User Management (DV-200)

There is an independent set of up to 16 authorized Davicom users stored in each Davicom unit, and also a different set of authorized DavLink users stored in each computer where DavLink is installed. In order to connect to a specific Davicom unit, you must provide a valid Davicom username and password that presently exists in the Davicom unit. Section 1 will guide you in configuring Davicom users, or in using default Davicom users. There are two main reasons why you would also want to have a username and password in DavLink. First, it will give you access to the DavLink edit mode, which will allow you to create, save and protect your own customized workspaces and view panels, instead of simply using the default workspaces provided upon installation. Second, if you have more than one Davicom unit, it will allow you to use, edit and save the DavLink site directory to quickly connect to any of your sites. Section 2 will guide you in configuring DavLink users, or in using default DavLink users.

Users authorized to connect to a Davicom unit

Davicom unit access is protected by a username and password. You can decide to use the default Davicom usernames and passwords, but we recommend you change them in order to restrict access to authorized personnel only. Note that in order to change a username with a specific access level, you must be connected to the Davicom unit using a higher access level.

Each authorized user must be assigned a specific access level. There are five access levels in Davicom units:

Viewer: At factory default settings, no Viewer-level users are created in the Davicom units because their creation is at the discretion of clients. Viewer-level users can be created by Administrator-, Supervisor-, and Director-level users. Viewers can only view input readings, status levels, logs and other Davicom unit information. They cannot perform any operations, nor acknowledge alarms.

Operator: Operators can acknowledge alarms and put Davicom units into Pause mode to prevent recurring alarms while troubleshooting is ongoing. Operators cannot configure Davicom units, execute manual commands (unless temporary access has been granted), or edit their Davicom usernames and password themselves. An Operator can be granted a temporary set of predefined privileges by a user who has a higher access level. An example of an Operator would be a studio operator manning the operations centre on weekends.

Administrator: Administrators can configure and upgrade Davicom units and execute most of the manual commands. They can also edit, create or delete Davicom operators. An example of an Administrator would be a technician that has access to the remote site.

Supervisor: Supervisors can configure all parameters, upgrade Davicom units and execute all commands, including the most critical ones. They can also edit, create or delete Davicom operators and administrators. An example of a Supervisor would be a manager of operators and technicians.

Director: Director is the highest access level in Davicom units and is intended for the one user with the highest authority level. The Director can edit, create or delete Davicom operators, administrators and supervisors. Note that the factory default Director Username cannot be changed. An example of a Director would be the station’s chief engineer. Director access is normally reserved for user creation and username/password editing of lower-level users.

NOTE: VIEWER-level users have no access to commands or operations

Davicom units come with several default users, one for each available access level.

Default Davicom usernames and passwords are as follows:

We recommend you overwrite the default users with actual users, and take note of the new settings in the table above. Each Davicom unit supports a maximum of 16 users.

Older Davicom units with a black front panel only have 3 different users:

Note: Older Davicom units only accept 6 alphanumerical character passwords. You must however configure an 8-character password in order to be able to connect to new Davicom units.

To change Davicom user parameters, or to create and delete users, click the Unit Configuration icon (), then select Users.

The upper portion of the Davicom Users Configuration dialog box shows the current list of authorized users for the Davicom you are connected to. Higher level members have access and can edit and even delete the usernames and passwords of all users with a lower access level. Usernames and passwords of other users of the same or higher access level are not accessible.

In order to change user parameters or create new users, select the appropriate # in the upper portion (click the number). The lower portion shows the data fields allowing modification to parameters in the list. The list contains:

Username: Maximum 8 alphanumerical characters. Not case sensitive. Older Davicom units don’t have usernames.

Password: Must be 8 alphanumerical characters. Not case sensitive. Older Davicom units only consider the first 6 characters.

Access Level: Select the access level assigned to the user from the drop-down list. If you do not select one, the Viewer level will be assigned by default. Older Davicom units only allow default access levels.

Allow Temporary Access: This check box allows the Director, Supervisors and Administrators to grant temporary access to a specific Operator. This temporary access will allow the operator to perform a predefined set of manual commands and operations (refer to Table 2 on page 31).

Alternate Language: Each Davicom user can select the Default or Alternate Language that DavLink will display every time that user connects to the Davicom unit being configured. The language selected by a user will also apply to the voice response system of that specific Davicom unit when connecting by telephone, or being called over the telephone or voice pager. Refer to Sections 4.3.2.5 and 4.3.2.6 on page 52 for more detail on Default and Alternate Languages.

Note: Older Davicom units only have a Default Language. The Default Descriptions will always be displayed, and the voice response system will only “speak” the factory default language, regardless which language a Davicom user has selected.

Users authorized to logon to DavLink

Once DavLink is installed on a computer, access to its edit mode is protected by a username and a password. You can decide to use the default DavLink usernames and passwords, but we recommend you change these default usernames and passwords in order to restrict the edit mode to authorized personnel only.

Configuring more than one user allows personnel working on the same computer during different work shifts to logon to DavLink with their own personal settings (language, view panels, etc.). There are three access levels in DavLink:

Operator: Operator is the lowest access level available in the DavLink software. This level is a view-only mode. Operators can access the Directory in order to connect to Davicom units, but they cannot edit it. Operators cannot create or edit DavLink view panels, and cannot edit their DavLink username and password themselves.

Administrator: Administrators can access and edit the Directory in order to connect to Davicom units, edit DavLink view panels, edit, create or delete DavLink operators.

Supervisor: Supervisor is the highest access level in the DavLink software. Supervisors can access the Directory in order to connect to Davicom units, edit DavLink view panels, edit, create or delete DavLink operators, administrators and supervisors. If you are the only person using DavLink on a specific computer, assign yourself the Supervisor level, or use the default Supervisor username and password. Upon installation, default users will be created in DavLink, with at least one for each available access level. Default DavLink usernames and passwords are as follows:

We recommend you overwrite the default users with actual users in the table above. Each DavLink software installation supports an unlimited number of users.

To change DavLink user parameters, or to create and delete users, click the DavLink Users Configuration icon ().

The upper portion of the DavLink Users Configuration dialog box shows the list of current users for the DavLink software installed on your computer. Higher levels have access and can edit and even delete the username and passwords of all users with a lower access level. Usernames and passwords of other users of the same or higher access level are not accessible, except for supervisors who have access to all users’ data including other supervisors.

In order to change user parameters, select the appropriate # in the upper portion (click the number). To create a new member, click the # of an existing similar member. The lower portion shows the data fields allowing modification to parameters in the list, in order to change a member’s data, or to add a new member. The list contains:

Username: Maximum 20 alphanumerical characters. Not case sensitive.

Password: Maximum 8 alphanumerical characters. Not case sensitive.

Access Level: Select the access level assigned to the user from the drop-down list.

Description: Optional field. Maximum 30 alphanumerical characters.

User ID: Optional field. Maximum 20 alphanumerical characters.

Important: If you leave the DavLink software open on your computer, you should log off from DavLink in order to prevent unauthorized access to your DavLink users database. Logoff is not automatic. To logoff, click the Logon/Logoff icon ().

Multi-site directory in DavLink

The directory in DavLink is the equivalent of a telephone book for Davicom units. It is designed for those who must communicate with more than one Davicom unit.

The directory is a database containing details and communications parameters necessary to connect to each individual site. Information in the directory can be updated at any time and new sites can be added as they are deployed.

Note: The database is stored in your computer only. The information it contains will not be available if you use a different computer.

Accessing the directory

Note: You must not be connected to a Davicom unit in order to configure the DavLink site directory. To disconnect from a Davicom unit, simply click the Disconnect icon ().

Click the Directory icon (). If you’re not already logged on, you will be prompted to logon to DavLink.

By default, usernames and passwords to logon to DavLink are set to the following values:

Note: The usernames and passwords to logon to DavLink are independent from those used to connect to specific Davicom units. Both sets of usernames and passwords can be configured with the same or different values. The database in DavLink contains both the usernames and passwords to logon to the DavLink directory, and the usernames and passwords to connect to each individual Davicom unit.

Configuring geographical regions

Currently, a maximum of fifteen (15) geographical regions can be configured. A global view of all regions is also offered. To configure regions, click the Setup button.

Select the region you want to configure and enter a new Name for the region (maximum 18 characters). For regions encompassing several states or territories, you can enter a detailed Description (maximum 30 characters). Then click Change before configuring another region. Once you are done, click OK to exit the window.

Configuring a site

In the Site Configuration section (refer to Figure 15 on page 36), enter the following information concerning the site:

Site ID: Number assigned to the site by the user (maximum 18 digits).

Site Name: Name of the site where the Davicom unit is installed (maximum 30 alphanumerical characters).

Telephone Number: Phone number used to call the Davicom (maximum of 40 alphanumerical characters including parenthesis, hyphens and commas). Commas are used for 2-second pauses.

Init String: This field allows you to set a particular modem initialization string (maximum 40 alphanumerical characters) that will only apply when you connect by modem to the site being configured (ex: AT &N3 &U1). From the Setup menu, select Communications. If your modem is connected to a COM port, the three Initialization Strings will be active and applicable to all sites. This field will act like a fourth initialization string and will only apply to the site being configured. In case of a conflict between similar strings, this field has precedence over the parameters set in the Communications setup.

IP Address: Site IP address. A unique number consisting of 4 parts separated by dots or a URL (ex: 173.18.225.89 or comlabdemo1.dyndns.org).

IP Port: This field allows you to set a particular IP port (maximum 5 digits) that will only apply when you connect by IP to the site being configured (ex: 65045). If you enter 0, the network settings applicable to all sites will prevail. If you enter a different value, this parameter has precedence over network settings parameters. To access your network settings, go to the Setup menu and select Network. Telnet port 23 is the factory default setting for the Davicom IP Port (refer to Section 4.5.1.1 of the Reference Manual on page 107).

Region: Select the region where the site is located from the drop-down list.

Unit Username: Choose a username to connect to the Davicom unit at the site (maximum 8 alphanumerical characters). For more security, you can have a different username for each site and for DavLink.

Note: You must complete the Davicom Username field for each DavLink user. If Davicom Username and Password are not provided, DavLink will prompt the user to enter this information upon connection.

Note: For older Davicom units, this field must be left blank.

Unit Password: Choose a password to connect to the Davicom unit at the site (exactly 8 alphanumerical characters). For more security, you can have a different password for each site and for DavLink.

Note: You must complete the Davicom Password field for each DavLink user. If the Davicom Username and Password are not provided, DavLink will prompt the user to enter this information upon connection.

VT-100 Only: By clicking this check box, DavLink will display text-only menus without any graphical user interface. The DavLink screens will look similar to the HyperTerminal program.

Use Proxy: If your computer is connected to a network equipped with a proxy server, and the Davicom unit is located outside the network perimeter, check this box. Refer to Section 4.5.1.1 of the Reference Manual to set the address of the proxy server. You may have to consult your IT department to configure and use the proxy.

Workspace Path: You can configure a customized workspace that includes separate view panels for each of your sites. In such a case, click the icon at the end of the Workspace Path field and specify the path to your .mcw file. If you leave this field empty, the Default workspace will apply. Refer to Section 11.4.2 on page 235 of the Reference Manual.

Connecting to the selected site

In the Call Site section, choose one of the following interfaces to connect remotely to the site:

Modem: Select Modem if you are using a phone line or an external modem to connect to the site.

Network: Select Network if you are using the TCP/IP (landline or satellite) to connect to the site.

Serial: Select Serial if you are using microwave serial-port drops or radio channels.

PPP: Clicking this check box allows DavLink to connect to a specific unit using the point-to-point (PPP) protocol. PPP is used for IP access over a telephone connection. NOTE that PPP usage must be enabled in the specific Davicom unit.

Next, choose one of the following protocols:

MIP: Allows communications through the DavLink graphical user interface. We recommend you always select the MIP protocol.

VT-100: Allows communications through DavLink text-only menus without any graphical user interface. These screens will look similar to those shown with a HyperTerminal program.

Note: If you checked the VT-100 Only box, the MIP will be disabled and VT-100 will be selected by default.

Click the Dialing Properties button if you wish to set dialing rules, call waiting and calling card parameters.

Once the site information is entered, click the Add button in order to save it in the database.

To add another site to the directory, repeat the same steps.

To change or delete a site from the directory, select the site in the top window of Figure 15 and click the Change or Delete button. Note that you need to select the appropriate region (if applicable) for the site to appear in the window.

To exit the Directory window, click OK.

Important: If you leave the DavLink software open on your computer, you should log-off in order to prevent unauthorized access to your DavLink users database. Logoff is not automatic. To logoff, click the Logon/Logoff icon ().

Configuring the DavLink shortcut on your computer’s desktop

You can add a new DavLink shortcut icon () or modify the existing one on your desktop in order to instantly connect to a specific Davicom unit when double-clicking the shortcut icon. Note that these instructions may differ depending on your computer’s operating system.

Warning: This functionality may allow unauthorized users to connect to a specific Davicom unit by simply double-clicking the shortcut icon on your computer. Also, your Davicom username and password could be compromised since they can be viewed by simply right-clicking the shortcut icon.

To create a new DavLink shortcut icon, right-click a free spot of your desktop, select New and then select Shortcut. From the Shortcut dialog box, click the Browse button. Select the DavLink software, click OK then Next. Rename the DavLink.exe shortcut (Quick Connect to DAVI 97.5 FM site for example). Click End.

To add quick-connection parameters, right-click the DavLink quick-connect icon on your desktop and select Properties. In the Target field, add the following parameters to the existing command line:

-i:unitipaddress:unitipport:p where unitipaddress is the Davicom unit network IP address, unitipport is the Davicom unit IP port number, and the p is for connections using a proxy server.

-p:myusername:mypassword where myusername and mypassword are valid user parameters for connecting to the specific Davicom. This parameter is optional; you will be prompted to enter them when connecting, if you do not enter them here.

For example, when using port 1023 instead of the default port 23, a proxy server, and the default Davicom supervisor username and password, the Target field could contain:

“C:\ProgramFiles\Davicom\DavLink\DavLink.exe” -i:207.35.243.68:1023:p -p: SUPER01:SSSSSSSS

Another example when using default port 23 without a proxy server and the default Davicom supervisor username and password could be:

“C:\ProgramFiles\Davicom\DavLink\DavLink.exe” -i:”comlabdemo1.dyndns.org” -p:SUPER01:SSSSSSSS

Once you are done with the Target command line, click the Apply button, then the OK button.

Note: There must be a blank space preceding each dash (-) sign. A forward slash (/) may be used to replace the dash sign.

When you use a DavLink quick-connect shortcut icon, note that the Disconnect icon () will also shut down the DavLink software.