AppManager^TM

AppManager™ Specifications

Access, Connectivity, and Compatibility Features

• End users sign into their AppManager account, and then they have access to the applications that they have subscribed to.
  • BaseManager™
    • WeatherAccess™
    • LiveView™
    • Mobile Access™
  • PipeView™
  • FlowStation App™
• Compatible with all BaseStation 3200 and BaseStation 1000 controllers and the FlowStation.
  • Controllers connect with any of the following communication options: Ethernet connection, GPRS cellular modem, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet radio.
• BaseManager communicates with a controller via a secure WebSocket over an Internet connection with the most current version of the following web browsers:
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Google Chrome
  • Safari

AppManager Applications

BaseManager™

BaseManager™ is a central control application within the AppManager framework. BaseManager enables any BaseStation 3200™ or BaseStation 1000™ irrigation controller to be fully programmed and operated remotely from a computer or other mobile device. BaseManager also allows the user to add zone descriptions, automate text message and email alerts, and generate reports.

BaseManager is available as a cloud-based application over the Internet or on a self-hosted server.

BaseManager Subscriptions

A subscription determines what BaseManager and Mobile Access features a controller has access to.

The subscription is associated with a controller and all controllers belonging to a company will be set to the same subscription level.

New BaseStation 3200 controllers receive a free BaseManager Plus subscription for 1 year. If a paid subscription is not set up following the trial period, the first controller added to a company’s account will be assigned a LiveView subscription and only the first authorized user will have access. All other controllers on the company’s account will be set to inactive.

BaseStation 1000 controllers come with a free LiveView subscription.

Subscription Term and Renewal

When you purchase a subscription, it is valid for one year.

If you add a controller to an existing company, the new controller subscription renewal fee will be prorated in order to put all controllers on the same renewal schedule.

The renewal date determines when you will be charged for your subscription.

If all the controllers’ subscriptions expire in an account, the first controller in the list will be set to LiveView, and all other controllers will be set to Inactive.

End User Features Available in BaseManager Plus

A map-based interface provides the following functionality:

• Check the status of any controller, device, or zone
• Find the location of your controllers, devices, and zones
• Start/stop a zone
• Test devices and zones
• Display a graph for devices and zones
• Set a rain delay
• Zoom in/out and move the map view
• Switch between a street map view, satellite view, and terrain view
• Set geo-location for any controller, zone, or other device

Three levels of user access:

• Company Admin
• Site Manager
• Operator

A quick view of the status of all zones with color-coded statuses and descriptions, including:

• Real-time color-coded status for all zones and programs
• Complete list of current alarms and messages
• Ability to delete/clear any current alarm or message
• Current status and value for all sensing devices

View soil moisture and run-time graphs for any/all zones and soil moisture sensors

Schedule rain delays and pause events

Clear rain delays and pause conditions

Update controller firmware

Add and fully configure all zones and programs, including:

• Enable/disable zones
• Change zone type
• Assign a program
• Adjust water time
• Adjust cycle and soak times
• Program soil moisture sensors
• Program master valves
• Program flow sensors
• Program pressure sensors
• Configure mainlines
• Set all program schedules
• Set all program configurations, including per-program configuration of:
  • Program stop/start conditions
  • Smart watering based on soil moisture sensors
  • Water sources
  • Master valves
  • Water days
  • Water windows

Add textual descriptions for all controllers, zones, sensors, flow devices, master valves, points of connection, and mainlines.

• All descriptions that are set through BaseManager are saved and displayed in the controller.
• These descriptions are visible in all appropriate displays and reports, including on the front panel of controllers.

Perform the following manual operations:

• Learn flow
• Calibrate soil moisture sensors
• Run zones and programs
• Test devices

BaseManager Plus users have access to the following WeatherAccess™ features:

• Connect a weather station and assign it to a controller
• Configure hydrozone properties
• Enable zones on the BaseStation 3200 to use weather-based watering
• Configure programs on the BaseStation 1000 to use weather-based watering
• Check the calculated ETo amount in Quick View
• Display weather station information from the map

Alerts, Alarms, & Reports

Generates the following alerts/reports as an email or in PDF format for any date range:

• Water Usage
• Zones Activity
• Zone Run Time
• Moisture Levels
• Flow Meter Totals

Alerts, alarms, and reports are available by subscription.

• Users can have alerts, alarms, and reports sent by text message, email, or both.
• Users can subscribe on a priority basis.
• Users can configure what time(s) of day the alerts are received.
• The company admin can configure subscriptions for all users.

LiveView™

LiveView provides a virtual view of the BaseStation controller and enables the user to operate the controller just as if he/she were standing in front of it. LiveView is available through BaseManager.

• LiveView matches the controller’s display screen in real-time or near real-time as supported by the controller’s connection speed.
• LiveView supports all buttons and/or dial positions available at the controller.
• LiveView honors controller PIN security as if the user were at the controller.
• Multiple simultaneous LiveView users to the same controller are supported.
• LiveView supports Baseline access to any controller when authorized by the customer for customer support purposes.

WeatherAccess™

With a BaseManager Plus account, you can operate your Baseline irrigation controllers using WeatherAccess™. WeatherAccess applies real-time weather data from a weather station in your area (available in Weather Underground’s weather station network), and configurable zone properties to a standardized evapotranspiration (ET) equation. This calculation estimates the loss of moisture from the root zone, and then the irrigation controller uses the calculated value to adjust the runtime in order to apply just enough water to replace that lost moisture.

Mobile Access™

• Allows any web-enabled mobile phone or other mobile device to function as a remote control
• Perform manual operations including turning zones on and off, starting and stopping programs, and initiating rain delays
• Provides real-time access to soil moisture and flow sensor readings
• Perform valve diagnostics
• Geo-locate all devices
• Uses SSL/TSL security encryption

PipeView™

PipeView, the cloud-based hydraulic system management software gives users the ability to view and manage their irrigation hydraulic systems from any location over an Internet connection. Users have the ability to see all water sources, control points, mainlines, and zones in their irrigation systems.

PipeView is compatible with BaseStation 3200 irrigation controllers and shared flow groups that are managed by a FlowStation.

PipeView Functionality

PipeView displays a tree-diagram that shows the connections between all of the components in the hydraulic system. The diagram also shows the real-time, color-coded status details for the following hydraulic system components:

Water Sources

• Whether the water source is watering and which downstream control point or control points it is connected to
• The water source status, such as watering, done, or waiting
• The controller the water source is assigned to
• The FlowStation the water source is assigned to if applicable
• The description of the water source

Control Points

• Whether the control point is watering and which downstream mainline or mainlines it is connected to
• The control point status, such as watering, learning flow, or done
• The controller that the control point is assigned to
• The FlowStation that the control point is assigned to if applicable
• The description of the control point
• Real-time values for:
  • Flow sensors measured in GPM
  • Pressure sensors measured in PSI
• Real-time status for:
  • Master valves indicated by an open or closed value
  • Pumps indicated by on or off value

Mainlines

• Whether the mainline is watering and which downstream control points, mainlines, or zones the mainline is assigned to
• The mainline status, such as watering, done, or waiting
• The controller that the mainline is assigned to
• The FlowStation that the mainline is assigned to if applicable
• The description of the mainline

Zones

• Whether the zone is watering and which mainline the zone is assigned to.
• The zone status, such as watering, learning flow, or done

When a user clicks on one of the hydraulic system components, PipeView displays a slide-out screen. This screen shows messages, graphs, and other details for the component. The user can navigate to the edit screen to make changes to the settings.

Changes made in PipeView are copied to the controllers and to BaseManager (if the controller has an active subscription).

FlowStation App™

The FlowStation App, the cloud-based shared flow central control software gives users the ability to view and manage their FlowStations from any location over an Internet connection.

FlowStation App Functionality

The FlowStation App displays all FlowStations on a site.

On the detail screen, the user can see the controllers that are assigned to that FlowStation and the status of that controller’s water sources, control points, and mainlines. The user can edit details for these hydraulic system components.

The user can see and edit details on the following screens:

Water Source Screen

• The description of the water source
• Whether the water source is enabled or disabled
• The water source priority level
• The monthly water budget
• Whether the water source will shut down if it meets or exceeds the water budget
• Empty conditions for the water source

Control Point Screen

• The control point description
• Whether the control point is enabled or disabled
• Enable and define the control point group for that control point which allows the FlowStation to activate the control point with the smallest GPM in that group to supply water for downstream zones based on their requested GPM
• The target flow of the control point
• Limits for flow and pressure and whether to shut down if the limit is exceeded

Mainline Screen

• The mainline description
• Whether the mainline is enabled or disabled
• Define the design flow value for that mainline
• Choose either time or pressure as the type of flow stabilization management for that mainline
• Define the flow stabilization value as either a unit of time or a measure of psi
• Define whether the mainline is managed by flow
• Define the flow variance percentage
• Define whether or not to shut down if the flow variance percentage is exceeded
• Choose either time or pressure as the type of mainline delay option for that mainline
• Define the delay before the first zone either by time or psi
• Define the delay between zones either by time or psi
• Define the delay after the last zone either by time or psi
• Define the number of zones to run between delays
• Whether or not to enable or disable advanced flow variance
• Define the values for each advanced flow variance range

The app also shows the hydraulic system assignments and enables the user to change the assignments and/or add new assignments.

AdminManager™

The AdminManager app in AppManager enable users to perform the following functions:

• Add BaseStation 3200 and BaseStation 1000 irrigation controllers and FlowStations to AppManager
• Remove BaseStation 3200 and BaseStation 1000 irrigation controllers and FlowStations from AppManager
• Remotely update the general information and geographical settings on BaseStation 3200 and BaseStation 1000 irrigation controllers and FlowStations that are connected to AppManager
• Remotely update the firmware on BaseStation 3200 and BaseStation 1000 irrigation controllers and FlowStations that are connected to AppManager
• Manage connections between BaseStation 3200 irrigation controllers and FlowStations

Information Security Controls

AppManager includes information security controls that enable secure networking with other Baseline products.

To learn more about AppManager security controls, refer to the Baseline Security Controls Technical Specification.

Brochures & Manuals

Technical Specifications

Installation Guides

General Specifications

Advanced Programming

Support Documents

How to Specify

Part Number	Description
BL-APPMGR-FW	Access to the AppManager Framework
BL-BMW2-LIVE	Access to LiveView through BaseManager
BL-BMW2-PLUS	1 year of BaseManager Plus service for 1 controller, includes WeatherAccess and Mobile Access Advanced service. PipeView is included in BaseManager Plus subscriptions for BaseStation 3200 controllers.

Note: For information about Baseline’s Mobile Access that turns your phone into the ultimate remote control, refer to the Mobile Access Brochure on Baseline’s website.

Baseline’s Mobile Access Turns Your Phone into the Ultimate Remote Control

Save time and money by using your mobile phone as the ultimate remote control. Baseline’s Mobile Access™ is a mobile web application that allows you to operate your Baseline irrigation controller with a web-enabled mobile device. You’ll be amazed by how much money you can save compared to traditional RF remote controls, especially when you need to give access to your entire crew.  Plus, you’ll save loads of time because all the control you need in the field will always be in your pocket, available with the click of a button. 
 

Remote Control Done Right

Baseline’s Mobile Access provides powerful yet simple control of any BaseStation 1000 or BaseStation 3200 controller from virtually any web-enabled mobile phone or other mobile device. You’ll have quick and easy access to important manual operations like turning zones on and off, starting and stopping programs, and initiating rain delays.  You also have the option to get real-time soil moisture and flow readings.  Mobile Access even provides real-time confirmation that your operation was successful.

Most importantly, Mobile Access and Mobile Access Advanced were designed with contractors and maintenance personnel in mind.  Mobile Access provides a simple and easy way to perform the basic operations you need most from a remote control with a few simple clicks.  The bottom line – Mobile Access uses the power of your smart phone to make your job easier.

Mobile Access — Features and System Requirements

Mobile Access Lite Features

• Included with BaseManager™ Lite web service (free with the purchase of a BaseStation irrigation controller
• Mobile Access Lite enables users to turn zones on and off from any web-enabled mobile device

Mobile Access Basic Features

• Included with BaseManager web service and with self-hosted BaseManager (both the VM software and pre-installed versions)
• Mobile Access Basic enables users to perform the following operations from any web-enabled mobile device:
  • Turn zones on and off
  • Start and stop programs
  • Initiate rain delays

Mobile Access Advanced Features

• Included with BaseManager Plus web service or available as an add-on for BaseManager software
• Mobile Access Advanced enables users to perform the following operations from any web-enabled mobile device:
  • Turn zones on and off
  • Start and stop programs
  • Initiate rain delays
  • Perform valve diagnostics
  • Geo-locate all devices
  • View real-time soil moisture and flow sensor readings
  • View messages

System Requirements

• BaseStation 3200 controllers require a properly configured BaseManager software package or BaseManager Web account.
• Requires an Internet-enabled device with access to the Internet. Mobile Access has been fully tested with Apple iPhone, iPad, Android smartphones and tablets. 
• All Mobile Access levels will also work in regular web browsers like Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Safari. 

Note: Use of any Mobile Access level may incur additional data charges from your cellular provider.

How to Specify Mobile Access

Mobile Access Lite

• BL-BMW2-LITE – BaseManager Lite Service (LiveView only) with Mobile Access Lite for 1 irrigation controller

Mobile Access Basic

• BL-BMW2-1 – BaseManager Service with Mobile Access Basic for 1 irrigation controller
• BL-BM2-VM – BaseManager Virtual Machine image, includes Mobile Access Basic
• BL-BM2-COM – BaseManager pre-installed on hardware, includes Mobile Access Basic

Mobile Access Advanced

• BL-BMW2-PLUS – BaseManager Service with Mobile Access Advanced for 1 irrigation controller
• BL-BM2-MAA – Mobile Access Advanced add-on for BaseManager software

WeatherAccess

Weather-based Watering – the Baseline Way

You can conserve water by operating your Baseline irrigation controller in a “smart” mode rather than in a timed mode. Unlike traditional irrigation controllers that operate on a timed schedule, a smart controller actively adjusts its watering schedule based on input from sensors. Smart controllers save water by applying the least amount of water possible to keep the soil moisture content in the root zone at the appropriate levels.

WeatherAccess™ applies real-time weather data from a weather station in your area (available in Weather Underground’s weather station network), and configurable zone properties to a standardized evapotranspiration (ET) equation. This calculation estimates the loss of moisture from the root zone, and then the irrigation controller uses the calculated value to adjust the runtime in order to apply just enough water to replace that lost moisture.

When operated in WeatherAccess mode with an active BaseManager™ Plus subscription, the BaseStation 1000™ and BaseStation 3200™ irrigation controllers meet the EPA WaterSense program’s water efficiency and performance criteria. The BaseStation irrigation controllers combine Baseline’s soil moisture sensor-based intelligent watering technology with the industry’s best practices for weather-based irrigation into a single user interface.

In WeatherAccess mode, Baseline irrigation controllers attempt to calculate the loss of moisture from the root zone and adjust the watering schedule accordingly. The controller’s ability to accurately adjust runtimes depends on the quality of the weather data and how accurately the following properties are configured for each hydrozone in your landscape:

• A specific plant type’s water needs (known as the “crop coefficient”)
• Root zone depth
• The plant’s microclimate (ranging from full sun to total shade)
• The application rate of the irrigation method used (spray, rotor, drip, or bubbler)
• Type of soil at the site (clay, sand, or loam)
• Slope of landscape (ranging from slight to extreme)

Having a good working knowledge of horticulture, water management, and an understanding of the science behind weather-based watering will help you be successful with WeatherAccess.

IMPORTANT! In order to connect to a weather station and access the configuration fields for weather-based watering, the BaseStation 1000 and BaseStation 3200 irrigation controller must be connected to Baseline’s BaseManager central control platform, and you must have a BaseManager Plus account set up.

To get started, review the steps in the WeatherAccess User Manual.

How to Videos

Self-Hosted Baseline Server

The self-hosted Baseline server enables users to remotely connect to and operate Baseline irrigation controllers. Users operate their irrigation controllers through the AppManager™ framework, a web-based (browser-based) interface. The controllers are connected through web-based ports (HTML-5 standard, WebSocket Protocol).

The Baseline server is available as a self-hosted option or a virtual machine image.

The self-hosted Baseline server is a full-function Linux based server. This server is available from Baseline pre-installed on a solid state server module based on the Intel™ Next Unit of Computing™ (NUC) hardware. The self-hosted Baseline server is fully web manageable and does not require a monitor or keyboard (a keyboard, monitor, and mouse are available as an option.) The system is designed to be a low power, high reliability server unit suitable for customers who do not have an existing rack-based virtual server environment, or for customers who do not wish to install AppManager on a managed IT server.

For those who prefer to use existing managed servers, AppManager is also available as a virtual machine image suitable for installation in modern VMware® rack mount server environments. The Baseline server virtual machine requires a minimum of 4GB of RAM, 120GB of disk space, and an Intel i3 class processor or equivalent.

The self-hosted Baseline server or virtual machine server can be fully managed via the built-in secure web server.

In order to allow mobile devices to access the Baseline server, an externally accessible static IP address or hostname is required, and https web access to the Baseline server will need to be enabled.

Self-Hosted Baseline Server — Features and Specifications

Hardware Options

The self-hosted Baseline server is a full-function Linux based server. This server is available from Baseline pre-installed on an all solid state server module based on the Intel™ Next Unit of Computing™ (NUC) hardware.  The self-hosted Baseline server is fully web manageable and does not require a monitor or keyboard (a keyboard, monitor, and mouse are available as an option.) The system is designed to be a low power, high reliability, standalone server unit suitable for customers who do not have an existing rack-based virtual server environment, or for customers who do not wish to install AppManager™ on a managed IT server.

See an Example of the Network Topology for the Baseline Server in a Self-Hosted Implementation.

For those who prefer to use existing managed servers, AppManager is also available as a virtual machine image suitable for installation in modern VMware® rack mount server environments. The virtual machine requires a minimum of 4GB of RAM, 120GB of disk space, and an Intel i3 class processor or equivalent.

Applications in AppManager use map data that is loaded from a third-party. This data transfer requires general access from the client to the Internet and from the Internet back to the client. The client makes requests and downloads data over an Internet connection.

In order to allow mobile devices to access the self-hosted Baseline server, an externally accessible static IP address or hostname is required, and https web access to the self-hosted Baseline server will need to be enabled.

Basic Operation

The Baseline server enables users to operate their irrigation controllers through a web-based (browser-based) interface. The irrigation controllers are connected through web-based ports (HTML-5 standard, WebSocket Protocol).

All traffic is TCP/IP with varying media types (cell, wireless, packet-radio) as needed along the route. The server routes communication, performs maintenance tasks, stores watering logs and information, and enables remote updating and configuration.

Security Overview

Note: Information about the specific security protocols that Baseline has implemented is available in the Baseline Security Controls Technical Specification.

• All IP traffic between the web-browser client and the Baseline server is encrypted.
• Firewall is established by Linux kernel IPTABLES (statewise). The only port essential to be opened is 443.
• Clients (browsers) are allowed to remain connected indefinitely or can be logged off and dropped.
• Controllers are able to connect to the IP address of a single assigned Baseline server (programmable).
• All data is stored on a local database server (mySQL). Traffic is internal only to a local drive. There is no database access from external connections.
• Industry standard Apache web security is employed. Further access control is supported to manage access via IP, network, or MAC address through the .htaccess facility of Apache.
• Controllers only listen to the assigned server, only over the WebSocket Protocol (not HTTP), and only through encrypted traffic.
• Controllers/clients need not respond over the same Ethernet device on the server. In some situations, it may be preferable to have controllers on their own Internet-isolated network.
• Webmin (a web-based system configuration and management tool) is enabled by default on a specified HTTPS port 10001. Webmin access can be disabled from external access (i.e., localhost only) or disabled entirely.

WebSocket Protocol Overview

Communication in this system is based on the WebSocket Protocol This approach allows for instantaneous, full-duplex communication.

Running this communication protocol on the network means that traffic packets are not always in the format of a traditional HTTPS exchange (headers, body, etc.). Using this format and allowing only encrypted traffic has proved to ease routing woes. We have found no difficulties yet in passing this traffic, even with sophisticated routers, packet-shapers (like F5), or web filters.

A secure version of the WebSocket protocol is implemented in the most current versions of the Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Safari browsers. While most current browsers support this standard, noncompliant browsers are still in use.

Baseline Server Components

Baseline servers are built on the CentOS Linux distribution.

The lists below specify the required and non-required packages that are included by default in the self-hosted BaseManager server and in the virtual machine server image.

Required Packages (Included in the self-hosted Baseline server distribution)

Note: The following list includes only the packages that may be required in addition to those that are included in a minimum CentOS distribution.

• httpd-server
• mysql-server
• MySQL-python
• python-devel
• flex
• libtool
• make
• rsync
• mod_ssl
• subversion (for checkout of pywebsocket below)
• php
• php-mysql
• bind-utils (provides nslookup)
• gcc
• httpd-devel
• ntp
• ntpdat
• php-xml

Optional/Helpful Software (Included in the self-hosted Baseline server distribution)

• mlocate – Locate and update database

Support and Software Updates

Software updates and technical support are available for a yearly fee per software package.

Remote installation support for the self-hosted Baseline server is available for a fee. Installation is limited to Baseline software only. Network configuration changes must be completed by site’s network administrator.

How to Specify Self-hosted Baseline Server Options

• BL-APPMGR-VM   AppManager with BaseManager, PipeView, the FlowStation app, and AdminManager as a virtual machine
• BL-APPMGR-COM   AppManager with BaseManager, PipeView, the FlowStation app, and AdminManager on a pre-installed server
• BL-APPMGR-MAA   Mobile Access Advanced Plugin for self-hosted AppManager