The Houston Server software provides two-way interaction between HA software client applications and satellite cable network.

HS software connects to the satellite cable network using one of the supported adapters (CANverter, DTA-CAN), connects to one or more HA software client applications through a TCP/IP network protocol.

HS software is designed to handle a significantly larger amount of data than HA software, and operates regardless of the availability of network connections and the availability of HA software clients. HS software continues to receive data from the satellite cable bus and save it in its own message log file in case of HA software client malfunction. After reconnecting to HS software, the HA software client can continue to work with satellite.

The performance of HS software can be affected by the large number of connected HA software, therefore it is recommended to limit the maximum number of connections: for networks with high latency (WiFi, Internet) - two HA software clients, for Ethernet 100/1000 Mbit networks - no more than four HA software. It is recommended to avoid sending commands to the satellite from several HA software, as this can lead to unpredictable results due to possible inconsistency in the actions of HA software users.

Two connection schemes are used for HA software.

In the first connection scheme for HA software:

• first workstation of HA software - a dispatcher user with the right to generate and send commands;
• the second workstation of HA software is a user-observer without the right to form and send commands. Is a «hot reserve» dispatcher.

Both HA software can run simultaneously and receive data, but only the dispatcher user sends commands. In the event of a failure of the HA software of the dispatcher user, the user of the «hot reserve» takes control until the failure is eliminated.

In the second scheme of connections for HA software:

• first workstation of HA software - a dispatcher user with the right to form and send commands;
• there may be several simultaneously working observer users, one of which is the dispatcher’s «hot reserve».

The main menu of HS software is shown in the figure.

The top line displays the HS software version number.

The Server info panel displays following information:

• date and time of HS software launch (Started at);
• COM-port status; communication channel with satellite equipment (HW status);
• number of messages received from satellite;
• number of received bytes of information (received (bytes));
• number of messages sent to the satellite (Transmitted messages to satellite);
• number of bytes of information transmitted (Transmitted (bytes));
• size of the read buffer (Read buffer (bytes));
• number of messages that were sent to the server over the CAN bus (CAN Rx).

There are «Connect», «About» and «Config» buttons on the «Server info» panel.

For a USB connection, the Interface parameter in the configuration file must be set to usbtin.

If the device is connected, the server establishes the connection automatically, if several devices are connected, a message will appear with the choice of the device to connect to.

The About button opens the information window about Houston CC SP.

The Ok button closes the information window. About Qt button opens the Qt development environment information window.

The Ok button closes the information window.

The «Config» button opens the settings window «Parameters».

The Name column displays parameter names that cannot be edited.

The Value column displays parameter values that can be changed by the user.

To change, select the appropriate cell in the table with the mouse and enter a new value from the keyboard.

The Description column displays parameter descriptions that cannot be edited.

By pressing the «Ok» button, the entered parameter values are saved and the «Parameters» window is closed.

The «Cancel» button closes the «Parameters» window without saving parameter values.

The panel displays the following information about system messages:

• date and time of the message;
• message type – Info, Critical, Warning, Debug;
• message content.

Info messages are informational and do not require any action from the user. Critical messages require analysis and elimination of the causes of an emergency. Debug messages are generated only during the debug phase of HS software.

The panel displays the following information about the status of HA software clients with whom information is exchanged:

• HA software client name (Name);
• HA software client IP-address client (Address);
• HA software client status (Status);
• HA software date of connection with the client (Connected);
• HA software ID of the connected client (ID).

Houston Server allows multiple client connection via specified TCP port. The TCP port number is set up by a server parameter «TCP port». A single TCP packet may contain multiple messages.

The TCP message datagram format is described below.

1) Message type : UCD_MSGTYPE_TO_SAT.

This message type is sent by Client application connected to Server port, to transfer UNICAN message to satellite.

2) Message type : UCD_MSGTYPE_APP_INFO.

This message type is sent by Client application connected to Server port after establishing a connection.

3) Message type : UCD_MSGTYPE_FROM_SAT.

This message type is sent by Server to all connected Сlient application as a response to all processed UNICAN messages.

4) Message type : UCD_MSGTYPE_SRV_INFO.

This message type is sent by Server to Сlient application as a response to UCD_MSGTYPE_APP_INFO message type.

5) Message type : UCD_MSGTYPE_SRV_STAT.

This message type is sent by Server to Сlient application as a response to UCD_MSGTYPE_APP_INFO message type.