The IPL T S2 ships with Windows
®
-based
configuration utility software. The software
allows you to identify which A/V products
are connected to each IPL T S2 in the
system. The user can then configure these
products for control through the IP Link
Global Viewer interface. Drivers for a
variety of projectors and a number of
Extron A/V products will be available for
download from the Extron Web site
(www.extron.com).
IP Link Global Viewer Software
Once the
products are
identified and
configured, the
user can view
the entire A/V
system status via a Web browser using the
supplied Global Viewer
™
Software. Each
Ethernet-enabled product will have a
unique IP address with links tied in through
the Global Viewer device list on the left
hand side of the screen. The user simply
clicks on an icon representing the chosen
device in the system. The following three
tabs enable the user to access, control, and
monitor the A/V equipment connected to
the IPL T S2:
• Control – Within a simulated interface,
the user is able to view and manipulate
such basic functions as volume, mute, video
inputs, power, and more.
• Monitor – The user can view all the
status functions of a product and configure
alerts as needed. Or, the user can poll the
lamp hours of a connected projector at
regular intervals. When lamp hours reach a
pre-determined number, the IPL T S2 sends
a message via e-mail to the user indicating
the lamp needs to be replaced.
• Schedule – The user can set
up schedules for troubleshooting and
monitoring. For example, a user can
schedule the power to shut off at a
specific time.
Proactive Service and Security
Proactive service, support, and
preventive maintenance are also possible
with the IPL T S2. For secure installations
that do not allow Internet access, online
monitoring can still be performed using the
Global Viewer. Within an existing, secure
LAN infrastructure, e-mail notification of
failures and repairs is possible without
compromising the security of the A/V
system and facility.
A/V professionals and their customers
can also be assured the product is secure
on a network. Security is incorporated in
two levels of password protection: limited
access and complete access. Limited access
allows users to control only pre-designated
functions, while complete access gives
administrators full functionality. For
additional security, the products may be
placed behind a firewall.
FEATURED PRODUCT