How to Close Connection to an Instrument in OpenLab CDS

Answer

This Information Applies To: Agilent OpenLab CDS

Issue

Steps to close an instrument connection to a primary instrument controller, to start a successful connection to a secondary instrument controller, or to configure the instrument.

Background

• An instrument can only be controlled by one Instrument Controller at a time. To attempt a connection from a second Instrument Controller, you must close the connection to the first Instrument Controller.
• Also, even if the Acquisition screen is closed, you cannot configure/reconfigure an instrument without closing the connection first. If you try to, the error "Close Connection on instrument 'Instrument Name' before continuing" will pop up. (Figure 1) 

             

Figure 1. Error shown when trying to configure an instrument without closing connection 

Steps to Follow

1. Open the OpenLab CDS Control Panel.
   
   1. If you are using an authentication provider, you will have to go through a login screen first. (Figure 2)
      

                      
      
      Figure 2. Control Panel login screen (applies if you are using authentication provider).
      

   2. If you are not using an authentication provider, you will access the Control Panel directly (Figure 3).

                         
      
      Figure 3. Control Panel screen.
      

2.  Select the instrument to be closed. If instrument is already highlighted, proceed to Step 3.

   
   Figure 4. Instrument screen within OpenLab Control Panel.
   1. Red arrow indicating what instrument is being highlighted
   

3. Click the Close Connection icon. (Figure 5) 

                 

Figure 5.Icon to close the connection from, within the Control Panel of the CDS.
1. Icon used for closing the connection

Confirmation: After pressing that button, a loading screen will appear, stating that the connection is being closed. Successful connection will give you a prompt stating that connection to the instrument was closed.

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