The Orion Host software is a Windows 98 / NT 4.0 / 2000 compatible application, which provides control and data collection for all clients connected to the central server system. The application presents a graphical view of all connected clients and detailed activity of a selected test node.

   Each client (SBC) in the system can have from one to eight test nodes (devices under test) associated with it. Test nodes are represented as device icons on the HOST port view screen and are color coded to show various status conditions.

   Device tests are performed by writing and executing test program scripts, which are edited using the Script Editor supplied with the software.

   The Orion software adds many new features to enhance the operation and data collection capabilities.

   The Orion Host software is designed to be compatible with the Flexstar DOS HOST software used in earlier test products however some differences do exist:

1. Some performance measurements are different due to the difference in CPU clock speeds and execution times.
2. Orion script editor pads labels with spaces. This can cause compatibility problems since the spaces become part of the label string. This problem can be avoided by filling unused spaces in the labels with the underscore character.

   The ORION Host software can start, stop, pause, and resume any test. The Host software includes power margining control and graphic performance plotting for real-time analysis of current test data through a single stand-alone GUI. Opening, editing, and saving scripts are fast and effective through the easy to use GUI environment.