Security control program

[peekay]

I need to write a program in which the central (main) computer can interrogate (monitor) other computers on the network and get information from them regarding the peripherals that they monitor. These peripherals are card readers, camcorders, cameras, OCR's etc.<br><br>I also need to access the main control program via cellular phone to choose menu options to control gates (open and close) and lights (on and off).<br><br>A. Has anybody been involved with this who can give me some direction.<br><br>I have also posted the following questions on the pc forum :<br><br>1. Can I connect 20 cardreaders to one computer on the network via a hub and monitor them simlutaneously ?<br>2. Must I connect each card reader to its own serial port?<br>3. How many serial ports can I use on one PC ? <br>4. I need the same answers with regard to OCR's, camcorders etc.<br>Is there somebody who can help. or please email me <br> <p>PK Odendaal<br><a href=mailto: pko@mweb.co.za> pko@mweb.co.za</a><br><a href= > </a><br>