Hardware & Devices

31-Oct-09 15:50

Hi,
Has anyone heard of, or knows about a device which can provide a Time signal to either a Single Computer, or a small (Max 16) Local Network.

The idea is to keep the System Time under 'Lock and Key'. The idea being that it is probably not very Accurate, but, protected from interference, and, generally always giving Increased TimeStamps in Real Time.

Underlaying Problem:-

I developed a Package recording 'Real Time Cash Transactions'.

For Optimisation reasons, the package assumes certain records to be recorded in chronological order. This messed up Badly when a User inadvertedly moved the date forward by several months, Made a few Transactions, and then moved it back again. Typical Users would NOT have an Internet Connection to synchronise the Clock. I'm looking for a Network Connected Clock Device, from which I can read the Transaction Time, regardles of the Local System Time.

Thanks.

Smile | :)

Bram van Kampen

Richard MacCutchan31-Oct-09 22:17

31-Oct-09 22:17

Bram van Kampen wrote:
Has anyone heard of, or knows about a device which can provide a Time signal to either a Single Computer, or a small (Max 16) Local Network.

There are a number of websites that provide this service. Take a look at the Windows clock to see which one your PC uses. Here[^] is a site that has more information.

Bram van Kampen1-Nov-09 9:46

1-Nov-09 9:46

Thanks for the hint.

Actually, I was looking for a piece of Hardware that can be used by users of my Software, who have NO Internet Connection at all. Strict Accuracy is far less important than the ability to provide a single timesource for the local network, which can be made tamper resistant by physically locking it in a cupboard in say, the managers office.

Smile | :)

Bram van Kampen

Richard MacCutchan1-Nov-09 22:09

1-Nov-09 22:09

Bram van Kampen wrote:
a single timesource for the local network

If you have a server on the LAN you should be able to use that. I'm not sure of the technical details of how to do it but I'm sure a Google search would come up with something.

Bram van Kampen2-Nov-09 15:43

2-Nov-09 15:43

Hi,

You Don't seem to understand what I'm trying to achieve.

I am accutely aware that the server on the LAN can provide a Time Service. I also know How to use that service.

This is a Hardware Forum, So I am looking for links for a piece of Hardware, Probably the size of a packet of Cigarettes, NOT FOR ANOTHER COMPUTER!

I am looking, for my own specific reasons, for an Independent Hardware Timing Device, which can be read by software, but which CANNOT BE Set by Software interfacing with it.

Bram van Kampen

Dave Kreskowiak2-Nov-09 18:51

Dave Kreskowiak

2-Nov-09 18:51

I've never heard of one, nor can I really find annything like what you're looking for. Most LAN I've been on use a time reference external to the network to it can't be tampered with and setup appropriate permissions on the domain so no user can manipulate the system clocks. All time is sync'd up to the reference server which is the only device that can get the time from the external source.

A guide to posting questions on CodeProject[^]

Dave Kreskowiak
Microsoft MVP
Visual Developer - Visual Basic
2006, 2007, 2008
But no longer in 2009...

Richard MacCutchan2-Nov-09 22:33

2-Nov-09 22:33

Bram van Kampen wrote:
You Don't seem to understand what I'm trying to achieve.

You want a time reference that nobody can mess with.

Bram van Kampen wrote:
This is a Hardware Forum, So I am looking for links for a piece of Hardware

Actually it's a Hardware & Devices forum. Any system that acts as a time server is, ultimately, a hardware device, even if it uses software to interface with.

Roger Wright11-Nov-09 18:23

Roger Wright

11-Nov-09 18:23

Schweitzer Electric Laboratories (www.selinc.com) makes a device that provides GPS time codes in IRIG format for just this purpose. Their market is the power industry, keeping devices in remote substations synchronized, but there's no reason that other industries can't use their stuff.

"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"

Bram van Kampen12-Nov-09 15:05

12-Nov-09 15:05

Thanks for the Reply.

This does not realy answer my question. For Starters, there is no specific requirement of accuracy, other than One day per Anum. What I'm realy looking for is a piece of hardware with the following spec:-

- The Time settings should NOT be able to be changed, other
than by keypad.
- Ability to run Entirely independent of any form of External Dataprovider.
- No Larger than say 200x100x50 Deep.
- Simple 16 key Numeric Keypad to set the time.
- Wired Network Connector to facilitate Software Time Queeries.
- Battery Backup, to maintain the time upon Mains powerfailure.
- Inability to be 'Set' through any Networking Port.

I am sort of amazed that a thing like this does not seem to exist.

Smile | :)

Bram van Kampen

Bram van Kampen15-Nov-09 16:19

15-Nov-09 16:19

Hi,

Thanks,

Found an Intermediate Solution.
-Bougtht a Very Very old PC with XP on it for £10.00 in a Car Boot Sale.(original Hardware Spec: Win95)
- Got Dumy Terminals so that it can fireup without keyboard or Monitor.
-Modified module config files so as to look for that computer for timestamps.
-Wiped Most of the User Programs, like MS Office, etc.
- Locked the thing in a Cabinet at the Users premises.

Works a dream! I had hoped however, that there would be an ethernet device or USB Device which would do this more elegantly.

Regards,

Bram van Kampen

Bram van Kampen15-Nov-09 16:19

15-Nov-09 16:19

Hi,

Thanks,

Found an Intermediate Solution.

-Bougtht a Very Very old PC with XP on it for £10.00 in a Car Boot Sale.(original Hardware Spec: Win95)
- Got Dumy Terminals so that it can fireup without keyboard or Monitor.
-Modified module config files so as to look for that computer for timestamps.
-Wiped Most of the User Programs, like MS Office, etc.
- Locked the thing in a Cabinet at the Users premises.

Works a dream! I had hoped however, that there would be an ethernet device or USB Device which would do this more elegantly.

Regards,

Bram van Kampen

thread

anooshe31-Oct-09 7:49

anooshe

31-Oct-09 7:49

how do i get code for CSMA/CD protocol with c#

Re: thread

Richard MacCutchan31-Oct-09 10:39

Which one could be the best buy?

31-Oct-09 10:39

anooshe wrote:
how do i get code for CSMA/CD protocol with c#

You don't! Please at least learn the basics of the subject before asking questions. You obviously have no idea what CSMA/CD is.

Tiger45630-Oct-09 22:05

Tiger456

30-Oct-09 22:05

I'm planning to buy a laptop. As I haven't owned a laptop before, would like to know the best laptop to buy with following criteria's in mind:

1. Main target is to do programming with Microsoft Technologies (VS2008/21010, SQL Server etc..)
2. Less than or equal $670
3. Better performance
4. Flexible to upgrade
6. Doesn't matter on Size and weight ( Smile | :)

i am healthy enough to carry)
7. Doesn't matter on maintainence and support (As i am buying from US, but not belong to US)

Jörgen Andersson30-Oct-09 23:14

Jörgen Andersson

30-Oct-09 23:14

Tiger456 wrote:
1. Main target is to do programming with Microsoft Technologies (VS2008/21010, SQL Server etc..)

So you need lots of memory and a seriously fast HD, preferably solid state.

Tiger456 wrote:
2. Less than or equal $670

Ok forget the harddrive, and add the memory yourself after buying it.

Tiger456 wrote:
3. Better performance

See number 1.

Tiger456 wrote:
4. Flexible to upgrade

Are you sure you want a laptop?

Tiger456 wrote:
6. Doesn't matter on Size and weight ( i am healthy enough to carry)

I've heard that one before, heavy laptops tend to be stationary, really, they do!

Tiger456 wrote:
7. Doesn't matter on maintainence and support (As i am buying from US, but not belong to US)

If you're buying a brand laptop you'll get the support worldwide whether you want it or not.

Richard MacCutchan31-Oct-09 0:00

31-Oct-09 0:00

Take a look here[^]. It's a UK based site but some of the information is likely to cover PCs that are available worldwide.

Bram van Kampen31-Oct-09 15:56

31-Oct-09 15:56

No one has ever been sacked for buying IBM, or so they say.
Our Organisation owns 13 Laptops. 3 of those are Second Hand IBM's. When it comes to Support and Standard of Mechanical design, IBM wins Everytime.

Smile | :)

Bram van Kampen

Richard MacCutchan31-Oct-09 22:19

31-Oct-09 22:19

IBM sold their PC business some years ago, I think to Aptiva.