IBM Netfinity Rack Configurator Version 2.1 Installation Instructions and Notes This readme contains the following information: - Installing IBM Netfinity Rack Configurator - Tips for Using IBM Netfinity Rack Configurator - Updates to the IBM Netfinity Rack Configurator - Trademarks IBM Netfinity Rack Configurator 2.1 does not process date data. Accordingly, IBM Netfinity Rack Configurator 2.1 meets IBM's definition of Year 2000 Ready. This software is licensed "as is". INSTALLING IBM NETFINITY RACK CONFIGURATOR II --------------------------------------------- To install the IBM Netfinity Rack Configurator II on Windows 95 or Windows NT: 1. Copy the file rackcfg.exe to a temporary directory on your hard drive. 2. Exit all other Windows applications before continuing. 3. In Windows 95 or Windows NT, click the Start icon, and then click Run. 4. In the Run dialog box type ?:\XXX\rackcfg.exe where "?" is the drive letter and "XXX" is the name of the directory where you copied rackcfg.exe. Click OK. 5. The installation process will begin. The Setup program will display information screens and option prompts as the IBM Netfinity Rack Configurator II program is installed. Follow the installation instructions displayed on the screen. 6. When the installation is complete, you may delete the file rackcnfg.exe. You should be aware of these important considerations when installing the IBM Netfinity Rack Configurator II: 1. The graphics used by the IBM Rack Configurator II are located in the BITMAPS subdirectory. The program will not run correctly if the bitmap files are erased or modified in any way. The subdirectory name MUST be named BITMAPS. 2. If you have installed the IBM Netfinity Rack Configurator II and decide to reinstall it, or install a later version, uninstall it first. Otherwise, a later uninstallation might not remove all files. TIPS FOR USING THE IBM NETFINITY RACK CONFIGURATOR II ----------------------------------------------------- 1. To change the position of a rack in a rack suite within the IBM Netfinity Rack Configurator II, you must drag the rack beyond the center of the racks on either side. 2. It is not necessary add monitor compartments and keyboard trays manually, because they are added automatically when a monitor or keyboard is added. 3. The rack configurator II does not check compatibility for clustering, external storage, networking hardware and communication devices. For information about these features, please review the ServerProven data base at http://www.ibm.com/pc/us/compat GETTING STARTED THE IBM NETFINITY RACK CONFIGURATOR II ------------------------------------------------------ There are 5 basic steps to creating a configuration and producing a report. 1. Add components to racks. 2. Cable components. 3. Validate your configuration to identify any problems with it and then make corrections, as necessary. 4. Save your configuration. 5. Print your configuration report. Before beginning to create a configuration, it is suggested that you perform the following actions: a) Choose your preference for Auto Arrange (ON or OFF). By default, it is turned ON. You can change this setting by choosing Auto-Arrange under the Configuration menu. b) Select your preferences when doing an auto-build by choosing the Build Preference choice under the Configuration menu. c) You may choose to attach customer information to your configuration by selecting the Configuration Information choice from the Configuration menu. 1. Adding Components to Racks a. To begin a rack configuration, add a rack by either dragging and dropping a rack from the component tree or double-clicking on the desired rack. All components in the tree can be added to a rack by either of these 2 methods. Components can also be added to the window beneath the racks (the floor space) by dragging and dropping components to this window. b. Add the desired components to the rack and/or floor space. c. When components have been placed in a rack, placing the cursor on a component and clicking the right mouse button will display a pop-up menu. This menu allows you to change the components status (New, Existing, or Installed), delete the component, display the Component Connections window to do cabling connections, or delete a connection, if that component has already been connected to another. 2. Cable Components a. To perform cabling connections between components, select the Connections option under the Component menu bar choice. This displays the Configuration Explorer window. Move the Configuration Explorer window so that you can see the window with the rack(s). The Explorer window allows you to do cabling connections. b. Select a component from the tree to be connected by single-clicking on it. This component will appear in the top pane to the right of the tree. c. Select the type of connection, such as Power or Storage, by clicking on the desired connection type button on the Configuration Explorer toolbar. Clicking the Power Connection button, for example, will display a list of the Power Devices you have added to your configuration in the lower pane to the right of the tree. d. Single-click on the device in the lower pane that you wish to connect to the device selected in the tree. e. Select the desired cable from the cable drop-down menu. f. Click the Connect button on the toolbar to make the connection. The cable you selected will then appear in the tree in the Cables section and a check mark will be placed to the left of the component you connected in the lower pane. Disconnections are done by selecting a connected component in the lower pane and clicking the Disconnect button. Connections and Disconnections can also be done by double-clicking on the component in the lower pane, rather than by using the Connect and Disconnect toolbar buttons. If the component you selected in the tree and the type of connection you selected via one of the Connection Type buttons does not result in a possible connection, a message will be displayed in the lower pane indicating this, such as 'No matches' or 'No available connector'. 3. Validate Your Configuration a. To validate your report (check it for errors or warning messages), choose the Validate choice under the Configuration menu item. This will describe any problems with your configuration and offer recommendations in the Validate Report window. You can make changes to your configuration while you keep this window displayed. b. You can also choose to print the Validate Report window to use the hardcopy as a reference when making changes to your configuration. To print the report, choose Print... under the File menu. Click the Selection button and then click the Validation Report check box. Clicking Ok will then print the Validation Report. 4. Save Your Configuration a. To save your configuration, choose Save As... from the File menu. Type the name of your configuration and choose the desired location for this topology file. 5. Print Your Configuration Report a. To print your configuration report, choose Print... from the File menu. Choose the sections of the report you wish to print. There is also a Print Preview function, available under the File menu. This allows you to view your report online. b. There are several sections of the report. You can choose to print all the sections or a subset of them. UPDATES TO THE IBM NETFINITY RACK CONFIGURATOR II ------------------------------------------------- As updates and improvements are made to the IBM Netfinity Rack Configurator II, updated versions of the program will be available on the World Wide Web. To obtain the latest version, visit our Web site at http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/products/server/download.html. If you need product support, you can call IBM (919) 543-8687 or send e-mail to ibm_netfinity_rack_configurator @ vnet.ibm.com. If you send e-mail, please include: - Your name - Your e-mail address - Description of problem - Output file, Topology file, or any other pertinent files Version 2.1 ------------ Added support for the following new products: - Netfinity 5000 - Netfinity 5500 M20 - Netfinity 5600 - Netfinity 7000 M10 - Netfinity 8600R - Netfinity EXP200 - 3502 R14 Tape Autoloader - Netfinity SP Switch Version 2.0 ------------ Redesigned user interface for the product. This version cannot be installed on OS/2. It can only be installed on Windows operating systems. TRADEMARKS ---------- The following terms are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States, or other countries, or both: IBM Netfinity Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.