connecting to a remote device via an ip address

[jalbao]

hey cfers - this might be a fun one for some of you.

i am attemting to connect to an electronic device that 1. has an ip address and 2. can spit out ascii code.

problem: i would like to use coldfusion to connect to this device over the internet and read the data (ascii) that is on the device.

does anyone know if coldfusion has the ability to do this?

btw: i've tried using the <cfhttp> tag, but then i finally realized that the device that i'm trying to connect to is not http server.

who ever can figure this one out kicks a**!

 

[GunJack]

The answer is yes but how depends on the electronic device. I assume you send it commands to a specific port and it will send out ascii data depending on what you send. If you have the specifics of it's &quot;language&quot; and what port it listens on, I can tell you how to do it.

GJ

 

[Guest_imported]

thanks for the reply GunJack - my device is written in c, but communicates w/ other devices via comma delimited strings that are ascii.
the port number is 3001

 

[GunJack]

Do you have any control over the structure of the comma delimited strings that control communication? Iow, can you make changes to the syntax of these ascii messages? If so, I can tell you how to modify them to work with <cfhttp>. If this isn't possible, there is another way that involves a little more coding.

GJ

 

[jalbao]

i do not have control of the comma delimited strings.
i have no problem with extra code

 

[GunJack]

In this case, you'll need to code something in raw TCP/IP to connect to the IP on port 3001, send an appropriate ascii string, and then retrieve the results. The easiest way for something simple like this would be to use VB and the MS Internet Transfer Control. Once you have it working in VB, just compile it as an OCX, register it on the server, and then call it via <cfobject>. I've done all of this independently on various projects and each part is not that difficult. Just let me know which steps you need help with.

GJ

 

[jalbao]

great GunJack - it may take me a coupla days to get to that point, but i sure appreciate your input -

it's people like you that make this place happen

thanks

 

[GunJack]

glad to help,

GJ