SSCT User Guide.pdf

SSCT User Guide IBM. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2014

Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool

User Guide


User Guide

IBM COPYRIGHT of 127

SSCT User Guide.doc

1 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................................................... 2

2 TABLE OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................ 4

3 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................... 7

4 INSTALLATION ................................................................................................................................ 7

4.1 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................... 7 4.2 INSTALLING THE SSCT ................................................................................................................ 7

5 RUNNING SSCT ................................................................................................................................ 9

5.1 SSCT UPDATE CHECKER ............................................................................................................. 9 5.2 SERVICEPACS AT STARTUP ..........................................................................................................12 5.3 SELECTING MODE .......................................................................................................................12 5.4 SELECTING REGION .....................................................................................................................12 5.5 SELECTING COUNTRY .................................................................................................................12

6 CONFIGURATION MODE .............................................................................................................13

6.1 COMPONENT CATALOG ...............................................................................................................13

6.1.1 Activating the Component Catalog Window ..........................................................................15 6.1.2 General Component Catalog Functionality ...........................................................................16

6.2 COMPONENT INFORMATION WINDOW .........................................................................................16 6.2.1 Copy .......................................................................................................................................17

6.3 SHOPPING CART ..........................................................................................................................19 6.3.1 Shopping Cart Tree List.........................................................................................................19 6.3.2 Shopping Cart Group List .....................................................................................................20 6.3.3 Component Copy / Paste .......................................................................................................22 6.3.4 Configuration Groups ............................................................................................................22 6.3.5 Copy Group ...........................................................................................................................23 6.3.6 Rack and Server Identifier .....................................................................................................24

6.4 QUOTE ........................................................................................................................................25 6.4.1 Viewing Different Price Columns ..........................................................................................26 6.4.2 Applying Discounts or Uplifts to Configurations ..................................................................27 6.4.3 Deleting Configurations and Components Within the Quote ................................................29 6.4.4 Select / Unselect All Configurations ......................................................................................30 6.4.5 Price Change Indicator .........................................................................................................31 6.4.6 Copy .......................................................................................................................................32

6.5 DATABASE WINDOW ...................................................................................................................33 6.6 REMEMBER PRICE PASSWORD .....................................................................................................34 6.7 CONFIGURATION WIZARD ...........................................................................................................35

6.7.1 Wizard Startup Window .........................................................................................................36 6.7.2 Configuration Wizard Window ..............................................................................................37 6.7.3 Pre-Selected Options .............................................................................................................47 6.7.3.1 ServicePac Pre-Selected in Wizard ...................................................................................47 6.7.3.2 ServicePac Pre-Selected in Configuration mode ..............................................................48 6.7.3.2.1 Pre-selects when adding components using the Component Catalog ..............................48 6.7.3.2.2 Pre-selects when adding components using the Drag and Drop .....................................48 6.7.3.2.3 Pre-selects when adding components using the Compatibles Toolbox .............................49 6.7.3.2.4 Pre-selected when adding components using Find a Part ................................................49 6.7.3.3 Open Fabric Manager Pre-Selected .................................................................................49 6.7.4 Copy .......................................................................................................................................52

6.8 FIND A PART WINDOW ................................................................................................................53 6.9 EXPORT PRICES ...........................................................................................................................55


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

6.10 COMPATIBLES TOOLBOX .............................................................................................................58 6.10.1 Copy ..................................................................................................................................60

7 SOLUTION MODE ...........................................................................................................................63

7.1 SWITCHING BETWEEN MODES ....................................................................................................64 7.2 WORKSPACE WINDOW ................................................................................................................65

7.2.1 Workspace View ....................................................................................................................66 7.2.1.1 Copy ..................................................................................................................................67 7.2.2 Component List ......................................................................................................................69 7.2.3 Component Connections ........................................................................................................69 7.2.4 Connection Overview.............................................................................................................70 7.2.5 Configuration Resources .......................................................................................................71 7.2.5.1 Copy ..................................................................................................................................72 7.2.6 Floor Plan .............................................................................................................................73 7.2.6.1 Copy ..................................................................................................................................73

7.3 AUTO CONNECT ..........................................................................................................................75 7.4 AUTO ARRANGE ON ....................................................................................................................77 7.5 AUTO ARRANGE OFF ..................................................................................................................78 7.6 VALIDATION REPORT ..................................................................................................................79 7.7 FILE SHARING .............................................................................................................................80

7.7.1 Deprecated: Installing and Running SSCT using File Sharing on Microsoft Windows 200081 7.7.2 Deprecated: Step-by-Step File Sharing Install and Run on Microsoft Windows 2000 ..........83 7.7.3 Installing File Sharing on Microsoft XP or Vista (SSCT Client) ...........................................85 7.7.4 Working with SSCT using File Sharing .................................................................................87

8 X3850 X5 SOLUTIONS ....................................................................................................................88

8.1 CONFIGURATION WIZARD WITH X3850 X5 - 7145 - 7145 ...........................................................89 8.2 CONFIGURATION WIZARD WITH X3850 X5 - 7145 – MAX5 .......................................................91

9 HX5 SOLUTION ...............................................................................................................................94

9.1 CONFIGURATION WIZARD WITH HX5 SOLUTION .........................................................................94

10 MICROSOFT DATACENTER ........................................................................................................98

10.1 CONFIGURATION WIZARD WITH DATACENTER ...........................................................................98 10.1.1 Primary and Secondary Datacenter Chassis Configuration ...........................................101 10.1.2 DataCenter Partitioning .................................................................................................105 10.1.3 Additional Notes Regarding DataCenter ........................................................................106

11 TIPS AND TRICKS .........................................................................................................................107

11.1 SOLUTION MODE .......................................................................................................................107 11.2 CONFIGURATION MODE ............................................................................................................108 11.3 COG INTEGRATION ...................................................................................................................108

11.4 LAST TP3 FILES .........................................................................................................................108

12 XSCA COMPARE AND CONTRAST ..........................................................................................109

12.1 FILE EXPORT FORMATS .............................................................................................................109 12.1.1 CF Report Files (*.cfr) ...................................................................................................113 12.1.1.1 CF Report Configuration Dialog ....................................................................................113 12.1.1.2 Component Comment Dialog ..........................................................................................114 12.1.2 ePricer Files (*.csv) ........................................................................................................115 12.1.3 Quote Files (*csv) ...........................................................................................................115 12.1.4 Quote Files (*.txt) ...........................................................................................................116 12.1.5 Server Format (*.xls) ......................................................................................................116 12.1.6 Group Format (*xls) .......................................................................................................116 12.1.7 Server Format (*.ods) .....................................................................................................117 12.1.8 Group Format (*.ods) .....................................................................................................117


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

12.1.9 CFXML Format (*.xml) ..................................................................................................117 12.2 REFRESH PRICES .......................................................................................................................118 12.3 DISCOUNTS AND UPLIFTS ..........................................................................................................118 12.4 CLONE CONFIGURATION ...........................................................................................................119 12.5 FIND A PART ..............................................................................................................................120 12.6 MANUAL PRICE UPDATE ...........................................................................................................120 12.7 RELOAD CONFIGURATION .........................................................................................................121 12.8 IMPORT QUOTE .........................................................................................................................121 12.9 MASTER PRICES ........................................................................................................................122 12.10 CLASSIC MODE (XSCA EMULATION) ........................................................................................122

APPENDIX 1 ICON DESCRIPTION .................................................................................................123

APPENDIX 2 INDEX ...........................................................................................................................126

2 TABLE OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1 - STARTUP WINDOW ........................................................................................................................ 9 FIGURE 2 - CONFIGURATION MODE ................................................................................................................13 FIGURE 3 - COMPONENT CATALOG: SHOW SUBCATEGORIES ..........................................................................14 FIGURE 4 - COMPONENT CATALOG: UNCONFIGURED CABLES SUBCATEGORY ...............................................15 FIGURE 5 – THE STATUS BAR: UNCONFIGURED CABLES SUBCATEGORY MESSAGE .......................................16 FIGURE 6 – COPY: COMPONENT INFORMATION WINDOW ...............................................................................17 FIGURE 7 – COPY: PASTE ON NOTEPAD APPLICATION ....................................................................................18 FIGURE 8 – COPY IMAGE: COMPONENT INFORMATION WINDOW .....................................................................18 FIGURE 9 – COPY: PASTE ON MS PAINT .........................................................................................................19 FIGURE 10 - SHOPPING CART: WORKSPACES AND GENERAL .........................................................................20 FIGURE 11 - SHOPPING GROUP LIST ...............................................................................................................21 FIGURE 12 - COMPONENT COPY / PASTE ........................................................................................................22 FIGURE 13 – PASTE SPECIAL DIALOG WINDOW .............................................................................................22 FIGURE 14 – CREATE NEW GROUP .................................................................................................................23 FIGURE 15 – COPY GROUP .............................................................................................................................24 FIGURE 16 – COPY ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS PROMPT ................................................................................24 FIGURE 17 - SET NAME DIALOG .....................................................................................................................25 FIGURE 18 - IDENTIFIER DISPLAYED ON SHOPPING CART VIEW ......................................................................25 FIGURE 19 - QUOTE WINDOW ........................................................................................................................26 FIGURE 20 - PRICE FORMAT OPTION ..............................................................................................................27 FIGURE 21 - PRICE FORMAT COLUMNS WINDOW ...........................................................................................27 FIGURE 22 – LAUNCHING DISCOUNT/UPLIFT .................................................................................................28 FIGURE 23 - DISCOUNT/UPLIFT WINDOW .......................................................................................................29 FIGURE 24 - DELETE SELECTION ....................................................................................................................30 FIGURE 25 – SELECT ALL CONFIGURATIONS ..................................................................................................30 FIGURE 26 – UNSELECT ALL CONFIGURATIONS .............................................................................................31 FIGURE 27 – DIALOG WINDOW INDICATING OUTDATED PRICES ....................................................................31 FIGURE 28 – GRAPHIC PRICE CHANGE INDICATOR .........................................................................................32 FIGURE 29 – QUOTE: COPY ............................................................................................................................32 FIGURE 30 – QUOTE: PASTE ON NOTEPAD ......................................................................................................33 FIGURE 31 - DATABASE WINDOW OPTION .....................................................................................................33 FIGURE 32 - DATABASE WINDOW ...................................................................................................................34 FIGURE 33 – USER ACCESS LEVEL .................................................................................................................35 FIGURE 34 – CREATING USER ACCESS LEVEL PASSWORD ............................................................................35 FIGURE 35 - WIZARD OPTION .........................................................................................................................36 FIGURE 36 - WIZARD STARTUP WINDOW .......................................................................................................37 FIGURE 37 - CONFIGURATION WIZARD WINDOW ............................................................................................38 FIGURE 38 - CONFIGURATION WIZARD WINDOW ............................................................................................38


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

FIGURE 39 – SOLUTION DEPLOYMENT OPTIONS .............................................................................................40 FIGURE 40 - SOFTWARE ORDERABLE OPTIONS PROMPT .................................................................................40 FIGURE 41 - STORAGE TYPE ...........................................................................................................................41 FIGURE 42 - EXTERNAL STORAGE TAB ...........................................................................................................42 FIGURE 43 - EXTERNAL STORAGE TAB ..........................................................................................................42 FIGURE 44 - CONTROLLERS TAB ....................................................................................................................43 FIGURE 45 - IF THE CONTROLLER IS REMOVED THAT MESSAGE WILL APPEAR ................................................44 FIGURE 46 - UNCONFIGURED OPTIONS TAB ...................................................................................................45 FIGURE 47- THE OTHERS OPTION TAB: CABLES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION .................................................46 FIGURE 48 - SUMMARY TAB ...........................................................................................................................47 FIGURE 49 – PRE-SELECTED OPTIONS ............................................................................................................48 FIGURE 50 – PRE-SELECTED OPTIONS ............................................................................................................49 FIGURE 51 - PRE-SELECTED OPEN FABRIC MANAGER OPTIONS IN WIZARD ..................................................50 FIGURE 52 - PRE-SELECTED OPEN FABRIC MANAGER OPTIONS IN SHOPPING CART ......................................51 FIGURE 53 – WIZARD: COPY ..........................................................................................................................53 FIGURE 54 – WIZARD: PASTE ON NOTEPAD....................................................................................................53 FIGURE 55 - FIND A PART WINDOW ...............................................................................................................54 FIGURE 56 - FIND A PART WINDOW ...............................................................................................................54 FIGURE 57 - LAUNCHING EXPORT PRICES ......................................................................................................55 FIGURE 58 – EXPORT PRICES WINDOW ..........................................................................................................56 FIGURE 59 – PRICE FORMAT COLUMNS ..........................................................................................................57 FIGURE 60 – EXPORTED .CSV FILE ..................................................................................................................57 FIGURE 61 – COMPATIBLES TOOLBOX............................................................................................................58 FIGURE 62 – LAUNCHING THE COMPATIBLES TOOLBOX ................................................................................59 FIGURE 63 – COMPATIBLES TOOLBOX: COPY .................................................................................................61 FIGURE 64 – COMPATIBLES TOOLBOX: PASTE ON NOTEPAD ..........................................................................62 FIGURE 65 - SOLUTION MODE ........................................................................................................................64 FIGURE 66 - MODE OPTIONS ..........................................................................................................................65 FIGURE 67 - WORKSPACE VIEW TAB ..............................................................................................................66 FIGURE 68 - WORKSPACE VIEW: COPY ..........................................................................................................67 FIGURE 69 - WORKSPACE VIEW: PASTE ON MS PAINT ...................................................................................68 FIGURE 70 - WORKSPACE VIEW: PASTE ON MS PAINT ...................................................................................68 FIGURE 71 - COMPONENT LIST TAB ...............................................................................................................69 FIGURE 72 - COMPONENT CONNECTIONS TAB ................................................................................................70 FIGURE 73 - CONNECTION OVERVIEW TAB ....................................................................................................71 FIGURE 74 - CONFIGURATION RESOURCES TAB .............................................................................................71 FIGURE 75 - RESOURCES TAB: COPY ..............................................................................................................72 FIGURE 76 - RESOURCES TAB: PASTE ON NOTEPAD .......................................................................................73 FIGURE 77 - FLOOR PLAN TAB. ......................................................................................................................73 FIGURE 78 - FLOOR PLAN TAB: COPY ............................................................................................................74 FIGURE 79 - FLOOR PLAN TAB: PASTE ON MS PAINT .....................................................................................75 FIGURE 80 - AUTO CONNECT OPTION.............................................................................................................76 FIGURE 81 - AUTO CONNECT PREFERENCES WINDOW ....................................................................................77 FIGURE 82 - AUTO ARRANGE ON OPTION .......................................................................................................78 FIGURE 83 - AUTO ARRANGE OFF OPTION......................................................................................................78 FIGURE 84 - VALIDATION REPORT .................................................................................................................79 FIGURE 85 - VALIDATE OPTION ......................................................................................................................79 FIGURE 86 – SELECTING MAP NETWORK DRIVE ............................................................................................81 FIGURE 87 – MAP NETWORK DRIVE SETTINGS ..............................................................................................82 FIGURE 88 – SHARED .BAT FILE ......................................................................................................................82 FIGURE 89 - SET SHAREDDRIVE= (IF SHARED DRIVE WERE T:).....................................................................83 FIGURE 90 – SSCT CLIENT SHORTCUT ..........................................................................................................85 FIGURE 91 – NETWORK DRIVE STATUS ..........................................................................................................86 FIGURE 92 – ADMIN MAP NETWORK DRIVE ...................................................................................................87 FIGURE 93 – MODIFICATION LIMITATIONS WHEN USING FILE SHARING .........................................................88 FIGURE 94 - CONFIGURATION WIZARD FOR X3850 X5 7145 ..........................................................................89


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

FIGURE 95 - MAIN TAB FOR X3850 X5 CONFIGURATION WIZARD .................................................................90 FIGURE 96 - PROCESSORS TAB FOR X3850 X5 ................................................................................................90 FIGURE 97 - X3850 X5 CONFIGURED ..............................................................................................................91 FIGURE 98 - CONFIGURATION WIZARD FOR X3850 X5 – MAX5 ....................................................................91 FIGURE 99 - X3850 X5 MAX5 CONFIGURATION WIZARD MAIN TAB ............................................................92 FIGURE 100 – X3850 X5 MAX5 OPTIONS TAB ..............................................................................................92 FIGURE 101 – X3850 X5 MAX5 MEMORY TAB .............................................................................................93 FIGURE 102 – BLADECENTER H CONFIGURATION WIZARD ...........................................................................94 FIGURE 103 – BLADECENTER H MAIN TAB. ..................................................................................................95 FIGURE 104 – HX5 MAIN TAB .......................................................................................................................95 FIGURE 105 – HX5 CONFIGURED MAIN TAB..................................................................................................96 FIGURE 106 – BLADESERVER HX5 ................................................................................................................96 FIGURE 107 – BLADECENTER H WITH A BLADESERVER HX5 CONFIGURED...................................................97 FIGURE 108 - DATACENTER IN THE SSCT WIZARD ........................................................................................98 FIGURE 109 - DATACENTER CONFIGURATION ................................................................................................99 FIGURE 110 - DATACENTER SYSTEM UNITS WINDOW ..................................................................................100 FIGURE 111 - PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SERVER CONFIGURATION ...........................................................101 FIGURE 112 - EXTERNAL STORAGE WINDOW ...............................................................................................102 FIGURE 113 - RACK AND POWER WINDOW ..................................................................................................103 FIGURE 114 - RACK AND POWER DEVICE PREFERENCES ..............................................................................104 FIGURE 115 - RACK AND POWER DEVICE PART LIST ....................................................................................105 FIGURE 116 - EXPORT BUTTON ....................................................................................................................109 FIGURE 117 - EXPORT DIALOG .....................................................................................................................110 FIGURE 118 – MS NOTEPAD MENU BAR ......................................................................................................111 FIGURE 119 – MS NOTEPAD FONT SETTING .................................................................................................112 FIGURE 120 – SAVE SETTINGS AS DEFAULT EXPORT DIALOG ......................................................................113 FIGURE 121 - CF REPORT CONFIGURATION DIALOG ....................................................................................114 FIGURE 122 - COMPONENT COMMENT DIALOG ............................................................................................115 FIGURE 123 – EXPORTED QUOTE TO EXCEL (GROUP FORMAT) ....................................................................117 FIGURE 124 - REFRESHING PRICES FOR SPECIFIC COMPONENTS ....................................................................118 FIGURE 125 - EDITABLE FIELD IN QUOTE TAB FOR DISCOUNTS/UPLIFTS .....................................................119 FIGURE 126 - MANAGING GROUPS OF CONFIGURATIONS .............................................................................119 FIGURE 127 - CUSTOMIZED GROUP WITH ITEMS ADDED USING FIND A PART ..............................................120 FIGURE 128 – CONFIGURING A SYSTEM .......................................................................................................121 FIGURE 129 - THE COMPONENT CATALOG AND THE SHOPPING CART ..........................................................122


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

3 INTRODUCTION

Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool (SSCT) is a software application with technical guidelines incorporated in its database. SSCT has been developed to aid IBM sales and business partners and to facilitate technical collaborations in configuring eServer xSeries and IBM System x™ servers and Netfinity rack cabinets. The application is designed to support an interactive interface with graphics for determining the price, ideal environment, available rack cabinet space and available resources along with other operations associated with ordering and configuring a whole solution. The application is also capable of saving or exporting data in several different formats.

4 INSTALLATION

4.1 Minimum Requirements In order to successfully install and run Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool on an individual workstation, the workstation must support the following system specifications:

Pentium-compatible processor (866 MHz minimum)

256MB available memory

160MB available hard disk space

Monitor resolution of 800 by 600 pixels

Operating System: Windows 2000, Windows XP or Microsoft Vista The following describes the recommended system specifications for optimal performance when running Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool on an individual workstation:

Pentium IV processor (1.2 GHz minimum)

512MB available memory

200MB available hard disk space

Monitor resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels

Operating System: Windows 2000, Windows XP or Microsoft Vista

4.2 Installing the SSCT The following steps are necessary before launching Standalone Solutions Configuration

Tool on an individual workstation: 1. Ensure that Microsoft .NET Framework v3.5 is installed on the workstation to

which Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool will be installed. This can be verified by opening the „Add and Remove Programs‟ application within the Control Panel and searching for the Microsoft .NET Framework program within the „Add and Remove Programs‟ dialog window.

2. If Microsoft .NET Framework is not installed on the workstation, download and Install Microsoft .NET Framework from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads. The version of Microsoft .NET Framework installed must be v3.5, but may be combined with other versions of Microsoft .NET Framework.

3. Download the Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool self-extracting file. 4. Run the self-extracting file and install its contents.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

To install Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool, follow the guidelines defined below1:

1. Execute the installation by double clicking on the previously downloaded executable file.

2. Select the folder path in which the application will be installed and proceed with the installation process following the instructions defined in the Installation Wizard.

NOTE: Any previously installed versions of SSCT will be overwritten when an updated version is installed on the same workstation.

NOTE: Incorporated in SSCT is an update reminder which is designed to notify the end-

user when the product being used is out of date and a new version is available for installation. The latest version of SSCT is posted on the IBM website, where it is made available for all the audience. Updates are available through the SSCT Update Checker window; the user must select the corresponding update to be performed, whether it requires a full or partial update.

1 For additional information, refer to the Readme file


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

5 RUNNING SSCT

Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool may be run from the All Programs menu located in the Start menu from within the folder titled „IBM Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool‟. The Startup Window will appear and prompt the user to define the primary settings (Figure 1).

Figure 1 - Startup Window

5.1 SSCT Update Checker

This option checks for newer versions of SSCT and SSCT Components on the internet.

If the check box “Check for Updates at Startup” in the SSCT Update Checker is selected, the SSCT Update Checker is going to run automatically when SSCT Startup, if a new update is available a dialog box will appear showing a list with the components to check for newer version on the internet. Every time a new version is available, an exclamation item will appear next to the component name.

If a firewall application is installed, a window will appear asking to allow SSCT to access the internet. If there is no internet connection startup will continue normally without doing a check for new updates.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Once the dialog displays the updates information, the user has to select an item with available update to enable the download button. If an item with no available update is selected, the download button will remain disabled. If an information or error message exists for the component selected, it will be displayed in the text box.

When the user clicks the download button, the default user browser will be open redirecting to the download source (only for IBM SSCT update the user needs select the version to download) then the user has to chose a location in their hard drive to save the installer, and execute it to proceed with the update.

NOTE: Data Update requires the application to be closed before installing. If you decide to continue, an application restart is required in order to load the new data. The user must have administrative rights to execute the installer.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

NOTE: In this example we are using Microsoft Internet Explorer, however other web browsers are supported.

The “Check for Updates at Startup” option is enabled by default. To disable or enable this feature, select or unselect the check box in the SSCT Update. The dialog can be displayed selecting the option “Check for Updates” in the help menu or clicking the button on the toolbar.

This functionality is not available in File Sharing.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

5.2 Servicepacs at Startup SSCT will be capable of load and display all the servicepacs that will become available

before the new SSCT version release. NOTE: To load new available servicepacs, the application restart is required.

5.3 Selecting Mode Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool employs the following modes of operation, all of

which may be launched from the Startup Window: 1. Configuration Mode: The first of two basic SSCT operational modes that

supplies a server centric view of the SSCT for intermediate and expert users (refer to Section 6 of this document). It supplies the ability to configure servers and manipulate prices. The generated reports are aimed at pre-sales quotes.

2. Solution Mode: The second of two basic SSCT operational modes that supplies

a rack centric view of the SSCT for intermediate and expert users (refer to Section 7 of this document). It supplies the ability to rack servers and to configure servers. The generated reports are aimed at rack content, layouts, resources, and cabling.

3. Wizard: A window that provides a novice user the ability to easily create a valid

server configuration via a guided step-by-step process (refer to Section 6.7 of this document). It is considered a functional extension of Configuration mode. It can be launched from either Configuration Mode or Solutions Mode. Please note that the Wizard does not generate reports.

5.4 Selecting Region The three regions supported by Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool are as follows:

Europe

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Product availability is determined by the geography selected, however, tool performance remains the same across all geographies.

5.5 Selecting Country Once the region has been defined, the country options are updated according to that defined region. Product availability, currency and prices will vary depending on the selected country.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

6 CONFIGURATION MODE

Configuration Mode is designed to create and manipulate quotes and to provide corresponding pricing information. Several views occupy the user space, as is displayed in Figure 2.

Figure 2 - Configuration Mode

6.1 Component Catalog

The Component Catalog is where all configurable components are categorized by type and is from where components can be added to a configuration. The Component Catalog is the

left-most panel displayed in Figure 2.

The Component Catalog Tree contains all of the available products for the selected

country, which are displayed in an expandable list tree view. The components within the Component Catalog are categorized as follows:

Rack Cabinets

Rack Options

Servers

Ethernet Switches

Storage Servers

Storage Devices

Console Support

Power Devices

ServicePac


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Unconfigured Options

Each of these categories is made up of subcategories for each respective section. The „Servers‟ category, for example, is subdivided into categories: Intellistation APro 6217, Intellistation MPro 9229, Intellistation ZPro 9228, BladeCenter Chassis, BladeCenter Servers, xSeries 226 and so on.

Each subcategory lists all available components within that category along with the

respective part numbers and component information.

Ethernet Switches and ServicePac categories are shown according to the availability of every country.

At the top of the Component Catalog panel is a selectable checkbox titled „Show

subcategories‟ (Figure 2). When the „Show subcategories‟ checkbox is selected, the Component

Catalog will display and organize server models and storage options for individual server families

(Figure 3). The „Show subcategories‟ feature is useful in identifying and configuring compatible

storage and express model options with the corresponding server quickly and effectively within the Component Catalog.

Figure 3 - Component Catalog: Show Subcategories

The Unconfigured Options category contains all options or internal components found in servers and / or expansion enclosures, including items such as: processors, memory and hard disk drives. If any of these categories are expanded, all corresponding part numbers will be displayed in the tree view.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

The new Unconfigured Options subcategory called “Cables” (Figure 4) permits to at

least easily select cables and ordered through the SSCT directly instead of externally and making it easier for users to understand the tool. The Cables Subcategory will be located in the Component Catalog, and will show the below subcategories tree.

Cables

|-- SCSI

|-- Fiber Channel

|-- SAS

|-- SATA

|-- RIO

|-- Networking

|-- SMP

|-- Other

Figure 4 - Component Catalog: Unconfigured Cables Subcategory

6.1.1 Activating the Component Catalog Window By employing one of the following three methods, the Component Catalog window can be

activated and made visible: 1. Select Component Catalog from the View menu in the Menu bar. 2. Enter the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+M.

3. Click on the Component Catalog icon in the Configuration toolbar.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

6.1.2 General Component Catalog Functionality The following actions can be performed in the component catalog:

1. Expand or Collapse the component categories by clicking on either of the

icons: . 2. Insert a component into the configuration by double-clicking on it. 3. Select a component to be added to the configuration and add it using the

"Add" icon in the Component Toolbar, or by selecting “Add” from the Component Menu within the Menu toolbar.

4. When the mouse is over an option under the cables menu the Status Bar (Figure 5) will show the follow message “Cables needed for Solution Mode must be added in Solution Mode”. When the mouse if moved over any other option the default help message will appear on the status pane. This exclude the first level tree items (main categories).

Figure 5 – The Status Bar: Unconfigured Cables Subcategory Message

6.2 Component Information Window The Component Information window is the panel displayed at the bottom of Figure 2. It

provides detailed information regarding the selected component in the Component Catalog. When a component is selected in the Component Catalog, the Component Information window displays an image of the selected component along with a brief description and price information, along with other information.

The information displayed in the Component Information window varies depending on the component selected. When a server family is selected, the Component Information window displays an image of a model in that category along with a description describing the main


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

features of the server family. When a sever model is selected, the Component Information window displays an image of the selected model along with a description of the model characteristics, such as: processor features, memory standard, memory capacity, storage features, power supplies and cost.

To view the Component Information window, click on the icon in the Configuration Mode icon toolbar.

6.2.1 Copy This functionality enables the end user to copy information from the SSCT application to

a separate receiving application. It does not encompass pasting information within the SSCT application.

This functionality encompasses the copying of images and copying and formatting of text from SSCT application to the windows clipboard manager. The resulting paste in exterior applications and how it displays visually the formatted characters is not considered as part of the scope of this functionality.

When saving information to the windows clipboard the following criterion is used: Text is saved to the clipboard using tabs, line feeds and carriage returns to represent the information.

This functionality support both copying of text and copying of images.

When copying the component information window all system information content is copied as text to the clipboard.

Figure 6 – Copy: Component Information Window

The following format characters are used to save the parts list to the clipboard:

– Line feed/carriage return (\r\n) to represent a new row in the part list.

Note: Underline and bold font formatting are not copied to the clipboard.

Following is an example of how paste on Notepad application of the above information would look like:


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 7 – Copy: Paste on Notepad application

When copying the system image within the component information window it is copied as an image file.

Figure 8 – Copy Image: component information window


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Following is an example of how a copy and paste of the system image would look like in MS paint:

Figure 9 – Copy: Paste on MS paint

6.3 Shopping Cart The Shopping Cart is located in the main panel and occupies the largest area in the

window. It is displayed on the upper-right half of the image and is split into two sections: Shopping Tree list and Shopping Group list.

6.3.1 Shopping Cart Tree List The Shopping Cart Tree list is displayed on the left side of the Shopping Cart window and

displays the multiple suites2 within the current configuration. Each individual suite (individual

workspaces) within the Shopping Cart Tree list contains its own suite floor for each rack being configured. The General suite is where all of the miscellaneous and uninstalled components are situated.

2 In the latest version of Rack Configurator, the end-user may configure only one workspace. This allows

users to add only eight rack cabinets: one standard and seven expansions. This feature was improved in

SSCT by allowing multiple workspaces and allowing each of them a set of eight rack cabinets: one

standard and seven expansions.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 10 - Shopping Cart: Workspaces and General

The various workspaces, which are made up of suites 1 in Figure 10, contain several components. Suite 1 contains an x306m server which is located on the Floor. When a component is on the Floor, the component has not yet been installed in the rack. As such, the floor serves as a convenient temporary workspace in which the end-user may place components that will remain easily accessible.

The General section contains all items that have yet to be installed. The General section can contain any component existing in the Component Catalog window, whereas the main workspace areas (including the Floor) can only contain components that can be racked. Components can be added to any of these sections by double clicking the desired component in the Component Catalog window or by dragging and dropping components from the Component Catalog window to the Shopping Tree list. By dragging an item, the user may also arrange and rearrange the location of a given component.

6.3.2 Shopping Cart Group List The Shopping Cart Group List displays a grouped list of components and is located on the right side of the Shopping Cart Tree structure. (Figure 11) The information shown in this view is: Component Description, Component Part Number, Component ABCD Class, Component Status, Configuration Quantity, Component Prices and Configuration Prices. The prices can be displayed in several columns depending on the country selected and the users‟ access level. Pricing is divided into two columns: Price Type (e.g. List Price, Gems, BP1) which displays the unit cost of the component and Price Type Configuration Quantity which is the result of the total price of the configuration multiplied by the Quantity of configurations. This view serves to manage all configuration groups

3 (For additional information regarding

configuration groups, refer to the proceeding section). Within the Shopping Cart Group List, all components that make up a configuration group are displayed along with their respective internal

3 A group is equivalent to a configuration in xSCA, each configuration can contain several servers and

components for each server.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

and external components (Figure 10) along with information regarding the relationship of the servers to the components that have been added to it.

Figure 11 - Shopping Group List

The ABCD Class column specifies the lead time of a certain component. The lead time is

represented through the following letters:

A= Lead Time < 7 Days

B= Lead Time < 12 Days

C= Lead Time < 15 Days

D= Extended Lead Time \ Limited Availability

The ABCD column is available in the following SSCT views:

Shopping Cart view

Quote view

Configuration Wizard view

Export Formats (*.xls, *.ods, *.csv, *.txt) The status of a component can have two different default values:

1. New: Assigned by default to all components that are added from the Component Catalog which do not previously exist in the configuration and are to be purchased at the solution quote.

2. Existing: Assigned to components that the end-user already owns. The end-user can specify systems already in a rack cabinet then configure additional components and make connections between the new and the existing ones. The Existing status should be selected when implementing previously owned components in a configuration as these components will be omitted from the final quote.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

6.3.3 Component Copy / Paste Within the Shopping Cart Group List components may be copied and pasted individually

or by Configuration Group (see proceeding section). A component may be copied individually by right-clicking any single component within the Shopping Cart Group List. Upon right-clicking a component within the Shopping Cart Group List, a series of options will be displayed (Figure 12).

Figure 12 - Component Copy / Paste

Within this options window the end-user may copy and paste the individual selected item as desired by choosing the appropriate options. Upon selecting the „Paste Special‟ option a dialog window will be displayed, prompting the end-user to define which additional components are to

be copied along with the item selected (Figure 13). By default, components are copied as

„Installed‟. Please note that the „Paste Special‟ option is not available to BladeServer, n-way components or Datacenter solution.

Figure 13 – Paste Special Dialog Window

6.3.4 Configuration Groups In order to effectively manage several different configurations, items may be organized

into a group, which may be created by selecting „New Group‟ from the Cart menu (Figure 14). Items and options may also be dragged between groups (servers will be dragged with all of their internal components).


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

A group can be renamed by right-clicking the group and selecting „Group Name‟ or by selecting „Group Name‟ from the Cart menu, which can be especially helpful in organizing and managing numerous configurations.

The Configuration Quantity value can be modified by clicking over it, input new quantity and pressing the enter key. The changes in this column will be reflected in the Quote and in the following exports: Quote Group Format, Quote Server Format, CFReport, ePrice, and Quote Files (*.csv and *.txt), The number that can be entered is limited to up to four digits (9999). In Shopping Cart this value is only displayed for configurations not for components.

Figure 14 – Create New Group

6.3.5 Copy Group A group may be copied by selecting „Copy Group‟ from the Cart menu or by right-clicking

a previously existing group and selecting „Copy Group‟. When selecting „Copy Group‟ from the Cart menu, the name of the respective group will be displayed to ensure that the correct group has been selected to be copied (i.e. „Copy Config Group 1‟).

Upon selecting „Copy Group‟, a dialog window will launch prompting the end-user to define the number of copies to be made and of which group (Figure 15). After having defined the number of copies to be made, upon clicking „OK‟, all of the components within the selected group are copied and carried over to the quantity of new groups that were previously defined.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 15 – Copy Group

In the instance that the group being copied has additional components installed which belong to a different group, a pop-up message will be displayed prompting the end-user to define whether or not those additional components should also be copied to the new destination group (Figure 16). If the end-user selects „Yes‟, the additional components will be copied and the new group will contain more components than the originally copied group.

Figure 16 – Copy Additional Components Prompt

Cables existing within a group are copied along with all other components when selecting „Copy Group‟, however previously existing connections will be lost when using this feature.

6.3.6 Rack and Server Identifier On Shopping Cart view, racks and servers can be renamed by the user using “Set Name” dialog (Figure 17) which can be displayed using left-click on the rack/server or on “Component menu->Set name”.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 17 - Set Name dialog

Custom name will be shown on Shopping Cart as well as on Solution Mode (Figure 18) inside brackets []. Please note that this functionality is limited to racks and servers, any other component can not be renamed.

Figure 18 - Identifier displayed on Shopping Cart view

Custom name will also be stored into .tp3 files as well as on Quote Server export format (.xls and .ods).

6.4 Quote The Quote window is in the panel occupying the largest area in the main window, its tab

being just next to the Shopping Cart tab (Figure 19). It can be made active by clicking on the tab labeled „Quote‟. Quote contains information pertaining to components that will be quoted and their respective list pricing. Components are separated into groups similarly to the Shopping Cart view.

The information displayed in the Quote window consists of the following fields:

Component descriptions

Component Part Numbers

Component ABCD Class

Quantity of components within a configuration and Quantity of that configuration.

Component Prices


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

The „Quantity‟ column displays the Configuration Quantity which means how many

groups of same components the user wants. The Configuration Quantity value can be modified by clicking over it, input new quantity and pressing the enter key. The changes in this column will be reflected in the Shopping Cart and in the following exports: Quote Group Format (*.xls), Quote Server Format (*.xls), Quote Group Format (*.ods), Quote Server Format (*.ods), CFReport, ePrice, and Quote Files (*.csv and *.txt), The number that can be entered is limited to up to four digits (9999). In Quote this value is only displayed for configurations not for components.

The component prices can be displayed in several columns depending on the country

selected and the users‟ access level. Pricing is divided into three columns: Unit Price Type (e.g. List Price, Gems, BP1) , which displays the unit cost of the component, Price Type Quantity x unit price, which is the result of the total number of List Price Units multiplied by the Quantity of components to be quoted and Price Type Configuration Quantity which displays the configuration total price type multiplied by Configuration Quantity.

Similarly to the Shopping Cart Group List, the Quote tab organizes components by their

corresponding group along with the appropriate internal and external components (Figure 19). Components that are marked as „Withdrawn‟ will be displayed appropriately.

Figure 19 - Quote Window

The last row within the quote tab displays the total cost of the configuration being purchased.

6.4.1 Viewing Different Price Columns It is possible to change the price format for a particular region by selecting the Price Format option from the View menu (Figure 20).


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 20 - Price Format Option

The Price Format window (Figure 21) displays the possible price formats that may be deployed in the Quote window. The price format corresponds with the country selected and the user‟s access level. By checking or unchecking the options within the Price Format window, columns will be added or removed from the Quote. Each option will include three columns: Unit Price Type e.g. List Price, Gems, BP1), Price Type Quantity x unit price and Price Type Configuration Quantity.

Figure 21 - Price Format Columns Window

6.4.2 Applying Discounts or Uplifts to Configurations Within the Quote tab, it is possible to apply discounts or uplifts to the configurations or components. To apply discounts or uplifts to a configuration, select the Discount/Uplift option that appears in the Quote menu as displayed in Figure 22. The Discount/Uplift window (Figure 23) will open.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 22 – Launching Discount/Uplift

In the Discount/Uplift window changes may be applied to the Adjusted Price column. The options in this window are as follows:

Base Price: The price to which a discount or uplift can be applied.

Auto Apply Adjusted Price: This option should be chosen when the end user wants to apply a discount or an uplift for all the components in a set. The sets are as follows:

Systems Monitors Options Software Keyboard and Mouse Blanket Discount Services

Each of these sets can have either a discount or uplift applied to it and the selected value can be different for each set of components. Once the desired settings are determined, click OK to apply changes. Changes will be reflected in the Adjusted Price column in the Quote window.

Systems, Monitors, Options, Software, Keyboard and Mouse, Blanket Discount and Services are all sets to which either a discount or uplift can be applied. The value selected can be different for each set of components. Once these settings have been defined, click OK to apply the changes. Changes will be reflected in the Adjusted Price column in the Quote window.

The option „Allow Manually Input Price‟ should be chosen when the user wants to apply a discount or an uplift to a single component. This option allows the end user to change prices directly and individually within the Quote window.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 23 - Discount/Uplift Window

6.4.3 Deleting Configurations and Components Within the Quote

Configurations may be deleted from either the Quote window or the Shopping Cart window. In the Quote window, configurations may be selected by checking the box on the left side of the listed configuration (Figure 24). To delete a configuration, first select the configuration by checking the box, then proceed to the Quote menu and select „Delete Selection‟. A pop up window will open prompting the end-user to confirm the deletion of the selected options. Select „Yes‟ to accept the deletion and the selected configuration will be removed from the quote. This procedure can be applied to single components if the end user does not wish to remove all of the elements in the configuration.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 24 - Delete Selection

6.4.4 Select / Unselect All Configurations

To select all the current configurations at the same time, first proceeds to the Quote menu and select „Select All Configurations‟, this will select all the configuration in Quote window.

Figure 25 – Select All configurations


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

To unselect all the current selected configurations at the same time, first proceeds to the Quote menu and select „Unselect All Configurations‟, this will unselect all the configuration in Quote window.

Figure 26 – Unselect All Configurations

6.4.5 Price Change Indicator As the „Quote‟ tab serves to provide an accurate representation of the components and

their prices within a configuration, prices of components often change over time and as such SSCT has integrated a graphic indicator that denotes outdated prices of components within a previously saved configuration. The Price Change Indicator applies exclusively to configurations that have been previously saved (as a *.Tp3 file). When a previously saved configuration that contains outdated prices for one or more components is loaded into SSCT a message will be displayed indicating that the configuration consists of outdated information (Figure 27).

Figure 27 – Dialog Window Indicating Outdated Prices

Upon activating the Quote window after having loaded a previously saved configuration containing outdated pricing information, those components whose prices are out of date will be

identified by a red arrow on the left-hand side of that component (Figure 28). The outdated

prices for the components can be updated by selecting „Refresh Prices‟ from the „Quote‟ menu.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

After having selected „Refresh Prices‟ the red arrow indicating components with outdated price information will be removed.

Figure 28 – Graphic Price Change Indicator



This functionality encompasses the copying and formatting of text from SSCT application to the windows clipboard manager. The resulting paste in exterior applications and how it displays visually the formatted characters is not considered as part of the scope of this functionality.


When copying the quote content located within the quote, part list is copied including the headers.

Figure 29 – Quote: Copy

Bitmaps and checkboxes appearing in the quote are not be copied.


– Tab (\t) to represent each column in a row of information.


Note: underline and bold font formatting is not used to save to the clipboard as also no row or column line separation.



User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 30 – Quote: Paste on Notepad

6.5 Database Window The Database window is where the end user may search for any component existing in

the application database. The search results provide a brief description along with pricing information. This window can be accessed by selecting „Database Window‟ from the View menu or by typing Ctrl+D (Figure 31).

Figure 31 - Database Window Option

The Database window contains a search field, search options and a display panel where

all the components matching the search results appear. When searching for a component, use the search criteria as listed below:

Search For: Enter the numbers or text to be searched.

Match: This option box contains two choices: The first choice is All, which conducts a search that generates a perfect match to the inserted text. The second choice is Partial, which conducts a search that matches any or all of the inserted text.

Using: This option defines the field(s) to be searched: the part number, the description or both.

Once the options have been defined, select ‟Search‟ to generate the query results (Figure 32).

The end user also has the ability to change the description of components within the Database window. To change the description of a given component, highlight the desired text and type or erase accordingly. Once having clicked outside of that textbox within the display panel, the description will be changed. To save and make the change in the Database, click the Ok button and accept changes by clicking Yes in the proceeding Pop-Up window.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Option prices can be changed in this window as well. In order to perform this operation, the “Allow Manually Input Price” option must be selected in the Discount/Uplift window.

The application also has the ability to import and export files with custom prices. These

files are exported in .xml format with the extension .tpri. To import or export a .tpri file, select the appropriate operation from the File menu in the Database window (Note: in order to import or export custom prices, the end user must have version Microsoft Office 2000 or later installed with Microsoft Excel).

Figure 32 - Database window

6.6 Remember Price Password

SSCT provides different levels of access for prices as pricing information is restricted through the implementation of passwords based on regions and user access levels.

Predominantly, the purpose of this feature serves to retain the user access level and region so that these settings may be readily attained each time the application is initialized.

The User Access level (Remember Price Password) feature may be launched by selecting „User Access Level‟ from the Database menu (Figure 33) or by typing Ctrl + U.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 33 – User Access Level

Selecting „User Access Level‟ launches a popup window where the user can create and save a password with the defined user access level (Figure 34).

Figure 34 – Creating User Access Level Password

Once a valid password has been entered in the User Access popup window and the

“Save password” check box has been selected, the defined access level will be set as default and will be implemented by the application as the default user access level.

The access level will be reset upon any of the following actions by the end-user:

The end-user changes the defined region.

The application is reinstalled or a new version is installed, replacing the previously existing version.

A .tp3 file is loaded with defined regional settings that differ from the settings that are currently defined in the application.

The end-user sets a password for access level after already having set a password previously. The most recently defined access level will serve as the default access level settings.

6.7 Configuration Wizard The Wizard feature is of the most significant of those incorporated in Standalone

Solutions Configuration Tool, as it essentially merges the two configuration applications: Rack Configurator and xSCA. The wizard can be launched by selecting „Wizard‟ from the Configuration


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

menu (Figure 35), by the selecting icon located in the Icon bar, or by typing Ctrl+A while working in Configuration Mode.

Figure 35 - Wizard Option

The Wizard window will open (Figure 36) and the end user may begin the configuration

process.

6.7.1 Wizard Startup Window The Wizard Startup window (Figure 36) displays the following expandable menus upon

initialization:

Price Type: This menu contains all the available prices for the selected country. This menus accessibility depends on the user access level. The price type selected is that which will be displayed in all the proceeding wizard screens. The default price type will be List Price

4.

Brand: Brand is comprised of the different types of servers available in Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool. In Brand, the end user may select from any of the following:

i. xSeries ii. IBM System x™ iii. BladeCenter iv. IntelliStation v. eServer vi. DataCenter

Family: Once the brand has been selected, a server family must be chosen. The family list will vary depending on the brand selected.

Show Only Express Models Checkbox: When this checkbox is selected, the models reflected in the „Model‟ menu will be limited to Express Models only. This option serves to aid the end-user readily identify IBM Express Models offered as part of the IBM Express program. If this option is selected and the user is configuring a BladeCenter, there is another checkbox that appears in the “Main” tab in the configuration wizard, labeled “Show only express models”. This option will filter all the express blades in the orderable option list.

Model: Model is the final menu from which the end user will make a selection, as the list of models appearing in this box depend on the brand and the family previously selected. In this menu, the model is listed with its corresponding part number, description and price

5.

4 The Price Type can be modified anytime while configuring within the Wizard.

5 Option Number, price and availability of models may vary depending on the selected country.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 36 - Wizard Startup Window

In the main panel of the Wizard Startup window, information about the selected server family is displayed. This information details:

An image of the component

Description of the family

Starting price, displaying the lowest price for the family

Details link, when clicked expands displaying detailed component information.

Link to the IBM page pertinent to that particular family

To configure the selected model, click on the Configure button.

6.7.2 Configuration Wizard Window

The Configuration Wizard window is made up of several tabs which serve to configure items individually by component category. The common layout of the window is displayed in Figure 38. Though this layout is standard for the majority of the wizard tabs, it varies depending on the server being configured. Note: Certain options and functionalities are specific to the brand being configured when using the Configuration Wizard. When configuring DataCenter models, functionality and options available in the Configuration Wizard are distinct and do not coincide with the options available to most other brands. For information regarding the available options and Configuration Wizard functionality when configuring DataCenter models, please refer to Section 10.1: Configuration Wizard with DataCenter. Otherwise, when configuring BladeCenter models, there is a checkbox that filters all the express blades in the orderable list. Also, there is a button with caption “Set Name” that helps user to rename a Blade Server with a custom label. The window is displayed in Figure 37.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 37 - Configuration Wizard window

Figure 38 - Configuration Wizard window

The standard layout of the Configuration Wizard window contains the following:

Description: Located in the top of the window, the description displays the part number and information about the server being configured. It displays the server family, processor type and speed, cache type and size, installed RAM, storage, power supply unit(s) and form factor.

Price: This expandable menu is the same that appears in the Wizard Startup window which permits the end user to switch between the different price formats available depending on the selected country and user access level.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Sections (tabs): Each section (tab) configures different components that make up a server configuration and permits the end user to configure the server internally and occasionally externally. The most common sections are: Processor, Memory, Storage, PCI, KVM (keyboard, video and mouse), Software, Services, ServicePac, Unconfigured Options and Summary.

Accumulated Price: Displayed in the right upper-corner of the window, the current total price of the components is listed along with other options.

Tab Information: Located in the upper left of the selected tab window, it displays the name of the section and useful information for the end user depending on the section, such as: occupied slots, maximum slots, installed memory and installed storage

Orderable Options: This is the list from which the available options are selected and is located on the left side of the selected tab window.

Installed Items: This is the list of the standard and selected options and is located on the right side of the selected tab window.

Removed Standard Items: This is the list of uninstalled standard items. This list will be shown whenever a removable standard item is displayed under Installed items list, otherwise this section will not be shown.

Add and Remove Buttons: These buttons are located in the center of the selected tab window and they serve to add or remove components from a server. They are indicated by a pair of greater than and less than symbols (“>>”, “<<”). The end user may also perform the same actions of installing and uninstalling components from the configuration by double clicking a component in the orderable options menu to add it to the configuration, or by double clicking a component in the installed items menu to remove it from the configuration.

Reinstall Standard Button: This button installs back all uninstalled standard items. Reinstall validation is also checked using this button. This button will be shown whenever the Removed Standard Items section is displayed.

Notes: This is the textbox located at the bottom of the selected tab window and it is used to show important information to the user about the configuration being made, including rules and compatibility.

Back and Next Buttons: These buttons navigate between sections. When the Next button is clicked, a validation process is run to corroborate the current configuration; some pop up windows may appear if the configuration contains errors.

There are some tabs in which the displayed content and overall layout may differ slightly from the other tabs. The following describes such tabs, their features and notable differences (Note that some options and / or tabs may or may not be displayed as the configuration options vary depending on the server being configured): Select Deployment Solution Tab Within the „Software‟ tab is the „Deployment‟ tab. This tab provides the ability to choose the kind of software solution desired when configuring a server that supports either Remote Deployment or Altiris software. Depending on the component or server being configured, the end-user may order either Remote Deployment Manager or Altiris software for the component or server being configured as displayed in Figure 39.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 39 – Solution Deployment Options

After having selected either Remote Deployment Manager or Altiris software, the end-user progresses to the „Software‟ sub-tab upon clicking the „Next‟ button. Within the Software sub-tab, the end-user is be prompted to select the specific software corresponding to the type of Solution Deployment selected within the previous „Deployment‟ tab before proceeding further (Figure 40).

Figure 40 - Software Orderable Options Prompt


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Storage Tab

This tab displays a set of four storage options that can be selected for the server being configured. The four options are: Internal, External, Fibre Channel and Tape. Depending on the options selected, additional tabs may appear in order to configure subsequent options.

Figure 41 - Storage Type

Internal and External options can be configured with a RAID level. These RAID level options may vary depending on the server being configured. The Backup Storage options can be either Internal Tape or External Tape and may vary depending on the server being configured. External Storage Tab

This tab is similar to the other tabs in this section, but with an additional button: the Configure button (displayed in Figure 42), which configures the selected option.

Since most of the orderable options appearing in these tabs are boxes (expansions and controllers), they can be configured internally, and that is what this button is for. When this button is clicked a new wizard window is launched with tabs to configure this option internally. When the internal configuration of the selected component is completed, the program returns to the main Configuration Wizard window.

The Fibre Channel options are similar to the External Storage expansions and thus the Fibre Channel tab layout is essentially the same as the External Storage tab layout.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 42 - External Storage tab

In this tab, there are some components that are kits. The functionality of these ones will depend on the user preferences. Adding a kit will inquire the user to about installing controllers included in the kit inside the server and give a warning if it cannot be installed due to space restrictions. If for some reason, the user answers yes to install the controller and it cannot be placed, the kit will not be added to the installed items of the server.

Figure 43 - External Storage tab

The kit will be displayed as a tree entry, where the parent will be the kit and when the user expands it will show its kit members. Only those components that can be configurable will be allowed to, enabling the “Configure” button displayed below the list.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

The following screen shot shows the controller member kit installed under the controller tab.

Figure 44 - Controllers tab

If the controller is removed the following message will appear “You are attempting to remove a kit member component. Re-installing can only be done in the wizard by re-adding the kit or in configuration mode by dragging the kit member to the server. This action will NOT alter the cost of the system. Do you wish to remove this item?”

.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 45 - If the controller is removed that message will appear

If the answer is Yes, the standard part will be removed from the Installed Items section and placed in the Removed Standard Items section. Unconfigured Options Tab

This tab adds components to the server without performing any validation. As such, it is possible to make speculative configurations to which the wizard guidelines are not applied. These components will be added to the server, but they will not be installed to any of the slots or compartments. This tab contains all the compatible components for the selected family sever and it is divided by categories in a list tree view (Figure 46).


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 46 - Unconfigured Options Tab

Others Options Tab

In Wizard a warning will be added to the Info panel stating (Figure 47): “Cables added here are not checked for compatibility nor can they be used in Solution Mode. Racking cables must only be added in Solution Mode.”

Note: The warning message appearing in the additional information textbox for cables will be of black font with the same format as any other information message.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 47- The Others option tab: Cables Additional Information

Summary Tab

This tab displays a summary of the selected configuration before adding it to the workspace or to the quote. Here the user may assess the configuration and return to any of the preceding tab windows if any mistakes are found or if further changes are needed. The Summary tab is divided into 3 sections: Top: This section contains two components:

The tab title: This is the main tab title “Summary” placed inside a small square placed top left of this section.

System configuration: This section contains a text field where the current configuration‟s name can be modified.

Middle: This section contains the main table where all the selected components are placed. This section also shows the individual quantity per item. Bottom: It contains two small sections:

Total Quantity: Total quantity of all the components added to the selected configuration.

Summary : The summary for the current configuration

And also contains five buttons:

Home: This button initiates a new configuration in the Wizard Startup Window.

Add And Restart: This button adds current configuration and restart wizard since the first tab and remove all components to begin a new configuration.

Add And Restart With Current: This button adds current configuration and restart wizard since the first tab keeping all the added components of last configuration.

Back: Moves backwards through the tabs in the configuration.

Add and Exit: The Add and Exit button adds the configuration into the general workspace section and also adds the configuration to the wizard as a new group matching the name in the System Configuration box.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 48 - Summary Tab

NOTE: When adding components to a server using the Configuration Wizard, options

available to those components upon closing the Wizard are often very ambiguous and confusing. Though functionality in this respect is obscure, the Configuration Wizard is working properly. However, an alert message will become available in future releases in order to clarify information regarding the placement of components configured internally using the Configuration Wizard and the options available to those components.

6.7.3 Pre-Selected Options

6.7.3.1 ServicePac Pre-Selected in Wizard When configuring using the Configuration Wizard, certain components are flagged with

pre-selected ServicePac options. These Pre-Selected options are automatically added to the flagged components, but are not standard components and may be removed if so desired. Components that are flagged with pre-selected options bear a bold checkbox on the tab where the pre-selected ServicePac lies and in the Configuration Wizard window (Figure 49). If the „ServicePac‟ tab is selected on a component that is flagged with Pre-Selected options, a message is displayed in the additional info textbox describing the Pre-Selected component


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 49 – Pre-Selected Options

6.7.3.2 ServicePac Pre-Selected in Configuration mode

Pre-selected options are automatically added to the system when it has been added to a configuration by means of any of the following methods:

When a system is added to a configuration by double clicking or using the shortcut menu for adding components from the component catalog.

When a system is added to a configuration by means of using drag and drop from the component catalog.

When a system is added to a configuration using the compatibles toolbox.

When a system is added to a configuration using the find a part function.

6.7.3.2.1 Pre-selects when adding components using the Component Catalog Adding a system to a configuration from the component catalog can be done using any of

the following methods.

Double clicking on a component inside the component catalog

Using the “Add” context menu item when right clicking over a component inside the component catalog.

Using the “Add” menu item on the main menu bar when a component is Selected inside the component catalog.

6.7.3.2.2 Pre-selects when adding components using the Drag and Drop Pre-selected options are added automatically to a system when the system is added from

the component catalog using drag and drop in either the Solution or Configuration mode.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

6.7.3.2.3 Pre-selects when adding components using the Compatibles Toolbox When a system is added to a configuration using the compatible toolbox, pre-selected

options are automatically added to the server and appear under the server when added. Pre-selected options appear only once the system has been added to the configuration.

6.7.3.2.4 Pre-selected when adding components using Find a Part When using Find a Part to add systems to a configuration, option pre-selected are added

automatically to the system. The shopping cart will categorize pre-selected under the “Pre-selected Options” category

as illustrated below.

Figure 50 – Pre-Selected Options

A “Pre-selected Options” label appears under the system which contains pre-selected components. Under the “Pre-selected options” label the specific sub-category to which the pre-selected option belongs to will appear and underneath that sub-category will be the pre-selected option.

6.7.3.3 Open Fabric Manager Pre-Selected The behavior should be similar to the existing Preselect behavior with ServicePac.

Preselects will be added automatically when a chassis with HS21, HS21XM, LS21/41s are ordered.

This functionality is available in the following working areas of the SSCT where a user

can add a blade server to a BladeCenter chassis:

- In the configuration wizard. - When double clicking on the component catalog adding a blade server to a selected

BladeCenter either in configuration or in solution mode. - When dragging and dropping a blade server onto a BladeCenter chassis either in

configuration or in solution mode. - When adding BladeCenter servers to a BladeCenter chassis using the compatibles

toolbox.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

For wizard, as illustrated below when the “IBM BladeCenter OpenFabric Manager” software preselects are added to the BladeCenter, a blue checkbox with the text: Recommended pre-selected components will appear on the upper left corner of the main wizard dialog. As also a blue checkbox will appear to the left of the software tab, indicating software preselects have been added to the BladeCenter server.

Figure 51 - Pre-Selected Open Fabric Manager Options in Wizard

When the user views the software tab (as illustrated in the above image) the added “IBM

BladeCenter OpenFabric Manager” software preselects will be visible under the installed items list.

Users can remove the added preselects by double clicking the installed item or by clicking on the remove button.

If all preselects are removed from the Software Tab the blue checkbox located beside the software tab will not longer be visible. As also the blue checkbox and text located on the main wizard dialog if no preselects exist in any tab of the BladeCenter configuration wizard.

If the Software tab is selected on a component that is flagged with Pre-Selected options, a message is displayed in the additional info textbox describing the Pre-Selected component.

When configuring using the Component Catalogue, Drag and Drop or Compatible

Toolbox, also preselected options are added; you can check this in the Shopping Cart view, the preselected items will be under “Pre-selected Options” category, as shown in image below.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 52 - Pre-Selected Open Fabric Manager Options in Shopping Cart

The “IBM BladeCenter OpenFabric Manager” software preselects which should be

automatically added to a BladeCenter chassis is dependent upon their existence in the specific country which is being used to configure the BladeCenter server.

In addition only the following BladeCenter chassis and BladeCenter server combinations

apply for automatically adding Open Fabric Manager software: Open Fabric Manager software addition applies if any of the following BladeCenter

chassis‟s are being configured: - BladeCenter E (8677) - BladeCenter H (8852) - BladeCenter HT (8740/8750) - BladeCenter S (8886)

And a minimum of one of any of following BladeCenter servers have been added to the

BladeCenter chassis:

- IBM BladeCenter HS21 (8853) - IBM BladeCenter HS21 XM (7995) - IBM BladeCenter LS21 (7971)


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

- IBM BladeCenter LS41 (7972) The OFM software is added automatically when at least one applicable BladeCenter

server has been added to the BladeCenter chassis; the software is only added once per chassis. Other considerations are: If the user removes all blade servers from the BladeCenter chassis and there are

previously added Open Fabric Manager preselects then those preselects will be removed automatically.

If a user manually removes the automatically added preselects from a Bladecenter

chassis and then the user adds an additional blade server no new Open Fabric Manager preselects are added. The only way new Open Fabric Manager preselects are added automatically after they have been manually removed is if the user removes all blade servers and then adds a new blade server. Preselects are automatically added when the first of these servers is added. Having manually removed of the Open Fabric Manager preselected options indicate the intention of not requiring Open Fabric Manager

If the user manually adds Open Fabric Manager software when there are no preselects

added and then goes back and adds at least one blade server only Open Fabric Manager software not added manually by the user will be added automatically.

6.7.4 Copy

This functionality enables the end user to copy information from the SSCT application to a separate receiving application. It does not encompass pasting information within the SSCT application.



When copying the wizard summary all content located within the summary, part list is copied including the headers. System configuration name is not copied.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 53 – Wizard: Copy


– Tab (\t) to represent each column in a row of information. – Line feed/carriage return (\r\n) to represent a new row in the part list.

Note: underline and bold font formatting is not used to save to the clipboard as also no

row or column line separation. Following is an example of how paste on Notepad application of the above information

would look like:

Figure 54 – Wizard: Paste on Notepad

6.8 Find a Part Window The Find a Part menu item is similar to the Database window and contains some of the

same elements found in the Database window such as the Search For box and the Match Options and Using Options boxes. To access the Find a Part window, either select „Find a Part‟ from the View menu (Figure 55), or type Ctrl+Shift+F.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 55 - Find a Part Window

One of the most significant differences that exist between the Database window and the Find a Part window is that the components description and prices cannot be modified or changed in the Find a Part window. There also exist some other notable differences which are featured in the Find a Part window and not in the Database window which are listed as follows:

Components can be added to the ordered part list by clicking the add button (>>).

Components added to the ordered part list can be removed by clicking the remove button (<<).

Price type can be changed according to the varying types of prices available for the selected country.

The total cost of the ordered items is shown in a label located on the right side of the window.

Figure 56 - Find a Part Window


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

6.9 Export Prices

The export prices option permits the end-user to create a printable report consisting of all

components currently within the database of the application along with the updated pricing information of those components. The exported file closely resembles that of the xSCA Master Prices spreadsheet and is saved as a .csv file so that it may be opened and edited within any spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel. The end-user may select and modify a variety of options regarding which categories are to be exported, including what kinds of prices the end-user wishes to export (between normal or custom prices).

Note: the availability of some exportation preferences may depend on the end-users‟

access level. The Export Prices window may be launched by selecting „Export Prices‟ from the

Database menu (Figure 57).

Figure 57 - Launching Export Prices

The end-user may also launch the Export Prices window by selecting the Export Prices

icon from within the icon taskbar. Once the Export Prices window has been launched, the end-user is presented with the

opportunity to select all components and categories within the window by checking the box labeled „All Categories‟ (Figure 58). The end-user may then go about selecting and de-selecting desired categories and components individually, or export the archive as-is containing all categories.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 58 – Export Prices Window

Selecting „Price Format‟ within the Export Prices window will prompt the end-user to

select which kinds of prices are to be exported to the .csv file by launching the „Price Format Columns‟ window (Figure 59). The different kinds of prices to be displayed may be modified by selecting and de-selecting the boxes displayed on the left side of the listed price types. De-selected boxes will not display those kinds of prices in the exported .csv file. The different types of prices to select from may vary depending on the end-user‟s access level.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 59 – Price Format Columns

Selecting „Export‟ from the Export Prices window will bring up a „Save-As‟ dialog box and

prompt the end-user to save the file. Once the file has been saved, the end-user may open the .csv file from within a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (Figure 60). Note: Some times in Microsoft Excel part numbers look different because this application sets an automatic format to the cell.

Figure 60 – Exported .csv File


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

6.10 Compatibles Toolbox

The Compatibles Toolbox is a window which contains a list tree composed of text and is

divided into several categories (Figure 61). Each expandable category contains a list of components which are compatible with the system selected and the information displayed is divided into the following columns: Description, Part Number, Price and Quantity. In general, the Compatibles Toolbox supports servers, BladeCenter Chassis‟, BladeServers and storage and tape components.

Figure 61 – Compatibles Toolbox

The Compatibles Toolbox window operates via the following key features:

Quantity – Within the quantity column, the end-user may manually type in and edit the number of a given component that will subsequently be added to the selected system.

Validate – The validate button serves to perform a system validation similarly to the validation that can be conducted within the Configuration Wizard regarding the Server being configured. A warning message will be displayed if a component within the configuration is not compatible with the server being configured.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Force Automatic Validation – When active, the „Force Automatic Validation‟ checkbox serves to perform a system validation automatically when the quantity of a component is modified or added to the configuration via the Quantity column.

Add – The Add button supports two main functions:

o Add a new server and its options as a new Configuration Group to the Shopping Cart.

o Update an existing server in the shopping cart with options.

Components may be added to the system in the Compatibles Toolbox even in the case that they are not valid with the current configuration. If the „Force Automatic Validation‟ checkbox is checked, validations are performed upon the addition of components to the configuration or upon modifying the quantity of a given component in the configuration. A message will be displayed in the „Validation Summary‟ textbox with the results of each configuration validation.

The compatibles toolbox may be launched by right-clicking a server within the Component Catalog and selecting „Compatibles Toolbox‟, or by right-clicking a server already

within a configuration (Figure 60). Adding components from the Toolbox has different

consequences depending on from where it is launched.

Figure 62 – Launching the Compatibles Toolbox

When launching the Toolbox from the Component Catalog, a new server will be created based on what has been selected within the catalog and components added from the Toolbox will be added to the server being created.

Adding components to a server that is already installed in a configuration (as is shown in

Figure 62) differs from the previously described scenario in two different ways:

- The server will not be created as it already exists; components being added will be added to the existing server being configured. - The placement of the new components will require the removal of all previously existing and installed components from the server. Therefore, when adding components from the Toolbox to a


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

server already installed in a configuration, previously existing components should be rearranged in order ensure the ideal placement of all components.

Important points regarding Components displayed as compatible with a server within the Compatibles Toolbox are as follows:

o Only internal components are displayed within the Compatibles Toolbox. External

components are not displayed nor may they be added within the Compatibles Toolbox.

o For BladeCenter, no BladeServers are displayed within the Compatibles Toolbox. The end-user should configure BladeCenter and like systems using the Configuration Wizard or directly within the Component Catalog.

o Components displayed as compatible are both components that are directly compatible with the server being configured as well as compatible components associated with devices installed in the server being configured.

o The new cables subcategories will not be available in the Compatibles Toolbox





When copying all the content located within the toolbox, part list is copied including the headers. Validation summary information will not be copied.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 63 – Compatibles Toolbox: Copy




Note: underline and bold font formatting is not used to save to the clipboard as also no row or column line separation.



User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 64 – Compatibles Toolbox: Paste on Notepad


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

7 SOLUTION MODE

The Solution Mode is designed to provide an external configuration aid to the end user. It provides views and aid for connecting, placing and sorting components within a rack cabinet.

The Solution Mode contains three windows: Component Catalog, Configuration Workspace and Component Information (Figure 65).


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 65 - Solution Mode

The Component Catalog and the Component Information windows within Solution Mode are identical to the windows that appear in Configuration Mode.

7.1 Switching Between Modes To switch from Configuration Mode to Solution Mode, go to Configuration menu, select Mode and then select Solution Mode (Figure 66).


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 66 - Mode Options

The user may also switch between modes by clicking on either the Configuration Mode

icon or the Solution Mode icon located in the icon toolbar.

7.2 Workspace Window The Workspace Window

6 is split into six tabs:

Component List

Component Connections

Workspace View

Floor Plan

Connection Overview

Resources

If a configuration is made initially in Configuration Mode and the user switches to Solution Mode, the configurations converge into the new mode. All of the components added in Configuration Mode can be seen in the Solution Mode, but only the external additions can be configured and connected.

6 The Workspace Window contains most of the features of the Rack Configurator version 3


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

7.2.1 Workspace View

The Workspace view contains three main sections (Figure 67):

Component Tree: This is the left panel in the Workspace View tab. It functions similarly to the Shopping Tree List and essentially serves the same purpose as the Shopping Tree List when working in Solution Mode.

Floor: This is the bottommost panel in the Workspace View tab. It displays the components which have been added to a configuration but have not yet been added to a rack. In Configuration Mode components may be added to a rack in the suite, or they can be added to the floor by dragging and dropping the component in the Floor window in conjunction with the Shopping Tree List.

Suite: This is the main panel within the Workspace View tab which displays the components being configured visually, providing an interactive graphical interface made up of the configuration components. The workspace View graphically displays the racks along with their added components, however, the components displayed in this window are limited to external components such as: servers, PDUs

7, console switches and UPSs

8.

Figure 67 - Workspace View Tab

In Workspace View the user may perform the following actions:

Move components inside the suite.

Move components from the suite to the floor.

Move components from the floor to the suite.

7 Power Distribution Units

8 Uninterruptable Power Supplies


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Arrange components within a rack configuration as desired.

7.2.1.1 Copy This functionality enables the end user to copy information from the SSCT application to


This functionality encompasses the copying of images from SSCT application to the windows clipboard manager.

Figure 68 - Workspace View: Copy

Images located on either the suite or the floor if selected can be copied to the clipboard as image file.

In the case of copying the suite, the entire suite is copied (all racks and servers located within the view), this rule also applies when doing a copy of the floor view.

No formatting for these images is included as they are saved as image streams.

The “copy image” context menu item for the suite or the floor appears disabled when there are no components located within the view.

Following is an example of how paste on MS Paint would look like when copying the suite view:


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 69 - Workspace View: Paste on MS Paint

Following is an example of how paste on MS Paint would look like when copying the floor view:

Figure 70 - Workspace View: Paste on MS Paint


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

7.2.2 Component List The Component List is a tab which displays all of the components that are installed inside

of another component and is located on the far right side of the Suite window next to the Component List tab.

The Component List tab contains two main sections:

Component Tree: This section matches that as is described in section 7.2.2

Component List Window: The Component List displays the internal components that are installed in the selected model in the Component Tree. This section includes standard and non standard components and displays the component description, part number, status and position in the same way as does the Shopping Group List.

Figure 71 - Component List Tab

7.2.3 Component Connections The Component Connections tab allows the connection and configuration of components existing in the current configuration. The end user can make connections amongst existing components, configure the internal bays and can generate reports about the connections and the cables required for the solution.

The Component Connections tab includes four main sections:

Component Tree: This section matches that as is described in section 7.2.2

Explorer Details: This section is located at the top of the Component Connections tab. It provides information about the selected component in the Component Tree, including: part number, description and information about connectors already in use or available for connection. The type of connectors displayed depends on the tab selected in the Explorer Connection View.

Explorer Connection: This section is located in the middle of the Component Connections tab. It is divided into six tabs (Power, Fibre Channel, Console, Networking, SCSI and RIO) which indicate the different types of components that can be connected to the selected component in the Component Tree. Each tab contains a list of the available cables used to connect the components. Such components can be connected or disconnected using the connection icons


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

or by double clicking on the component to connect it. When connecting two devices there is always a cable which acts as the main cable in the connection. There is a possibility to re-use a cable in more than one connection; If the cable‟s descriptions has an asterisk „*‟ as a prefix; this means that the cable match does not contain new cables for a connection and that it is reusing a cable previously used in a connection. When a component is connected a bullet is shown on its left side. This section also displays information about the connected component, its location, its connectors (used/available) and all the necessary cables to make the desired connection.

Suite: This section matches that as is described in section 7.2.2. The suite displayed in this section displays the connection made in the Explorer Connection View. Each type of connection appears in different colors.

Figure 72 - Component Connections Tab

7.2.4 Connection Overview

The Connection Overview is where the user can view all connections that have been made in the configuration. It displays the component from the connection has been made, the component to which the connection has been made, the location in which they have been placed (Rack / U Location or Compartment), the connector used and the cable used to make the connection (Figure 73).


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 73 - Connection Overview Tab

7.2.5 Configuration Resources The Configuration Resources section provides information about the power capacities

and requirements, as well as the resulting heat loads for a configuration (Figure 74).

Figure 74 - Configuration Resources Tab


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc





When copying the resource view all content located within the resource view is copied, including the headers.

Figure 75 - Resources Tab: Copy

The following format characters are used to save the configuration resources information to the clipboard:


– Line feed/carriage return (\r\n) to represent a new row in the table.

Note: underline and bold font formatting are not used to save to the clipboard as also no row or column line separation or shading.



User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 76 - Resources Tab: Paste on Notepad

7.2.6 Floor Plan The Floor Plan displays the speculative layout and basic blueprints of the environment for a configuration and bases its results on what would make for an ideal setting for that specific configuration. Such calculations are predominantly based on recommended distances in order to maintain proper airflow, among other calculations. Figure 77 displays an example of the Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool Floor Plan.

Figure 77 - Floor Plan Tab.



This functionality encompasses the copying of images from SSCT application to the windows clipboard manager.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 78 - Floor Plan Tab: Copy

The entire floor plan view is saved as an image file to the clipboard.

No formatting for these images is included as they are saved as image streams.

Following is an example of how on MS Paint would look like when copy the floor plan view:


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 79 - Floor Plan Tab: Paste on MS Paint

7.3 Auto Connect The Auto Connect tool is a tool that assists the end user in connecting the components that have been added to the rack configuration and adding other standard devices as well such as PDU and Console automatically (These devices will be added in a group with the rack that contains them). Any components that have not yet been added to the rack will remain unaffected by the Auto Connect tool.

The Auto Connect option can be accessed by selecting the icon in the icon bar, or by selecting “Auto Connect” in the Workspace menu (Figure 80).


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 80 - Auto Connect Option

Once the Auto Connect tool has been launched, the Auto Connect Preferences window

will appear. The Auto Connect Preferences window prompts the user to specify preferences for the Auto Connect tool in order to perform automated connections of power and console cables. Figure 81 shows an example of the Auto Connect Preferences window with default preferences.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 81 - Auto Connect Preferences window

7.4 Auto Arrange On Auto Arrange On allows the user to allocate any device into a rack cabinet for

configuration automatically. The placement of devices is based on the multiple limitations that exist within this feature in order to generate optimal results. Each time the user switches from Auto Arrange Off to Auto Arrange On, all devices will be reallocated into the selected rack cabinet. If for any reason a component cannot be added, deleted, or moved, the rack cabinet remains unchanged and as it was initially without reallocating the components. When switching from Auto Arrange Off to Auto Arrange On, if a component cannot be placed correctly, the component will be placed on the floor.

To enable Auto Arrange On, select the icon located in the icon bar or go to the Workspace menu, select Auto Arrange and then select the “On” box (Figure 82).


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 82 - Auto Arrange On option

7.5 Auto Arrange Off Auto Arrange Off allows the user to place any component into any rack cabinet in the

suite. The placement of components will only follow rules applied to spaces and compatibilities. If for any reason a component cannot be added, deleted or moved into a rack, the rack cabinet remains unchanged and as it was initially.

To enable Auto Arrange Off, select the icon in the icon bar, or go to the Workspace menu, select Auto Arrange and then select the “Off” box (Figure 83).

Figure 83 - Auto Arrange Off option


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

7.6 Validation Report The Validation Report presents configuration information and / or warns of any

discrepancies that may exist in the current configuration. Information typically presented in the validation report consists of items such as: missing power, missing console connections and safety information. Figure 84 displays an example of a Validation Report.

Figure 84 - Validation Report

The Validation Report option can be accessed by selecting the icon located in the icon toolbar, or by selecting the Validate option in the Workspace menu (Figure 85).

Figure 85 - Validate option


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

The following information is included in the Validation Report: Floor

Usability: provides important information about components allocated to the Floor.

Suite

General Information: provides a broad-spectrum of information pertinent to the entire suite. For example: missing console switches, Rack Sequence Mode, installation tips, etc.

Connection Information: provides connection information pertinent to devices within the suite.

Rack „X‟

X represents a letter from A to H as is displayed in this section to match the maximum

number of racks allowed (e.g. primary rack = Rack A, secondary rack = Rack B, etc.). Using these labels, this section provides information for each individual rack in the configuration. For each rack in the configuration, the following information is provided:

Additional Information: provides information about a possible missing monitor in the rack, keyboard without a monitor, etc.

Usability information: provides information about invalid positioning of components inside the rack.

Stability information: presents stability warnings. More information about this subject is provided in the Validation Report section.

Connections: displays information about the existing missing connections. More information about this subject is provided in the Validation Report section.

7.7 File Sharing

File Sharing is a feature that has been implemented in SSCT in order to simplify the process of installing, updating and running the application version on a shared network. File Sharing allows for the installation of the SSCT application to a server so that the application may be accessed and launched directly from that server on individual workstations. File Sharing is supported on Microsoft XP and Microsoft Vista platforms; however, the process for installing and running SSCT File Sharing differs depending on the Operating System being used by the end-user. Please refer to section 7.7.3 for instructions on installing and running File Sharing on Microsoft XP or Vista platforms.

Note: Starting with Version 1.35 of SSCT File Sharing functionality for Microsoft Windows 2000 is still available to be used but it is not longer supported (Please refer to section 7.7.1 and 7.7.2).

Three major features of File Sharing are as follows:

Provide the opportunity for the end-user to readily access an executable file from a server

within a network. It is often in the form of a batch file.

Launches an Install Shield Wizard that installs the shared version of Standalone

Solutions Configuration Tool to a server.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Facilitates the process of configuring the installed items by an administrator.

7.7.1 Deprecated: Installing and Running SSCT using File Sharing on Microsoft Windows 2000

Note: Starting with Version 1.35 of SSCT File Sharing functionality for Microsoft Windows 2000 is still available to be used. However it is no longer supported for security reasons. Please refer to Section 7.7.3 Installing File Sharing on Microsoft XP or Vista (SSCT Client).

The following describes the necessary steps to successfully install and run SSCT using

File Sharing (for step-by-step instructions on how to install and run File Sharing, please refer

to Section 7.7.2). In order to run SSCT using File Sharing for individual users with limited

access privileges, follow the instructions below and refer to the additional steps at the end of

this section:

First, the application must be installed onto the server that will become the source of the

shared file. The process of installing SSCT onto a server is the same as installing the

application to a typical workstation (for more information on installing SSCT, see section 4).

Open the executable file to begin installation to the server. This will launch the Install Shield

Wizard. Follow the installation instructions as defined in the Install Shield Wizard. Click

„Finish‟ at the final window of the Install Shield Wizard to complete the installation process to

the File Server. The folder to where the application is installed on the server must be a

shared folder available and accessible to defined users with a set password from their

personal workstations.

Once the application is installed onto the server, open „My Computer‟ from the client

workstation and select „Map Network Drive‟ from the „Tools‟ menu (see Figure 86).

Figure 86 – Selecting Map Network Drive

Within the „Map Network Drive‟ window, select the drive (default is Z:) and define the IP address along with the folder where the application is located on the server; i.e.

\\10.60.88.251\IBM Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool (see Figure 85).


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 87 – Map Network Drive Settings

As displayed in Figure 87, select „Connect using a different user name‟ and enter the

User name and password that have been defined to provide access to the shared folder

where the application is located. Once having entered the specified User name and

password, click „Finish‟. This will open the folder on the server where the shared SSCT file is

located.

Once the .bat file is displayed (fishadmin.bat), copy the file to the Desktop (or other

desired location) of the client workstation (Figure 88). (Please note that the fishadmin.bat file

is intended by users that have administrator privileges only. When running and installing File

Sharing that will be used by both Administrators and individual limited users, the same steps

described above should be followed, but the end-user with limited access should copy

fishssct.bat file on the workstation).

Figure 88 – Shared .bat file

The .bat file (fishadmin.bat), is opened using Notepad. Open Notepad and then open the fishadmin.bat file. In the line that reads „SET sharedDrive=‟ define the Drive where the shared file is located (Note: this is the same drive that was previously defined in the „Map Network Drive‟

window) (See Figure 89)


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 89 - SET sharedDrive= (If Shared Drive were T:)

Once the SET sharedDrive has been defined, save the file and close Notepad. Open the .bat file by double-clicking, and SSCT will be launched on the client workstation. In order to use SSCT with file sharing on individual workstations with limited user access privileges only, follow the steps described above. On the individual workstation that will utilize the File Sharing feature, the fishadmin.bat file must be executed the first time by the Network Administrator the first time when launching the application. For subsequent uses, the end-user may execute the fshssct.bat file in order to launch the application.

7.7.2 Deprecated: Step-by-Step File Sharing Install and Run on Microsoft Windows 2000

Note: Starting with Version 1.35 of SSCT File Sharing functionality for Microsoft Windows 2000 is still available to be used. However it is no longer supported for security reasons. Please refer to section 7.7.3 Installing File Sharing on Microsoft XP or Vista (SSCT Client).

For non-admin users:

1) Install the SSCT .exe application to server

2) Share the application folder (Default location is: C:\Program Files\IBM Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool). NOTE: Each user must have a username and password in order to access this folder from client computer

3) From the client computer, using the account that has administrative privileges, map a network drive of the folder described in the previous step, and note the selected drive letter

4) Using Windows Explorer, access the mapped network drive described in the previous step. Copy the following files to a desired target location on the client computer: fishadmin.bat and fishssct.bat

5) Select the file „fishadmin.bat‟ and right-click. Within the pop-up menu, select „Edit‟. Within the dialog window, select the line reading: SET sharedDrive=Z. Change the letter „Z‟ to the drive letter previously defined

6) This line is found in the section labeled „VARIABLE DEFINITIONS‟. Repeat this step for the file „fishssct.bat‟. The shared Drive defined must be consistent with the mapped network drive letter when executing either of the two files.

7) Save and close both files (fishadmin.bat and fishssct.bat)

8) Double-click the file „fishadmin.bat‟. This will add the security policy to the .NET

Framework in order to make the remote application path fully trusted. This step cannot be performed from a non-admin account. (Note: if the window closes automatically, the


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

operation has completed as expected. If the window does not close automatically, this is an error and should be reported to: [email protected])

9) Switch from the admin account to the non-admin account

10) Repeat steps 2 – 5 for the file „fishssct.bat‟ to make the file available on the non-admin

account

11) Double-click the file „fishssct.bat‟. This will add the needed registry keys to the „HKEY_CURRENT_USER‟ (NOTE: this action does not require admin privileges)

12) Double-check the Map Network Drive availability and the Security Policy of the Microsoft

.NET Framework and verify that the information is correct

13) The application may now be run successfully over a shared network from the non-admin account

NOTE: Step 1 must be performed upon each application update. Steps 2 – 7 only apply to

non-admin accounts and need only to be performed once per each non-admin account / workstation as long as the defined shared path remains the same. For admin users:

1) Install the SSCT .exe application to server

2) Share the application folder (Default location is: C:\Program Files\IBM Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool). NOTE: Each user must have a username and password in order to access this folder from client computer

3) From the client computer, using the account that has administrative privileges, map a network drive of the folder described in the previous step, and note the selected drive letter

4) Using Windows Explorer, access the mapped network drive described in the previous step. Copy the following files to a desired target location on the client computer: fishadmin.bat and fishssct.bat

5) Select the file „fishadmin.bat‟ and right-click. Within the pop-up menu, select „Edit‟. Within the dialog window, select the line reading: SET sharedDrive=Z. Change the letter „Z‟ to the drive letter previously defined

6) This line is found in the section labeled „VARIABLE DEFINITIONS‟. Repeat this step for the file „fishssct.bat‟. The sharedDrive defined must be consistent with the mapped network drive letter when executing either of the two files

7) Double-click the file „fishssct.bat‟. This will add the needed registry keys to the „HKEY_CURRENT_USER‟ (NOTE: this action does not require admin privileges)

8) Double-check the Map Network Drive availability and the Security Policy of the Microsoft

.NET Framework and verify that the information is correct

9) The application may now be run successfully over a shared network from the admin account

NOTE: Step 1 must be performed upon each application update.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

7.7.3 Installing File Sharing on Microsoft XP or Vista (SSCT Client)

The SSCT Client provides support for running SSCT via a Network (from a logical system

drive pointed to a shared folder in a server) on the Microsoft XP or Vista Operating System,

without the need to install it on an individual workstation.

Using File Sharing on Microsoft XP or Vista provides two options: „IBM SSCT Client‟, and

„IBM SSCT Client Configuration‟, each having the appropriate options and either of which may be launched from the „Start‟ menu on the Microsoft Vista platform (See Figure 90).

Figure 90 – SSCT Client Shortcut

Whenever the SSCT Client is run on Microsoft XP or Vista for the first time the end-user

will be prompted to configure the appropriate settings (See Figure 91)

In order to run SSCT via File Sharing on Microsoft XP or Vista, the end-user must first

define the appropriate settings in the window displayed in Figure 91. Similarly to running File

Sharing using Microsoft 2000, the administrator must first define the Network Drive from where the SSCT client will be available.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 91 – Network Drive Status

After the administrator has defined the appropriate settings (please refer to the

proceeding section), the end-user may define the appropriate Mapped Drive and access SSCT by selecting „Run‟. Selecting „OK‟, closes the window only.

In order to successfully run the SSCT client on the Microsoft XP or Vista OS, the administrator must first install SSCT per the typical process as described in the previous section. Once SSCT is installed on the server, the administrator must launch the „Computer‟ or „My Computer‟ item icon and select the option „Map Network Drive‟ therein.

A window will be displayed prompting the administrator to define the drive and folder that corresponds with the location of the installed SSCT and which will share the SSCT client (see

Figure 92).


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 92 – Admin Map Network Drive

When defining the shared folder, if the end-user is prompted for a password, he must

select the option „different user name‟. Once all of the appropriate information has been entered, the end-user may click „Finish‟ and the defined Mapped Network Drive will be displayed in the „Computer‟ („My Computer‟) window.

In order to execute SSCT server application go to Start->Programs->IBM SSCT Client-

>IBM SSCT Client shortcut and click on it (See Figure 90).

7.7.4 Working with SSCT using File Sharing

The shared application version of SSCT functions as read-only in order to prevent the

modification of data which may impact other users. When utilizing the file sharing version of

SSCT the end-user cannot:

Save user settings.

Log user activity.

Modify database information (Figure 93).


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 93 – Modification Limitations when using File Sharing

When a network administrator is present to manage the file sharing process, the

administrators‟ responsibilities will generally consist of at least the following:

Assigning the drive within the server from where the file will be shared.

Configure the shared file for the following:

1. Assigning the destination of the shared file

2. Defining the user accessibility settings

3. Installation of the SSCT application

4. Updating or Upgrading of the SSCT application

Configure the batch file for the following:

1. Define the settings for resources available on the shared server.

2. Define the user settings.

When operating from a shared resource, SSCT performance will vary depending on both

the network bandwidth and the number of users requesting or utilizing the tool at the same time.

8 X3850 X5 SOLUTIONS

The new System x3850 X5 offers improved performance and enhanced features including MAX5 memory expansion and workload optimized models to maximize memory, minimize costs, and simplify deployment. Compared to previous generation servers, the x3850 X5 offers:

Twice the memory capacity – up to 64 DIMMS standard and 96 DIMMs with the MAX5

memory expansion per 4-socket server


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Intel® Xeon® processor 7500 series – Exceptional scalable performance with advanced

reliability for your most data-demanding applications

Four times the SAS capacity with 8 HDDs and 300GB 2.5" SAS drives or 1.6TB of hot-

swappable, RAID 5, with eXFlash technology

Standard dual port Emulex 10GB Virtual Fabric adapter

8.1 Configuration Wizard with x3850 X5 - 7145 - 7145

Upon launching the Configuration Wizard, select „System x‟ from within the „Brand‟

combo box and then select “System x3850 X5 - 7145 - 7145” the corresponding type of x3850 X5

solution to be configured from within the „Model‟ combo box, then that configure it.

Figure 94 - Configuration Wizard for x3850 X5 7145


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 95 - Main Tab for x3850 X5 Configuration Wizard

Add the model to configure it. In the installed items those will appear in yellow color

because they have components required (See additional info section to solve any doubt). Select

one of the two items and configure it with the additional options.

A new wizard window will appear similar to the System x3850 X5 server. See the screen

(Figure 96). Add the products required to have the x3850 X5 7145 - 7145 solution.

Figure 96 - Processors tab for x3850 X5


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Go to Summary tab and Add and Exit button. Configure the second server and add the

components necessaries to keep a right solution. When the solution is correct the main tab will

appear like the following image.

Figure 97 - x3850 X5 Configured

8.2 Configuration Wizard with x3850 X5 - 7145 – MAX5

Upon launching the Configuration Wizard, select „System x‟ from within the „Brand‟

combo box and then select “System x3850 X5 - 7145 – MAX5” the corresponding type of x3850

X5 solution to be configured from within the „Model‟ combo box, then that configure it.

Figure 98 - Configuration Wizard for x3850 X5 – MAX5


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Add the model to configure it. In the installed items those will appear in yellow color

because they have components required (See additional info section to solve any doubt). Select

one of the two items and configure it with the additional options.

Figure 99 - x3850 X5 MAX5 Configuration Wizard Main Tab

A new wizard window will appear similar to the System x3850 X5 server. See the screen

(Figure 99). Add the products required to have the x3850 X5 7145 – MAX5 solution.

Figure 100 – x3850 X5 MAX5 Options Tab

In this solution there is a new tab called MAX5, this tab has as configurable the MAX5.

The MAX5 has 32 memory dimms to increase the memory capacity into the x3850 X5 product.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 101 – x3850 X5 MAX5 Memory Tab


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

9 HX5 SOLUTION

IBM BladeCenter® HX5 is a scalable, high-performance blade server with unprecedented compute and memory performance, and flexibility ideal for compute and memory-intensive enterprise workloads. The HX5 features:

Intel® Xeon® processor 7500 series, pushing the limits on scalable performance.

Greater memory capacity, with MAX5, enabling more or larger VMs per server.

Enhanced computing capacity for more transactions per minute in a blade server.

FlexNode partitioning and pay-as-you-grow expansion offer great investment protection and maximum system uptime.

9.1 Configuration Wizard with HX5 solution

Following are the steps the user will have to follow in order to configure the HX5 solution using the SSCT wizard.

Select the BladeCenter brand and in the family combo box.

Figure 102 – BladeCenter H Configuration Wizard

Configure the BladeCenter and then add the dummy (HX5 BladeServers, 4-socket

double-wide HX5 (HX5 + HX5 configuration)) 2 blades slots will be used in the BladeCenter. The following windows will be displayed (The drawing of the BladeServers can be change according to the BladeCenter selected, can be horizontal or vertical). A error message will be displayed if the customer does not select a HX5 BladeServer the following windows will be displayed (The drawing of the BladeServers can be change according to the BladeCenter selected, can be horizontal or vertical).


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 103 – BladeCenter H Main Tab.

Figure 104 – HX5 Main Tab


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 105 – HX5 Configured Main Tab

Configure the BladeServer HX5. There is a new tab called HX5 solution. It has the

compatible options needed to create a HX5 4 socket solution.

Figure 106 – BladeServer HX5

When the HX5 is configured as required, go to the summary tab and return to the main

window inside the BladeCenter Chassis.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 107 – BladeCenter H with a BladeServer HX5 configured.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

10 MICROSOFT DATACENTER

Datacenter is a special type of solution offered by IBM for creating solutions based on a comprehensive set of hardware, software and service offerings intended to deliver true enterprise computing solutions based on the Microsoft Server 2003, Datacenter Edition operating system.

These types of configurations are categorized as „solutions‟ and have been implemented as a new functionality in SSCT which draw upon solution framework and a distinct set of rules to support its unique functionality.

10.1 Configuration Wizard with DataCenter

The Datacenter solution is supported in the Configuration Wizard implementing its own set of unique rules and operations. For general information regarding the Configuration Wizard, please refer to section 6.7. This section describes the features available when configuring Datacenter models via the Configuration Wizard. Please note that when configuring DataCenter Solutions via the Configuration Wizard, tabs are not available and the end-user must navigate using the „Back‟ and „Next‟ buttons appropriately.

Upon launching the Configuration Wizard, select „Datacenter‟ from within the „Brand‟ combo box and then the corresponding type of Datacenter model to be configured from within the „Family‟ combo box (See Figure 94).

Figure 108 - Datacenter in the SSCT Wizard

Select „Configure‟ to begin configuring the defined Brand and Family.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Upon launching the Configuration Wizard with Datacenter, the „Configuration‟ window is the initial window displayed which prompts the end-user to define several configuration characteristics (Figure 95). The selectable items include:

Format: One of the two configuration solutions offered by IBM (Unlimited Virtualization and Unlimited Virtualization with High Availability)

Configuration Type: Varies depending on whether the configuration will be a 4-way, 8-way, etc.

Node: Whether the configuration will be single-node or multi-node.

The Microsoft Datacenter Edition Operating System

Primary Server Chassis

Note: The „multi-node‟ combo box is only available when the „Unlimited Virtualization High Availability‟ option is selected within the „Format‟ combo box. If „Unlimited Virtualization High Availability‟ format is not selected, the „multi-node‟ combo box is disabled and the number of nodes available to the configuration is set to „one‟ (Single-Node) by default.

Once the „Configuration‟ settings have been defined, the proceeding window is the „System Units‟ window.

Figure 109 - Datacenter Configuration


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

The „System Units‟ window displays the chassis available to the Datacenter configuration, and vary depending on the previously defined Configuration „Type‟ (8-way, 16-way, etc.). In most cases, the bottom-most chassis displayed in the „Installed Items‟ pane is the primary chassis. Typically the primary chassis cannot be removed. The chassis‟ displayed in the „Orderable Options‟ pane may be added to the configuration as expansion / secondary models. Any chassis within the „Installed Items‟ pane may be configured by selecting the desired chassis and then selecting the „Configure‟ button. Upon selecting the „Configure‟ button, a new window is launched and provides a set of option for configuring an individual chassis. Please note the following guidelines that apply to the „System Units‟ window:

The color of a chassis within the „Installed Items‟ pane reflects the current state of that chassis. The chassis will appear green if the state of that chassis is valid and free of any constraints. Yellow represents one or more constraints for a chassis prohibiting it from being valid within the configuration.

Secondary chassis may not be repositioned once added to a configuration, as positioning is performed automatically by the tool.

The description of each box within the „Installed Items‟ pane is displayed on the right-hand side indicating the name of each server being configured.

The „Copy‟ button, when invoked, will copy the selected secondary chassis, creating and adding a replica of the secondary chassis. The primary chassis cannot be copied and the attempt to do so will result in error. Generally, the copy button will be disabled and unavailable for a primary chassis.

Either the Primary or Secondary chassis may be configured in the order desired.

Figure 110 - Datacenter System Units Window


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

10.1.1 Primary and Secondary Datacenter Chassis Configuration

Upon selecting a chassis within the „Installed Items‟ pane in the Configuration Wizard and

clicking the „Configure‟ button, a new window is launched with the appropriate options to

configure the selected chassis individually (Figure 97).

Figure 111 - Primary and Secondary Server Configuration

In configuring an individual server, a set of unique options are displayed; some of which

have specific functions. The following describes information regarding some of the unique options along with the functionality and options provided within:

1. External Storage:

The „External Storage‟ window is used to configure external storage options for a

DataCenter server. Upon selecting the „Create Configuration‟ option within the „External Storage‟ window an additional window is launched prompting the end-user to define the External Storage Requirements and Settings. The following describes the definable options available within the „External Storage Requirements‟ window:

Storage Server: Displays compatible storage controller boxes available for selection.

Storage Drawer: Displays compatible expansion boxes for the previously defined storage controller.

RAID Level: Displays all supported RAID levels for the storage solution being created.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Drives in Arrayset: Applicable when RAID 5 has been defined as the RAID level and refers to the number of drives to be placed per Arrayset.

Disk Space Required: Defines the total disk space that will be created.

Drive speed and size: Displays the compatible disk drives that will be used. The components added to the „External Storage‟ window may be modified within that window.

Figure 112 - External Storage Window

2. Rack and Power:

The „Rack and Power‟ window is used to configure the power sources for a Datacenter

solution and ensure that the power and connections within the solution are valid. This window also provides the ability to select the Rack type onto which the Datacenter solution may be mounted along with optional components.

The Rack and Power window proceeds the KVM window, so that all components that have been added to the DataCenter solution thus far will have the racking configuration ability

available to them (Figure 112).


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 113 - Rack and Power Window

Within the Rack and Power window, the end-user may define and configure options for

previously added components, and provides a „Create Configuration‟ feature which works similarly to the „Configure‟ feature within the „External Storage‟ window. When the „Enable Adding Racks and Power Devices‟ checkbox is selected, Rack and Power preferences will be defined automatically based on the end-user defined preferences. Upon selecting this checkbox, the end-user must proceed to select the „Create Configuration‟ option.

Upon selecting the „Create Configuration‟ button, a dialog window is displayed (Figure

113) prompting the end-user to define the preferences regarding the kind of rack to be added,

power device and redundancy cabling preferences.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 114 - Rack and Power Device Preferences

The options available within the „Rack and Power Device Preferences‟ window are as

follows:

Rack Types: Displays the compatible rack families for the DataCenter Solution. Certain guidelines apply depending on the family selected.

Power Configuration: Displays the available power devices and voltage levels. Availability of some options vary depending on the defined Country. The same rules apply to this section as in the „Auto-Connect‟ dialog.

Upon selecting „Create‟, the dialog window will close and the Racks will be added to the

„Rack and Power‟ window based on the preferences that have been defined. Once all components have been placed into the appropriate racks, the „Auto-Connect‟ rules will be applied

and the appropriate power devices added (Figure 114).


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 115 - Rack and Power Device Part List

The final part list displayed within the „Rack and Power‟ window is Read-Only.

Deselecting the „Enable Adding Racks and Power Devices‟ checkbox will result in the deletion of all components within the part list.

Racking and Power Device preferences are also available to DataCenter solutions within

Solution Mode and by using the „Auto-Connect‟ feature (refer to Section 7.3).

Upon navigating through the remaining windows, the end-user may add the configuration and all configured components to the workspace by selecting „Add & Exit‟ from within the Summary window. Upon selecting „Add & Exit‟, the Configuration Wizard will close the configured server and all components be added to the workspace in Configuration Mode.

10.1.2 DataCenter Partitioning

DataCenter supports partitioning and in configuring a DataCenter Solution, an x3950 E server may be replaced with an x3950 server.

For instance, in SSCT, a customer ordering a 4-Socket through 32-Socket DataCenter Solution who is intent on later partitioning the DataCenter Solution, may order several x3950 servers. The DataCenter Operating System is shipped only with the x3950 server and not that of the x3950 E and the x3950 E Expansion Unit includes only the DataCenter OS license. Thus, if a customer ordering a 16-way standalone server is intent on partitioning the server into 2 – 8-way servers, that customer should order two x3950 servers and two x3950 E Expansion Units.

When selecting an x3950 server to replace an x3950 E server, that x3950 server is configured as an x3950 server without the installation of an Operating System. As is the case with „regular‟ single-node configurations, the Operating System is installed on only one of the x3950 servers. That server then becomes the primary server.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

If the customer then selects an x3950 to be part of the configuration, the x3950 is configured as an x3950 E.

The following points describe DataCenter partitioning support functions in the Configuration Wizard:

In the „System Units‟ window, both the x3950 server and the x3950 E server are listed under „Orderable Options‟.

Upon adding additional x3950 servers with the intent of future partitioning, the servers being added must be of the same machine type and server model as the previously chosen primary server (i.e. if the primary server chosen for the DataCenter Solution is part number „88783AU‟, then the only additional secondary server that may be added to the solution must also be part number „88783AU‟).

Any combination of x3950 or x3950 E servers may be added as secondary servers to a DataCenter solution in order to create an 8, 16 or 32-way configuration.

The same rules that apply when configuring an x3950 as a secondary server as those with an x3950 E.

No OS or OSL are included or added to an x3950 when it is being configured as a secondary server.

Within the „System Units‟ window, the „Copy‟ and the „Configure‟ button works the same when configuring an x3950 as a secondary server as with the x3950 E.

Within the „System Units‟ window, when selecting „Configure‟ for an x3950 as a secondary chassis, the new Configuration Wizard window that is launched applies the same rules as with the x3950 E.

10.1.3 Additional Notes Regarding DataCenter Please note that for DataCenter models, the only status available is „new‟. The status for

DataCenter models cannot be modified or changed as opposed to other server models which may be assigned an „existing‟ status.

A DataCenter solution may be copied while working in Configuration Mode or Solution

Mode, however individual DataCenter components cannot be copied, only the whole solution. A copied solution may only be pasted into the „General‟ section of the Workspace.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

11 TIPS AND TRICKS

This section includes valuable suggestions in order to further enhance to make the most important features of the SSCT application.

When the application is launched, the Preferences window will be displayed allowing the end-user to define the mode, solution, country and geography. Once these settings are defined, the Preferences window will retain these settings so the application will always launch with the same pre-defined settings. However these preferences may also be modified in the Preferences window every time the tool is launched or at anytime while working within the tool (refer to Section 5 for more info).

11.1 Solution Mode

It is recommended to work with the Auto Arrange feature ON, as this ensures that a configuration will be as accurate and valid as possible when creating Rack Solution. When Auto Arrange is ON, the application incorporates guidelines when adding components to a Rack System. If a configuration is created with Auto Arrange OFF and Auto Arrange is later set to ON while working with the same configuration, some connections will be lost due to re-arrangement of components within the rack.

When adding components to a configuration, it is recommended to double click or select the component by clicking it and then pressing the „insert‟ key on the keyboard instead of clicking-and-dragging with the mouse. Dragging is most effective when adding components to specific positions in a configuration (assuming Auto Arrange is OFF), however it consumes considerably more memory. Cables can be dragged from the Component Catalog to General only.

When creating standard driven configurations it is recommended to use the Auto Connect feature, as this aids in connecting and adding devices automatically, such as: Console devices, KVM switches, PDU devices, certain PCI Cards. In order to use Auto Connect open the “Auto Connect” dialog, and select the desired options.

Validate configurations. Whenever a new configuration is created, it is recommended to validate it to see if any restrictions apply.

Verify the current selection. Whenever clicking on a component, or an area such as the Workspace View tab, the Configuration tree, or the Component connections tab, the clicked component or area becomes the current (active) selection. For example, when an x336 Server is installed in a Rack solution and is clicked on, that server becomes the “selected component”. If the end-user then attempts to add another server by double clicking the server within the “Component Catalog” an error message will be displayed because a server cannot be added to an x336 Server. In order to add the second server, first the Rack cabinet must be selected and then the desired component in the Component Catalog may be added by double-clicking it (note that some servers might not be compatible with certain racks).

In order to create 2 or more servers of the same model and part number, it is best to configure the first server and then select the server by clicking on it and press CTRL + C on the keyboard to copy it (one may also right click the component then select “Copy” in from the context menu). Next, select the desired location to place the duplicated server and press “CTRL + V”, or right click and select “Paste” from the context menu.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

11.2 Configuration Mode

Manage components. A very effective way of managing components while working in Configuration Mode is by creating groups. This aids in efficiently separating configurations into different groups of items and allows the ability to rename each of these groups or delete entire groups of components. Note that when separating components among groups, their connections and positions within a Rack solution (if any) remain unchanged. Therefore, when deleting a group which contains connections with items from another group, connections will be lost.

One of the most effective ways of comparing prices is by using the Database Window feature. For example, in order to find the best price for an x366 server, it is recommended to open the Database window and in the search criteria select “Description”, then “Partial”. Next, type in “x366” and click search. A list of all x366 items and their prices will be displayed. Within this window one may then customize the price or use the information displayed. The Find a Part feature may also be used to search for elements and add them to a quote.

11.3 COG Integration

At any time while running SSCT, the end-user may launch the COG (Configuration and Options Guide) website from the Help menu. The COG serves to provide general information regarding IBM products and supported options and can further aid the end-user in configuring components.

The official COG URL is: http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/xseries/cog/.

11.4 Last Tp3 Files

Last Tp3 is a Most Recently Used (MRU) functionality that lists the last four recently used .tp3 files. This list can be found under the file menu. The user can quickly return to a document that was used recently.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

12 XSCA COMPARE AND CONTRAST

The contents of this section are primarily intended for novice users of SSCT who are familiar with xSCA, and are meant to help make the process of merging from xSCA to SSCT more comfortable. This section focuses on some of the most commonly used features in xSCA and how those same features can be implemented in SSCT, and how some features differ. Comments or suggestions regarding this section may be directed to: [email protected].

12.1 File Export Formats In the xSCA, exporting to ePricer or Microsoft Excel files is done via the „Manage Quote‟

screen in the Wizard mode or by utilizing the “Quote” sheet and selecting the respective option in Classic mode.

In the SSCT this operation may be performed by choosing „Export‟ from the File Menu.

An export quick launch toolbar button will be added to the “Standard” toolbar menu. As illustrated on the following two screen shots.

Figure 116 - Export Button


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Clicking on the export toolbar button will launch the export dialog. The end-user will be prompted to save the file in one of the available formats (Figure 117)

as described in the following paragraphs. Upon selecting a format, the file is saved to the defined path and may be launched to

display the contents of the quote in an organized list of parts.

Figure 117 - Export Dialog

Notice the “Save as default file export settings” checkbox. When this checkbox is checked once the “Save” button is clicked the file directory and file type will be saved as user export settings (Figure 120).

Unchecking the “Save as default file export settings” checkbox will not save the selected file directory and file type and instead the previously save user settings will be displayed the next time the file export dialog is displayed.

The default state for the “Save as default file export settings” checkbox is unchecked. This will always be the default state when launching the export dialog and previous checked states will not be saved.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

The “Include gridlines & top row” checkbox will include or exclude the gridlines and the top row in all .xls and .ods exports. The checkbox could persist across launches and installs of SSCT like the rest of the default export options. The “Include currency symbols” checkbox will include or exclude the current country currency tag from the prices in the following export types:

Quote Group Format (*.xls) Quote Server Format (*.xls) Quote Group Format (*.ods) Quote Server Format (*.ods) Quote Files (*.csv) Quote Files (*.txt)

This functionality won‟t be available for the next export types:

CF Report (*.cfr) ePricer Files (*.csv) CFXML Format (*.xml)

The “Include currency symbols” checkbox‟s setting will persist across launches and installations of SSCT like the rest of the other options. Note: When configuring in Japan GEO -> Language Japanese, you will note that the Japanese Yen (¥) currency symbol may not be correctly rendered in SSCT. Instead of "¥", the symbol being shown could be "\".This is caused by the font installed on the system and may not fully support this character interpreting it as another one. The SSCT cannot be modified, but there is a work around for the exported files under this scenario: Change the font to a font supporting the symbol in the Font Settings of the Text in the file. Please notice that this is only an aesthetic issue and does not interfere with quantities and calculations in the export files and affects only the Japanese Yen (¥) currency symbol. For example, when exporting a file.txt, open it in Notepad and select Font from Format -> Font

Figure 118 – MS Notepad Menu bar

Then select the 'System' font and 'Japanese' script:


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 119 – MS Notepad Font Setting

After that, the symbol "\" will be change to "¥". The “Include ABCD Class” checkbox will include or exclude the ABCD Class column in the following export reports:

Quote Group Format (*.xls, *.ods) Quote Server Format (*.xls, *.ods) Quote File (*.csv) Quote Files Format (*.txt)

This functionality won‟t be available for the next export types:

CF Report (.cfr) ePricer Files (*.csv) CFXML Format (.xml)

The “Include ABCD Class” checkbox could persist across launches and installs of SSCT like the rest of the default export options. The “Encoding” combo box is only available for CFXML Format (*.xml) export type.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 120 – Save Settings as default Export Dialog

12.1.1 CF Report Files (*.cfr)

Creates a file that contains a configuration in a format that can be used by several other applications. The generated file sticks to CFReport Version 31 structure.

12.1.1.1 CF Report Configuration Dialog

This Configuration Dialog provides a simple way to set comments to the specific component, report description, user country code, printing type and message classification.

This dialog shows a table with the components and their comments, the comments have a tool tip to show the complete comment just in case.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 121 - CF Report Configuration Dialog

Note: When the user selects the "Blue Harmony CFReport" check box, the CFReport will be generated without grouping same part numbers.

12.1.1.2 Component Comment Dialog

The Component Comment Dialog provides a simple way to set comments by row to a specific component. To add a new comment, the end-user must either double click over a component or select a component in the table and press space-bar key and the following dialog will appear enabling the end-user to set or edit a comment or comment settings.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 122 - Component Comment Dialog

When the end-user enters a new comment the combo box will appear and he can set the combo values as Type and Classification, but the combo box will appear only when he is setting new values.

In the created file for this report, the quantity of each component is multiplied by the configuration quantity.

As an example: if Config 1 has two 7973J2U and its Configuration quantity value is 3 and Config 2 has one 7973J2U and its Configuration quantity is equal to 2 the total quantity of 7973J2U will be 8.

Note: CF report export only supports 4 digits fields for the quantity column, if the total quantity of a component is bigger that 9999 it is not going to appear complete in this report.

12.1.2 ePricer Files (*.csv)

Creates a file to be used as an input to ePricer following the proprietary ePricer protocol. SSCT handles all the components only on the first quarter as a summary.

The Export ePricer XLS will show the quantity of each component added to the configuration. Under de “Quantity Q1” column will appear the total quantity for the requested part number (sum of all equal part number plus the multiplication of each part number by the Configuration Quantity).

As an example: if Config 1 has two 7973J2U and its Configuration quantity value is 3 and Config 2 has one 7973J2U and its Configuration quantity is equal to 2 the total quantity of 7973J2U will be 8.

12.1.3 Quote Files (*csv)


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Creates a file with the list of components on the quote. The order of the component is like they were created in the configuration. Example: create a server, add one memory, add a processor, then a hard drive. The list of components will be: server, memory, processor and hard drive. If the processor was added first, the order will be server, processor, memory and hard drive.

In the file created by this export under the “Quantity” column will show the sum of equal components in the group multiplied by Configuration Quantity of the same group.

12.1.4 Quote Files (*.txt)

Creates a file with the list of components on the quote. The order of the component is like they were created in the configuration. Follows the same example as Quote Files (*.csv).

Note: This export only supports 4 digits fields for the quantity column, if the total quantity of a component is bigger that 9999 it is not going to appear complete in this report.

12.1.5 Server Format (*.xls)

Creates a file with the list of components on the quote. The order of the component is like the one on the xSCA. Each system contains its own components, each component is its own line. The quantity field is equal to the Configuration Quantity of the group. This provides a fully detailed report resulting in a very large printout. It can be viewed as a fully expanded report. This export format contains all custom names specified by the end user to racks and servers.

12.1.6 Group Format (*xls)

Creates a file with the list of components on the quote. The order of the component is based on the Shopping Cart group. Equal components on the same Shopping Cart group are grouped. The Quantity field is the total sum of equal components in the group multiplied by Configuration Quantity of the same group and the quantity field is increased. This decreases the size of the resulting printed file. It can also be viewed as a summary type of report (See Figure 123 for an example of Group Format output).


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 123 – Exported Quote to Excel (Group Format)

12.1.7 Server Format (*.ods)

Creates a file with the list of components on the quote. The order of the component is like the one on the xSCA. Each system contains its own components, each component is its own line. The quantity field is equal to the Configuration Quantity of the group. This provides a fully detailed report resulting in a very large printout. It can be viewed as a fully expanded report. This export format contains all custom names specified by the end user to racks and servers.

12.1.8 Group Format (*.ods)

Creates a file with the list of components on the quote. The order of the component is based on the Shopping Cart group. Equal components on the same Shopping Cart group are grouped. The Quantity field is the total sum of equal components in the group multiplied by Configuration Quantity of the same group and the quantity field is increased. This decreases the size of the resulting printed file. It can also be viewed as a summary type of report.

12.1.9 CFXML Format (*.xml)

Creates a file with the list of components on the quote. The order of the components is based on the Shopping Cart group. The export result is an xml file compatible with the CFXML format used to convey configuration data to IBM business partners. Every time a CFXML export is issued, a topology file (tp3) of the current configuration is also exported. It is possible to change


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

the type of encoding used to export the file, using the “Encoding” combo box that appears below the “Save as type” combo box. The “Encoding” is only available for this type of export.

12.2 Refresh Prices

Refreshing prices in xSCA may be performed by going to the quote sheet (or the „Manage Quote‟ screen within Wizard mode) and then selecting “Refresh Prices”. Within xSCA, this will refresh all prices in the quote sheet, or, if working in Wizard mode, individual configurations may also be refreshed. This feature is particularly useful when updating prices for a configuration created in a previous or outdated version.

In SSCT, this feature works similarly to that of xSCA. The end-user must first select the Quote tab and then check the desired items or groups of items. Next, go to the “Quote” menu and select the “Refresh Prices” option. The difference in SSCT lies in that individual items may be refreshed, whereas in xSCA you can only refresh a configuration as a whole.

Figure 124 - Refreshing prices for specific components

12.3 Discounts and Uplifts

In SSCT, the „Discounts and Uplifts‟ feature is almost identical to that of xSCA as the end-user may either select automatic discounts to the types of items, or manually input the price. This feature may be accessed from within the „Quote‟ menu by selecting „Discount/Uplift‟. After having selected „Allow manually input price‟ and exiting the Discount/Uplift window, the fields in the „Adjusted Price – per unit‟ column may be modified manually by double clicking on the desired field and editing the price (Figure 125).


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Figure 125 - Editable Field in Quote Tab for Discounts/Uplifts

12.4 Clone Configuration

This feature serves predominately to duplicate a configuration identical to that of a previously made configuration without having to re-create said configuration from scratch.

In SSCT, components that have been added to a configuration may be copied and pasted either individually or by Configuration Group. The end-user may create, rename or delete groups of items as well as copy and paste items individually or by Configuration Group (for more information regarding managing Configuration Groups, please refer to Section 6.3.4). To access these features, select the „Shopping Cart‟ tab, then select the appropriate option within the „Cart‟ menu (Figure 126). After having created additional configuration groups, items may be copied and pasted to and from previously existing configuration groups.

Figure 126 - Managing Groups of Configurations


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

12.5 Find a part The purpose of this feature in xSCA varies depending on the mode being used. In

Classic mode, the end-user searches for a desired component defined by search criteria. The „Go to part‟ button then displays the row in which the item is located in Master Prices and the part may then be added to the quote sheet. In Wizard mode, a phrase or number is inserted and upon clicking the „Find‟ button, any displayed components may be added to the configuration and then to the quote.

In SSCT a hybrid of both modes exists which makes the process of finding specific

components faster and more efficient. Open the „Find a Part dialog‟ while working in Configuration Mode (refer to Section 6.8) and then define the search criteria. Insert the desired part number or description and click „Search‟. Once the results are displayed, the desired items may be added to the configuration. Upon clicking „OK‟ all selected items will be added to the configuration and the additions are then reflected in the Shopping Cart tab. An efficient way of managing these items is by creating a new configuration from the „Cart‟ menu (refer to section 6.3) and then by adding items from the Find a Part window to that new configuration group (Figure 127).

Figure 127 - Customized Group with Items Added Using Find a Part

12.6 Manual Price Update This feature in xSCA is available using the “Price_Update” sheet. The feature serves to

locate a component within the Master Prices spreadsheet and provide the opportunity to change the price of the component.

SSCT supports the “Database Window” which features many improvements over what

was available in xSCA; one being the ability to use the same search criteria used in the „Find a Part‟ window. The other being the ability to return the prices to their default values by clicking on the “Restore to default values” button in the dialog box if having previously customized prices.


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

To modify price values open the Database window by selecting „Database Window‟ from the “View” menu. Select the desired criteria and define search criteria. Once the results are displayed double-clicking on a desired field will make that field editable.

12.7 Reload Configuration Reloading configurations in xSCA was an operation performed in the Quote sheet in

Classic Mode or the Manage Quote screen in the Wizard. One setback with this feature was that one could not reload configurations in the Wizard that were made in Classic Mode and vice-versa.

In SSCT, after a system has been configured, it may be re-configured by right-clicking

desired component and then by selecting „Configure‟. This launches the Configuration Wizard. A new system may be added from the Component Catalog and then configured in the Wizard, or the Wizard may be launched directly from the “Configuration” menu when wanting to configure a new server (Figure 128).

Figure 128 – Configuring a System

12.8 Import Quote Exporting and Importing quotes are efficient ways of saving several configurations and

having them available as backup for future reference. xSCA saves them by default as a Microsoft Excel sheet.

In SSCT this feature utilizes a “Topology” file with an extension of .TP3. Configurations

may be saved and loaded at any time. This operation is performed automatically when selecting “Save” and “Save as” from the “File” menu. Backwards compatibility is also supported, meaning that files created in previous versions of SSCT can be opened in any given or current version; although some restrictions apply (i.e. some components may no longer be available).

SSCT supports the ability to export to various file formats, one being Microsoft Excel .xls

format and another being the Open Document Spreadsheet .ods format. This feature may be realized by utilizing the “Export” option within the “File” menu. However, an Excel file or Open


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Document file may not be opened or imported back into SSCT, due to internal restrictions within the application. In order to effectively manage previously saved configurations you should use the “File” menu options.

12.9 Master Prices

The Master Prices sheet is the main source of data within xSCA and any number of items can be added from the sheet to the quote without restrictions. Generally, prices should be looked at within SSCT the same way they are looked at in xSCA.

The main source of data in SSCT is the „Component Catalog‟. The Component Catalog

displays a list of all available components in the application. One may add components without restrictions or rules by adding them from the Component Catalog to the „General‟ area of the Configuration tree or to any group of items created in the Shopping Cart tab. When adding several of the same components, one may utilize the „Add by quantity‟ option which may be

launched from within the icon toolbar by selecting the icon or by selecting „Add by quantity‟ from the „Component‟ Menu.

Figure 129 - The Component Catalog and the Shopping Cart

12.10 Classic Mode (xSCA Emulation)

Classic Mode Emulation has been implemented in SSCT in order to provide the end-user with extensive options in configuring components based on preferences derived from xSCA. Particularly, this option aids the end-user in determining the validity of a configuration and combination of available components within the tool as well as those within xSCA (for additional information regarding Classic Mode, refer to section 6.10).


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Some of the most obvious differences between xSCA emulation in SSCT and the Classic Mode that is supported in xSCA are as follows:

o In xSCA, the end-user is presented with a long list of servers and the components compatible with those servers. In SSCT a specific server must be selected and then upon right-clicking and selecting „Compatibles Toolbox‟ a window will be displayed disclosing all compatible components.

o In order to validate a configuration within the Compatibles Toolbox in SSCT, the end-user must click the „Validate‟ button, whereas in xSCA configurations were automatically validated.

o In xSCA, components could be added to a configuration and eventually the Quote even when such components weren‟t necessarily compatible or valid in that configuration. In the Compatibles Window in SSCT, if for any reason a component cannot be added due to a restriction as defined by the amount of space in that configuration or limited guidelines, that component will be added to the „General‟ section of the Configuration Tree. In the quote, those components will be added as „extra items‟.

Configuration Mode

Icon Label Description

New Creates a new configuration and if presently running

a configuration, prompts to save, and closes it

Open Opens a saved configuration and if presently running

a configuration, prompts to save, and closes it

Save Saves the configuration

Print Launches the Print dialog box

Export Displays the Export window

Configuration Mode Switches to Configuration Mode

Solution Mode Switches to Solution Mode

Component Catalog Shows/hides the Component Catalog window

Component Information Shows/hides the Component Information window

Expand/Collapse Components When the Component Catalog window is visible, it

expands or collapses all the branches in the Catalog Tree

Expand/Collapse Section When the Component Catalog window is visible, it expands or collapses the selected section in Component Catalog

Add Adds a new component to the selected space

Delete Deletes selected component from the existing

Appendix 1 Icon Description


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

configuration

Remove Removes components from the suite and sends them

to General Section

Set Status – New Sets the status of the selected component to New

Set Status – Existing Sets the status of the selected component to Existing

Set Status – Installed Sets the status of the selected component to Installed

New Workspace Opens a new workspace

Delete workspace Deletes a new workspace

Auto Arrange On Auto arranges the components added to a rack

Auto Arrange Off Places the components added to a rack in the space

selected by the user

Rack Preferences Launches the Rack Preferences window

Auto Connect Auto connects all the components added in a rack

Validate Launches the validation report

Set Status on Add – New Sets the default status to New for every component

added to the configuration

Set Status on Add – Existing Sets the default status to Existing for every

component added to the configuration

About Launches the About window

Export Prices Launches the Export Prices window

Check for Updates Searches updates for SSCT and SSCT Components

Solution Mode

Icon Label Description

New See Configuration Mode table

Open See Configuration Mode table

Save See Configuration Mode table

Print See Configuration Mode table

Export Displays the Export window

Configuration Mode See Configuration Mode table

Solution Mode See Configuration Mode table


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

Component Catalog See Configuration Mode table

Component Information See Configuration Mode table

Export Prices Launches the Export Prices window

Database Launches the Database window

Find a Part Launches the Find a Part window

Expand/Collapse Components See Configuration Mode table

Expand/Collapse Section See Configuration Mode table

Add See Configuration Mode table

Add by Quantity Adds the component n times to the configuration

Delete See Configuration Mode table

Configure with Wizard Launches the Wizard window to configure the

selected component

Set Status – New See Configuration Mode table

Set Status – Existing See Configuration Mode table

Set Status – Installed See Configuration Mode table

Wizard Launches the Wizard window

Validate See Configuration Mode table

Set Status on Add – New See Configuration Mode table

Set Status on Add – Existing See Configuration Mode table

About See Configuration Mode table

Check for Updates Searches updates for SSCT and SSCT Components


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

A

Accumulated Price.......................................... 39

Add................................................................... 39

Adjusted Price ................................................. 28

Auto Arrange Off ............................................. 78

Auto Arrange On ..... 77, 107, 108, 118, 119, 120,

121

Auto Connect .................................................... 75

B

Back ................................................................. 39

Base Price ........................................................ 28

Brand ............................................................... 36

C

Component Catalog .......................................... 13

Component Connections .................................. 69

Component Information Window ..................... 16

Component List ................................................ 69

Component List View ..................................... 69

Component Tree ............................................. 66

Configuration Mode ......................................... 13

Configuration Resources .................................. 71

Configuration Wizard Window ........................ 37

Connection Overview ....................................... 70

Console ............................................................. 69

Country ............................................................. 12

D

Database Window ............................................. 33

Deleting Configurations ................................... 29

Discounts .......................................................... 27

E

Explorer Connection View ............................. 69

Explorer Detail View ...................................... 69

export ................................................................ 34

external Storage Tab ......................................... 41

F

Family .............................................................. 36

Fiber Channel ............................................. 41, 69

Find a Part Window .......................................... 53

Floor ................................................................. 66

Floor Plan ......................................................... 73

G

General section ................................................. 20

I

import ...............................................................34

Installation ......................................................... 7

L

List Price ............................................... 20, 26, 27

M

Manually Input Price ........................................28

Minimum Requirements .................................... 7

Mode .................................................................12

Model ...............................................................36

N

Networking .......................................................69

Next ..................................................................39

O

Orderable Options ..........................................39

P

Power ................................................................69

Price Format .....................................................26

Price Type ........................................................36

Q

Quote ................................................................25

R

Rack Cabinets ...................................................14

Region ..............................................................12

Remove ............................................................39

Restart Wizard ..................................................46

RIO ...................................................................69

Running SSCT ................................................... 9

S

SCSI ..................................................................69

Search For .........................................................33

Shopping Cart ...................................................19

Shopping Group List ........................................20

Shopping Tree List ...........................................19

Solution Mode .................................. 63, 107, 109

Starting price ....................................................37

status .................................................................21

Storage Tab .......................................................41

Suite .................................................................66

Summary Tab ...................................................46

Switching Between Modes ...............................64

Appendix 2 Index


User Guide


SSCT User Guide.doc

U

Unconfigured Options ................................ 14, 44

Uplifts ............................................................... 27

V

Validation Report ............................................. 79

W

Wizard ..............................................................35

Wizard Startup Window ...................................36

Workspace View...............................................66

Workspace Window .........................................65

workspaces .......................................................20

SSCT User Guide.pdf

Documents

Transcript of SSCT User Guide.pdf