After getting a few LED’s to flash in a pattern, it was time to go all out and try what others had tried before. Something so complex that Windows crashed multiple times before I got it working…
I am talking about making the mbed act as a web server, of course. Not making it fly to the moon, even though that is theoretically possible…
Anyway, after my exhilarating Traffic Lights program I embarked on making the mbed a fully-functional web server.
First, I tackled the LCD display. This was easily completed as detailed instructions accompanied the libraries; no problem. However, the trick of getting the contrast set proved difficult at first, but after adding a pot to control the resistance I found no problems at all. I also changed the supply of LCD to 5volts, not the 3v3 the mbed is running off. However this caused no problems as the LCD is 3v3 logic compatible when running on 5volts.
Next was the USB drive I was going to use to save the web pages on, as the mbed doesn’t have enough flash memory to store a heavy weight web site. The USB proved no more difficult than the LCD screen. This was going surprisingly easy!
Now was time to get the server working. To do this, I needed to get all the above to work simultaneously and effectively on the mbed without crashing or turning it into a brick (as I did with my last project). Again, there were a lot of files to import into the program. As well as this, mounting of the files was a hard task to complete, as the index.html file that I had put on the mbed memory to test it was not easily found.
Unfortunately, I spoke to soon. As what is a server without a means of communicating to the outside world? This is where the problems started: fine tuning the Ethernet. Then came getting Windows to connect to a router that had the mbed attached, so I could test it.
Finally, after a multitude of challenges, I got the mbed working as a fully functional server. I honestly expected a lot more problems than I actually got. Windows was a situation I couldn’t help, but every other problem was fixed in under an hour. I did find the instructions, or lack of instructions, on the server libraries page somewhat frustrating, as this complicated the project more than needed, as I had to guess what each line of code did, and how to manipulate it to my advantage. Despite this, I enjoyed the project thoroughly.
Any suggestions for the next project will be greatly welcomed, so get commenting!
Sorry for no picture of the mbed, as the camera would not get any clear shots of it.
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Matthew Clarke
@soniduino
Addidis
You didnt mention what the webserver actually does, or post a picture of the page displaying so I could be way off with this but here goes.
For your next project you could add in some sort of sensor and display its results on the webpage.
You could do something ultra simple like a photoresistor and know if mom, dad , or siblings are in your room etc .
You might try controlling an led from the webpage. Then you can set up a webcam and let people blink the led from all around the world.
Soniduino
sorry, first of all. I have been having small problems with the mbed being able to handle large wepages. However your idea is very good! It could be quite fun, as it could do all sorts of things. I think some one has writen some code on the mbed website so this could help me get started.
Thanks!
Addidis
Yeah the web page would be ultra simple. basically a button and a indicator of the led state (on /off), you would use the regular pc to do the webcam for the live demo. The mbed page would be very simple . I think you thought I meant do streaming video from the mbed hehe .