Now, panel meters plug into the Web

The latest type of equipment to boast Internet abilities is the humble panel meter. Newport Electronics has developed a range of panel meters, temperature controllers, signal conditioners and transmitters, all of which can send and receive data via Ethernet and the Internet.

"You can now connect a £160 digital panel meter or controller directly to an Ethernet network, just like a computer or printer," says Steve Hollander, Newport`s general manager. The devices can act as Web servers, allowing them to be controlled and monitored from any Web browser. They can also send messages to Internet-enabled pagers and mobile phones to raise an alarm.

Although this has been possible before, Hollander says that you previously needed an external computer, adding to the cost and complexity of the system. "These small instruments are full stand-alone Internet appliances," he explains. "The Ethernet and Web server capability is actually embedded in the device."

The Web pages produced by the iSeries instruments can be customised and, according to Hollander, they are secure.

Newport has also produced a Web server in the form of a DIN-rail-mounting device that can act as a hub to link up to 32 instruments to Ethernet or the Internet. The iServer, which costs less than £70, acts both as a Web server and an Ethernet-serial bridge.