Using K2 Media Client system tools
Topics in the chapter include the following:
Configuration Manager
The Configuration Manager is the primary configuration tool for a K2 Media Client. It makes settings that apply to the overall K2 Media Client system as well as settings that apply to individual channels.
Configuration Manager settings are stored in a database. When the K2 Media Client starts up it reads the current settings from the database and configures itself accordingly. When you modify a setting in Configuration Manager you must save the setting in order to update the database and reconfigure the K2 Media Client.
You can also save settings out of Configuration Manager into a configuration file, which is a stand-alone XML file. Likewise, you can load settings into Configuration Manager from a configuration file. However, you must use Configuration Manager as the means to save the settings to the database before the settings actually take effect. Configuration files are not linked directly to the database.
You can use configuration files as a means to back up your settings. You can also use configuration files to save several different groups of customized settings, each with a unique name, so that you can quickly load settings for specialized applications.
For Configuration Manager procedures, refer to the K2 Media Client User Guide.
Accessing Configuration Manager
You access Configuration Manager through AppCenter from either the local K2 Media Client or the control point PC. To access the configuration settings, open AppCenter and select System | Configuration.
Saving and restoring Configuration Manager settings
Settings can be saved as a configuration file. You can save any number of uniquely named custom configuration files. You can load a configuration file to restore system settings.
To save custom settings:
- In the Configuration Manager, click the Save button.
The Save As dialog opens.- Use the up arrow or select folders to navigate to the folder in which you want to save the configuration file.
- Enter a name for the configuration file.
Do not name the file DefaultConfig.xml, as this name is reserved for the factory default configuration file. Otherwise, standard Windows 2000 and up file naming restrictions apply.- Click Save and Close.
To restore custom settings:
- If you want to save current settings, you should save them as a configuration file before continuing.
- In the Configuration Manager, click the Load button.
The Open dialog opens.- Use the up arrow or select folders to navigate to the custom configuration file.
- Select the custom configuration file.
- Click Open.
The custom settings are loaded into Configuration Manager, but they have not been saved and put into effect.- Click OK to save and apply settings, and to close the Configuration Manager.
Restoring default Configuration Manager settings
You can restore factory default settings as follows:
To restore all settings at once to their default values:
- If you want to save current settings you should work through the previous procedure Saving and restoring Configuration Manager settings before proceeding.
- In the Configuration Manager dialog, click Restore.
The default settings are loaded into Configuration Manager, but they have not yet been saved and put into effect.- Click OK to save settings and close Configuration Manager.
K2 System Configuration
The K2 System Configuration application (K2 Config) is the primary tool for configuring the K2 Storage System. Once the devices of the storage system are cabled and are communicating on the control network, you can do all the configuration required to create a working K2 Storage System using the K2 System Configuration application.
After your K2 Storage System is initially installed and configured, as instructed in the installation chapters in the K2 Storage System Instruction Manual, if you need to reconfigure the system you should do so using the K2 System Configuration Application. While some reconfiguration tasks can be accomplished without using the K2 System Configuration Application, it is not recommended. Using the K2 System Configuration Application enforces consistent policy and sequencing for reconfiguration tasks, which makes the system easier to maintain and aids in troubleshooting should a problem arise.
The K2 System Configuration application runs on a control point PC and accesses the devices of the K2 Storage System via the control network. You can configure the devices of the K2 Storage System as follows:
- K2 Media Client and K2 Media Server — These devices are configured directly by the K2 System Configuration application.
- K2 Level 2 RAID and Level 3 RAID storage devices — The K2 System Configuration application launches a remote instance of Storage Utility, which configures RAID storage devices. Storage Utility components run on the K2 Media Server and the configuration actually takes place via the Fibre Channel connection between the K2 Media Server and the RAID storage device.
- K2 Level 1 RAID — The media server parameters are configured by the K2 System Configuration application while the RAID storage parameters are configured by Storage Utility.
- Ethernet switches — The K2 System Configuration application can launch a switch’s web-based configuration application.
To open the K2 System Configuration application do the following:
- On the control point PC open the K2 System Configuration application shortcut on the desktop. The K2 System Configuration application log in dialog box opens.
- Log in using the designated administrator account for configuring K2 Storage System devices. By default this account is as follows:
- The K2 System Configuration application opens.
If you have one or more K2 Storage Systems currently configured, the K2 System Configuration application displays the systems in the tree view.If you have not yet configured a K2 Storage System, the K2 System Configuration application opens with the tree view blank. Refer to the installation chapters in the K2 Storage System Instruction Manual to add and configure a new K2 Storage System.You can expand and select nodes in the tree view to view K2 Storage Systems, individual devices, and configuration settings. When you do so, the K2 System Configuration application displays information as found in a configuration file, rather than continuously polling devices to get their latest information. The configuration file is saved on the V: drive, along with the media files in the shared storage system. The configuration file is updated and saved whenever you change a configuration using the K2 System Configuration application. That is why you must always use the K2 System Configuration application to change settings on the storage system, so the most recently changed configurations will always be stored in the configuration file and displayed.Storage Utility
You should be aware that there are two versions of Storage Utility:
This manual explains Storage Utility for internal storage K2 Media Client models. Refer to the K2 External Storage Instruction Manual to learn about Storage Utility for the K2 Storage System.
NOTE: Do not run Storage Utility on an external storage K2 Media Client. For external storage, run Storage Utility only via the K2 System Configuration application.The Storage Utility is your primary access to the media file system, the media database, and the media disks of the K2 Media Client for configuration, maintenance, and repair. It is launched from AppCenter workstation.
CAUTION: Use the Storage Utility only as directed by a documented procedure or by Grass Valley Support. If used improperly, the Storage Utility can render your K2 Media Client inoperable or result in the loss of all your media.Refer to Managing Internal Storage for Storage Utility procedures.
NetCentral
NetCentral is Grass Valley’s monitoring application. The NetCentral server component runs on a NetCentral server PC, which could also be a K2 system control point PC. The K2 Media Client report status, primarily via Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), to NetCentral on the NetCentral server PC.
Refer to the NetCentral User Guide to get the NetCentral system installed and operating. You must install a NetCentral device provider on the NetCentral server PC for each type of device you are monitoring. For detailed information about setting up and monitoring each type of device, go to the NetCentral Help menu and read the online help for the device-type.
NOTE: NetCentral is optional if you are using K2 Media Client with internal storage only. NetCentral is required if you are using K2 Media Client with a shared storage system.
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