Locking Nodes

Every node on the system can be locked. If locked, an attempt to move the node issues a warning. This does NOT prevent the system from proceeding with a measurement or moving other devices.  This is useful if you’ve already set up a measurement, which you’d like to perform, but want to hold one or more nodes fixed throughout the measurement.

To lock a node,use the setNodeProperties command with the  --userLocked flag.

There are two types of locks: user and admin. User locks can be initiated by a user to lock and unlock nodes at their convenience. What kinds of nodes would users want to lock for their convenience?

Admin locks are used by instrument scientists to prevent anyone else from moving one or more nodes. An example of this is the rawUpperLimit node on a motor. rawUpperLimit signifies the maximum position to which the rawPosition can be adjusted – meaning, how far the motor can physically move without possibly creating a safety concern or breaking the instrument. It’s not safe for such a node to be accessible regularly, should someone accidentally change it to a wrong value.