This article discusses use of USB memory sticks with our various EMH models. For sensitive data on any type of computing device, it is always best to use multiple forms of data storage - this could be on local USB memory and to an offsite location, or to two different offsite locations.
Many of the features utilizing an attached USB thumb drive will be to offload files on to that and remove it from another location. As such, it is crucial to utilize a high quality USB drive. Most off-the-shelf drives are designed with an entry-level grade NAND flash memory intended for portability and limited use applications.
While USB memory drive options are very useful, consider that it is possible that your EMH be attached to a LAN that a local PC can log in to, for periodically downloading the logged meter data files. This would be using the web browser of your PC. Whomever manages your LAN or possibly an IT contractor may be able to assist you with the initial setup to make this work, to avoid the need of physically going to your EMH every time you need a copy of the historical readings.
When using USB memory sticks as one of those forms of data collection with our EMH product line, please use the following to ensure best compatibility and smooth long term operation.
Many of the features utilizing an attached USB thumb drive will be to offload files on to that and remove it from another location. As such, it is crucial to utilize a high quality USB drive. Most off-the-shelf drives are designed with an entry-level grade NAND flash memory intended for portability and limited use applications.
While USB memory drive options are very useful, consider that it is possible that your EMH be attached to a LAN that a local PC can log in to, for periodically downloading the logged meter data files. This would be using the web browser of your PC. Whomever manages your LAN or possibly an IT contractor may be able to assist you with the initial setup to make this work, to avoid the need of physically going to your EMH every time you need a copy of the historical readings.
USB memory stick features by model
- A7810/A8810/A8812/A8814 (3rd generation Data Acquisition Servers)
- USB upload*
- XMEM*
- EMHXD (A8820) / EMHSP (4th generation Data Acquisition Servers)
- Move Logs to USB
Recommended USB memory drives
When using USB memory sticks as one of those forms of data collection with our EMH product line, please use the following to ensure best compatibility and smooth long term operation.
- drive must be formatted as FAT32 and 1GB or less partition size
- sufficient write/erase cycle endurance
- SLC memory architecture
- Industrial temperature rating (if needed)
- Apacer AH321 series
- ATP Nanodura series
USB feature descriptions
USB uploadThis feature is ideal for customers who are looking to locally pull the data from their EMH periodically. The EMH can periodically copy the CSV spreadsheet data for each device to the connected USB fob which is to remain inserted into the USB jack of the Data Acquisition Server. When briefly removing the USB Flash Drive to collect data (between uploads), download the data to your PC, then reconnect the drive as soon as possible.To enable the feature, the USB drive must be attached to the EMH, the log into the web UI of the EMH under Log File Data > Setup / Upload. Set one of the upload channels for protocol "Obvius USB". Apply. Now make sure to Activate your USB thumb drive with the feature. After 24 hours, return to the EMH and the thumb drive to review if logs successfully transferred to the USB thumb drive. Notes: Do not remove the folder that is created on the USB drive to store the log files in. If this is deleted or removed, the USB flash drive will have to be reactivated from web interface of the EMH once again. The LCD of the EMH will indicate when not to disconnect the USB drive if it is actively being written to. If this is not being displayed, it is safe to disconnect the USB drive to review and download the log files. XMEM (Extended Storage)This feature is ideal for customers who have EMHs set up to push data out to a server on the Internet, but have a situation where the internet connectivity of the EMH may be spotty due to something like a weak cellular internet modem link. Extended Storage effectively expands the EMH's internal 8MB of available flash storage with a USB fob. With this feature enabled, meter data which cannot be immediately uploaded is migrated to the USB fob during the next upload cycle, and will be uploaded from the fob once communication resumes.To enable this feature, plug in your USB fob, then log into your EMH's web UI. Browse to Xmem > Extended Storage. The page should allow you to activate on a connected, compatible fob. Confirm that the status shows "Present - Xmem active". Notes: The file format of the logs are not intended to be opened easily if you connect this USB drive temporarily to your PC. It remains in the native format that the EMH is capable of offloading to its configured location(s) on the internet. It is not impossible to open the logs but they must be uncompressed and then appended together per each device associated the EMH. PC software tools and someone familiar with scripting would typically be needed to assist you should you want to get the logs into an easily readable and usable format. Move Logs to USBFor the most up to date information on this feature and how to use it, please refer to the latest version of the EMHXD Users Guide. |
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