SDM Wireless Server USER S GUIDE " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

Transcription

1 SDM Wireless Server USER S GUIDE " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " PN: Revision A November 1998

2 " NOTICE The information contained herein is proprietary and is provided solely for the purpose of allowing customers to operate and service Intermec manufactured equipment and is not to be released, reproduced, or used for any other purpose without written permission of Intermec. Disclaimer of Warranties. The sample source code included in this document is presented for reference only. The code does not necessarily represent complete, tested programs. The code is provided AS IS WITH ALL FAULTS. ALL WARRANTIES ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. We welcome your comments concerning this publication. Although every effort has been made to keep it free of errors, some may occur. When reporting a specific problem, please describe it briefly and include the book title and part number, as well as the paragraph or figure number and the page number. Send your comments to: Intermec Technologies Corporation Publications Department 550 Second Street SE Cedar Rapids, IA INTERMEC, NORAND, NOR*WARE, and PEN*KEY are registered trademarks of Intermec Technologies Corporation Intermec Technologies Corporation. All rights reserved. This publication printed on recycled paper. Acknowledgments AS/400, IBM, IBM PC, Micro Channel, PS/2, and OS/2 are registered trademarks and AIX and Presentation Manager are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. Eicon is a trademark of Eicon Technologies Corporation. FTP Software is a registered trademark of FTP Software, Inc. Microsoft, MS, and MS-DOS, and Windows, are registered trademarks and Visual Basic for Windows, and Windows for Pen are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. RFgate is a trademark of Nettech Systems, Inc.

3 CONTENTS " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " SECTION 1 Introduction System Requirements Compatibility About this Publication Other Helpful Publications Customer Support Bulletin Board Intermec Web Site SECTION 2 Configuration Planning the Site Hardware Requirements PC Hand-Held Computers X.25 Connectivity Operating System SECTION 3 Installation Server Authorization Licenses Display License Information Upgrade User License View License Upgrade File Nettech Systems RFgate Installation Diskette Working Copies SDM Wireless Server User s Guide i

4 CONTENTS Install SDM Wireless Server Software Customization Installation Configure Nettech Systems RFgate Add Application Add Modem IDs SECTION 4 Components NT Service (SDMSERV.EXE) Services Control Panel Applet Control Application (SDMCTL.EXE) TABLES Table 2-1 Site Considerations ii SDM Wireless Server User s Guide

5 Section 1 Introduction " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " The SDM Wireless Server by Intermec Technologies Corporation is a server designed for Sales Delivery and Merchandising (SDM). This server uses computing platforms and operating systems already part of customer enterprises and manages and monitors remote users. Administrators can use the Graphic User Interface (GUI) to monitor the system status and users progress. Standard windows show incoming data and messages and the status of the connection. The system supports the BellSouth Wireless Data network. System Requirements You must have the following for the SDM Wireless Server: " Pentium Computer with a minimum 133 MHz clock " 32 MB RAM " Wireless Provider Network Connectivity (X.25) (for linking to BellSouth) " NT 4.0 with Service Pack 3 SDM Wireless Server User s Guide 1-1

6 Introduction SECTION 1 Compatibility The SDM Wireless Server supports the SDM Wireless client applications. Check for additional updates since this guide was published in the README.DOC file on the SDM Wireless Server diskette. Enhancements include: Windows NT Operating Systems; Easy User Interface; and Wireless connectivity to specific PEN*KEY R computers. About this Publication The SDM Wireless Server User s Guide: " Provides a matrix of hardware and memory requirements. " Provides a system component checklist. " Explains how to install the application. " Explains how to use the menus. Read the User s Guide before installing software or connecting hardware components for the first time. The knowledge gained by reading this guide saves time and reduces frustration if difficulty is encountered during data communication later. This User s Guide consists of these sections: " Section 1, Introduction, gives an overview of the SDM Wireless Server and section descriptions. " Section 2, Configuration, has a matrix list of hardware and memory requirements and for system setup, and describes how to configure wireless addresses for communications between server and mobile computers. " Section 3, Installation, discusses license requirements, and describes how to load the application and configure the Nettech Systems RFgate application. " Section 4, Components, covers the three components of the SDM Wireless Server. 1-2 SDM Wireless Server User s Guide

7 SECTION 1 Introduction Other Helpful Publications " SDM Wireless Specifications Appendix E of the SDM Wireless specifications contains information about the download and upload files of the SDM Wireless Server, the format for a wireless order, , and nonservice customer messages, and screens used for wireless orders, along with explanations about the wireless order. These specifications can be downloaded from the BASE BEVERAGE forum in the Norand Mobile Systems Division Customer Support Bulletin Board (BBS). See page 1-4 to learn more about the BBS. " RFgate Administrator s Guide This guide is provided with your Nettech Systems RFgate application. Additional copies are available from Nettech Systems Incorporated. This guide provides user information about the Nettech Systems RFgate application. Customer Support If you have any questions about application development for the SDM Wireless Server or need additional technical support, contact Customer Support for the Norand Mobile Systems Division of Intermec Technologies Corporation at for personal consultation. SDM Wireless Server User s Guide 1-3

8 Introduction SECTION 1 Bulletin Board The Customer Support Bulletin Board, provided by Norand Mobile Systems Division, is a source for additional software and documentation: " Phone number: (14.4 modems) (28.8 modems) " Protocol: Full duplex, ANSI or ANSI-BBS; 300 to 28,800 bps; v.32bis; 8 bits, no parity, 1 stop bit. For high-speed modems, disable XON/XOFF and enable RTS/CTS. If you are signing on for the first time, type new and follow instructions. The BBS takes you through a new-user sign-up procedure. " NOTE: The Customer Support BBS File Libraries, including Hot Tips and Product Awareness Bulletins, are available on the Internet to authorized BBS users: or use the following URL to access the web page on the Internet: then link to either Conference Area or Technical Information Center. Intermec Web Site Use the following URL to access the Intermec Technologies Corporation Web Site on the Internet: A PDF online version of this manual is available via the following path: Products Manuals English. 1-4 SDM Wireless Server User s Guide

9 Section 2 Configuration " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " Planning the Site Before installing the SDM Wireless Server, you must acquire required hardware with sufficient memory for the server. Memory requirements are determined on the size of the system, how many computers are communicating, and what protocols are doing communications. Examine the potential location for the SDM Wireless Server. Determine if required equipment and services are easily available, serviceable, and secure in that area. Table 2-1 has questions to consider in choosing a site for the server. Table 2-1 Site Considerations Subject Physical Security Questions to Ask " Is the server physically isolated from individuals who might tamper with its data or equipment? " Can anyone access an active server to view or alter its operation? Physical Integrity " Is the server s location in a place where it could have its power, data, or systems disturbed? " Are the power and reset switches protected against inadvertent use? " Is there enough circulation around the server and in the room to prevent overheating of the computer, modems, and other equipment? SDM Wireless Server User s Guide 2-1

10 Configuration SECTION 1 Table 2-1 (Continued) Site Considerations Subject Accessibility Scalability Demand Cabling Fault Tolerance Questions to Ask " Can the server be easily accessed to service its hardware? " Are the network and phone service positioned nearby to minimize RF interference? " Are there enough phone lines, network resources, ventilation, physical space, and power outlets in the event that modems, routers, or additional servers need to be added after the pilot phase when communication needs increase? " Are there enough modems or network connections to service all clients in a timely manner? " Are spares available if a piece of equipment becomes disabled? " Are all serial, network, and data cables shielded and defect-free? " Are cables as short as possible to minimize interference? " Is an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) added to the system design? " Does its rating include running the server, monitor, modems, and network long enough to shut down the system? " Are there spares of all equipment, including the server, its hard drives, and the network? " Is it important to maintain phone access? If so, consider more than one telecommunications carrier for the server s modem lines. Develop a plan for the server and each client to use these carriers as primary and secondary resources. " Is a scheduled server downtime built in for maintenance tasks such as upgrades, diagnostics, and system backups? A periodic backup of the server and data drive is important to perform on an inactive server. Consider restoring the backup on another host computer to check the integrity of the backup. 2-2 SDM Wireless Server User s Guide

11 SECTION 2 Configuration Hardware Requirements PC Use a server class machine, such as a Pentium with a minimum 133 MHz clock, to house the SDM Wireless Server software. " Hard Drive Size At least three megabytes of storage is required for the SDM Wireless Server application software. This does not include space for upload files. Upload files need to have a minimum of twice the combined space of temporary and processed files. The amount of storage, required for upload and download files, varies per customer requirements and can only be determined by customer requirements. " RAM Size Intermec Technologies Corporation recommends a minimum of 32 MB of RAM based on the operating system and the number of configured ports or simultaneous communication sessions. Some PCs may required a larger RAM size based on other applications the server is running. " Disk Drive Size The PC must have one 3.5 inch, 1.44 megabyte highdensity drive to install this software and upgrades. Hand-Held Computers The SDM Wireless Server supports 6000 Series Computers running the wireless-enabled SDM client. SDM Wireless Server User s Guide 2-3

12 Configuration SECTION 2 X.25 Connectivity Operating System For X.25 Connectivity to the BellSouth Mobile Data network, an Eicon X.25 board is required. See the manufacturer s instructions on installing the board in your system. The SDM Wireless Server functions on the Windows NT Version 4.0 Service Pack 3 server. 2-4 SDM Wireless Server User s Guide

13 Section 3 Installation " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " This section discusses the license requirements, and describes how to install the SDM Wireless Server software and to configure the Nettech Systems RFgate application for data transfers with the SDM Wireless Server. Server Authorization Licenses If you order the SDM Wireless Server and SDM clients, a license file with sufficient licenses to support the number of SDM clients is required. The file must be installed in the Nettech RFgate directory. A server authorization diskette containing this file comes from Nettech Systems, Inc. via Intermec Technologies Corporation. Instructions for installing the license file are included with this diskette. If there is no server authorization diskette with your order, please contact your Value-Added Reseller (VAR) or systems engineer for assistance. If you just order the SDM Wireless Server with no SDM clients, you will not receive a server authorization diskette. SDM Wireless Server User s Guide 3-1

14 Installation SECTION 1 Display License Information Do the following to display RFgate license information: 1. Run the UPDRFLIC.EXE tool to display user licenses. 2. Select a license file from the displayed list. 3. Select View License File from the menu bar. Displayed is information for each license that ranges from network type, user information, to the serial number. Upgrade User License An upgrade disk is either manufactured by Nettech Systems, Inc. or generated by extracting licenses from an installed 3.2 version of RFgate. Do the following to upgrade an RFgate user license: 1. Insert the RFgate upgrade disk into your floppy disk drive. For documentation purposes, the floppy drive is referred to as the A:\ drive. 2. Run the UPDRFLIC.EXE tool to display the RFgate upgrade file on the A:\ drive. A prompt appears. 3. Click the Yes button to continue the upgrade. 4. Select an upgrade file from the displayed list. 5. Select Options Upgrade Users from the menu bar to upgrade the license file. View License Upgrade File Do the following to view an RFgate license upgrade file: 1. Insert the RFgate upgrade disk into the A:\ drive. 2. To view a file without upgrading an existing license file, run the UPDRFLIC.EXE tool. 3. Select Options View Upgrade File from the menu bar. " NOTE: See the RFgate Administrator s Guide for more details on using these RFgate tools to display and upgrade user licenses. 3-2 SDM Wireless Server User s Guide

15 SECTION 3 Installation Nettech Systems RFgate Installation Make sure the Nettech Systems RFgate software is installed and operational before installing the SDM Wireless Server. Also, make sure the RFgate Dynamic Link Library (DLL), RFGAPI.DLL, is located in a directory that is part of your path. See the RFgate Administrator s Guide for installation instructions. Diskette Working Copies Make working copies of the two SDM Wireless Server installation diskettes. (Refer to the operating system manual for formatting and copying instructions.) Store the original diskettes in a clean, secure location, separate from the working copies (and this guide) and away from tobacco smoke, dust, food, drink, heat, moisture, and magnetic devices (such as electric motors). This ensures the original software is available even if the working copies fail. Regular system backups are strongly recommended. Install SDM Wireless Server Software " NOTE: The SDM Wireless Server installs itself onto a fixed disk or disks. Before installing the package onto the fixed diskette, ensure that the copy is from the release diskettes. Check for updates since this guide was published. These updates may affect installation. The README.DOC file (if any) is on the last diskette. Use the working copies of the SDM Wireless Server diskettes. Turn on the PC monitor or the system being installed and the PC system, then do the following to install the software: SDM Wireless Server User s Guide 3-3

16 Installation SECTION 3 1. Insert software executable diskette #1 into the floppy drive. For documentation purposes, the floppy drive is referred to as the A:\ drive. 2. From the bottom of the Windows desktop, select Start Run to access the Run window: 3. Type a:\setup in the Open field, then click the OK button. 3-4 SDM Wireless Server User s Guide

17 SECTION 3 Installation The Welcome window appears: 4. Click the Next button to continue. SDM Wireless Server User s Guide 3-5

18 Installation SECTION 3 The Readme Information window appears with information about the RFgate software and the Service Control Manager: 5. Click the Next button to continue. 3-6 SDM Wireless Server User s Guide

19 SECTION 3 Installation Customization The Choose Destination Location window appears with the default destination directory (C:\sdmserv) on which the SDM Wireless Server is installed: 1. If you were to change the destination directory, click the Browse button to choose a different location. SDM Wireless Server User s Guide 3-7

20 Installation SECTION 3 The Choose Directory window appears: 2. If you have selected an alternate destination directory, click the OK to return to the Choose Destination Location window with the alternate destination directory; else click the Cancel button to stay with the default destination directory. 3. Click the Next button on the Choose Destination Location window to continue. 3-8 SDM Wireless Server User s Guide

21 SECTION 3 Installation The Select Program Folder window appears: 4. If you want to use a name other than what is assigned in the Program Folder field, type in the new name. Click the Next button to continue. SDM Wireless Server User s Guide 3-9

22 Installation SECTION 3 Installation The Start Copying Files confirmation window appears: 1. Ensure that the settings listed in this window are satisfactory. " If the settings are not satisfactory, click the Back button to return to the previous customization screens and make your correction. " If the settings are satisfactory, click the Next button to begin copying files from installation diskette # SDM Wireless Server User s Guide

23 SECTION 3 Installation After about 68% of the files are copied over from installation diskette #1, the following window appears to prompt for installation diskette #2: 2. Remove installation diskette #1 from the floppy drive and replace it with installation diskette #2. 3. Click the OK button to continue copying files. SDM Wireless Server User s Guide 3-11

24 Installation SECTION 3 When done copying files, the Setup Complete window appears to prompt if you are to reboot your computer now or later to reset the Windows desktop: 4. If you are restarting the machine now, select Yes, remove installation diskette #2 from the floppy drive, then click the Finish button to continue. If you want to restart the computer at another time, select No, remove installation diskette #2 from the floppy drive, then click the Finish button to continue SDM Wireless Server User s Guide

25 SECTION 3 Installation The final Setup Complete window appears: 5. Click the Finish button to complete the setup or click the Back button to change any of the installation. Go to the Configure RFgate Application section on the next page to configure RFgate for routing. SDM Wireless Server User s Guide 3-13

26 Installation SECTION 3 Configure Nettech Systems RFgate You need to configure Nettech Systems RFgate to route data from your hand-held computers to the SDM Wireless Server application, first by adding application IDs, then by adding hand-held computer IDs. Add Application Do the following to add an application that dictates the path and ID of the location where data is to be routed. The application IDs are specified in ascending order. The values associated with each key generate application agent invocation information. 1. Select System Options Application to access the Nettech Systems RFgate Applications window: 2. Click the Add button to access the Nettech Systems RFgate Add Application window SDM Wireless Server User s Guide

27 SECTION 3 Installation The Nettech Systems RFgate Add Application: 3. Enter the application agent name SDMSERV in the Name field. 4. Enter application ID 1030 in the Id field. This must match the ID of the mobile application agent. 5. Click the Path button to access the Set Application Path window. SDM Wireless Server User s Guide 3-15

28 Installation SECTION 3 Use the Set Application Path window to set the path to the application agent program used by RFgate. 6. Set the path to C:\sdmserv\sdmctl.exe, or to where the SDM Wireless Server is installed, if the RFgate is to automatically start the SDM Wireless Server. 7. Click the Open button to set the path and return to the Nettech Systems RFgate Add Application window with the new path: " NOTE: See the RFgate Administrator s Guide for information on using the other features in this window. 8. Click the OK button to return to the Nettech Systems RFgate Applications window with the new application SDM Wireless Server User s Guide

29 SECTION 3 Installation Add Modem IDs A list of modem IDs are required for association with the SDM Wireless Server application ID number From the Nettech Systems RFgate menu bar, select System Options Mobiles to access the Nettech Systems RFgate Mobiles window: 2. Click the Add button to access the Nettech Systems RFgate Add Mobile window. SDM Wireless Server User s Guide 3-17

30 Installation SECTION 3 Use the Nettech Systems RFgate Add Mobiles window to link modem IDs to application agent Double-click the 1030 application, then enter a beginning mobile ID in the Id field and an ending mobile ID in the through field to assign a range of mobile IDs. 4. Click the OK button to save the new application agent 1030 assignment SDM Wireless Server User s Guide

31 SECTION 3 Installation 5. Click the Ok button to accept the modem IDs, else click the appropriate modification buttons to make changes. The SDM Wireless Server and the Nettech Systems RFgate applications are now ready for operation. " NOTE: See the RFgate Administrator s Guide for more details on setting up applications and hand-held computers. SDM Wireless Server User s Guide 3-19

32 Installation SECTION SDM Wireless Server User s Guide

33 Section 4 Components " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " NT Service (SDMSERV.EXE) This is the actual server process implemented as a Windows NT Service that runs as a background process. It receives SDM orders, ensures these are not duplicates, and places these in a specified directory for host processing. SDMSERV.EXE is located in the Install directory. After installation, ensure that the NT Service is listed in the Services Control Panel Applet (described on page 4-2). If it is not listed, go to the Install directory and run: sdmserv I to install the service with the NT Service Control Manager. To uninstall the service, run: sdmserv u SDM Wireless Server User s Guide 4-1

34 Components SECTION 1 Services Control Panel Applet The SDM Wireless Server Control Panel Applet configures the Wireless Service. To ensure that duplicate orders are not placed in the C:\sdmserv\orders directory, the C:\sdmserv\database directory contains a copy of each order file received. The order files in the Database directory are named by the combination of the mobile radio address and the.sdm file extension. EXAMPLE: a97.SDM When an order is received, the Database directory is checked to determine if this order was already received. If so, this order is not copied to the Orders directory. A log of all activity and errors performed by the SDM Wireless Service is also located in the Database directory. " Order Path The location where SDM orders are placed for processing by the host computer. 4-2 SDM Wireless Server User s Guide

35 SECTION 4 Components " Cleanup Hour Click the scroll buttons for the hour of the day (24-hour clock) when orders are to be removed from the archive Database directory. The orders removed are those older than the number of days set in the Max Archive Days field. " Max Archive Days Click the scroll buttons for the number of days received orders are to be archived in the Database directory. " Status The Status box indicates when the service is active and when inactive. SDM Wireless Server User s Guide 4-3

36 Components SECTION 4 Control Application (SDMCTL.EXE) When SDMCTL.EXE is executed, it starts the SDM Wireless Services. There are three buttons that starts or stops the SDM Wireless Service: " Start Click this button to start the service after it has stopped. " Stop Click this button to stop the service. " Exit Click this button to exit the Service Control application without stopping the service. The Status box reflects the activity of the SDM Wireless Service with the following messages: " State Indicates whether the service is running, idle, or has an error. 4-4 SDM Wireless Server User s Guide

37 SECTION 4 Components " Exit code Displays the exit code sent by the service when it is stopped. " (Date/Time) The data in the row beneath Exit code displays the date and time when the service was last started (Day/Month/Date/HH:MM:SS/Year) " Source Address The network address of the sending mobile computer. " Order ID A unique five-character order identifier assigned by the SDM Mobile application. " Order Size The size of the last order received (in bytes). " Orders Received The number of orders received since the last processing activity (defined in the Cleanup Hour field of the Control Panel Applet page 4-3). " Duplicates Received The number of duplicate orders received since the last processing activity. SDM Wireless Server User s Guide 4-5

38 Components SECTION SDM Wireless Server User s Guide