STRICT: String 2 Instrumentation and Configuration Tool

The validation of the LHC systems at CERN has started with Test String 1. During its operation a lack of central repository, where both the configuration parameters for data acquisition system (DAQ) and instrumentation information could be stored, has been observed. With the commissioning of String 2, with double the number of instruments, the need for such a tool has become even more evident. This paper presents a software framework built to store instrumentation data and to facilitate configuration of test runs. The back-end of the system is an Oracle database; while the front-end is an application developed using the PHP scripting language extension of the Apache web server. Synoptic diagrams of the installation have been incorporated into the system to help retrieve instrumentation data using a graphical interface. The user of the system may set the data acquisition parameters for a given experimental run using the same web interface. The run configuration data can be retrieved from the database as a text file, which is used to arm the DAQ. (8 refs).