Ascom Remote Server

[Ian Smith]

will phd2 be upgraded to connect with devices served by the Ascom Remote Server?

Thanks

[Bruce Waddington]

Alpaca capabilities will be added to PHD2 in the near future but I don't understand your use case.  The ASCOM Remote Server allows native ASCOM (Windows) drivers to be accessed over a local area network from a remote or non-ASCOM client application.  That implies you have a Windows system at the telescope end of the connection - so why can't you simply install and run PHD2 there?  Can you describe what you're trying to do?

Bruce

[Ian Smith]

thanks Bruce for your reply.

We're about to add a third scope and a second PC to our remote system, which has just one mount.  Depending on which scope we are using, one or other of the two PCs will be controling the mount.  The mount will therefore be a device controlled by the Ascom Remote Server, to allow either PC to be in control.  The same goes for guiding, either an OAG on one of the scopes will be used or a guide scope on another scope will be used.  Whilst the mount will be commanded via the Ascom Remote Server, I've had to make a direct connection between the mount and one of the PHD2s.

This may well work with no issues but it would "feel cleaner" if PHD2 also connected to the Ascom Remote Server.

We haven't been able to test the current configuration due to the prolonged bad weather.

Hope that makes sense.

Ian

[Bruce Waddington]

This still doesn't make much sense to me, why do you need two PCs?  The normal solution would be to have one PC and one installation of PHD2 with multiple configuration profiles, one profile for each of the two scopes.  At runtime, your session manager software chooses the profile you want to use and away you go.  Lots of remote observatory setups operate this way.  It sounds to me like you might be creating an unnecessary rat's nest of devices and connections and I can't see why you need ASCOM Remote Server for any of it.

Bruce

[Ian Smith]

with 3 scopes, we now have 3 RB Focus panels and we've discovered that the RB Focus Ascom driver only supports 2.  Hence we're adding a 2nd PC.

Ian

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