How to remotely get data files from an HMI

There is no direct method in the IXON Cloud available to transfer files from or to an HMI, but there are methods that you can use over the VPN connection.

Note that these methods are not IXON methods. These are general methods that work over VPN. This also means that we, IXON, do not have any specific guides for these methods. Luckily, there are plenty of guides available online that explain everything step by step.

There may be more methods than are described here, but these are the most common ones.

• Method: VNC
• Method: FTP
• Method: Remote Desktop (RDP)
• Method: Windows File Sharing

Method: VNC

1. Install and start a VNC server.
   • On most HMI's a VNC server is already built-in, but may need to be activated or it may not support file transfer. Contact the manufacturer for details.
   • For HMI's that do not have a built-in VNC server, there are several free VNC servers available online that support file transfer. For example TightVNC Server and RealVNC Server. Simply download it, install it, and make sure the VNC server is running. For more detailed instructions, search online for the VNC server's specific guides.
2. Set up a VPN connection to your Edge Gateway (IXrouter / IXagent).
3. Connect to the HMI using a VNC client.
   • There are several free VNC clients available online, for example TightVNC Viewer and RealVNC Viewer.
   • Open the VNC client, enter the HMI's IP address, and connect. For more detailed instructions, search online for the VNC client's specific guides.

Method: FTP

1. Install and start an FTP server.
   • Search online for guides that explain how you can start an FTP server (for example this guide: https://www.thewindowsclub.com/set-up-an-ftp-server-on-windows-10).
2. Set up a VPN connection to your Edge Gateway (IXrouter / IXagent).
3. Connect to the HMI using an FTP client.
   • You can connect using Windows File Explorer or a dedicated FTP client, like FileZilla. When using Windows File Explorer, enter the HMI's IP address preceded by "ftp:\\". For example: ftp:\\192.168.140.10. It will then ask you for the credentials to log in (username and password). Using the PC name instead of the IP address will not work over VPN.

Method: Remote Desktop (RDP)

1. Enable RDP on the HMI.
   • Search online for guides that explain how you enable RDP (for example this guide: https://www.howtogeek.com/231/turn-on-remote-desktop-in-windows).
2. Set up a VPN connection to your Edge Gateway (IXrouter / IXagent).
3. Connect to the HMI using RDP.
   • The above link also explains how you can connect, but it's important to note that you need to enter the IP address, not the PC name. Using the PC name will not work over VPN.

Method: Windows File Sharing

1. Enable file sharing.
   • Search online for guides that explain how you can enable file sharing (for example this guide: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/file-sharing-over-a-network-in-windows-b58704b2-f53a-4b82-7bc1-80f9994725bf).
2. Set up a VPN connection to your Edge Gateway (IXrouter / IXagent).
3. Connect to the HMI using file sharing.
   • Open Windows File Explorer and enter the HMI's IP address preceded by "\\". For example: \\192.168.140.10. It will then ask you for the credentials to log in (username and password). Using the PC name instead of the IP address will not work over VPN.