User`s manual

EM1500 User’s Manual www.rabbit.com 71
5.2 Differences between Configuration Methods
There are four significant differences between using the web browser for configuration and using the
stand-alone program.
1. A web browser requires you to know a valid IP address for the EM1500 before it can be contacted. The
stand-alone program can make contact with an EM1500 on its same LAN prior to an IP address being
assigned to the unit.
2. The “Secure config” option on the “General” tab of the stand-alone program is not available when
using the web browser. The ability to enable/disable encryption of the configuration data using a
browser would make the unit vulnerable to tampering.
3. Along the same lines as #2, the setting of a login name and password can be done from the stand-alone
program only.
4. Multiple units may be configured during one session with the stand-alone program. A web browser may
only point to one unit at a time. Of course, you can always open multiple browsers
Beyond the fact that you submit an HTML form via HTTP when using a web browser for configuration, as
opposed to the stand-alone program’s more direct method of sending a configuration packet via TCP, the
other differences between the two configuration methods are mainly cosmetic.
The status/debug area of the stand-alone program is always visible on the left-side of the program window.
When using a web browser, you must click on “Connections” to access the HTML form containing the
equivalent status and control buttons.
To the left of “Connections” is a link labeled, “About.” This displays some information about the
EM1500, including its MAC address.