NX Server
Example Application
Dynalab Test Systems
Overview
This document is based on the below example real-life production scenario. Starting with a new NX
Server installation, follow this document, section-by-section, to learn the key elements of the NX Server.
See the “NX Server - User's Guide” for detailed instructions for each of the steps.
Audi-Cell (Group)
NX Server
S5-AU-444-XX SN = 1000
||| | ||| Programs
|||| |||
Only searches Audi
Tester Substring Settings Audi folder
1st Character = 4
[Link]
Maximum Characters = 6
[Link]
[Link]
Ford-Cell (Group)
FOR-A71 SN = 2000 Ford
||| | |||
|||| |||
[Link]
FOR-A71
Only searches
SN = 3000
Ford folder FOR-A72
FOR-A73
[Link]
Tester Substring Settings (Default) FOR-C81
1st Character = 1
Maximum Characters = 40 FOR-C82
FOR-C83
Folder Program Part Bar Code Tester Report
File Number Value Substring Connection Data
Settings
Audi AU- - S5-AU- No
1st Char = 4,
AU- - S5-AU- Max Chars = Yes
6
AU- - S5-AU- Yes, Only
Ford FOR- FOR- FOR-A71 No
[Link] 1st Char = 1,
FOR- FOR-A72 Max Chars = No
40 (default
FOR- FOR-A73 No
settings)
FOR- FOR- FOR-C81 No
[Link]
FOR- FOR-C82 No
FOR- FOR-C83 No
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 1
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
NX Tester Setup
Unit ID
In the NX Tester Configuration Menu, select ID and set the three testers to 1000, 2000 and 3000. This
will allow an association between the actual testers and the information being presented on the NX Server.
CONFIGURATION ADJUST TESTER ID
VOLUME LANGUAGE 1000
CLOCK SERIAL
>ID MORE…
One File Mode
When a NX Tester is connected to a NX Server it is recommended to only allow one program to be
resident in the tester (versus the default mode of multiple programs). Since the NX Tester will always
download the latest revision program file from the NX Server, there is no need to keep previous revisions
on the tester. It will also assure that the memory does not get full of unwanted program files.
In the NX Tester Restrictions Menu, select File Mode, then “One File”.
RESTRICTIONS FILE MODE
FILE SELECTION MULTIPLE FILES
>FILE MODE >*ONE FILE
RUN ACCESS ONE-DELETE ON END
Substring Setting
In this application scenario, the bar code value for Audi harnesses does not exactly match the program file
name (it contains a prefix of “S5-“ and a suffix of “-XX”), and the part number field is not used in the .nxf
program file. For these reasons, NX Tester 1000 needs to be configured to ignore the first three characters
and the last three characters. This is accomplished by setting the first character position of the bar code
value used to compare to the program file name to “4”, and the maximum characters to “6”. This will
extract a character string that will exactly match one of the three file names.
In the NX Tester Configuration Menu, select SUBSTRING and set the FIRST CHARACTER POSITION
to “04”. Set the MAXIMUM CHARACTERS to “06”.
CONFIGURATION CONFIGURATION SUBSTRING
VOLUME LANGUAGE >SUBSTRING >FIRST CHAR POSITION
CLOCK SERIAL UPGRADE FIRMWARE MAXIMUM CHARACTERS
ID >MORE… USB
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 2
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
Bar Code Scanner Setup
Connect a properly configured bar code scanner to Serial Port 2 of each NX Tester. Serial Port 2 must be
configured for “RS232, 9600, 8, N, 1, HW. These are the default settings, so if this port has not previously
been used for a device other than a scanner, the settings should be correct.
CONFIGURATION 1:RS232 PORT 2 SETTINGS
VOLUME LANGUAGE >2:RS232
CLOCK >SERIAL 3:RS232 Rs232
ID MORE… 4:RS232
RS232 SETTINGS:
9600,8,N,1,HW
RED = KEEP
GREEN = CHANGE
NX Tester scanner attachment
Power Supply Cable
Interface Cable
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 3
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
Example Harness Setup
In this application scenario, all the test programs use the demo harness and fixture from the Dynalab Test
Systems “Getting Started Kit”. Configure the testers with the demo harness as shown below.
See the “NX System Getting Started Guide” for further information.
NX Tester with demo harness attached.
A C
B D
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 4
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
Example Server – Tester Setup
A typical configuration for running this scenario is shown below.
Tester behavior when connected to a
network:
When a registered NX Tester is connected to a network, the tester will perform a Tester Update Function
at specific times. The message “Updating NX Server with new status” will display during this update.
Normally this message will appear for 1 to 2 seconds during each update. If the NX Tester is not
communicating with the server, this message will be displayed for ten seconds. If the NX Tester is not
connected to a network, the message will not display, even if the tester is registered to a server.
The NX Tester performs a Tester Update Function when:
• The Tester is powered on
• The user transitions between the Main Menu and a submenu
• After 5 minutes lapses from the last update
• A Report Workflow Item is executed
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 5
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
Programs View
Initially no programs will appear in the Program View.
NX Program Files (.nxf) can be added either through the NX Server view interface or with Windows File
Explorer. The program files are by default located in the following location on the server hard drive.
“C:\inetpub\wwwroot\NXServer\Programs”. The below two folders and five NX program files have been
added.
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 6
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
Groups View
Initially no programs will appear in the Groups View.
The “Audi-Cell” and Ford-Cell” groups were added using the “Add Group” button.
The two groups were associated with the corresponding folders located in the Programs View using the
“Set Home Path” button.
Setting the Home Path for each group will restrict the Testers within these groups to be limited to the
program files and folders beneath the Home Path folder.
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 7
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
Testers View
Initially no testers will appear
Selecting the “Discover” button will make any tester on the network appear
Select the tester checkbox and then “Register”. This will register the tester with this specific NX Server.
The NX Tester will experience erratic behavior if it is not properly configured to the correct NX Server
Select the tester checkbox and then “Add to Group”. This will associate each tester with the
corresponding Group. Setting the Testers to these groups will limit the selection of program files and
folders beneath Group Home Path folder.
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 8
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
Transferring Programs with Tester Menu
Using Tester ID 2000 (Ford-Cell), navigate to the “SERVER > TESTER” menu item and press the Green
Button. The only programs that will appear are the two programs located in the Ford folder. Select “FOR-
AAA”.
SELECTED_PROGRAM MEM-CARD > TESTER
RUN >FILES TESTER > MEM-CARD
SELECT SETUP SERVER > TESTER
PROBE MAINTENANCE
MEM-CARD > TESTER FOR-AAA
TESTER > MEM-CARD 5918 bytes
>SERVER > TESTER 18-Jan-2016 11:05
MAINTENANCE 3A5EEC08 1/2
The NX Server will then display the “FOR-AAA” program name as being the currently selected program.
Running the program will then prompt the operator to select one of the three part numbers contained
within the single program file. Select “FOR-A71”. Then the NX Server will display the running Part
Number and the Status icon will turn to solid green.
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 9
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
Transferring Programs with Bar Code
Scanner
It is possible to have dozens or even hundreds of test programs in a NX Server folder. In this
case, the bar code scanner will greatly reduce the time and effort required to select the
program. The NX Tester must be at the Main Menu to select a program using the bar code
scanner.
SELECTED_PROGRAM
>RUN FILES
SELECT SETUP
PROBE
When the NX Tester is at the Main Menu, it will automatically listen for scanner data on
Serial Port 2 and will search and attempt to match a program name or part number based on
the scanned data, using the following ordered set of rules:
FILE NAME / PART NUMBER SEARCH-MATCH ORDER FOR BAR CODE
SCANNER
1 Program file names on server.
2 Part numbers within program files on server.
3 File name of selected program in tester (displayed program name on tester main menu).
4 Part numbers within the selected tester program.
5 Program file names in tester memory.
6 Part numbers within program files in tester memory.
If a match is found, the NX Tester will automatically select and run the program. If no match
is found, the NX Tester will indicate that with a message on the display. If there are identical
program names or identical part numbers defined in multiple programs, the first occurrence
found will be executed.
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 10
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
NX Editor Sample Workflow
If Green Button is pressed during a test, then the test will abort and
unresolved errors will be transmitted to the NX Server
Counts the number of seconds
between when the test starts and
stops. $PC8 is displayed in the cycle
time field
Displays “Sending Report to NX Server”
Sends Report to NX Server” (PASSED)
Displays “Passed, Remove Harness”
Wait until all harness connections are open
Jump Here when Green Button is pressed indicating failure
Displays “Sending Report to NX Server”
Sends Report to NX Server” (FAILED)
Displays “Failed, Remove Harness”
Wait until all harness connections are open
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 11
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
NX Editor Report Workflow Item
NX Testers ONLY transmit a report to the NX Server with the “Report Workflow Item” using the
“Transmit Report to NX Server” option.
There are three options for collecting data to the NX Server:
Product Data Only:
Only store a record corresponding to each harness tested. Stores Part Number, Revision, Date/Time,
Pass/Fail status, cycle time, etc.
Check Report Only Variables for
Product Data Only
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 12
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
Product and Connection Data:
In addition to the product data, every connection is stored with To/From data, wire color, resistance
measurement, connection pass/fail status. Unless absolutely necessary it is recommended not to collect
connection data due to increased data transfer time after each test and managing a large SQL database. The
“Report to NX Server” workflow item by default enables the transmitting of connection data. To disable
the transmission of connection data, select the “Report Only Variables” option.
Both boxes Unchecked for
Product Data and Connection Data
Product and Connection Errors Only Data:
In addition to the product data, all error connections are stored with To/From data, wire color, resistance
measurement, connection fail status. Connections that passed are not stored. This significantly reduces
data base size.
Check Report Only Errors for
Product Data and Connection Errors
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 13
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
Server Timeout:
The “Never Timeout” and “Timeout After xx.x Seconds” buttons control tester behavior in case of a
network or server failure.
Never Timeout:
Selecting the “Never Timeout” button will cause the tester to indefinitely display the message “Sending
Report to NX Server” during a network or server outage. All testers running a program configured this
way will not be able to complete the test until the network or server problem is corrected. Use this option
if the reporting to the server is critical and necessary to test the harness.
Timeout After xx.x Seconds:
Selecting the “Timeout After xx.x Seconds” button will cause the tester to timeout after xx.x seconds
during a network or server outage. No report will be sent to the server. Use this option if it is more
important to test the harness even if no reports are stored on the server.
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 14
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
By using the “On Timeout Jump To” program branch, it is possible to provide an alternate program flow,
and / or notify the operator of the problem as in the following example. This program allows the operator
to attempt resending the report. A supervisor key is required to continue the program without sending the
report to the server.
“On Timeout Jump To: – 11 Question”
“Retry Sending Report?” YES – 7 Report, NO – Continue
“Insert Supervisor Key to Continue”
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 15
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
NX Server Reports Tab
The Reports tab in the NX Server browser page allow querying the database by Product Detail, Summary
By Product, or Summary By Tester.
Product Detail Report:
The Product Detail Report shows the Pass/Fail status of the products tested (Listed by program name and
part number). Clicking on a Report Date/Time entry will open the Test Results / Connections Data Page.
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 16
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
Test Results / Connections Data Page:
The Test Results data page will display connections data depending on the check boxes selected in the
editor for the Server Report workflow item.
No Connections data selected:
If the Editor check box “Report Only Variables” is selected, no connections data will be sent from the
tester. Note that this page does not indicate whether this test PASSED or FAILED. Please refer to the
above “Product Detail” page for the PASS/FAIL status. (Note: the message “Error: Unable to find report
detail records” appears because there is no connections data present in the record, it is unrelated to the
PASS/FAIL status of the harness).
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 17
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
Report All Connections data:
If the Editor check boxes “Report Only Errors” and “Report Only Variables” are deselected
(UNCHECKED), then all connection data will be sent from the tester. The following two examples show
the results for a PASSED harness and for a FAILED harness.
PASSED Harness Test Results for all connections report:
FAILED Harness Test Results for all connections report:
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 18
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
Report Only Errors Connections data selected:
If the Editor check box “Report Only Errors” is selected, only FAILED connections data will be sent from
the tester. Note the “X” in the “Failed” column indicating that all reported connections have FAILED.
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 19
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
Sample Barcodes
S5-AU-333-XX
S5-AU-444-XX
S5-AU-555-XX
FOR-A71
FOR-A72
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 20
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022
FOR-A73
FOR-C81
FOR-C82
FOR-C83
Dynalab Test Systems NX Server – Example Application Page 21
Copyright 2022 Revised 2/2/2022