Cumulus Support

I've tried the search option but drew a blank. Is it possible to run Cumulus on a network so it accesses a shared data folder thus displaying the same info from the weather station. I have one PC in the lounge which has the FineOffset (Maplin) station connected to, but also have a PC in an observatory at the top of the garden on the same LAN. It would be nice to have Cumulus running on the observatory PC as well so I can see temps and due points etc. If it is possible, an advice on how to configure Cumulus to do this as I can't see anything in the configuration settings to point the program to the folders

I'm sure you could do something with network shares to force Cumulus to do it, however there would be a file sharing issue as the Cumulus with the station connected constantly updates files.

What about running Windows Remote desktop on the PC in the observatory and you simply take over the Cumulus PC for a look?

Or just look at the web pages Cumulus generates from the remote PC?

Thanks for the reply David.

I'm not that bothered about having an either or situation, as I would only be using the application when observing so could close down the copy running on the PC the station is connected to. The thing is I can't see any option in the application or ini file of where to point the application to look for the data folders. So even if I enable sharing the Cumulus folder (and or sub folders) how would I tell the version running on the Observatory PC to look at \\192.168.x.x\program files\cumulus\data for arguments sake (or via mapped drives etc).

mcrossley wrote:Or just look at the web pages Cumulus generates from the remote PC?

Yeah I guess that's one way...

I have Cumulus installed on a dedicated weather computer and on one additional computer. I use Virtual VP to view data on both computers. Although, the computers do not share the same data folder, Virtual VP may be an option.

malc-c wrote: how would I tell the version running on the Observatory PC to look at \\192.168.x.x\program files\cumulus\data for arguments sake (or via mapped drives etc).

Don't install Cumulus on the Observatory PC -- just run it from it. Untested, but ... Start, Run \\192.168.x.x\program files\cumulus\cumulus.exe

I really would advise against this though! At the very least you need to make sure Cumulus is shutdown on the other PC, and of course you will not get any live readings, only look at data already captured by Cumulus.

I personally would use Remote Desktop or look at the web pages (as Mark said) otherwise I think you might cause data corruption in Cumulus

It would be reasonably straightforward to add an option to specify the location of the data folder - I think it would have to be an ini-file only option, as changing locations in 'mid-flight' might prove problematic. But as David points out, this wouldn't let you see live data, that would require a much larger facility allowing one instance of Cumulus to read live data from another instance of Cumulus (Virtual VP is an option only for Davis users). I did mention in another quite recently that this a facility I have been thinking about recently; but it's a lot of work and I seem to be suffering from Cumulus 'burn out' at the moment, so I can't say when I would be likely to add it.

daj wrote:

malc-c wrote: how would I tell the version running on the Observatory PC to look at \\192.168.x.x\program files\cumulus\data for arguments sake (or via mapped drives etc).

Don't install Cumulus on the Observatory PC -- just run it from it. Untested, but ... Start, Run \\192.168.x.x\program files\cumulus\cumulus.exe

I would strongly advise against sharing any 'system' folders, as there are major security risks.
If you're going to share the Cumulus directory, it's best to install Cumulus to a directory which can be safely made public, preferably on a different disk as well (eg. D:\Cumulus).

I'd recommend Mark's suggestion of viewing the web pages Cumulus creates.
For a start, the web pages can be put anywhere you want them, including a network share.

Another option is to run a scheduled task to periodically copy the data files to your observatory pc, although Cumulus might get upset about another application messing with it's files.

Remote control / viewing software is the way to go if you don't have a website setup.

If you are running a version of software that does not support Remote Desktop (Windows 7 home, Linux, Mac, etc.) Then try any of the free versions of VNC (RealVNC, TightVNC, UltraVNC, etc.)

This gives you the ability to do anything with the program (or any other program) you might wish.

I had a similar problem and wanted to see readings on other computers on home network (wife did anyway). I set up web server (abyss server) and ftp server(filezilla) all freeware. Works a treat.

ps do not have TFA Nexus (crap) now Davis Vantage Vue

Hi guys.

I run a dedicated, low power laptop with the weather station.

The laptop is also on the LAN along with the main desktop PC and a new laptop.

I access the wx laptop remotely using Team Viewer or wifi when home.

As Cumulus is on-screen on the laptop i can see the display over the LAN. But it also means i can fix issues remotely. eg. reboot the laptop

Data is published to my web site and WOW so i can see the data in 3 forms, web site, WOW and LAN

This setup has proven very reliable too.

As for why, just because we can. Nerdish but great fun