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How to Use Virtual Panel
Virtual Panel is an executable that is generated by Integration Designer and installed on a computer, giving the user full
control of their RTI control system from their PC, as if they were using an RTI remote control. This applies to computers
on a local network or even in a remote location with Internet access. A Virtual Panel is programmed as a control device
within Integration Designer when an RTI XP series control processor is present, and each RTI system file comes with
one built-in license.
Software requirements:
o Integration Designer programming software version 8.0.1 or higher
o Firmware 2.4 or higher for the XP-8 control processor, or any version on other XP series processors.
Hardware requirements:
o Virtual Panel operates on a PC-based computer running Microsoft Windows® XP or higher.
o RTI XP series control processor connected to an Ethernet network.
Network requirements:
o Local computers must be connected to the same Ethernet network as the XP series control processor.
o Computers requiring remote access must have an Internet connection.
o Use of the virtual panel from a remote location requires Internet access for the XP series processor with
a static IP address from the Internet Service Provider (ISP). If a static IP address is not possible,
then a dynamic DNS service will need to be used. (See remote access section).
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Virtual Panel License Options
The number of Virtual Panel users allowed access for control at any one time is
dependent on the number of licenses that the system file has applied.
One built-in LAN license is included automatically for each system file
with an XP series control processor.
Additional Virtual Panel licenses for local network (LAN) or remote
(Internet) access may be purchased at the RTI online store. Visit the
“Dealer” section of the RTI website (www.rticorp.com/dealers). NOTE:
Dealer username and password required.
In the event that someone tries to launch a Virtual Panel on a computer
when it is being run somewhere else already, then the message you see
to the left will pop up on the users screen.
If the user requires the need for multiple “instances” of the Virtual Panel
to be running at the same time, then additional licenses need to be
purchased, up to the maximum number of Virtual Panel users at any
one time.
o Each Virtual Panel does not need its own license.
o A Virtual Panel executable may be installed on multiple
computers.
o The system file needs to have an available license anytime a
Virtual Panel wants to “connect” to a control processor. If one
isn‟t available then the error message above will appear.
Set RTI File System Properties
Go to File>System Properties
External Gateway: This is the XP series control processor that the Virtual
Panel uses for communications. The processor chosen here will be the
same used when configuring the router.
External IP/Hostname: This is the static IP address given by the Internet
service provider (ISP) for the Internet access at the location the XP series
processor is connected to. If a static IP address is not possible, then a
dynamic DNS service must be used and the hostname of the router can be
used for this field. This does not need to be supplied if all Virtual Panels are
configured in “LAN Only” mode.
Licenses: This is the list of installed license files. A Virtual Panel license is
required for remote access or additional LAN access.
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Set Device (Virtual Panel) Properties
Output
LAN Only: This is the default selection when a Virtual Panel is created.
This option will only work if the Virtual Panel is running on a computer that
is on the same network as the XP processor.
The built-in Virtual Panel license that is included with each RTI
system file is “LAN Only”.
Internet: This option allows for the Virtual Panel to be operable from a PC
anywhere that an internet connection exists: cross town, cross country,
cross world.
This option requires that a license be purchased and added to the
Virtual Panel section of the RTI file System Properties.
Note: Virtual Panel executables may be installed on an unlimited number
of computers, however the total number of connections is limited to the
number of licenses installed on the control processor.
Security
The Security tab allows the Virtual Panel to be setup as a protected controller.
This is more important if the user is accessing the Virtual Panel from a remote
location, however it is still important for LAN operation also.
Set Default Password: This is the password that will need to be input each time
the user launches the Virtual Panel on their PC.
Hide Typing: This checkbox indicates that the password will not show up
on the computer screen as it is being entered.
Video Encryption: The installer also has the ability to protect the video stream
that is displayed on the Virtual Panel using AES encryption.All other
communication between the Virtual Panel and XP processor is always
encrypted.
NOTE: Enabling AES encryption may degrade the frame rate of the
video. If encryption is used, it is recommended that you decrease the
frame rate, video quality and/or resolution of the video in the camera
setup software.
Generate new encryption key: Press this button to generate a new encryption
key for this Virtual Panel.
Note: The Virtual Panel executable will need to be regenerated and
installed on the user PC if a new encryption key is generated.
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Virtual Panel General Settings
Hide Mouse Cursor: The mouse pointer will be hidden when over the Virtual
Panel window. This option should only be used with touchscreen computers;
otherwise the user will not be able to see which buttons they are clicking on.
Hide Right-Click Menu: The right-click menu will be disabled. None of the
commands on the menu will be available to the user of this Virtual Panel.
Border: The Virtual Panel window will have a border around it. If the border is
disabled, there will be no separation between the edge of the Virtual Panel and
the desktop.
Title Bar: The Virtual Panel window will have a title bar at the top. The title
appearing in the title bar will be taken from the name of the virtual panel device in
the Integration Designer file.
Always On Top: The Virtual Panel window will always appear on top of all other
windows on the desktop.
Full screen: If the size of the Virtual Panel exactly matches the monitor
resolution, the Virtual Panel will run in full-screen mode where it takes over the
entire display with no border or title bar. This option has no effect if the size of the
Virtual Panel does not match the resolution setting of the computer on which it is
run.
Hide Change Password Option: The "Change Password" command will be
unavailable in the generated Virtual Panel.
Hide Settings Menu Option: The "Settings" menu on the right-click menu will
be unavailable in the generated Virtual Panel.
Hide Network Settings Tab: The "Network Settings" tab of the settings dialog
box will be unavailable in the generated Virtual Panel.
Hide Display Setting Tab: The "Display Settings" tab of the settings dialog box
will be unavailable in the generated Virtual Panel.
Page layout and graphics:
The page wizard is not an option when using the Virtual Panel because graphical page layouts are specific to the size
of the device and Virtual Panel‟s ability to resize makes this impossible. If you wish to take advantage of the
templates included with Integration Designer, you should initially create the file as another device (a K4, for example),
add the desired pages, and then convert the device into a Virtual Panel.
Button graphics available in the bitmap library may be used in any Virtual Panel graphic layout; however any Virtual
Panels that do not match the size of the included backgrounds in the bitmap library would require the installer to
create their own custom graphics.
o Refer to the technical bulletin on the RTI website on creating custom color graphics for more information.
Virtual Panel can be created through the conversion process from any color touchscreen remote (excluding the T2Cs).
A Virtual Panel that was created through the conversion process will keep the same pixel dimensions as the device
that was converted (ex. A K4 touchscreen = 640 wide x 480 high). Resizing the Virtual Panel does not expand the
graphic images; it creates a white border to fill the newly created space.
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Resizing Virtual Panel
The Virtual Panel dimensions are scalable. By default the size is set to 640 x 480,
however the size of the virtual panel is only limited by the size (pixel dimension) of the
screen it is being displayed on.
The ability to resize the Virtual Panel is found under the Device Menu.
Note:
Make sure to set the correct size the Virtual Panel before the layout is created.
If size is increased after the initial size has been set, the actual graphic layout
will not change and a white border will be added to fill the empty space up to
the new size.
Integration Designer will allow a reduction in size but images may be lost if
reduction exceeds what the bitmaps will allow for.
The size cannot be decreased to a size smaller than the background graphic
dimensions.
Generating a Virtual Panel Executable
Finalizing the Virtual Panel by creating its executable can be accomplished
through two different methods.
1. One method is through the Communications Menu – “Export to
Virtual Panel File,” as shown above.
2. The other method is through the Send-To-Device window.
Both methods will launch a window so that the Virtual Panel can be saved
using the file name and location of your choice. Once the executable has
been generated, this file can be placed on the computer that will be used
for control.
Once saved, the Virtual Panel executable icon will look similar to this
image.
Changing the Virtual Panel Password
In the event the consumer needs to change the Virtual Panel
password. This can be done by right-clicking on the Virtual Panel and
selecting Change Password.
There will then be a window that launches giving the end user the
ability to replace the old password with a new one.
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Remote Access Setup
Follow these steps to configure the Virtual Panel to allow access from outside the local area network.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
• Use of the Virtual Panel from a remote location requires the use of a static external IP address assigned by the Internet
service provider. If a static IP address is not possible, then a Dynamic DNS service will be necessary. (See below for more
information)
• Setting up the virtual panel for remote access requires prior knowledge of network and router configuration. RTI support
will not assist installers with issues regarding networking equipment and their configuration.
System File Setup – Remote Access
Go to File>System Properties
External Gateway: This is the XP series control processor that the Virtual
Panel uses for communications. The processor chosen here will be the
same used when configuring the router.
External IP/Hostname: This is the static IP address given by the Internet
service provider (ISP) for the Internet access at the location the XP series
processor is connected to. If a static IP address is not possible, then a
dynamic DNS service must be used and the hostname of the router can
be used for this field. This does not need to be supplied if all Virtual
Panels are configured in “LAN Only” mode. (See below for more
information)
Licenses: This is the list of installed license files. A Virtual Panel license
is required for remote access or additional LAN access.
External IP/Hostname Options
1. Using a static external IP address.
When internet access is set up, a static IP address may be procured from the Internet service provider (ISP).
There is typically an additional charge for this.
2. Using a dynamic DNS service.
If a static IP address is not used, the IP address that the Internet service provider gives to the router at the
client‟s home or business changes. In this case, a dynamic DNS service enables the Virtual Panel to “find” the
location of the XP series processor regardless of this IP address by assigning a “hostname” that the Virtual
Panel searches for. A utility is installed and runs on the client‟s computer or on many newer routers (ex.
Linksys, DLink, Netgear etc), that monitors the external IP address and sends updates to the dynamic DNS
service where the hostname is maintained.
Process
a. Setup account with dynamic DNS service (ex. DynDNS.com) to establish “hostname”.
b. Install dynamic DNS service utility on client PC (must be running all the time), or configure router (with
Dynamic DNS capability) according to service provider or router manufacturer.
c. Type the hostname that was created with the dynamic DNS service for this Virtual Panel field.
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Purchase Virtual Panel license
Visit the Virtual Panel webpage found in the dealer section of the RTI website. It is a two-step process:
1) Purchase Virtual Panel license:
Click the link to purchase a license code. Your code will be emailed to you.
2) Redeem your Virtual Panel license:
Once you have purchased and received your license code, return to the Virtual Panel webpage, click on the
link to Redeem License and generate the license file.
A file will be generated that should be saved on to your computer. This is the file that is installed into the RTI file
system properties Virtual Panel tab using the „Add‟ button.
Virtual Panel Setup
Set the Virtual Panel type to „Internet‟.
Network Router Setup
The router must be configured to forward packets from port 4110 to the gateway XP8. A typical port forward
configuration entry would look like:
Application
RTI Virtual Panel
Port
4110
Destination
192.168.1.200 (IP address of gateway XP8)
®
This is an example entry from a Linksys router.
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This is an example of what a programmer might encounter if using a D-Link® router.
Port Forwarding
Next navigate to the Port
Forwarding tab and enter in all
pertinent information. The IP
address here is the address of the
XP-8. The TCP field needs the
appropriate port assignment which
can be found in the System
Properties (4110). Click the Save
Settings button when done.
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Troubleshooting:
In the event all settings have been verified and the Virtual Panel remote connection is still not working, right click on the
Virtual Panel and select Settings.
The settings window will open (as
shown below) click the “Revert to
Programmed” button and then click
“OK”.