The core software system. It consists of a number of standard features that are described in the following sub-sections:

The Real Time Data Repository and Command Router is the software module that receives, stores, and distributes all the data associated with all the external equipment monitored and controlled by the CrystalVision System. Data is generally received from Equipment Drivers and distributed to UIs as well as the Logging and Trending Database. The Real Time Data Repository is designed for efficiency by minimizing message traffic between software modules as well as computers. The Command Router is designed for speed by allowing for prioritized message queues and other speed improvement algorithms.

The enhanced automation tools include a script processor and recorder that execute intelligent, editable scripts that contain a series of commands, queries, and conditional logic. An included rules-based processor is a tool that executes a script when certain device conditions occur. Scripts can also be used to send pages and email alerts as needed. Also included with these tools is a scheduler that executes scripts based on the date and time. The schedule can execute one time events or regularly recurring weekly events. The enhanced automation tools allow the system to be setup with hot button configuration macros or scripts. Hot button scripts can be executed on the Control Nodes or on the User Interface Clients allowing for the launching of third party applications.

The Configuration Manager allows each customer to manage the configuration of the control system. The Configuration Manager provides the ability to expand or modify the number of devices managed by the system. It provides the ability to add and remove equipment without affecting the current system and provides the means to revert to known good configurations. The Configuration Manager also provides reports to extract system configuration by Control Node, communication port, equipment type, etc. The Configuration database and system files are synchronized on a configurable periodic basis so that all critical data is available on each Control Node.

The Fault Tolerant Cluster Technology feature allows for one or more Control Nodes to take over processing and communication responsibility for one or more other Control Nodes. This feature provides the I:N protection against single or multiple failures. Backup Control Nodes (Spare Nodes) can be co-located or remotely located as long as there is a network connection between the two Control Nodes and the equipment to be controlled.

The Self Healing Communication Paths feature allows for 2 different communications channels to most devices. A faulty communication path is automatically detected and the corrective self-healing action is automatically initiated by the Crystal system. Additional serial converters, Ethernet switches, and cabling are required. This feature is intended for use with specific equipment, such as switches, where control is required regardless of whether primary or backup equipment is online.

Crystal's powerful and simple Security starts with defining operational levels. Each level is assigned a set of attributes of specific devices. The definition could be as broad as all devices and all attributes, or as narrow as a single attribute on a specific device. Once the administrator has defined the levels, the users are then added to the system. A user is granted access to one or more levels. Time limits can also be specified for each user, so that a user is automatically logged off after their shift is complete, or after a few minutes of inactivity. Another feature included with User Security is the concept of device ownership. When a user is logged on, they may take ownership of devices, and then only that user may control those devices. This feature can be very useful during diagnostic and maintenance periods. There are also ways to release ownership if the owning user forgets to relinquish control.

The Logging and Trending Database receives any new data that is made available to the Real Time Data Repository. Each device has a table in the database that contains a history of changes for each available attribute. Reports are created and recalled via a web browser. The database is MySQL and direct access is available via a number of third party applications. There are also time-stamped text log files that record events, alarms, and values as they change. These files are archived daily, weekly or monthly and can be removed to permanent storage as required. Since they are text files they can be opened in standard Office software applications, such as Word, Excel, and Access.

Remote access is available either through a customer-furnished VPN and/or a standard password-protected PPP dial-up connection.

The SNMP Agent with Trap Generation provides a means for the CRYSTALVISION System to communicate to an external NMS. The Trap Generator can be configured to define the types of events to that will generate traps to be received by specific managers.

The User Interface Client is a software application that provides a means for a user to monitor and control the equipment attached to the CRYSTALVISION System. The UI client has a hierarchical graphical interface that is easy to use, intuitive and designed to simplify system monitoring and operations. Every screen can be custom built or modified to fit the specific needs of each customer.

Device Control Properties (OCP) consists of device screens and any associated protocol translation modules which are required to control equipment.

Enterprise RAID Control Node An Enterprise RAID Control Node is a 2 unit rack-mounted system with hot-swappable RAID level I (mirroring) hard drives and dual hot-swappable power supplies (each with its own power entry module). The Control Nodes come with the QNX operating system and the CRYSTALVISION Enterprise System as well as the customer specific configurations. Enterprise Standard Node An Enterprise Standard Node is a I unit rack-mounted system with a single hard drive and a single power supply. The Standard Node is typically used for a User Interface Client and comes with either the QNX operating system or the Windows XP Professional operating system.