McObject, developer of real-time data management used in automation systems, has announced the final beta release of the eXtremeWS embeddable HTTP server for intelligent, connected devices. With a footprint of less than 30K, low CPU consumption and support for devices without a disk or file system, eXtremeWS extends the benefits of Web browser-based access to a wide range of embedded systems including industrial controllers, communications gear, consumer electronics and other highly resource-constrained devices. Browser-based access is supplanting dumb terminals, front panels and other proprietary client software for monitoring and controlling embedded applications.
Integrating a Web server with the device almost eliminates the need for target programming to support operator interfaces, provides a ubiquitous client and eliminates the need to port device management software from one desktop platform to another. McObject built eXtremeWS with a rich set of capabilities for embedded systems Web-enablement, including: - HTTP 1.1 compliance. - A content compiler that reads a directory of static HTML and encodes it into a C source code file, which is then compiled and linked with the rest of the Web server.
This turns eXtremeWS into a fast in-memory Web server that needs no file system or disk from which to serve static HTML. - Dynamic content generation via templates or in-process CGI. Under traditional CGI, each user request spawns a new process, slowing the system and hogging resources. eXtremeWS supports traditional CGI but also enables CGI procedures to run in-process, accessing the full request context without creating a new execution path for each browser connection. - Support for sessions with configurable timeouts.
This supports device-based applications requiring state information to provide context for a series of operations. - Optional tightly integrated data management using McObject’s eXtremeDB in-memory database for storing and manipulating dynamic content and other data. - Configurable thread pool. The server can run in single- or multi-threaded mode, with the number of threads serving incoming HTTP requests easily configurable. eXtremeWS is implemented as a library archive and delivered with complete source code.
Source code helps if the Web server must be integrated into existing code or its event loop should be accessible. When building eXtremeWS, the developer decides whether to include many features, providing further control over footprint. Optional features include reporting, sessions support, debug capabilities, in-process CGI, basic authorizations and templates. Web-based device management is quickly becoming standard across embedded systems market segments. Benefits include separation of embedded software from user interface code and the ability to use of markups to control device internal parameters and on-device data management.
The eXtremeWS package includes several reference designs that demonstrate how the Web server can communicate with remote devices running eXtremeDB-based applications.
These designs include an electronic programming guide for digital television, automatic weather station, preventive maintenance monitoring system, and high-availability device management.In addition, eXtremeWS is tightly integrated with McObject’s eXtremeDB™ in-memory embedded database, providing a unique environment for implementing a complete data management solution for intelligent devices.Developers interested in receiving a copy of eXtremeWS final beta, including reference applications, are requested to complete the beta program application form at http://www.mcobject.com/beta.shtml .