Password Protecting SPEC Data

Adept SmartMotion Developer's Guide

Password Protecting SPEC Data

Password protection prevents end-users from viewing and modifying servo tuning and other parameters set using the SPEC utility program. When password-protection is enabled, the SPEC utility program operates in restricted-access mode which hides many of the SPEC parameters from the user. In restricted-access mode, the Change password to increase access option displays on the SPEC main menu. Users can restore access to all SPEC parameters by specifying the correct password.

Purpose: Commonly used by OEM's to prevent customers from changing the configuration and servo tuning on custom systems,

Method: Password protection is enabled and disabled from the Robot Initialization Specifications Menu.

Default Setting: By default, password-protection is not enabled for robots and devices in an Adept SmartMotion system allowing all users to view and modify all parameters specified within the SPEC utility program.

Usage Considerations

For easy administration, assign the same password to all the robots and devices in your system unless you have a good reason not to. If you do not need password-protection, do not define a password. This allows you easy access to all parameters at any time.

NOTE: The restricted-access mode of SPEC is described separately, in the Instructions for Adept Utility Programs.

Enable Password Protection of SPEC parameters:

Backup the SPEC data file before adding password protection. See Save specifications to disk file.

Backing up the data provides a safety net in the event that you cannot remember the specified password.

Load the SPEC utility program.

Select the robot or device that you want to password protect.

From the main menu, select Edit robot initialization specifications.

On the Robot Initialization Specifications menu, select Edit module password.

Enter a password (up to 8 characters).

After the password has been set, you must enter it to make changes to restricted SPEC parameters. The password forms part of the data for the robot, and is stored in the data file and on the system disk along with the other SPEC parameters. The password is always stored in an encrypted form, even when the other parameters are saved in readable (ASCII) format. (See Save specifications to disk file.)

Save the changes. (See Managing SPEC Data.)

The next time the SPEC program is loaded, the main menu displays the Change password to increase access option. If the correct password is specified, all SPEC menu items are available. If the password is not specified, only the restricted-access menu options are displayed.

Disable Password Protection

Load the SPEC utility program.

Select the password-protected device.

Select Change password to increase access from the SPEC main menu, then enter the password.

From the main menu, select Edit Robot Initialization Specs. Then, select Edit module password.

In the password field, type a space. Then, press ENTER to remove the password.

Exit to the main menu, and select Save ALL Specifications to System Disk.

Related Topics

Robot Initialization Specifications Menu