OpenLDV FAQ

Usage

Q: How do LNS®, OpenLDV, and hardware device drivers fit together?
A: The architecture diagram below explains how the software fits together:

The OpenLDV software can connect with all of Echelon network interface drivers. Approximately 95% of the code in OpenLDV is in the xDriver portion-the portion that connects to and through the i.LON 10 and i.LON 100.

Q: What is the software interface to the OpenLDV software?
A: Echelon chose an interface familiar to many-LDV32.DLL. This DLL is part of the LNS network operating system, and Echelon has provided it under license to a number of companies as well. The LDV32.DLL includes an open, close, read, write interface with published data formats and behavior.

Q: Can applications that have been written to WLDV.DLL (a 16 bit Windows DLL) or DOS-based network tools work with the OpenLDV software?
A: Not at this time. Echelon is evaluating the market need. If you have comments on this please send email to OpenLDV@echelon.com.

Q: I currently use Echelon's LDV32.DLL under license from Echelon. Can I use the OpenLDV Installer instead?
A: Yes. The OpenLDV Installer is designed to be a drop-in replacement.

Q: Can I use LNS based tools and non-LNS based tools (the non-LNS based tools connect through OpenLDV) at the same time through the same network interface?
A: No. If you would like to share a single network interface with multiple tools simultaneously, use LNS-based tools.

Q: Can I use multiple non-LNS based tools at the same time through the same network interface?
A: No. If you would like to share a single network interface with multiple tools simultaneously, use LNS-based tools.

Q: Can I use LNS based applications and non-LNS based applications on the same PC, although not at the same time through the same interface?
A: Yes. The OpenLDV Installer is compatible with LNS 3.0. If LNS is using a network interface, LNS supports many simultaneous applications operating through that interface. This is one of the many benefits of using the LNS network operating system. If a non-LNS tool is using a network interface, one single tool is supported at one time. When Echelon releases the next major release of LNS, the LNS installations will include the OpenLDV software as part of the installation.

Q: Will all applications that use LDV32.DLL today be able to connect through the OpenLDV software to i.LON® 10 Ethernet Adapters and i.LON 100 Internet Servers without modification?
A: Probably not. Some applications probably have assumptions about acceptable driver names hard-coded into the application. In addition, even though the xDriver portion of OpenLDV attempts to hide as much complexity of establishing, and re-building damaged connections from the applications, it is not possible to hide the apparently random, unpredictable delays that occur when connecting through the Internet. Applications that are overly sensitive to timing will need to be modified to be able to work in the face of these Internet delays.

Q: Which network interfaces can I use the OpenLDV software with?
A: All of the following:

Q: Can the OpenLDV software be used with network adapters not manufactured by Echelon?
A: No. OpenLDV is licensed for use exclusively with Echelon's family of network interfaces.

Q: How do I get support on using the OpenLDV software?
A: Product support is available from Echelon's LonSupport group under the established terms and conditions. See www.echelon.com/support.

Price

Q: How much does the OpenLDV software cost?
A: The OpenLDV Installer is royalty-free when used with Echelon's network interface adapters.

Availability

Q: How will Echelon distribute the OpenLDV software?
A: OpenLDV is distributed from Echelon's web site.  Download the OpenLDV Installer and OpenLDV Developer's Kit from www.echelon.com/downloads/.