Management Connection

Creating a Connection File

Linking a Partner's Application to Essentials

Management Connection

You can create and install connection files that link Essentials to external applications by using Management Connection. A connection file consists of a set of links to the application URLs and application support information. You can create your own connection file or import an existing file. When creating a connection file, you define folders and folder items that link to the application functions.

Before you install a connection file, Management Connection ensures that folder and item names do not conflict with names on the local installation, and verifies that the URLs are active. After a connection file is installed, the newly defined folders and items are added to the Essentials Tools drawer. You can export a connection file for use on other Essentials installations.

You can certify and optionally publish a connection file on Cisco Connection Online (CCO). Certification is designed for Cisco Network Management Partner application developers who want to distribute their connection files; it is also available to all users. A third-party lab tests and certifies files for a fee.

For detailed information on Management Connection, refer to the online help.

Creating a Connection File

Scenario: You have created an application that you want to link to Essentials. To do this, you create a connection file using Management Connection.

To create a connection file, perform the following steps:

Step 1 Select Admin > Management Connection > Create.

The Create a Connection File dialog box appears. (See Figure 13-1.)

Figure 13-1: Create a Connection Dialog Box

Step 2 Enter the application name, version, and, optionally, a description for the connection file you are creating, then click Next.

The Application Server Name dialog box appears. (See Figure 13-2.)

Figure 13-2: Application Server Name Dialog Box

Step 3 Enter the name of the web server on which the application is installed, then click Next.

The Enter Folder Information dialog box appears. (See Figure 13-3.)

Figure 13-3: Enter Folder Information Dialog Box

Step 4 Enter the name of the folder to add to the Tools drawer, then click Next.

The Enter Item Information dialog box appears. (See Figure 13-4.)

Figure 13-4: Enter Item Information Dialog Box

Step 5 Enter the name of the item to appear under the folder you created and the URL for access to this item. If the URL starts with http://, the server name (if any) will not be prepended. Select the users who will have access to the item, then click Next.

The Verify Item Information dialog box appears.

Step 6 Verify that your information is correct. To add another item to the folder, click More Items and repeat Step 5. After you finish, click Next.

The Verify Connection File dialog box appears.

Step 7 Verify that your information is correct. To add another folder, click More Folders and repeat Step 4 through 6. After you finish, click Next.

The Application Support Information dialog box appears.

Step 8 Enter the company name and support contact information for the application, then click Finish.

This information is displayed if users encounter any problems getting to the application from Essentials. You can also optionally enter a mailing address, support e-mail address, and support URL.

The Connection File Installed dialog box appears. Click Update Menu Now to update your Tools drawer with the new folder and items. If you do not want to wait for the menu to reload, do not click Update Menu Now; you can restart your browser later to update the menu.

Linking a Partner's Application to Essentials

Scenario: A partner's application is installed on your network and you want to link to that application from Essentials.

To link a partner's application to Essentials, perform the following procedure:

Step 1 Connect to CCO, then locate the application's connection file.

Step 2 Select Admin > Management Connection > Import.

The Import a Connection File dialog box appears. (See Figure 13-5.)

Figure 13-5: Import a Connection File Dialog Box

Step 3 Select Certified Management Connection Files on CCO, then click Next. The CCO Management Connection Files dialog box appears. (See Figure 13-6.)

Figure 13-6: CCO Management Connection Files Dialog Box

Step 4 Select the repository to browse, then click Next. For this example, select Cisco Network Management Partner Products.

The Select Management Connection File dialog box displays the connection files in the repository. (See Figure 13-7.)

Figure 13-7: Select Management Connection File Dialog box

Step 5 Click on the connection file. For this example, click on HP OpenView Network Node Manager.

The Install Management Connection File dialog box displays information about the application. (See Figure 13-8.)

Figure 13-8: Install Management Connection File Dialog Box

Step 6 Click Next to install the connection file.

The Verify Connection File dialog box displays the folders and items that will be added to your Tools drawer. (See Figure 13-9.)

Figure 13-9: Verify Connection File Dialog Box

Step 7 Click Next to continue.

If a server name is not required and the file has installation notes, the Install Notes dialog box appears.

Step 8 Click Next to continue.

If a server name is required, the Application Server Name dialog box appears (with installation notes, if applicable). Go to Step 9.
If a server name is not required and the file has no installation notes, the Connection File Installed dialog box appears. Go to Step 10.

Step 9 Enter the name of the server on which the application is installed, then click Next.

The Connection File Installed dialog box appears.

Step 10 Click Update Menu Now to update your Tools drawer with the new folder and items. If you do not want to wait for the menu to reload, do not click Update Menu Now; you can restart your browser later to update the menu.

For information about modifying, exporting, and certifying connection files, see the online help.

This completes the chapter on Management Connection.

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