Short review of temperature sensors

[Frank Pikelner]

For those, like myself, considering purchasing a temperature sensor to work
with Nagios, there are at least two choices. I decided to purchase both to
try out (I do not work for either of these companies, nor have any
association). The more recent product is one from ESensors called EM01 HVAC
and the second is from Sensatronics called TempTrax.

The EM01 HVAC has some nice features including the ability to monitor
temperature, light level and humidity. The unit comes with a CD and a GUI
application to configure the sensor unit. The sensor unit requires a
separate unit that allow the sensor to be programmed (when purchasing
multiple sensors, only one programmer is required). Through the GUI you
configure the unit's IP address, subnet mask, an email address for alerts to
be sent to, and alert levels for temperature, light level and humidity. One
missing item is the ability to configure a default gateway. The unit assumes
to communicate with local LAN devices. In my case because I monitor remote
networks this is a drawback. The company support people were very helpful
and are working on a new model with additional options. In the mean time to
monitor this unit remotely you will require a NAT device (e.g. cheap
broadband router will do) that the unit needs to be installed behind for
monitoring it remotely.

The TempTrax unit requires that one or more probes be connected to it (my
unit can have up to 4) and can monitor multiple locations limited by the
length of the wires (standard wires are 50'). The unit is programmed via a
null modem cable shipped with the unit. The unit can have an IP address,
subnet mask, default gateway, unit name and probe names programmed. The unit
runs an internal web server and display temperature information when
connecting to it via browser. The instruction manual also provides
information for developers who are interested in writing their own
applications.

In the end we chose the TempTrax unit for our immediate needs, but are
looking forward to trying out the updated EM01 unit when it is released.  


Frank Pikelner
t (416) 736-7474 ext. 40 
f (416) 736-7188 
e frank.pikelner at blue-dot.ca 





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