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Alloy Navigator 5
Administrator’s Guide
Revision 3.0
June 21, 2007
Copyright© 2007 Alloy Software, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Alloy Software, the Alloy Software
logo, and Asset Navigator are registered trademarks owned by Alloy Software, Inc. All other
trademarks and brand names are the property of the respective owners. This manual, as well as the
software described in it, is furnished under license and may be used or copied only in accordance
with the terms of such license. The content of this manual is furnished for informational use only, is
subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by Alloy Software,
Inc. Alloy Software, Inc. assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that
may appear in this book. This manual is protected by United States and foreign copyright. This
manual shall not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of Alloy
Software, Inc.
Alloy Navigator 5 Administrator’s Guide i
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1. Preface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Who should read this guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Document conventions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
CHAPTER 2. Planning the Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
System requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Installation Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Pre-installation checklist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Alloy Navigator files and tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
CHAPTER 3. Alloy Navigator Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Migrating between Asset Navigator 4 and Alloy Navigator 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Preparing your Asset Navigator 4 database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Upgrading from Asset Navigator V3.x or 4.x Access to Asset Navigator V4.5 SQL . . . . . . . . 12
Upgrading from SQL-based Asset Navigator 4.x to Asset Navigator V4.5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Installing Alloy Navigator 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Installing on the Core Server. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Installing on client computers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Creating Databases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Creating a new database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Importing data from Asset Navigator V4.5 into Alloy Navigator 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Using a pilot system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Activating the database. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Upgrading an Alloy Navigator V5.x database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Configuring the Automation Server. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Choosing Startup Account and Authentication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Initial Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Installing and configuring the Alloy Navigator Web Portal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Installing the Alloy Navigator Web Portal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Choosing Authentication and Impersonation Types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Configuring the Alloy Navigator Web Portal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Testing the Technician’s Web Portal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Testing the Self-Service Web Portal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
CHAPTER 4. Network Inventory Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Introducing the Network Inventory Module. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Inventory Analyzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Inventory Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Software Recognition Manager (SRM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Alloy Audit Data Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Recommended Steps for Proceeding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Installing the Network Inventory Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Testing the Network Inventory Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Configuring the Network Inventory Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Configuring your upload interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Configuring audit profiles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Setting data upload options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
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Alloy Navigator 5 Administrator’s Guide ii
Setting change history options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Using the Software Recognition Manager (SRM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Automating the Inventory Analyzers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Automation on Windows domains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Automation on Novell networks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Automation on non-networked PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Importing snapshots outside of networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
CHAPTER 5. Administrative Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Creating Work Calendars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Field Customization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Modifying fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Creating new fields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Changing dropdown list values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Managing accounts and roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Configuring email. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Configuring the outgoing SMTP mail server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Configuring the Mail Connector. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Managing system logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Configuring the Network Inventory module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Configuring Knowledge Base Style Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Personalizing reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Autogenerating IDs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
CHAPTER 6. Account Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Security Roles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Access permissions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Access scope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
The built-in Administrator role. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Managing accounts and roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Adding the Service accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Adding new Technician accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Adding new Client accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Editing accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Adding new roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Editing and deleting roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
CHAPTER 7. Business Logic Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Business Logic Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Business Rule lists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Logs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Macros. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Anatomy of a Business Rule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Criteria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Execution Order of Business Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
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Alloy Navigator 5 Administrator’s Guide iii
CHAPTER 8. Organization Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Organizational Records. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Locations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Persons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Groups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Importing Organization Information from Active Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Configuring the Active Directory Synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Table of Contents
Alloy Navigator 5 Administrator’s Guide iv
List of Figures
Figure 1: Installing Alloy Navigator 5 on the Core Server. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Figure 2: Installing Alloy Navigator 5 on a client computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Figure 3: Creating Startup entry for the Inventory Analyzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Figure 4: Startup Menu items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Figure 5: Inventory Analyzer as a scheduled task. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Figure 6: Sample permissions for Level 1 Service Desk operators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Figure 7: System macros. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
List of Figures
Alloy Navigator 5 Administrator’s Guide v
List of Tables
Table 1: Document conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Table 2: Alloy Navigator system requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Table 3: Major Alloy Navigator files and tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Table 4: Migrating from Asset Navigator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Table 5: Windows Service accounts for Automation Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Table 6: Minimal necessary permissions to the Working Folders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Table 7: Default port numbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Table 8: System macros. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Table 9: Active Directory mappings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
List of Tables
Alloy Navigator Administrator’s Guide 1
Preface
CHAPTER 1.
Welcome to Alloy Software’s Alloy Navigator 5 Administrator’s Guide.
Who should read this guide
The Alloy Navigator Administrator’s Guide is written for system administrators who are installing,
configuring, customizing, and managing Alloy Navigator 5.
This guide introduces Alloy Navigator and explains how to set up the system in the most efficient
way. This enables you and your staff to start using it as soon as possible, and start benefitting from
its numerous features and functions.
It is assumed you have a good knowledge of Windows network administration, Microsoft SQL
Server, and IIS Web Server.
Document conventions
Table1 below summarizes the stylistic conventions used in this guide.
Table 1: Document conventions
Typeface Usage
Bold Bold indicates clickable items: buttons, keys, and
menu items. Example: To apply the minimal
necessary set of permissions to all folders and
included files, click Set minimal necessary
permissions.
> Indicates a series of menu selections. Example:
Click Tools>Options>E-Mail Setup.
\ Backslash is used for paths. Example: The path is
typically \\SERVERNAME\SHARENAME.
InventorySetup5xx.exe Indicates a file name or path. Example: Run the
AlloyNavigatorSetup5xx.exe file in the
folder where you downloaded the files or on the
CD-ROM.
Indicates information that’s either important or is
(cid:41) closely related to the adjacent content. Example:
(cid:41)
The Custom Data tab of a record will
not appear unless at least one UDF
exists for that record class.
Chapter 1. Preface
Alloy Navigator Administrator’s Guide 2
Planning the Installation
CHAPTER 2.
This chapter describes the hardware and software requirements for the Alloy Navigator system and
offers guidelines on planning your installation.
System requirements
Before starting, please read all of the requirements in Table2 below.
Table 2: Alloy Navigator system requirements
System Component Requirements
Alloy Navigator Core Server. This includes the Software Requirements:
MS SQL Server database, the Automation Server
(for scheduled tasks), the Active Directory Import, •MS SQL Server 2000 or MSDE (all editions)
the Mail Connector, the Web Portal for technicians, with at least SP3, MS SQL Server 2005 (all
the Self-Service Portal for end-users, and the editions), or Microsoft SQL 2005 Express.
Inventory Server (for the Network Inventory
module). •Internet Explorer 6 or later installed
NOTE: It is possible to install different Core Server •Windows Server 2000 or Advanced Server;
components on different computers, but be aware Windows Server 2003; or Windows 2000
that this will significantly increase the complexity Professional or Windows XP Professional. Note
of configuration that XP Professional only supports 10
concurrent computer connections.1
•Make sure that IIS (Internet Information
Services) is installed and working if you’re
using Alloy Navigator’s Web Portal.2 IIS is
provided with your MS Windows operating
system.
Hardware Requirements:
•Processor: Pentium PIII-compatible, 600 MHz
or faster; 1 GHz or faster processor
recommended
•Memory: 512 MB RAM or more; 1 GB or more
recommended
•Disk Space: 350 MB
•Display: 1024 x 768 resolution, high color or
higher
Chapter 2. Planning the Installation
Alloy Navigator Administrator’s Guide 3
Table 2: Alloy Navigator system requirements (Continued)
System Component Requirements
Alloy Navigator Windows Client on Windows Software Requirements:
2000 or XP Professional. Alloy Navigator’s
Windows Client is usually installed and run from a •Windows 2000 Professional, Server, or
system administrator's computer. (Numerous Advanced Server; Windows XP Professional; or
instances of Alloy Navigator can exist for service Windows Server 2003
desk and IT managers.) The Windows Client
comprises the Main Console, Administrative •Internet Explorer 6 or later
Settings, and Alloy Navigator Tools.
Hardware Requirements:
•Processor: Pentium-compatible PII, 300 MHz
•Memory: 256 MB RAM
•Disk Space: 100 MB for the installation, plus
100 MB if Crystal Report designer is installed.
•Display: 800 x 600 resolution, 256 colors
(1024 x 768 resolution, high color or higher
recommended)
Alloy Navigator Web Portal Clients. These are Software Requirements:
the computers that are used to browse Alloy
Navigator’s Web Portal for technicians and Self- •Any machines running Microsoft Internet
Service Portal for end-users. Explorer 6.0 and later or Firefox 1.5 and later.
Enable JavaScript in the browser. Other web
browsers, such as Netscape Navigator, Opera,
and Mozilla, may function properly, but aren’t
officially supported.
Audit Clients These are the computers that are Software Requirements:
audited by Alloy Navigator’s Network Inventory
module. •Microsoft Windows 95; Windows 98; Windows
ME (operability and information accuracy is not
guaranteed); Windows NT 4.0 (Service Pack 4
or later); Windows 2000 (Professional, Server,
or Advanced Server); Windows XP
Professional; Windows Server 2003
•On Windows clients, Windows Management
Instrumentation (WMI) must be installed to
collect advanced information about hardware
configurations during the inventory process.
Otherwise, only basic-level configuration
information will be reported.3
•Linux OS distributions (RedHat, Mandrake,
Debian, Ubuntu, etc.)
•Macintosh machines (Mac OS X only)
1. You should not use other versions of Windows, including Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP, to host the de-
ployment shares, since the number of computers permitted to simultaneously connect over the network is limited. For more
information, see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:support.microsoft.com/
?kbid=314882 and support.microsoft.com/?kbid=122920
Chapter 2. Planning the Installation
Description:Alloy Navigator Web Portal Clients. These are the computers that are used to browse Alloy Navigator’s Web Portal for technicians and Self-Service Portal for end-users.
