Notification via Alert Module to an HTTP/s Server (HTTP POST)

[Sanjeet_Sahota]

Alerting over HTTP:

One of the latest features to be introduced into the ION8650 last year in FW 4.31.1, was the ability to push an Alert to an HTTP/HTTPs server in JSON format. This brings a host of new capabilities, from Standard Alarming, Alerting on PQ Events, Restoration, and Outage Notification*. 

To use this feature, ensure that the meter is running firmware version V4.31.1.  *Note to use the Outage Notification feature, this requires having an Outage Notification card available.  Refer to the documentation attached to this post for more information.

Configuring the Meter:

In the Advanced view in ION Setup, create a new Alert Module by right click on the right pane and selecting “Insert Module”:

The fields for configuring the Alert Module for HTTP POST:

Message: Here you can reference the source or create a custom message, whether it’s a restoration message or alerting on a specific recorded value that is linked to the Source 1-4 inputs.  Note you can insert which format the message will be in.  For example, you can wrap the message in JSON format:

{"Restoration":[ { "Voltage 1": “%V1”}, { "Voltage 2": “%V2”},{ "Voltage 3": “%V3”}]}

The message field can support up to 1000 characters to customize the message to your needs! For more details on how to include options such as the Meter Tag 1 and 2, Meter Serial Number and time, refer to ION Reference and the “Alert Module” section.

Destination: This should point to the location of the HTTP (or HTTPs) server that will be receiving the message.  The address can be an IP or a domain name.  However, to use the domain name, you will need to configure the DNS server addresses in the Ethernet Comm Module.  Ensure that the address starts with either HTTP or HTTPs, depending on which you are connecting to.  Use of HTTPs requires uploading a public certificate via the FTP server.   The ION8650 accepts PEM files.

Type:  This must be set to HTTP POST to use this feature. 

Comm Port:  Ethernet (or Ethernet Outage Notification for meters that are equipped with the outage card hardware)
When using the Alert Module without an Outage Notification the “Trigger” Input must be linked to a trigger output from another module. Now typically, we have seen the need for Utilities to Alert when power is lost on the measurement inputs, or even when the meter powers down.  In tandem with this new ability is the outage notification card that can expand this Alert to send a single message to an HTTP server when the meter powers down.  This can be configured to either wait either 10 seconds up to 2 minutes to send a message to an outage server when the meter is off.  Using Super-Cap technology, it has the capability of sending up to 7 messages (1 every 2 minutes) after the meter has powered down.

Other Applications:

With an increase in Software Defined Networks, there is becoming a more common requirement for the end devices to initiate communication to enable the routing port.  This presents a challenge as typically the meter is receiving the connection, not making outgoing connections. With the HTTP Post feature, we can, in some cases, address some of these challenges as IT infrastructure evolves.  What other ways do you see this feature being used?  Reply below and share your ideas!

[Charles_Murison · Accepted solution]

Thank you for this update

Charles