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Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How does real time video monitoring work? Does video monitoring require Internet Access?
Answer: AgrowSoft provides the video server and the wireless video camera for the environment. The video server requires either a router or direct internet connectivity. Most customers use a 4 port router connected to the internet. Both the computer and the video server connect to the router. The router connects to the internet. Using security, you can allow general or restricted access to the video. The camera can be up to 300' away from the video server.

Question: If I purchase version 3.0.8, can I upgrade to version 3.0.16?
Answer: Yes. The upgrade includes the software and the controller.

Question: Is there any functionality difference between 3.0.8 and 3.0.16?
Answer: No. The only difference is that 3.0.16 has a total of 16 configurable relays and 3.0.8 has 8.

Question: What if I need more than 16 relays?
Answer: One computer will support up to 256 controllers. Each controller has up to 8 inputs and 16 relay switches. The system is expandable to have a total of 1280 inputs (sensors) and 4096 outputs (relay switches) on one computer.

Question: What do you mean by configurable relays?
Answer: The software allows you, the user, to map a control condition to a switch. So during the winter, you could be using a heater mapped to a switch. During the summer months, you could remap the switch to one additional cooling stage. This provides flexibility and may save the cost of requiring the 16 switch version for some growing applications.

Question: Does CEA-pro come with support?
Answer: Yes. CEA-pro comes with unlimited email support (support@agrowsoft.com), unlimited incoming call support, and 1 hour outgoing call phone support.

Question: How far away from the controller can the sensors be located? How far away from the computer can the controller be located?
Answer: Sensors can be up to 100' from the controller. The wired controllers can be up to 400' from the computer and wireless controllers can be up to 1000' away from the computer. In most applications, the sensors and controller are located in the environment. The computer is located in a more modern environment such as a home or office building.

Question: What the difference between the wired and wireless controllers?
Answer: The wired controllers are provided with a wire that connects the controller to the computer. They are available with either 20amp or 30amp relays, 8 or 16 relays, and 5 mappable inputs per controller. The wireless controllers do not require a wire to connect to the computer, can be up to 1000' from the computer, come with 20amp relays only, 16 relays only, and 8 mappable inputs. You can add as many controllers of either kind to as many environments as you need...however only one kind (wired or wireless) can be supported on one computer at a time. Agrowsoft will be happy to help you configure the system components that work best for your needs!

Question: Could I run the system on a laptop and put it in the environment?
Answer: Yes. Some growers have purchased an older inexpensive laptop runing Windows95 with a serial port and placed that within the environment.

Question: My computer has both a serial port and a USB port. Can I use either?
Answer: Yes. You will need our USB connector from Agrowsoft if you with to use the USB port. You will need no additional connectors if you use a standard RS232 serial computer port.

Question: I want to receive a text message on my phone with the conditions in my environments. How does this work?
Answer: You can set up the software so that it sends text messages with both Alerts and a periodic "push" of current conditions. You specify the time interval (for example every 60 minutes). Your environments will be checking in with you rather that you having to check in on them!

Question: I already have manual controls like thermostats, does this system replace those?
Answer: This system works with existing manual controls. Your existing manual controls will act as a redundant back up if something happens to the sensors, computer, or relay switches. AgrowSoft recommends that manual controls be placed in series with the system. For example, if you specify the set point for heat to be 65 degrees in CEA-pro, configure and set your manual thermostat to be 55 degrees. If anything happened to any part of the system, your crop would still be safe.

Question: Do I need to have a computer for each greenhouse or environment?
Answer: No. One computer can support up to 256 environments or greenhouses. Most small to medium sized growers have 4 to 8 environments. 1 Computer can handle those. You will need sensors and controllers for each environment. You can purchase these as add ons as your operation expands.

Question: Can I download the software?
Answer: CEA-pro requires both the software and the controller. The software will not function without the controller. You can see the software on the

Learn about the different Versions of CEA-pro.