Send data between PPC and PC via cradle

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Guest

We are developing a PocketPC application that need to communicate with a
FileMaker Pro application when the PPC is in its cradle. What would be the
“best practice�
It is not possible to install any software on the PC (except ActiveSync). We
have considered a serial connection, tcp/ip connection (firewall problems)
and writing to a file which is monitored by both applications.
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Hi

I did not know FileMaker Pro very much, but I think all your considerations
is valid. But I think it is due to if the approach is proper.
e.g. If the FileMaker Pro is valid for serial connection, or communicate
via a file, because you did not want any other program running.

If the FileMaker Pro will valid for TCP/IP, I think you may have a try, we
can connect to the FileMaker Pro(consider it as a TCP/IP server) via the
TCP/IP over the activesync.

BTW: for embeded problem, I suggest post in the newsgroup below.
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.compactframework
microsoft.public.pocketpc.developer


Best regards,

Peter Huang
Microsoft Online Partner Support

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
 
Thank you for your response!
I know that FileMaker is able to communicate thru a serial connection,
3-party plug-in. But how do I establish the connection? Which ComPort on the
PPC and which on the PC? And won’t ActiveSync be using the same port?
 
Hi,

If the PPC is in the cradle, then the built-in serial port CANNOT be used,
unless you make hardware modifications to the cradle, or if the cradle comes
with a "Y" cable that permits both USB ActiveSync and serial. The built-in
serial port is designed to be used for ActiveSync -- and this must be
disabled on the PPC for the serial port to be used by software.

The approaches that I would consider are:

1. RAPI. This is a desktop application that is enabled when a device is
cradled, and is using ActiveSync. RAPI allows the desktop app to do various
things with the device, including file transfers. There are online examples
for RAPI, and I think some are at www.opennetcf.org.

2. TCP/IP sockets. You say there is a firewall issue (and there may be),
but all you have to do is to enable the ports that will be used for the data
transfer using the firewall software. TCP/IP tunnels over ActiveSync, or it
can use a wired/wireless connection if one exists.

3. Serial. When cradled, you would have to use the approach above, or use
a Compact Flash serial adapter. Personally (and I do a lot of serial
communications), this would NOT be the approach that I would take for your
app. However, I do have a free DLL on my website that you could use for the
serial communications if you go this way, and there is one in the SDF from
www.opennetcf.org.

Dick

--
Richard Grier (Microsoft Visual Basic MVP)

See www.hardandsoftware.net for contact information.

Author of Visual Basic Programmer's Guide to Serial Communications, 4th
Edition ISBN 1-890422-28-2 (391 pages) published July 2004. See
www.mabry.com/vbpgser4 to order.
 
Hi

Did Richard 's suggestion help you?
If you still have any concern, please feel free to post here.


Best regards,

Peter Huang
Microsoft Online Partner Support

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
 
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