Supravision Network Protocol

The original DOS Supravision main menu (circa 1980s and '90s)

Intro

This is a protocol that specifies how to communicate with the Supravision software using command and data files. While we are not allowed to publish (under non-disclosure) the specifics of the Supravision Network Protocol, we can describe its general principles of installation and use. (Note: Advanced Tubular technicians commonly call this the "SVNET" protocol. We pronounce it "Ess"-"Vee"-"Net.")

Design Purpose

This protocol is designed mainly for enabling bi-directional corrections loops with CNC bending machines. It can be used for importing MASTER data, but this was not the original intent of this protocol.

Network Connection

The protocol requires a standard network connection between the bender and the measuring center running Supravision. In many cases, e place our Benderlink software between Supravision and the bender that never has supported the SVNET protocol. The protocol requires that both computers have access to a shared folder over the network.

Typically the measuring center is used as the master controller of the connection. It typically initiates all RECALL and SEND requests between itself and the bender. This would make Supravision software the CLIENT. It is the one sending data and making requests. The bender is usually the SERVER because it "listens" (or monitors) for commands from Supravision.

WHY NOT USE BENDER AS CLIENTS: There are few customers that use the protocol in the opposite way. They make the bender the CLIENT and initiate all communications from the bender. We never recommend this method of communication, because I believe that the measuring center is the MASTER and should be asking for data only when it needs it. It should also only SEND data when it wants to correct the bender.

(In addition to this, there can be huge drags in SV performance when SV is monitoring for commands from benders. This problem occurs when the network connection is poor or lost. If any bender connections are ENABLED in Supravision, and the network is down, SV slows to a crawl because [i]Windows[/i] slows the Internet Protocol to crawl. I have advised Romer of this issue, and they may resolve the issue in there new DOCS software. Hopefully they will design the DOCS software so that it does not monitor for commands from the bender, except for when DOCS requests a RECALL of data.)

History

1 - The older versions of the DOS-based Supravision software did not support SVNET communications. It was a later addition by Foad Rekabi.

2 - Not all versions of Supravision that have the SVNET protocol feature [i]support it properly[i]. It is important that users check their version of Supravision to be sure that what they are using a version of Supravision that uses SVNET properly. This is true for early versions of the DOS and Windows versions of Supravision.

Versions to Use

Windows Version 5.00.0

DO NOT USE (Upgrade to another version) Problem: Causes the program to report "This program has performed an illegal function and will be shutdown" when it attempts to perform a Supravsion Network communication.

DOS Version 4.00.9398

DO NOT USE (Upgrade to another version) Note: No TIMEOUT Recognized for Supravision Network VR.EXE 364,080 05-22-98 12:19p vr.exe

DOS Version 3.58.9570

OK for Use (Use this version or HIGHER) Note: Older versions will not work properly or don't have the feature vr.exe 375KB 11/2/98 2:49PM