The universal astronomical instrumentation control system is completely based on an Open Source architecture in the server- and client-side components. The system is self-contained within a single small factor package using embedded hardware architecture. No desktop or server-side components are required. The system creates a WiFi hotspot that enables mobile/tablet/desktop devices to connect to it and control any astronomical devices attached to the unit. Therefore, no external network is required in order to operate the device. The system is not limited to canonical devices. Any device with an INDI (Instrument Neutral Distributed Interface) driver can be controlled by the unit. The system's client software is cross-platform and available on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. The system is a consumer-level device designed for fast and easy control of commercially popular astronomical equipment.

The universal astronomical instrumentation control system is completely based on an Open Source architecture in the server- and client-side components. The system is self-contained within a single small factor package using embedded hardware architecture. No desktop or server-side components are required. The system creates a WiFi hotspot that enables mobile/tablet/desktop devices to connect to it and control any astronomical devices attached to the unit. Therefore, no external network is required in order to operate the device. The system is not limited to canonical devices. Any device with an INDI (Instrument Neutral Distributed Interface) driver can be controlled by the unit. The system's client software is cross-platform and available on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. The system is a consumer-level device designed for fast and easy control of commercially popular astronomical equipment.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for file transmission. In one aspect, a system includes at least one machine control system, having access to a first data storage; at least one service computer, having access to a second data storage; and a central computer having at least one virtual machine. The machine control system is connectable to the virtual machine via a first communication connection in a manner that files between the first data storage and a data storage, to which the virtual machine has access, are transmissible. The service computer is connectable to the virtual machine via a second communication connection, in a manner that the virtual machine can access the second data storage and can store there files of a transmission via the first communication connection or can read files for a transmission via the first communication connection.

A load control system may be provided including control devices and a system controller. The system controller may be configured to broadcast a service set identifier (SSID) and provide a wireless network connection to a network device. The system controller may provide a web page to the network device, wherein the web page may include an indication of target system controllers. The target system controllers may be used for configuring (e.g., associating) the control devices. The system controller may receive an indication of a target system controller selected to associate the control devices. The system controller may determine an address and port number of the target system controller identified by the network device. The system controller may provide, to the network device, the web page from the target system controller while the network device is connected to the system controller via the wireless network connection.

A localhost computer is network connectable with a website-hosting server, and is for use with an appliance. The localhost computer includes a localhost processor assembly and a non-transitory processor-readable localhost memory tangibly embodying a browser-assigned storage section, a browser application, and a control program. The browser application is configured to urge the localhost processor assembly to (A) access the browser data, and (B) not access contents of a remainder of the non-transitory processor-readable localhost memory beyond the browser data. The control program is configured to urge the localhost processor assembly to: (A) access the browser data stored in the browser-assigned storage section, and (B) control the appliance, in which a type of control to be imposed upon the appliance depends on the contents of the browser data that was accessed.

A load control system may be provided including control devices and a system controller. The system controller may be configured to broadcast a service set identifier (SSID) and provide a wireless network connection to a network device. The system controller may provide a web page to the network device, wherein the web page may include an indication of target system controllers. The target system controllers may be used for configuring (e.g., associating) the control devices. The system controller may receive an indication of a target system controller selected to associate the control devices. The system controller may determine an address and port number of the target system controller identified by the network device. The system controller may provide, to the network device, the web page from the target system controller while the network device is connected to the system controller via the wireless network connection.