Run Your Servers Smarter
Agent
Installer/ User Guide
Agent Installer/User Guide Contents • 2
Agent Installer/User Guide
© 2001 Avocent Corporation. All rights reserved.
October 2001
Part Number 695-0012-00 Rev C
The information in this guide is subject to change without notice.
Avocent Corporation shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein; nor is it liable for
incidental or consequential damages resulting from the furnishing, performance or use of this material.
Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective companies. Viewpoint,
AGENT and OSCAR are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apex Inc.
Agent Installer/User Guide Contents • 3
Contents
Chapter 1 - Overview 4
Agent Manages your Viewpoint System................................................................................... 4
Agent in the Viewpoint Configuration...................................................................................... 5
Using Agent to Manage Your System....................................................................................... 6
Chapter 2: Installation 8
Agent Installation Quick Start................................................................................................... 8
Installing and Upgrading Agent................................................................................................ 9
Understanding Agent Components............................................................................ 9
Installing Agent ........................................................................................................10
Uninstalling Agent....................................................................................................10
Checking Agent Version Numbers ..........................................................................................11
Checking the Agent API Version Number ...............................................................11
Checking Agent Application Version Number.........................................................11
Chapter 3: Basic Configuration 12
Agent Window Overview ........................................................................................................12
Configuring the Servers and Devices.......................................................................................13
Downloading the Configuration to Viewpoint.........................................................................17
Importing and Exporting Configurations .................................................................................17
Importing and Exporting Server Lists.......................................................................17
Canceling a Configuration........................................................................................17
Chapter 4: Advanced Configuration 18
Configuring Server Groups......................................................................................................18
Configuring User Accounts .....................................................................................................20
Assigning Default Users ..........................................................................................................22
Downloading Default Users .....................................................................................23
Downloading the Configuration to Viewpoint.........................................................................23
Chapter 5: Administration 24
Security and System Administration........................................................................................24
Security....................................................................................................................................24
Changing Security Mode..........................................................................................24
Security Administration...........................................................................................................24
Viewing Connections Data.......................................................................................24
Viewing Status Tree Data.........................................................................................25
Viewing Port Data ....................................................................................................26
Printing Data.............................................................................................................26
Performing Firmware Uploads.................................................................................................27
Erasing Firmware Upgrade.......................................................................................27
Erasing Flash Upgrade..............................................................................................28
Appendices 29
Getting Help.............................................................................................................................29
Where to Go for Assistance......................................................................................29
Communications Regulation Information................................................................................30
Limited Warranty.....................................................................................................................31
Agent Installer/User Guide Chapter 1 - Overview • 4
Chapter 1 - Overview
Agent Manages your Viewpoint System
Apex’s matrix console switches are used in a multitude of client /server, web-infrastructure, ISP, data center,
and server farm environments. Apex’s industry-leading products provide effective server management that is
non-intrusive to servers and networks, is totally compatible with all brands of servers and operating systems,
and is complementary to other leading networking and network management products.
Agent provides you with a powerful management tool for your Viewpoint matrix switch system. Agent
(Advanced Graphical Enterprise Network Tool) is software that provides a graphical interface for
configuration, user, security, and administration management of Viewpoint matrix switches.
Using Agent, you have control at the server level over Viewpoint configurations and security. You can use
Agent to organize and synchronize server control both in-band and out-of-band configurations.
Key Features and Benefits
• Creation, viewing, and editing or configuration for each port (on Viewpoint)
• Ability to save configuration information
• Ability to print configuration information
• Assignment of login account for main access rights to Viewpoint
• Management of user names, passwords, and lists of access rights
• Backup list of pre-defined login accounts to permit user access if the AGENT interface is inaccessible
• Viewpoint core version and status information
• Flash Firmware upgrades of Viewpoint system
• Connection status & notifications of server connect / disconnect
Note: All features formerly available through the Administration Console have been ported to the Agent
software.
Agent Installer/User Guide Chapter 1 - Overview • 5
Agent in the Viewpoint Configuration
.
Agent Installer/User Guide Chapter 1 - Overview • 6
Using Agent to Manage Your System
Agent provides information in the familiar Windows tree structure. The main window is split into three panes
that allow you to access and configure your entire Viewpoint System. The first pane, the Configuration
Navigation pane, has four major categories:
• Configuration
• Server Groups
• Users
• Connections
Each of these categories are explained in more detail below.
Configuration Management
With Agent you can do the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Configure devices by:
- Naming devices so they can be uniquely identified.
- Setting the number of consoles and ports.
- Establishing the communications channel.
Create, view, and edit server and device configurations for each port, including sub-port information for
additional ports off another device.
View, edit, upload, and download video parameters for system ports.
Upload current configuration information from the device to synchronize the server database with the
switch.
Download new configuration information to the device to synchronize the switch with the server
database.
Save and restore current configuration information to a user file.
Print configuration information.
Agent Installer/User Guide Chapter 1 - Overview • 7
User Management
Use Agent to manage user accounts by:
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Creating, viewing, and editing user accounts containing:
- User name and password.
- Lists of server access permissions and server groups.
Assigning an NT login account to use for verifying the password.
Assigning user access permissions for individual servers and server groups.
Designating up to eight user accounts as default logins.
Security Management
With Agent you can manage system security as follows:
Support on-demand login validation using the user accounts set up in User Management.
Download a server access list (OSCAR information) to each switch as the final step of on-demand login
validation.
Provide a downloadable, predefined list of up to eight default login accounts that can be used by the
switch when the Agent interface is unavailable.
Create, view, and edit server groups containing lists of servers with access permissions that have been
set for each one.
Administrative Management
Agent simplifies day-to-day system administration by providing:
Version and status information – status monitoring for constant updates.
Easy firmware uploads.
Connection status information – connect/disconnect data.
Forced connection/disconnection between console and server, allowing a user to remotely open or close
a connection between a switch and servers for remote use and management.
Agent Installer/User Guide Chapter 2: Installation • 8
Chapter 2: Installation
Agent Installation Quick Start
The following quick start guide gives users that are familiar with the Agent a quick overview of the
installation process to get you up and running quickly. For those unfamiliar with Agent and the Viewpoint
system, use this list as an outline for following the rest of the installation guide.
To Install Agent
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Install the Agent application on server. Verify that ASAdmin is loaded as a service, started and
automatic.
Connect Agent directly into the front of your Viewpoint matrix switch.
Define the installation configuration by telling Agent what is attached to the core. If this is the first time
you are installing Agent, you will enter tiered device configuration and server names in the Edit Known
Servers. If you are upgrading your Viewpoint system, you will be able to import previously saved
configurations.
Once you have set up the configuration, download the configuration to the Viewpoint 32/64 core by
selecting the Configuration menu>Send Configuration to Device (allow 10 to 15 minutes). This will
update the Active Node.
Install any applicable Viewpoint 32/64 core upgrades (Contact Technical Support for latest version).
Select Device menu>Upgrade firmware.
Determine if Security will be used. If you won’t be using Security mode, you don’t need server groups
or users and are ready to proceed to normal use of your Viewpoint system.
If you are using Security mode, you will need to define Server Groups. Your settings are automatically
saved.
Next you will need to add users and assign Server Groups or individual server access (Preemptive,
Cooperative or View Only) to individual users and save.
Assign which users will be default users and then download default users.
Activate Security if Security mode will be used (Device>Security Mode).
At User Pod, enter User Name and Password to obtain server list (note that if Username/Password
prompt is not shown, power cycle the User Pod once).
Proceed to normal use of your Viewpoint 32/64 core.
Agent Installer/User Guide Chapter 2: Installation • 9
Installing and Upgrading Agent
Understanding Agent Components
The Agent software is comprised of two pieces. The first piece is called ASAdmin that runs as a service
under Windows NT. The second piece is the Agent application itself.
ASAdmin
ASAdmin is a service that is set up to run automatically at Windows startup. ASAdmin handles all
communication with Viewpoint and processes all login requests from user pods. ASAdmin stores its
information in a series of files that end in “.apc” in its installation directory. These .apc files can be backed
up, even when ASAdmin is running. We recommend backing up these files to a different directory (or to
removable storage) once your configuration setup is complete.
Agent Application
The Agent application is an interface to the data contained in the ASAdmin server. The Agent application can
be shut down and restarted with no effect on Viewpoint communications or login processing.
Your package contains the following items:
A CD containing the Agent Software and User Guide
Recommended system parameters
• Pentium III 450MHz
• 128MB RAM
• NT Server 4.0 with Service Pack 5 or Windows 2000 Professional
• Available serial port with 9-pin null-modem cable
• NT network connection
• 10MB available disk space
Note: The system you select to run Agent should be dedicated to the Agent software and should not be used
for anything else such as a web or email server.
Note: If you are upgrading Agent, you will need to stop the ASAdmin or APC service before you upgrade and
uninstall the old version of Agent.
To turn off ASAdmin
1.
2.
3.
Select SETTINGS from the START menu and then select CONTROL PANEL.
Double-click SERVICES.
Look through the list of services until you find ASAdmin, highlight and click STOP
.
Agent Installer/User Guide Chapter 2: Installation • 10
Installing Agent
The Agent Installer will install both ASAdmin and the Agent application. When you are done installing,
verify that the ASAdmin is running.
To install Agent on Viewpoint 64
1.
2.
3.
4.
Insert the Agent CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive.
From the START menu, select RUN . . .
Type D:\Agent\setup.exe in the box where D is your CD-ROM drive.
Follow the instructions on your screen.
Note: If you want to install Agent on Viewpoint 32 (firmware version 3.3.3.16 and older), contact Technical
Support. This process may require additional help.
To verify that ASAdmin is running
1.
2.
3.
Select SETTINGS from the START menu and then select CONTROL PANEL.
Double-click SERVICES.
Look through the list of services until you find ASAdmin. Its status should be started, and the startup
mode should be Automatic.
- If ASAdmin is not in the list of services, reinstall Agent.
- If ASAdmin has not started, select it and click START.
- If ASAdmin is not automatic, click STARTUP… and change the STARTUPTYPE to
AUTOMATIC. Click OK.
Note: Do not change .apc files manually.
Uninstalling Agent
The Agent software can be uninstalled through the Add/Remove Programs dialog box of the Control Panel.
The uninstaller will remove everything except the .apc files.
Agent Installer/User Guide Chapter 2: Installation • 11
Checking Agent Version Numbers
Checking the Agent API Version Number
To determine what version of the Agent API is running on your Viewpoint system, click STATUS in the
Core Status Navigation pane. The right side detail pane will show the Agent virtual card. The Agent API
version number appears in the VERSION column.
Checking Agent Application Version Number
To check what version of the Agent application is running on your Viewpoint system, select ABOUT
AGENT from the HELP menu.
Agent Installer/User Guide Chapter 3: Basic Configuration • 12
Chapter 3: Basic Configuration
Agent Window Overview
Core Status
Navigation Pane
Agent / Core
Communication
Indicator
Configuration
Navigation Pane
Configuration / Status
Detail Pane
Selected Item
Properties
Choose
Desired Core
Core 1
Core Status
Indicator
Configuration Navigation Pane – Allows you to configure your Viewpoint system. The Detail Pane
will display choices and allow you to enter configuration data.
Core Status Navigation Pane – Allows you to view the status and version of the core and devices
connected to the core.
Detail Pane – The Detail Pane will display choices and allow you to enter data for either the
Configuration or Core Status selections.
Agent / Core Communication Indicator – The computer network icon, when flashing, at the bottom of
the window shows communication between agent and the core.
Core Status Indicator - A clock appears at the bottom when there is system activity on the core such as
an upgrade. Nothing else can happen when there is this type of system activity.
Agent Installer/User Guide Chapter 3: Basic Configuration • 13
Configuring the Servers and Devices
Once you have installed Agent, you will need to launch and configure the software to reflect your current
system. Agent configuration is divided into two nodes:
Pending – Allows you to assign tiered device configuration and server names so that Agent will know what
is attached to the core.
Active – Shows you what configuration is currently active on the core.
Note: The following procedures describe initial setup. However, they can also be used for updating your
configuration. Look at the end of each procedure for update shortcuts, shown in the same format as this note.
To configure Agent with current servers and devices
1.
2.
3.
To create a new configuration, select NEW from the Configurations menu. This will create a new
configuration displayed in its own child window. (You may wish to click IMPORT instead to pull in an
existing configuration.)
Right click on PENDING in the main window tree. Select NEW.
– or –
Select CONFIGURATIONS on the menu bar, and then select NEW.
A message may appear warning you that only one device can be configured at a time. If you are sure
you want to set new configurations, click Yes. The ASSIGN DEVICE PROPERTIES dialog box
appears. Clicking YES will erase the current configuration.
Agent Installer/User Guide Chapter 3: Basic Configuration • 14
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Enter the NAME of the hardware that you are configuring.
Select the DEVICE TYPE from the drop-down menu.
Enter the SERIAL NUMBER (from a small silver label near the power switch) or other identifying
value in the Serial field.
Select SERIAL and select the PORT used to communicate directly with the device from drop-down
menu and click OK.
A status bar will appear as Agent receives the current configuration from the core. If this is the first time
you are running Agent, you will receive a list of default unassigned port numbers. If you have already
configured the core in the past, you will receive the current configuration that is active in the core.
Now you will be able to tell Agent what is currently attached to the core.
Open the PENDING device under the CONFIGURATION node so you can view the port assignments
for that device.
Agent Installer/User Guide Chapter 3: Basic Configuration • 15
Right-click the port you wish to assign and click PROPERTIES. The PORT PROPERTIES dialog
box appears.
11.
12. If the port is connected to a server, select SERVER from the drop-down menu or enter the server name.
All servers should be added to Edit Known Servers before being selected in Pending. (If you had
previously imported a server list you would see names in the drop-down menu.)
– or –
If the port is connected to a switch or another core, select DEVICE and enter the name you want to use
for the switch. (This name is for your convenience and is not downloaded to Viewpoint.)
13.
14.
Choose the switch type from the drop-down list. All currently supported Apex switches are listed. If
your switch is not listed, choose the closest match from the list. Be sure that the number of ports
matches your switch (for example, 4x8 for 4 consoles and 8 ports).
Enter the serial number of the switch in the field provided. The serial number is optional and is
provided for your convenience in organizing.
Agent Installer/User Guide Chapter 3: Basic Configuration • 16
If the cable length between the core and the system pod is longer than 25 feet, select the VIDEO tab
and select a cable length longer than your cable length. The frequency settings will automatically
default to appropriate settings for the new length. You may adjust the individual frequency settings to
obtain clearer video, but the default settings will usually be enough.
15.
Note: Contact Apex Technical Support for help with these settings if the defaults do not produce satisfactory
results.
Click USE DEFAULTS FOR CABLE LENGTH to reset the frequency settings to their defaults for
the cable length shown in the Cable Length field.
When you have finished editing the port data, click OK. 16.
17.
18.
19.
Continue editing all ports until the pending configuration matches your physical configuration.
After a device has been configured, you may assign other ports as “redundant connections” to the
device. The redundant switch will automatically pick up changes made to the original switch. Agent
will append ‘~1’, ‘~2’, etc… to the end of each switch and server name. You can make a switch
redundant by:
• Clicking the GENERAL tab.
• Checking the REDUNDANT box.
• Selecting the name of a switch from the drop-down menu.
The name, type, and serial number will automatically default to the original switch name. You may still
edit the settings on the Video tab, because the redundant connection will have its own cable.
When you are finished making all changes to the pending configuration, click SEND
CONFIGURATION TO DEVICE on the CONFIGURATION menu to download the configuration
into Viewpoint. This process will take between two and ten minutes. Progress indicators will appear
during the download.
Agent Installer/User Guide Chapter 3: Basic Configuration • 17
Downloading the Configuration to Viewpoint
If you aren't going to be using Security Mode, you can download your configuration into Viewpoint when
you have made all changes to the pending configuration. This process will take between two and ten minutes.
Progress indicators will appear during the download.
To download the current configuration to Viewpoint
1.
2.
Click CONFIGURATION on the menu bar.
Then click SEND CONFIGURATION TO DEVICE.
If you are going to be using Security Mode, continue setting up Server Groups and User Accounts in the next
chapter.
Importing and Exporting Configurations
Once you have created a configuration file, you may want to import or export the configurations. The
IMPORT and EXPORT configuration commands are used primarily to back up or copy configurations so
they can be used on another machine or as part of another configuration. (.vef type files)
Configurations can be: IMPORTED to simplify and make configuration uniform or EXPORTED to be
saved for backup and for importing at a later date by clicking CONFIGURATION on the menu bar and then
clicking IMPORT or EXPORT.
The configuration list not only contains the names of all the servers, but it also contains the details for each
including video settings and type of switch, if tiered.
Importing and Exporting Server Lists
If you want to import or export a simple text file of the server names you can use the Server List feature. Text
lists of existing servers can be imported and exported, by clicking SERVERS on the menu bar and then
clicking IMPORT or EXPORT. This list contains server names only and does not contain all the detail that
you will have in the configuration list.
Canceling a Configuration
If at any point in the process of configuring servers and devices before you SEND CONFIGURATION TO
DEVICE
you wish to cancel your work, click CONFIGURATION on the menu bar and then click REVERT
TO ACTIVE
. This will delete any changes that you may have been working on and retain the active
configuration that is current in the core.
Agent Installer/User Guide Chapter 4: Advanced Configuration • 18
Chapter 4: Advanced Configuration
This chapter helps prepare for security mode if you want to setup full administrative control over your
Viewpoint system by setting up Server Groups and User Accounts. If you will not be using security mode,
the steps in this chapter are unnecessary.
Configuring Server Groups
Server Groups help make user access to servers uniform by allowing you to group servers by department,
function, or other organizational structure.
To configure Server Groups
On the Agent tree, right-click SERVER GROUPS and then click NEW. The Server Group dialog box appears.
– or –
Select the GROUPS option from the SERVERS menu and select NEW.
1.
2. The SERVER GROUP dialog box appears.
Agent Installer/User Guide Chapter 4: Advanced Configuration • 19
3.
4.
5.
Enter the NAME of the group.
Then click a SERVER NAME from the drop-down menu or enter one.
Select one of the choices in the ACCESS RIGHT pane, and click ADD. (Individual server access
rights have priority.)
Cooperative: A user cannot access a server while the port is occupied.
Preemptive: A user can knock another user off of a port.
View Only: A user can only view the video of a server.
Repeat, adding as many server names as necessary. Then click OK.
6.
Agent Installer/User Guide Chapter 4: Advanced Configuration • 20
Configuring User Accounts
The Agent security manager assigns access rights using a “least restrictive” method. If user A belongs to two
server groups, one giving him View Only access to Server B and the other giving him Preemptive access to
Server B, then he will get Preemptive access to Server B. The login process combines the permission levels
assigned to servers from all groups the user belongs to, adds in any other server permissions that have been
assigned for the user, and then resolves all access rights to be least restrictive.
To configure User Accounts
In the navigation tree, right-click USERS, and then click NEW.
– or –
Select NEW from the USERS menu.
1.
2. The USER PROPERTIES dialog box appears.
3. On the GENERAL tab, enter the user name and the login server or domain. This user name needs to be
the same as the NT name.
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