Beyond Serial: Connecting to AlphaMon via UDP

In a previous post, we explored various terminal emulators for connecting to your AlphaMon device via a serial cable. This post introduces UDP as a powerful alternative, especially useful in situations where a physical serial connection is impractical.

Why Consider UDP?

UDP (User Datagram Protocol) offers a network-based method for communicating with your AlphaMon. It’s particularly advantageous when:

• Your AlphaMon is located in a hard-to-access location (e.g., inside a service enclosure, data center, or remote installation).
• A physical serial connection is unavailable or inconvenient.
• You need to monitor multiple AlphaMon devices simultaneously.

What is UDP?

UDP is a communication protocol that allows applications to send messages (datagrams) over a local area network (LAN), such as your home WiFi network. Unlike serial communication, UDP doesn’t require a direct physical connection. Instead, it uses network addresses (IP addresses and port numbers) to identify the sender and receiver. Some apps such as UDP Monitor even allow you to listen to all UDP traffic on your network, regardless of which IP address is the sender, which is helpful when you don’t know the sending device’s IP address.

Getting Started with UDP Monitoring

To monitor your AlphaMon via UDP, you’ll need the following:

1. AlphaMon Configuration: Your AlphaMon device must be configured to send log data streams via UDP. Refer to the AlphaMon documentation for specific instructions on enabling and configuring UDP output. This will typically involve setting the destination IP address and port number.
2. UDP Monitoring App/Software: You’ll need a UDP monitoring application or software on your computer or mobile device to receive and display the log data.

Recommended UDP Monitoring App (Android):

• UDP Monitor (Play Store): This app is highly recommended for Android, small screen devices, including smartphones and tablets. It provides a simple and effective way to receive and view UDP data streams. Its user-friendly interface makes it ideal for on-the-go monitoring.

Other UDP Monitoring Options:

• On Windows, Linux, and macOS: For more complex monitoring requirements, several network monitoring tools can also be used to display and capture UDP traffic. Wireshark (a network protocol analyzer) is a powerful option for advanced users. Other simpler tools are also available; a quick search for “UDP monitor” for your operating system should provide some options.
• The popular command line utility called “ncat” is also an excellent option for all these operating systems. Try the following command line to start and fine tune it from there. The -ul parameter tells ncat to listen for UDP packets whilst the -p 4210 tells it which port it should be listening on. If you don’t have ncat installed, it is easy and free to download using commands such as sudo apt-get install nmap on Linux Debian/Ubuntu-based systems.

ncat -ul -p 4210

Configuration:

1. AlphaMon IP Address and Port: Ensure that your UDP monitoring app is configured to listen on the correct IP address and port number that your AlphaMon device is sending data to. The originating UDP ports can be set in AlphaMon’s Config File using the following keys: UDP_PORT_LOG (defaults to 4210) and UDP_PORT_MOBILE (defaults to 4211). The UDP data sent to the UDP_PORT_MOBILE port is the same as that sent to the UDP_PORT_LOG port except that it excludes the time & date stamps, making it easier to use on devices with small screens.
2. Network Connectivity: Both your AlphaMon device and your monitoring device (computer or smartphone) must be on the same network (either local or internet, depending on your setup) for UDP communication to work. Or, of you’re using WiFi to connect, make sure both devices are connected to the same wireless SSID, which will ensure you’re connected to the same network.

Conclusion:

UDP offers a flexible and convenient alternative to serial communication for monitoring your AlphaMon devices. Whether you’re dealing with remote installations or simply prefer the convenience of network-based monitoring, UDP provides a powerful solution. “UDP Monitor” is a simple-to-use app that makes it especially easy to monitor your AlphaMon remotely using your Android device.