The Secure Network Interface™ (SNI) quickly and easily connects any clinical analyzer to a TCP/IP network, eliminating the need for terminal servers and PCs for these connections. Acting as a mini web server, the SNI acquires data from a laboratory analyzer, processes it, and delivers it to a remote server anywhere on the network. This effectively makes any analyzer network or Internet compatible, eliminating many of the common problems associated with traditional serial connections. To address the needs of an everchanging connectivity market, Dawning Engineers developed the SNI with the future in mind.

The SNI is a software configurable device, compatible with any clinical analyzer and information system. Authorized users have access to a variety of parameters including:

• Controlling interaction with the instrument
• Identification on the network
• Where information will be delivered
• Access to program source code

Definable delivery tasks specify host destination and transport protocols while diagnostic utilities allow you to monitor instrument communication. No other interface solution provides you this level of control. The best part: you can reconfigure the SNI for a new analyzer when the current instrument is replaced, indefinitely extending the useful life of the interface.

As its name implies, all communication handled through the SNI is secure. When in secure mode all files sent/received over the network by the SNI are encrypted, preventing unauthorized access via a packet sniffer on the network. This security is extended to sending downloads, receiving results, and viewing the transmission log.

The SNI is identified on the network via a definable IP address, or through the use of DHCP. Check with your IT department to verify which is the preferred method for your organization. A standard Web browser on any authorized workstation provides access to the unit for configuration, monitoring or diagnostics. Standard protocols supported include FTP, SMTP, HTTP and Telnet.

A dedicated CPU, 700K of nonvolatile file space and use of high-level protocols such as FTP reduce processing demands on the central system, increase reliability and improve the performance of interface connections. Service of the analyzer's serial communication protocol is managed close to the instrument instead of across long distances as with terminal server based connections.

All data received from the analyzer is translated into Dawning Common Data Format (CDF), providing uniform communication from all SNI units to a host system. Other industry standard formats such as HL7 and ASTM, or custom host formats are available by adding our ResultNet/Plus communication software.

Dawning's ResultNet/Plus software is frequently used as an accessory to the Secure Network Interface. A Windows NT based application that runs on a single network workstation, ResultNet/Plus provides additional host communication options including ASTM, HL7 and TCP/IP socket connections. ResultNet/Plus can manage communication with multiple host systems. Custom modules are available to handle communication with ancillary systems such as billing, QC management, and reference lab systems.

Our new JResultNet is a Java based version of ResultNet/Plus that offers improved portability, data handling, security and stability. JResultNet is compatible with a variety of operating system platforms including Linux, Windows and others. Contact sales@dawning.com for additional information or call 1-800-332-0499.

There is a one-year warranty on the SNI hardware for parts and labor; handled on a depot repair basis.

SNI clinical package includes: SNI unit, US/Canadian compatible power transformer (international compatible units available upon request), technical documentation, access to Customer Support, a clinical application program from our Software Library, and application and web support for standard clinical instruments.