Labview executable monthly password distribution via internet

[RL]

We control some equipment with a Labview executable that operates a USB DAQ board (Analogue Inputs and Digital Outputs).  Does anyone know of software that would automatically email operating parameters and data files and would manage Password Access.  The proper password would be available weekly or monthly on our server when the account is in good standing.  If the payment for the equipment has not been made the software should show information pertaining to making a payment and how to obtain the appropriate Password.

It appears that the Internet Toolkit only partially solves the internet access problem the secure password distribution, if it exists, is most likely a third party software.  Does anyone know how secure this solution in the face of some person who prefers to crack than pay?

I am open to suggestions.  I would like to use the solution nationally and internationally.

Raymond

[PJS]

Are you looking for POP3/SMTP VIs or are you looking for a complete email solution?  The built in LabVIEW VIs do not support SSL connections to email, but if you search around the forums, you will find plenty of email components.  Personally, I use dotNet for sendmail on my windoze platform, you can get to one example from my link below.  As for accessing POP3 or IMAP, you would need to search around.  OpenG has some stuff too.

If you are looking for a complete solution, I am not sure that one would exist that exactly meets your needs.  But maybe someone has something close they might share.  Plenty of people here to help you craft your email notification engine.  Other solutions might be available as well.  But do a search for exactly what your looking for.  

Your solution is very solvable, just depends on how much work you can or want to do on your own

[RL]

"

PJS "But do a search for exactly what your looking for.  

Your solution is very solvable, just depends on how much work you can or want to do on your own"

Before posting I searched many pages but there appears to be several components that are involved:

- Labview operates only when the Password is still valid (validity renewable each month)

- If the Password is not valid Labview will attempt to obtain new Password

- If the renewal attempts fail, Labview will only show a screen prompting renewal procedures

- Labview will upload operational data weekly, via the internet, to our server or send an email

I am not trying to get someone to do my work but rather to establish what will work best and be secure.

Raymond

[PJS]

OK, LabVIEW is a development environment.  Are you talking about an executable that you develop with a rotating key or a license agreement to run the development environment?

[RL]

PJS "OK, LabVIEW is a development environment.  Are you talking about an executable that you develop with a rotating key or a license agreement to run the development environment?"

My first post was correct in stating that the executable will be Password controlled.  The Labview program per say is only used to write the executable therefore it does not come into play after that job is done and it certainly will not be distributed.

I suspect that a license agreement with a third party will be required, to achieve any level of security, but I have not found out who has the product.

 Raymond

[rolfk]

I'm pretty sure you won't find a ready made solution for this to download. Your requirements are quite specifc and involve quite a bit of different componenets. And any one having written something like this has spent A LOT of hours into it, so he will not post it for free.

So lets look at your description:

1) Having a password to download from your server. Why??

You simply want to connect to your server with a license key that the user got when purchasing the software and see if the application has still support in your database. But you do not immediately want to disallow operation when the internet connection is flaky so you need to add some grace period, with a warning to that fact but still allow to run for some time. A legitimate user that can not run your software because something messed up that he does not understand, will in the best case call you up and tell you what he thinks about your #$%^ company.

2) Password access is not for you to check that the application is used properly (you do that through the license key) but for your users to allow protecting the software to be run by anyone he doesn't want.

But for your online license check you do need also a VERY reliable database backend on your server. And an internet access component that can query your database through some interface like CGI or Web Services. And of course you do not want to have this connection through unencrypted connections, so there needs an underlaying SSL connection.

So let me ask some question? How much would you be willing to pay for such a LabVIEW component and how much time and money would you be willing to spend yourself to build and test the database backend?

Message Edited by rolfk on 11-06-2009 09:25 PM

[RL]

Thank you for your comments and the chance to clarify the request.

I hope to find existing software - not a freebie but tested software.  

The software accompanies and controls leased equipment hence the changing monthly password.  If the lease payment is late the software does not operate the machine.  A grace period is valid and it can be accompanied by various admonishments to take care of the financial aspects of the transaction.  The field unit can receive the password in various ways i.e. directly from a server, via email, hardcopy, etc.

I did not consider interrogating the field software via the Password but rather having the field machine upload weekly, via email, operating parameters and operation information.

The request is for existing software.  We do not want to reinvent the wheel, so to say and start a research project that morphs into a debugging project.  We already had a NI Labview approved architect write the control code which works well but these extras appear to require a commercially available product.

Raymond