Getting started with Net PM   TM

ETAP 22

Network Project Modeling & Management (NetPM) is a tool that lets multiple users dynamically collaborate on the same project via internet connection. This document describes installation, configuration, and start-up of NetPM.

To establish communication between multiple ETAP Desktop Applications, ETAP DataX Manager (DXM) must be installed and configured. An active internet connection is required for the ETAP projects to communicate. 

ETAP DXM is a web service using ASP.NET web framework hosted in Microsoft IIS. ETAP DXM provides multi-user, queued messaging between ETAP and etapAPP mobile devices. Since DXM can communicate with ETAP machines outside the corporate LAN, it should be hosted in a DMZ with an outward internet facing NIC and an inward, corporate LAN facing NIC. Alternatively, DXM can be installed onto a Cloud, such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon WS, etc.

1. Install  DataX Manager   ( DXM )

Prerequisites   & Notes

1. T he PC must have  internet access  during installation.
2. Administrative privileges are required to perform install .
3. DXM should be installed both on the NetPM server itself as well as on  each end-user PC in  t he  planned  NetPM environment .
4. DXM and ETAP versions should match.
   

Install Process

1. From  the ETAP  installer, click  the  option for DataX Manager.

2. DXM License Agreement

3. Welcome

4. License Agreement

5. System Requirements

6. Database, Security, and Notification Setup

7. Server Administrator Setup

8. Application  Destination

9. DXM Install Setup Complete

2. NetPM Server Administration

After DXM installation ,the designated NetPM Server Administrator is responsible for activating the server, issuing registration tokens, and high-level maintenance of projects hosted on the server.  Additional server configurations /customizations can also be performed using the locally installed NetPM Console application.

Server License Activation

Like the ETAP bus limit, each NetPM license allows for a specific number of active projects on the NetPM server. To initialize or update the NetPM Server’s project limit, the Server Admin can do the following:

1. Enter the DXM (NetPM) address into a web browser then log in using the NetPM Server Administrator credentials (established during DXM installation) . 

Note that the address  itself  can vary depending on  IT  setup.   For example…

1. http:// localhost/etapdxm  -  Default  initial  address for every local installation .
2. http:// IP. 00.00.000/etapdxm  -  IP  or Machine - Name  can be used for connection with other PCs  within  the  same network .
3. https ://examplesite. com/etapdxm  -  For installations on cloud VMs a purchased domain as well as  a  signed certificate  can be associated with  the  etapDXM   web application .
   

2. On the License page, copy the  NetPM Server ID then send it to your  ETAP Sales Representative and request the corresponding  NetPM Activation Code . Paste the code into the  Update License field and hit  Update .

Registration Tokens

From the  License Page, the Server Administrator  can  generate and issue  tokens  necessary   for registering projects  on  that specific NetPM Server.  Expiration options let the administrator  customize how long each  token will be valid for. 

Project Activity Maintenance

The  NetPM Projects page can be used by the Server Administrator to  Activate ,  Deactivate ,  Archive , or  Delete existing projects on the NetPM server.

So long as the Active project count is within the Allowed limit for the given license, Project Managers will be able to register and upload ETAP projects to NetPM.

NetPM Console

From the NetPM Server (machine where DXM was installed), the Server Administrator can navigate to the installed NetPM Console app from the Windows  Start Menu to configure connection, notification, and admin settings for NetPM. 

1. General – This page provides details about the NetPM version and URL. 
2. Server – Reconfigure connection to MongoDB service on NetPM server.
3. Notifications – Optional setup to allow NetPM server to send email notifications when projects are registered or uploaded.
4. Mongo Migrate – Tool that allows migration of data between different mongo DB versions
5. Admin – Reconfigure server administrator credentials or customize encryption method
6. Local – Reconfigure connection to MongoDB service for ETAP on local PC.
   

3. Register ETAP Project Users to NetPM

Registering an ETAP project to NetPM tells the server which users belong to the project . 

Prerequisites & Notes

1. Project must have passwords enabled
2. File must be opened using  Project Manager & Editor access
3. Administrator access can be used to reconfigure passwords and access levels
   

New Project Setup

1. Go to   File >  New Project   then be sure to  check  Enable Passwords .
2. Configure  login  credentials  then open the project . ( Note that t he first user is automatically assigned Project Manager access).

Existing Project Setup

1. If project is already open, go to  File >  Log Off .
2. At the  ETAP   Login window  enter the project Administrator  c redentials  (default: Admin / password) .
3. From the  User Manager window click  Enable Passwords .
4. Add users, specify credentials, and designate  the  Project Manager .
5. Close User Manager then  again re-open the project .

Login , Establish Users, and Register

1. Open project as designated  Project Manager

 

2. Go to  Project > User Manager . At this point, the Manager  can   make  necessary adjustments to project users .

3. Click  Register to NetPM .

4. Enter the  NetPM URL and  corresponding valid  Registration Token from the NetPM Server Administrator.

 

4. Upload Project to NetPM

Once you are ready to share the baseline project file with the other project users do the following to upload to NetPM.

1. From the File menu, select Upload NetPM Project. Check any additional ETAP files you wish to include in the project upload.

2. Upon  complet ion , ETAP will generate and highlight the Project URL. 

3. You must copy and send this Project URL to registered users so they can download the project from NetPM. At this point, the  NetPM page of the  Project Information window will also update accordingly.

Notes: 

1. Original ETAP projects uploaded to NetPM are identified as the  Primary Project.
2. If your IT personnel configured E-mail notifications during DXM installation or via NetPM Console , then registered users will receive automated e-mails indicating the project is available for download.
   

5. 
   

6. Download Project from NetPM

1. From a  Client machine, Launch ETAP and click  Download NetPM Project from either the  LaunchPad or the  File menu.

2. Paste the Project URL into the “Address” line of the ETAP Login window and enter the registered user’s credentials then designate where the project should be downloaded.

3. Select the desired access level and log into the project. 

Note that the  NetPM page of the  Project Information window will update to identify the downloaded project as a  Client Project.

7. Change Log s and  Synchronization Modes

Change Log s

All  approved or pending  i ncremental changes  made by each  user since  the  baseline  P rimary  project was uploaded to NetPM are logged in the  Upload and Download queue s at both the Server and  L ocal level .   These logs can be accessed from within the ETAP project.  

1. From  the  3-D Database  T oolbar   click the  NetPM button  to  review  and process queued project changes. 

2. For each Download and Upload tab,  configure the synchronization method to either be  Auto or  On-Demand . 

Auto

Automatically process changes that are sent or received.

On-Demand

Manually processed incoming or outgoing changes (Default).

Notes:

1. From the Primary project, clicking the NetPM button will show you the interface for both the NetPM server queue as well as the Local Primary queue.
2. Managerial options ( Approve,  Hold ,  Reject, and  Review ) are reserved for the NetPM Server Download tab ( Queue that opens in web browser).
3. Projects set to  Inactive or Archived by the Server Admin will be fixed  to On-Demand .
   

8. Definitions

DMZ

In computer security, a DMZ or Demilitarized Zone (sometimes referred to as a ‘perimeter network’) is a physical or logical subnetwork that contains and exposes an organization's external-facing services to a larger and untrusted network, usually the Internet.

ASP.NET

ASP.NET is a unified Web development model that includes the services necessary to build enterprise-class Web applications with a minimum of coding. ASP.NET is part of the .NET Framework.

NIC

A Network Interface Controller (NIC, also known as a network interface card, network adapter, LAN adapter, or physical network interface, and by similar terms) is a computer hardware component that connects a computer to a computer network.

DXM

Also known as NetPM Server. This application allows for communication between etapAPP and ETAP. In a NetPM environment, it also provides a communication channel between Primary and Client ETAP projects.

User Manager

Interface used by the Project Manager or Administrator to establish or reconfigure the users associated with a project. 

Primary Project

This is the original ETAP project that is registered and uploaded to NetPM. 

Client Project

Any projects downloaded from NetPM will be designated as Client projects.

Project Manager

This access level combines the capabilities of both the Project Editor and the Administrator access levels. Each project can have, at most, one Project Manager. Project Manager access is required for registering ETAP projects to NetPM and launching Data Exchange Manager (DataX Manager).

NetPM Server Administrator

Superuser that can access and manage the projects and mobile etapAPP publications on DXM (NetPM Server).