AN37 Outputs sequence started by Windows desktop icon (.bat file)

Supported devices: NETIO PowerPDU 4C, PowerPDU 4PS, PowerPDU 8QS, PowerBOX 3Px, PowerBOX 4Kx, PowerCable REST 101x, PowerDIN 4PZ

AN37 is typically used to change the scene in a recording studio, which involves changing the lighting, activating specific audio equipment, and so on. When an icon on the MS Windows desktop is clicked, a .bat file calls the PyNetio utility to set the outputs of all defined NETIO devices to the desired states.

The advantage of PyNetio is that it supports the JSON protocol, which is enabled by default in NETIO devices. The user does not need to configure the device in any way besides connecting it to the network.

For easier use, there is also a form for identifying individual NETIO devices. Use the following link to download the PyNetio.exe utility, the form and 3 sample .bat files that show how to toggle output 1, switch all outputs on, and switch all outputs off. All sample files use the default JSON configuration (port 80, username: netio, password: netio). The IP address of the NETIO device must be changed.

Download the examples package
and the compiled version of PyNetio (exe) .zip

After saving, a green dot appears next to the JSON API tab (see the picture).

Creating a .bat file

A file with the .bat extension can be created using Notepad. The file contains one control command for each device.

For example:

PyNetio http://192.168.178.54:80 -u write -p jsonWRITE set 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 1

Switches on (sets to 1) outputs 1 to 4 at the NETIO device with IP address 192.168.178.54.

There can be multiple icons (.bat files) on the Windows desktop to set all local NETIO outputs to different desired combinations.

PyNetio - control commands

Commands have the following structure:

PyNetio http://<IP_ADDRESS>:PORT -u USERNAME -p PASSWORD COMMAND

1. IP_ADRESS

• IP address of the NETIO device
• Example: 192.168.178.54

2. PORT

• Port number, as set in the M2M API Protocols section
• If not specified, the default port (80) is used
• Example (port 81): 192.168.178.54:81

3. USERNAME

• Username for READ-WRITE access, as set in the M2M API Protocols section
• Example – if the username is “write”: -u write

4. PASSWORD

• Password for READ-WRITE access, as set in the M2M API Protocols section
• Example – if the password is jsonWRITE: -p jsonWRITE

5. COMMAND

• Action to perform with the device’s outputs
• Three commands are available: info, get, set
• The set command controls the outputs
• The set command must be followed by the number of the output and the number of the action to perform with that output
• List of actions:
  • 0 - turns the output off
  • 1 - turns the output on
  • 2 - turns the output off for a short time and then on (Short Off)
  • 3 - turns the output on for a short time and then off (Short On)
  • 4 - toggles the output state (Toggle)
  • 5 - leaves the output state unchanged
• Actions for multiple outputs can be specified in a sequence
• Example – to turn off output 1 and turn on output 3: set 1 0 3 1

Examples of commands:.

Switch on output 1

PyNETIO http://192.168.178.54:81 -u write -p jsonWRITE set 1 1

Power-cycle outputs 2 and 4 (Short off)

PyNETIO http://192.168.178.54:81 -u write -p jsonWRITE set 2 2 4 2

Toggle the states of all outputs:

PyNETIO http://192.168.178.54:81 -u write -p jsonWRITE set 1 4 2 4 3 4 4 4

After saving, a file with the cogwheels icon appears in the folder. Double-click the file to activate the command (the PyNETIO file must be in the same folder).