Slightly OT: Database for embedded loggers

Hi all,

I have a logging product where the data is downloaded serially over an  
RS232 or ethernet connection. Typically multiple units are connected on  
the same network and polled regularly for data by the customer's system.  
Now it has come time for me to create such system to do the polling and  
data storage, but I'm not sure where to start. My thoughts are to install  
an SQL compatible database for the data storage, write a custom piece of  
software to poll for data and put it in the database, and a web page with  
scripting for the user to access the data. I have read Borland Interbase  
would be good for the database, but is there any software anyone can  
recommend the other things? If someone has implemented a similar system in  
the past, please give me an idea of where to go from here, difficulties to  
watch for etc.

Thanks heaps
Ross
-- 
Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

On Monday, in article <op.svjxvhlabf8fka@chaos>
     acqua@spammytpg.com.au "Ross Marchant" wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>I have a logging product where the data is downloaded serially over an  
>RS232 or ethernet connection. Typically multiple units are connected on  
>the same network and polled regularly for data by the customer's system.  
>Now it has come time for me to create such system to do the polling and  
>data storage, but I'm not sure where to start. My thoughts are to install  
>an SQL compatible database for the data storage, write a custom piece of  
>software to poll for data and put it in the database, and a web page with  
>scripting for the user to access the data. I have read Borland Interbase  
>would be good for the database, but is there any software anyone can

Best of luck in using Borland, my last attempt was to ask them questions
and got a LATE reply, answering a DIFFERENT question, with a non-returnable
email address (except by going back to web site and issuing ANOTHER question).

That attitude of customers should be kept at ICBM range, stopped me using
any of their products for anything.
  
>recommend the other things? If someone has implemented a similar system in  
>the past, please give me an idea of where to go from here, difficulties to  
>watch for etc.
>
>Thanks heaps
>Ross

-- 
Paul Carpenter          | paul@pcserviceselectronics.co.uk
<http://www.pcserviceselectronics.co.uk/>    PC Services
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<http://www.badweb.org.uk/>             For those web sites you hate

"Ross Marchant" <acqua@spammytpg.com.au> wrote in message 
news:op.svjxvhlabf8fka@chaos...
> Hi all,
>
> I have a logging product where the data is downloaded serially over an 
> RS232 or ethernet connection. Typically multiple units are connected on 
> the same network and polled regularly for data by the customer's system. 
> Now it has come time for me to create such system to do the polling and 
> data storage, but I'm not sure where to start. My thoughts are to install 
> an SQL compatible database for the data storage, write a custom piece of 
> software to poll for data and put it in the database, and a web page with 
> scripting for the user to access the data. I have read Borland Interbase 
> would be good for the database, but is there any software anyone can 
> recommend the other things? If someone has implemented a similar system in 
> the past, please give me an idea of where to go from here, difficulties to 
> watch for etc.

Simple - MySQL (database) and PHP (scripting and web page generation). 
Marriage made in heaven. And a very pleasant experience. Versions available 
for *nix and *indows.

Yell if you need some help. PHP/MySQL is a combination that truly, truly, 
rocks.

Steve
http://www.fivetrees.com

"Steve at fivetrees" wrote:

> Simple - MySQL (database) and PHP (scripting and web page generation).
> Marriage made in heaven. And a very pleasant experience. Versions
available
> for *nix and *indows.
>

Thanks Steve. Got Apache2, MySQL and PHP5 all working together. I created a
database and can store the log files into it nicely. Easier than expected!
Now the next part will be to write the program to poll the units and store
the data in the database. MySQL comes with C libraries and header files so
it might not be all that bad.

Ross