Panel Variables
This opens a dialog that allow variables or 'data holders' to be defined for the panel. Panel variables are primarily provided to exchange data between controls created on the same panel. For example, if a panel is created for a device like a Synapse card, then variables can be creating for the IP address and slot number to allow these parameters to be passed into the form when invoking or adding this panel to a hierarchical panel. This then allows a single panel to be used in multiple instances but targeting different devices in the system by changing these location parameters of the IP address of the frame and slot number where the device resides.
There are no naming convention restrictions for these variables but again it is worth defining a strategy so that understandable and easily remembered names are used. Variables are case sensitive so using a convention of all uppercase characters will help when designing the panels. There are no limits to the numbers of variables that can be used within a panel. The standard templates supplied with the designer for ACP controls by default use panel variables named IP_ADDRESS and SLOT, the SNMP templates also by default use a panel variable named IP_ADDRESS.
Note that there are different types of panel variables that limit the scope of the data:
- Local - limited to the ‘local’ control. As the name implies, they can only be used within the control/form in which they are created.
- Panel - limited to CLF files (used for custom panels). They can be used in different controls on the same panel or CLF file in which they are created. There is an optional initial configuration in variables section of CLF file, editable from the panel variable dialog. They are accessible for the duration the panel is visible (excluding tabbed pages).
- View - limited to the view. They can be used in different panels or CLF files in the same view in which they are created. There is an optional initial configuration from the ControlVariables.cvf or NavigationVariables.cvf file in the Variables folder. They are accessible for the duration the application is open.
- Application – limited to the local client or server application. They can be used across multiple views/global macros/hardware panels for the client which created them. There is an optional initial configuration from the ApplicationVariables.cvf file in the Variables folder. They are accessible for the duration the application is open.
- System - read-only CommandCenter predefined variables. The following are the current list of supported system variables (or values): Work Dir. (Working directory, from which CommandCenter is run.), Local IP (Dotted IP address of the local CommandCenter Client.), Server IP (Dotted IP address of the CommandCenter Server the client is connected to.), Multicast Address (Dotted IP address of the multicast the client/server is using.), Server Name (As the name implies.), Routers Enabled (CommandCenter option.), SNMP Enabled (CommandCenter option.), PC Name (Window's Computer Name), PC FQDN (PC Fully Qualified Domain Name.)
- Global– across all CommandCenter applications