Limelight XE is a suite of software based on a client / server architecture designed to consolidate and control data and devices from multiple sources. These sources can include physical hardware such as IP cameras, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), networking equipment, databases, and much more. It is a scalable system based on plug-in drivers which allows the engine (server) to be expanded without changing the base code. This is the "XE" part of the Limelight tradename which stands for eXtensible Edition.
The server can be accessed in several ways most notably via the included console client. The console can be used to configure all aspects of the server engine including driver configuration. It also includes an alarm management window and procedure manager (which has a corresponding child window which can be split to an additional monitor). The alarm management function is multi-user and can handle a control room with many operators handling alarms and executing procedures.
Procedures are created using the console and are executed upon accepting alarms by an operator. The procedures are tied to the alarms via event codes that are unique to the type of alarm that was triggered. Custom alarm codes are also available and can be generated via scripts running on the engine. This is a powerful feature which allows data to be collected and analyzed for errors or possible issues. If an error or issue occurs, a script can then fire an alarm with all associated data to the objects that caused it. Procedures can also run scripts providing an extremely powerful mechanism for running an organization. Alarms can also be triggered by standard events such as a loss of connectivity.
A control room is never complete without a display wall - the central information display commonly used by all operators for global operational status. The included Display Client can drive multiple monitors and utilizes hardware acceleration to provide smooth drawing of all controls and displays. Even the free version of Limelight XE can support up to 5 display endpoints (graphics engines) which in turn can handle numerous monitors. The display client retrieves the data to draw the displays from a Limelight XE server - updates to values and controls are made on a 30 ms time slice and controls also have "easing" to limit jitter on dials and digital read-outs.
To create the display walls and user interfaces, the Limelight Interface Architect tools is used which utilizes a drag-and-drop methodology to create the displays. Changes can be made dynamically while in operation to add or remove controls from various displays or staged off-line for later updates.