═══ 1. PowerAlert Plus Server Setup ═══ PowerAlert Plus Server Setup is a utility-companion application to the PowerAlert Plus Server. This application is used to configure the server prior to its first use and modify server settings between uses. It provides the safest method to modify the server's initialization file. The users of this application should be limited to those with system administrative or security privileges since this application is used to set PowerAlert Plus Server security authorization user names and passwords. Configuration for a paging modem, data request intervals, COM port specifications, driver usage, and IP socket information is all done by this program and saved in the server.ini file in the Server directory. Since this application is critical to the successful setup of the server, its use and accessibility should be limited to those persons with knowledge of the PowerAlert Plus system and system administrators. Security In order to fully utilize the capabilities of the server, at least one (1) user must be added to the authorization file. This can be easily done via the User Manager dialog accessible from the Options menu. Internationalization The PowerAlert Plus application consists of several components: the PowerAlert Plus "client" GUI, the server, a Remote Shutdown Client, and a Server Setup application. All components except the server allow the user to specify the language to be used for labeling the menus, buttons, and controls on all of the screens and message boxes. Currently, the applications support the following languages: English, French, German, and Spanish. In most cases, other languages can be easily added without having to reinstall the original or updated software. The applications use "language" files (available from Tripp Manufacturing) which can be installed by simply replacing the previous copies with the new language file(s). For basic reference and a good place to start, see any of the following topics: User Manager Modem Settings Main Menu Contact Information Mailing Address Trippe Manufacturing 1111 West 35th Street Chicago, IL 60609 Support Phone Numbers Technical Support: (773) 869-1234 (8:00am - 6:30pm CST) General Office: (773) 869-1111 (8:00am - 6:30pm CST) Fax Support: (773) 869-1FAX (1329) Internet Web Site: www.tripplite.com E-mail Support: info@tripplite.com PowerAlert Plus Software, Copyright 1998, Trippe Manufacturing. ═══ 2. Main Screen ═══ The PowerAlert Plus Server Setup Main Screen displays the current or suggested settings for the server's use. The settings specified with this utility configure the server's behavior. This is controlled by allowing the user to configure which COM port the server uses to monitor UPS activity, the baud rate which to communicate with on the COM port, and the interval at which to poll the UPS for information. Besides setting up the server to "talk" to a UPS, this dialog allows the user to specify the brand and type of UPS with which to communicate. The UPS can be a contact-closure UPS or a "smart" UPS which can report a variety of quantitative data about the UPS' environment (i.e. temperature, input voltage, etc.). Server Setup also allows configuration of the system's modem for paging notification via Modem Settings under Options. This utility also allows the user to add, modify, and delete authorized PowerAlert users from the authorization file, which validates users as being able to update events and/or send control commands to the UPS, through the User Manager dialog found under Options. Controls Main Menu Bar Allows the user access to server control dialogs Ц e.g. User Manager, Start Server, Stop Server and Modem Settings Language Displays all text and messages to the user in the language specified. Date Format Used to present and validate any date information viewed or set by the user. Port Specifies which COM port will be used to communicate with the UPS. Be sure to use the cable supplied by the UPS manufacturer. Baud Rate Specifies the communication speed between the UPS and the server. Poll Rate Specifies how often the server will request information from the UPS. UPS Selection Specifies the manufacturer and model of UPS to monitor. This informs the server which UPS driver file to use. Selecting the incorrect UPS type will result in a failure to communicate with the UPS. See Glossary for descriptions of Smart and Contact Closure UPS systems UPS Settings Specifies various settings for the particular model of UPS. Some UPS models may require more or less information to assist the server in correctly communicating with the UPS (e.g. select the correct voltage for the UPS installed: 100, 120, 208, 230, 240 VAC). OK Clicking this button will save all setting to the server.ini file and close the utility. Cancel Clicking this button will discard any changes and close the utility. See also: Main Menu User Manager Modem Settings Glossary Back to PowerAlert Plus Server Setup Introduction ═══ 3. User Manager ═══ The User Manager dialog is used to add, modify, and delete users or user names that are authorized to control the UPS and/or server. Any user specified in this list is authorized to manipulate critical functions of the software (e.g. Perform OS Shutdown) and/or UPS actions (e.g. Shut-Off UPS). Any user specified here can a) define event actions when an event is set or cleared, b) send control commands to the UPS, and c) schedule or modify the schedule of control commands to be sent to the UPS. Controls User List Displays the currently authorized users. Note: There must be at least one (1) user specified for UPS and server control to be rendered. Add User Clicking this button will display the Add User dialog allowing a new user name, password and confirmation password to be entered. Change Password Clicking this button will display the Change Password dialog allowing a new password and confirmation password to be entered for the selected user. Delete User Clicking this button will display the Delete User confirmation dialog. OK Clicking this button will close the dialog. See also: Add User Change Password Delete User Glossary Back to Main Screen ═══ 3.1. Add User ═══ The User Update dialog allows for the addition of a new PowerAlert user. After adding a user name and confirming the password, click OK to save the user or CANCEL to discard the changes. The newly created user should be displayed in the User List. Controls User Name This field is used to specify the User Name to be added to the authorization file. Password This field is used to specify the password for the entered User Name. Confirm Password This field is used to verify the entry in the Password field above. This must match the entry in the Password field. OK Clicking this button will confirm that the password was entered correctly in both spaces and will save the information and close the dialog. Cancel Clicking this button will discard any entries and close the dialog. See also: Change Password Delete User Glossary Back to User Manager ═══ 3.2. Change Password (User Update) ═══ The User Update dialog allows password modification. This dialog appears with the pre-selected user already shown in the User Name field, but only the password and the confirmation password controls allow data entry. A new password should be typed in the Password field and repeated in the Confirm Password field. When entry is completed, choose the OK button to save the new password for the user; otherwise, choose the Cancel button to discard the password changes. See also: Add User Delete User Back to User Manager ═══ 3.3. Delete User ═══ The Delete User Confirmation Dialog is presented as a safeguard against accidental deletion of a selected username in the User Manager's User List display. Choosing the Yes button will permanently remove the specified username from the authorization file. Choosing the No button will ignore the delete request. Both buttons will dismiss the dialog and return to the User Manager. See also: Add User Change Password Back to User Manger. ═══ 4. Modem Settings ═══ The Modem Settings dialog allows the user to provide the system's modem and communication settings to the PowerAlert server. The user either chooses values from the supplied controls or enters the appropriate alphanumerical or numerical information in the spaces provided. Controls COM Port Specifies the serial communications port where the system's modem is connected. Baud Rate The communication speed to use when connecting to the modem and/or paging service. Parity The communications parity test type to use for validation. Data Bits Specifies the number of data bits in each transmitted packet. Stop Bits Specifies the number of stop bits in each transmitted packet. Dialing Prefix Specifies any special numbers or codes (e.g. "*70" for call waiting disable) to dial prior to dialing the paging service or pager number. Modem Initialization String Specifies the string to initialize the modem with for preparation with sending the server paging information. OK Clicking this button will save the information and close the dialog. Cancel Clicking this button will discard all changes and close the dialog. See also: Glossary Back to Main Menu ═══ 5. Main Menu (Menu Bar) ═══ The menu bar, viewable from across the top of the main screen, provides access to all features of PowerAlert Plus Server Setup. See also: File Menu Options Menu Help Menu Glossary Back to Main Screen or PowerAlert Plus Server Setup Introduction ═══ 5.1. File Menu ═══ The File menu allows the user to exit the PowerAlert Plus program via the Exit menu option. See also: Glossary Back to Main Menu ═══ 5.2. Options Menu ═══ The Options menu allows the user to access the user authorization or modem configuration dialogs via the User ManagerUser_Manager or Modem Settings menu options, respectfully. See also: User Manager Modem Settings Back to Main Menu ═══ 5.3. Help Menu ═══ This menu option allows the user to access this help file and the About screen which contains version and contact information for technical support. Back to Main Menu ═══ 5.3.1. PowerAlert Plus Server Setup Help ═══ This menu option accesses this Help File system document. Go to Help Menu or PowerAlert Plus Server Setup Introduction ═══ 5.3.2. About PowerAlert Plus Server Setup ═══ The About screen displays information about how to contact Tripp Lite via various support functions and also provides current information about the software version and client/server support information. Go to Help Menu ═══ 6. Glossary & Terminology ═══ Authorization file An encrypted file that stores user names and passwords. Contact Closure UPS A UPS that uses on/off states to provide status about UPS conditions such as "On Battery/On Utility" power. Date UPS installed The date the UPS was installed (used to determine the age of the batteries). Nominal Voltage Defines the Input Voltage scale to be used when displaying input voltage and tracking input voltage thresholds. Smart UPS A UPS that communicates quantitative data about UPS status such as Input Voltage, Output Load, Battery Capacity, etc. UPS Driver File A file that stores the parameters for communicating with the UPS. UPS Software Version The current version of the UPS firmware.