Release Note for Agilent LC and CE Drivers Revision A.02.18 SR2

Importance of the Topic

Reliable control of liquid chromatography (LC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) instruments is essential for high‐precision analytical workflows in research, quality control and regulated industries. Driver software ensures seamless communication between chromatographic data systems (CDS) and Agilent hardware, directly impacting data integrity, system uptime and user efficiency.

Objectives and Overview of the Release Note

This release note details the Service Release A.02.18 SR2 for Agilent LC and CE drivers. The primary goals are to:

• Describe critical bug fixes implemented in version A.02.18 SR2
• Provide compatibility matrices for supported operating systems, CDS platforms and instrument modules
• Outline installation and firmware upgrade recommendations

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Driver version: A.02.18 SR2
• Supported operating systems: Windows 7 SP1 through Windows 10 (32/64-bit), Windows Server 2008 R2 and 2012 R2
• Compatible CDS: OpenLAB CDS (2.1 SR1 HF4, 2.2), OpenLAB ChemStation Edition (C.01.06 HF61 through C.01.08), EZChrom; third‐party CDS via Instrument Control Framework (ICF)
• Supported modules: Comprehensive coverage of Agilent 1100/1200/1260/1290 Infinity series pumps, autosamplers, column compartments, detectors (VWD, DAD, MWD, FLD, ELSD, RID), fraction collectors, valves and thermostats

Main Fixes and Discussion

Three key issues have been resolved in SR2:

• Intermittent runs stuck in prerun state due to SFC remaining active have been corrected
• Unexpected shutdowns of the CDS during pump purge operations have been eliminated
• Reduction of excessive internal trace log entries in the SFC module to improve log clarity

These fixes enhance driver stability and ensure consistent chromatographic performance across diverse hardware configurations.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Implementation of A.02.18 SR2 offers multiple advantages:

• Minimized downtime and maintenance effort through critical bug resolutions
• Broad platform compatibility simplifies IT administration and upgrade cycles
• Streamlined driver installation and update processes via CDS-integrated or standalone installers

These improvements support high‐throughput laboratories and regulated environments requiring validated, repeatable workflows.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Ongoing driver development is expected to focus on:

• Enhanced support for new Infinity II modules and upcoming hardware releases
• Improved integration with cloud-based data management and electronic lab notebooks
• Advanced automation features, remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance capabilities

These trends will further optimize laboratory efficiency and data accessibility.

Conclusion

Service Release A.02.18 SR2 delivers essential bug fixes and maintains extensive compatibility across Agilent LC and CE platforms. Adherence to the recommended firmware revisions and installation procedures ensures maximum system reliability and performance.