Machine Management

This section deals with adding or changing machine registrations in LDAP (e.g. PC, laptop, printer). A machine is represented by the type, name, group, IP address and MAC address, as you can see in Figure 3.3.

These are the available machines types:

• Workstation: Workstation in LAN running a Windows operating system;

• Workstation + SoftPhone: Windows workstation in LAN with a softphone association;

• Linux Workstation: Workstation in LAN running a Linux distribution, so it will be possible to export the user's home account by NFS to that Linux clients;

• Linux Workstation + SoftPhone: Linux workstation in LAN with a softphone association. The name will be the SIP username and it will always be associated to the IP address;

• Printer: Network printer. Location is a description about the printer location. Port will be the port where the print server is running. e.g.: 9100 for HP's;

• Set-top Box: A device connected to a displaying apparatus and to an external source of signal, turning the signal into content which is then displayed on a TV screen or any other display device.

• IP Phone: Hardware IP SIP phone in LAN. The name will be the SIP username and it will always be associated to the IP address. Note that, the phone's password must comply with with the strong password policies, unless you choose to disable them at Telephony - Configurations. ;

• IP Camera: This type of digital video camera is commonly used for surveillance purposes, and can send and receive data via a computer network and the Internet.

• Linux Terminal: Thinclient with remote session to a Linux machine that will be used with the Terminal Server in IPBrick;

• Windows Terminal: Thinclient with remote session to a Windows machine that will be used with the Terminal Server in IPBrick;

• Radio base Station: This machine is used to maintain contact with a fleet of hand-held or mobile radios. The base station is one end of a communications link solution offered by IPBrick Radio.

• Set Top Box IPBrick: Our very own set top box, tailor-made for Corporate TV

• Radio Control Station: The controller of the Radio Base Station. This machine enables the IPBrick to manage and control the transmissions in up to 8 Base Stations.

In order to insert a machine you only have to define the type, introduce the name and IP Address. In this way the machine is registered in the LDAP and the DNS server. If you fill in the MAC Address field with the MAC adddress of the machine to be registered then a record is also created for this machine in the DHCP server.

Note: The machine MAC address can be obtained from the network connection icon in Windows XP or by executing the order ipconfig /all in the command line.

Figure 3.3: Machines Management - Machine registration

You can manage a specific machine clicking over its name in the list. You will get the screen present at Figure 3.4. If you click the link Modify, the form from Figure 3.3 is displayed and enables you to redefine the machine parameters. If you click Delete, the machine will be deleted. When all the machines are registered you can get the list at the main menu (Figure 3.5).

Figure 3.4: Machines Management - Options

Figure 3.5: Machines Management - List

NOTE: If the inserted machines have become far too numerous to be displayed or searched efficiently, it's possible to retrieve a machine by using the various search links displayed on the Machines Management page. There's alphabetical and numerical quick links, as well as the possibility to open a Search window Figure 3.6 or to display all machines on one page (List all link).

Figure 3.6: Machines Management - Search Window

Figure 3.7: Machines Management - Search result