System integrators can customize the application of the EtherPAD to provide true flexibility. The services of the EtherPAD are extended to add value to attached devices.

These scripts are written in a customized scripting language which we call SanScript. This scripting language is geared for simplicity and is directed at people who are not comfortable with traditional programming languages. We have attempted to make it as easy as possible for newcomers to make use of functionality embedded in the EtherPAD.

The scripts have full access to network functions (TCP, UDP & SNMP), file functions, serial communications, bit & string manipulation etc. This allows scripts to do the following:

establish network connections through a simplified socket interface

network data transfer for both TCP and UDP

send snmp traps based on alarm criteria

read and set snmp variables

open and create files in the embedded filesystem

read and write to files

send email

configure, read and write to the serial communications layer

In addition, the scripting can be embedded in web pages to provide active content, possibly derived from data posted to the web page.

The script can be debugging over a Telnet session or over the serial configuration port. Scripts are uploaded to the EtherPAD using FTP. The script text can be compiled on the EtherPAD to improve speed of execution.

The scripting offers a wonderful method to customize the EtherPAD. A unique user interface using the web browser can be offered which includes images, client-side java & javascript, and server-side scripting. This interface replaces platform-specific PC software controlling devices.

This scripting language is meant to offer an easy solution to simple problems. The language provides control structures, global data variables, subroutines and access to the various API's. You will find limitations compared to compiled programming languages such as lack of multithreading, multi-dimensional arrays etc. We are looking at addressing these in the short term as well.

The scripting functionality can be enabled as a valued-added option on EtherPADs. This technology allows you to enable the functionality over the network should you require it. Please contact our sales representatives to purchase an encrypted key necessary to unlock this functionality. Examples of such value-added functionality are:

datalogging

scripting

PPP connectivity

dynamic routing and forwarding

Functionality can be combined also, so that PPP and Routing together form a RAS server where incoming dial-in connections are routed over Ethernet offering the dial-in user access to a LAN (for example, of EtherPADs).