Ok, now that I have some prices and some idea of what I am talking about, i have a few more questions.
1. for a system with only 15 dx-9100's and 6 vfds that on on the N2 bus, should I be looking at the NAE35 , the 45 or the 55? I see only the 55 has windows XP embedded? should this matter to me?
A 35 will be enough- XP embedded doesnt matter
2. if I buy the unit, can I still have a head-end computer, operator station like i have now?
If you want a "head-end" you will need to purchase ADS software if you just have one NAE its really unnessary unless you need to trend alot of data otherwise you just UI into NAE with a browser. however see question #5 regarding graphics
3. what takes the place of the GPL code I wrote to do some stuff between DX units?
You will have to recreate it with LCT or use the companion like globaldata share, autoshutdown .etc ..etc stuff built in the nae.
4. Is there any software needed after install? Do i need a version of HMI (I have V9.1)
SCT will be nessesary for database management and to use the pass-thru tools such as Hpro and GX9100 over the network
5. what software is needed for graphics? not the M5 i am told.
M-5 is a dead stick with NAE's. You will need Visio 2003 or better to create graphics. an ADS would be desireable to accomidate the graphics for performance issues but you can load them on nae but it might slow the system to painful levels.
thanx to anyone that takes the time to help me out here. i really appreciate this discussion