Prior to this service, the hardware configuration of the JACE host was often known to its station (and Workbench) in a generic way, for example by its “Host Model” value of “NPM2” or “NPM6”. Such values refer to a “Niagara Processor Module” board that fits on different types of controller base boards. Thus, an “NPM2” host could be either JACE-2, JACE-202 Express (M2M JACE), or a Security JACE.

Although a station’s platform SerialPortService lists each serial port on the JACE host, including its assigned COM address, there was no indication as to which ports were on option cards. Other details on option cards (and slots) were also unknown—for example, if an option slot was available (open) or not.

The Hardware Scan Service clarifies all of this by providing a complete hardware profile of the hosting JACE controller to its station and Workbench. Included is the controller’s “Product Model” type (combination of its base board and NPM module, if applicable) with a representative image, along with details about any installed option cards. This information can be useful when troubleshooting remotely, or even after adding an option card to confirm a COM address for a specific port.

Additionally, this information could be useful to a developer of an “appliance” that runs on the controller, such that the appliance (station) configuration could logically adapt to different hardware profiles.