The initial IP address ranges in which Manager searches for systems are set through the Manager preferences (File > Preferences > Discovery). By default it scans the local network of the Manager PC.

Start Manager. If Manager is already started and a configuration is open in it, that configuration must be closed first.

• If Manager is set to Auto Connect on start up, it will scan for systems automatically and either display the list of systems discovered or automatically start login to the only system discovered.

• Otherwise, click on or select File | Open Configuration.

The Select IP Office window appears, listing those systems that responded.

• If Server Edition systems are detected, they are grouped together. By default the configuration of those systems cannot be opened using Manager in Advanced View mode and the configuration of a Primary Server can only be opened if the Open with Server Edition Manager option is also selected.

• If Manager has been set with SCN Discovery enabled, systems in a Small Community Network are grouped together. The checkbox next to the network name can be used to load the configurations of all the configurations into Small Community Network management mode.

• If the system required was not found, the Unit/Broadcast Address used for the search can be changed. Either enter an address or use the drop-down to select a previously used address. Then click Refresh to perform a new search.

• The address ranges used by Manager for searching can be configured through the File | Preferences | Discovery tab.

• A list of known systems can be stored and used.

• Manager can be configured to search using DNS names. See the setting File > Preferences > Discovery > Use DNS.

• Systems found but not supported by the version of Manager being used are listed as Not Supported.

• If the system detected is running software other than from its primary folder, a warning icon will be shown next to it. The configuration can still be opened but only as a read-only file.

When you have located the system required, check the box next to the system and click OK.

If the system selected is a Server Editionsystem and Manager is not running in Server Edition mode, an Open with Server Edition Manager checkbox is shown and pre-selected. Clicking OK will switch Manager to its Server Edition mode before loading the configuration.

The system name and password request is displayed. Enter the required details and click OK.

The name and password used must match a service user account configured within the system's security settings.

Additional messages will inform you about the success or failure of opening the configuration from the system.

The method of connection, secure or insecure, attempted by Manager is set the applications Secure Communications preferences setting.

• When Secure Communications is set to On, a padlock icon is displayed at all times in the lower right Manager status field.

• New installations of Manager default to having Secure Communications enabled. This means Manager by default attempts to use secure communications when opening a configuration.

• For Server Edition systems, Manager will always attempt to use secure communications regardless of the Secure Communications setting.

• If no response to the use of secure communication is received after 5 seconds, Manager will offer to fallback to using unsecured communications.

Login Messages

While attempting to login to a system, various additional messages may be displayed.

• Access Denied - This is displayed as the cause if the service user name/password were incorrect, or the service user has insufficient rights to read the configuration. The Retry option can be used to log in again but multiple rejections in a 10 minute period may trigger events, such as locking the user account, set by the Password Reject Limit and Password Reject Action options in the system's security settings.  

• Failed to communicate with system - This is displayed as the cause if the network link fails, or the secure communication mode is incorrect (for example Manager is set to unsecured, but the system is set to secure only).

• Account Locked - The account of the service user name and password being used is locked. This can be caused by a number of actions, for example too many incorrect password attempts, passing a fixed expiry date, etc. The account lock may be temporary (10 minutes) or permanent until manually unlocked. An account can be enabled again through the system's security settings.

• Your service user account will expire in X days - This message indicates that an Account Expiry date has been set on the system service user account and that date is approaching. Someone with access to the system's security settings will be required to set a new expiry date.  

• Your password will expire in X days. Do you wish to change it now? - This message indicates that password ageing has been configured in the system's security settings. If your password expires, someone with access to the system's security settings will be required to unlock the account.

• Change password - Through the system's security settings, a service user account can be required to change their password when logging in. The menu provides fields for entering the old password and new password.

• Retain | Replace | Cancel - This message appears when it is detected that the configuration of one of the systems in a Server Editionnetwork has previously been edited directly rather than via access to the primary system.

  • Select Replace to replace the system’s update configuration with the copy already held by the primary server.

  • Select Retain to keep the already updated configuration.

  • Cancel Select this option to close the configuration without making any changes.

• Contact Information Check - This configuration is under special control - This message will appear if a Manager user with administrator rights has entered their contact information into the configuration. For example to indicate that they do not want the configuration altered while a possible problem is being diagnosed. The options available are:  

  • Set configuration alteration flag - Select this option if the configuration is being opened because some urgent maintenance action. When the configuration is next opened, the fact that it has been altered will be indicated on the System | System tab.

  • Delete Contact Information - Select this option to take the system out of special control.

  • Leave contact information and flags unchanged - This option is only available to service users logging in with administrator rights.