XML Connections to Wasatch SoftRIP

Access via XML files placed in hot folders is simple and easy to test.

Here are several examples of submission via HTTP, direct streaming to an IP port, and HTML/JavaScript programming.

This information is intended for system integrators and developers with some understanding of TCP/IP and HTTP protocols.

These network servers have not been written to handle heavy loads or high traffic on the open Internet. We do not consider them secure to publish directly on the open Internet. Even so, you do have options. If you want to publish Wasatch SoftRIP on the Internet, we suggest you secure it behind strong passwords as a proxy on some real Internet server, such as Apache.

Via local Web Browser, and Wasatch "dyn" URL's

Open a web browser on a system where SoftRIP is running with ImageNET and XML Access active, and access this URL:

http://localhost/xmlQueueStatus.dyn?PRINTUNIT=1

Note the XML display of information regarding the status of Print Unit 1.

For another example, use your local browser again to access this URL:

http://localhost/xmlSubmission.dyn?<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?><WASATCH ACTION=SYSTEM><WINDOWSINTERFACE visible=false /></WASATCH>

You should see a response of "Processing...", and the Windows interface of Wasatch SoftRIP should simply vanish, confirming submission of the XML command. Submit this through your browser to bring it back:

http://localhost/xmlSubmission.dyn?<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?><WASATCH ACTION=SYSTEM><WINDOWSINTERFACE visible=true /></WASATCH>

Via streaming to TCP/IP Port 81

Your XML Access option can be configured to listen on Port 81 for a simple stream of XML data. This listener is activated by the special Wasatch registration code, XMLACCESSPORT.

With that port listening, tests of XML access can be run with common network utility programs such as "cURL" and "ncat".

With cURL (available for free from "http://curl.haxx.se/"), a simple upload of any XML content can be run with a command such as:

curl.exe --upload-file demonstrationFile.xml localhost:81

Following a ten second pause, during which time SoftRIP is waiting for further data, you'll see execution of your XML file.

You may need to make some adjustments to your system security settings, that should be familiar to any developer doing this sort of network integration work. Sometimes you may need to use a specific IP address instead of "localhost". We suggest you limit your use of "cUrl" to sending files, and that you avoid putting XML on your command line, to avoid confusing interactions with the command line parser.

Via HTML/Javascript Browser Interface

A small sample of HTML/Javascript code is included in your copy of Wasatch SoftRIP. To enable it, go to the folder where SoftRIP is installed, and search for a subfolder, "httpService/interfaces/default.hide".

Change the folder name "default.hide" to "default", and launch Wasatch ImageNET. You should see that the usual browser interface for ImageNET has been replaced by a "sketched" interface with a few demo buttons and a display of information.

This is fully implemented by the HTML and Javascript code found in the "interfaces/default" folder, and provides a minimal illustration of programming this interface.