How to Use the Browser Interface for 8890 and 8860 GC Systems

Created by Anna Gärtner over 1 year ago | Last modified by Carlos Vargas 11 months ago

This Information Applies To: Agilent 8890 and 8860 GC Systems

Issue:

The Browser Interface of the 8890 and 8860 GC systems, provides for instrument setup and control, as well as the ability to run the instrument stand-alone (without a connected data system).

The Browser Interface provides many of the same functions as the touchscreen.

Topics

How-to connect to the Browser Interface

How-to access stored run data

How-to control Browser Interface access

How-to use the Help function in the Browser Interface

Tip: Detailed information can be obtained from the Operational Manual of the respective GC.

How-to connect to the Browser Interface

The Browser Interface can be viewed using any typical Web browsing device, such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone, provided the device is connected to the same gateway as the GC.

1. On a tablet or computer connected to the same gateway as the GC, open a browser window. Supported browsers include Google Chrome, Apple Safari (on a tablet), Microsoft Internet Explorer 11, and Microsoft Edge. Make sure that the browser version is up to date.

2. Navigate to http://{GC Name or IP Address} (Figure 1). For example, if the GC IP address (Figure 2) is 10.1.1.100, navigate to http://10.1.1.100.

3. If prompted, enter the access code. (The access code is available at the GC touchscreen.)

Figure 1 Connecting Browser Interface with GC instrument.

Figure 2 Accessing the GC IP address and host name in the touchscreen display.

If you do not know the GC's IP address or host name, use the touchscreen to find it.

The Browser Interface can be used to:

Create methods
Run samples
Create, edit, and load sequences of samples
Run instrument diagnostic tests
Check status and performance of the GC (view logs, current statuses, and plots)
Perform maintenance procedures
Check maintenance details and reset counters
Change language settings
Access online help

For more information on how to perform single actions with the Browser Interface see the respective Operational Manual or use the integrated Help function.

Figure 3 Overview of the Browser Interface.

1. Instrument and method configuration; 2. Saving functions, printing options, sending and receiving of instrument parameters; 3. Navigation panel of main functions;

4. Help tab; 5. Context-sensitive information tab; 6. Status bar.

Caution: When a data system is controlling the GC, setpoint changes and other features may be disabled in the Browser Interface.

Caution: If multiple users connect to a GC using the Browser Interface, only the first connection has normal control.

How-to access stored run data

If using the Browser Interface to perform runs and collect data, the GC stores the result data internally.

Caution: Methods and sequences created using the Browser Interface are not directly accessible from a connected data system.

Caution: Methods and sequences created using a connected data system are not directly accessible using the Browser Interface.

To access the data from the Browser Interface:

On the GC touchscreen display, press Settings > System Settings > Local Data Storage (Figure 4). Note the path to the GC share.
Press Access (Figure 5). Note the displayed PIN.
On your PC, map a network drive to the GC share. Ask your internal IT support staff for help if needed.
When prompted, connect using the credentials:
- User: results
- Password: the PIN (default: 0000).

Figure 4 Viewing the Local Data Storage pathway.

How-to control Browser Interface access

The GC is set so that a four-digit PIN must be used to perform the following actions for your GC:

Delete run data.
Mount a share drive.

By default, the PIN is set to 0000. Also, you may choose to require the PIN to access the Browser Interface.

To set the PIN:

From the System Settings page on the touchscreen, select Access (Figure 5).
Select the four-digit PIN for input of a new PIN.
If desired, select the check box next to Access Browser Interface to require the PIN for Browser Interface access.

Figure 5 Setting PIN for Browser Interface access.

How-to use the Help function in the Browser Interface

You can access an extensive amount of on-board documentation by clicking the Help tab (Figure 3) in the Browser Interface or by directly navigating to http://{GC Name or IP Address}/info (Figure 6).

The Help & Information suite provides you with the following information:

Knowledge base: manuals, installation info, safety info, and site prep.
Getting Started: Browser User Interface tutorial, Quick Start Poster, eFamiliarization, a GC Feature Tour, the System Setup Wizard, and instructional videos.
Maintenance: information for performing maintenance on your configuration (inlets, detectors, etc.).
System Operation: information on operating your GC, such as its settings, or EMF counters.
Diagnostics: information on the instrument diagnostic tests, self-guided diagnostics, and tasks available on your GC.
Browser Interface Help: help and instructions for using the Browser Interface.
Online Resources: links to Agilent University, Agilent YouTube, Agilent Community, services, and more.

Figure 6 Help and Information suite of the Browser Interface.

Context-sensitive information is available from each of the Browser Interface pages (Figure 7).

Select the > arrow from the right side of the screen (Figure 3, number 5) to access information and tips relevant to the page you are viewing.
About this Screen provides several links to relevant help topics. When clicked, these links open their corresponding topics within the help tray.
Under Tips, you will see snippets of useful information about the current page. Also, some pages will provide links to extra documentation, such as the link to the Method Wizard in the example below.