Ports
About the Ports Preference
LHC protocols include a COM Port setting that tells the computer which port to use to communicate with the instrument. When you create a protocol with the instrument connected to the host computer, the current COM port is specified in the protocol. But most of the predefined protocols provided by Agilent, specify COM 1 as the port.
To make it easy to use Agilent-provided protocols (and others), the LHC remembers which COM port was last used by an instrument and applies the same COM port the next time that type of instrument is used. This is a useful feature if you only run one instrument or if you run multiple instruments of varying types.
Alternatively, if you have multiple instruments of the same type, e.g., three 405 washers, you most likely want to disable this feature to prevent the LHC from overwriting the COM port in protocols defined for specific instruments.
The LHC remembers the last-used port for each instrument type, e.g., MultiFlo FX, 405 TS, etc.
This "Ports preference" lets you choose which behavior works best for your lab. Generally, it depends on whether you use LHC to run only one liquid handler or multiple liquid handlers of a certain type.
One Instrument (type)
was used for the last successful run of this instrument type
Retain this default setting if you use the LHC to control just one instrument or multiple instruments of varying types. It will save you time when sharing protocols with others or when running predefined protocols.
Multiple Instruments (of the same type)
is specified in the LHC protocol file
Choose this option when you are running multiple instruments of the same type to prevent the LHC from overwriting the COM port setting in the protocols designed for each instrument.