Check out this overview of the new Altiris Console 6.5, which is menu-based (opposed to tab-based) and extremely customizable. Included in the new console are portal pages that allow users to display multiple reports or Web pages on a single page for easy access to information. Content in the new console is organized in multiple ways: by user role, by content, and in the same way as the previous console.

The 6.5 console can be used along with or instead of the previous console.

Introduction

This article provides an overview of the new Altiris Console® 6.5.

This article covers the following topics:

• Console Overview
• Console Requirements and Installation
• Starting the Console
• Console Layout
• Setting Permissions on a Console Element
• Customizing the Console

For more information on the console, see the Altiris Console 6.5 documentation, which is installed along with the console.

Console Overview

The Altiris Console 6.5 is similar to the Altiris Console that ships with Notification Server 6.0, in that it is a Web browser-based console for working with Notification Server and Altiris solutions. The console lets you perform tasks, schedule events, run reports, perform configuration, and more. In addition, the Altiris Console 6.5 provides many new and enhanced features:

• Menus have replaced tabs.
• Role and solution-based content organization, instead of function area, simplifies and speeds-up access to the tasks you want to do. Related items are grouped together, so there is less need to jump around the interface.
• Portal pages display multiple reports and other Notification Server and solution content in a single page. This lets you consolidate key information into a single, easy-to-view page.
• Favorites let each user create a custom list of links to frequently used pages. This provides a simple mechanism that each user can use to quickly get where they need to go.
• Customizable menus, views, and portal pages let you configure the console the way you want to access functionality. Users can customize the console to fit their needs.

The Altiris Console 6.5 is an alternative to the standard console that ships with Notification Server 6.0. You can use the Altiris Console 6.5 instead of or along with the standard console.

Console Requirements and Installation

The Altiris Console 6.5 requires:

• Notification Server 6.0 SP3 (or later)
• Altiris Console 6.0 SP2 (installed with Notification Server 6.0 SP2)
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 and ActiveX components (even if you are not using Internet Explorer as your browser)

If you installed Notification Server in July of 2006 (or later), the Altiris Console 6.5 was installed along with Notification Server. Otherwise, you can install the console like a solution through the Solution Center (from the Solution Center page, click the Segments tab and select Components > Altiris Console 6.5).

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Note
When you install the Altiris Console 6.5, the 6.5 console does not replace the previous console; it works along side of the previous console. After installation, you have the option to use the previous console, the new console, or both.

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Starting the Console

To start the console from the Notification Server computer

• Select Start > All Programs > Altiris > Altiris Console 6.5.

To start the console remotely

• Go to:
  http://notification Server name/altiris/console
  (the URL is for standard HTTP port, non-HTTPS connection)

Console Layout

The Altiris Console 6.5 provides a menu-based navigation with numerous ways to quickly access functionality, including the ability to use the same organization as the previous console.

In this console, the tabs of the previous console are represented as menu items. To get to these menu items, select View and a tab menu item. This navigation option lets previous console users access functionality through a familiar organization. As previous console users get familiar with this new console, they will discover the benefits of the new navigation based on roles, solutions, or whatever makes sense to you.

The Altiris Console 6.5 is divided into the following regions:

• Banner
  Displays the Altiris logo, the account currently used to access the console, and a search field, which lets you search the Notification Database for item data.
• Menu bar
  Displays a customizable high-level organization of Notification Server and solution functionality.
• Content pane
  Displays pages based on menu selections. The pages can be single pages, such as a portal page, or a two-pane page with a navigation structure on the left and content on the right.

Menus

The console menus provide the top level of navigation. Selecting a menu item can result in the loading of a portal page, Web page, or view. Selecting a menu can also provide access to submenus. The following table lists and describes the purpose of the predefined main menus.

MenuProvides access to HomeThe My Portal page (see The My Portal Page), a customizable portal page that is specific to the user, and the Altiris Console home page, a default portal page for the console. ViewSolution-based navigation and the navigation organization used in the previous console. ManageFunctionality-based navigation. ToolsNotification Server and solution tools. ReportsNotification Server and solution reports. Configure  Configuration related pages, the Solution Center, and licensing page. HelpQuick starts, context-sensitive help, documentation index page, Web-hosted documentation sources, and technical support. >The page for editing the menus.

Favorites

Favorites let you create a quick-access link to an item, similar to a favorites item in a browser that links to a Web page. Favorites appear at the bottom of the left pane in a view.

Favorites are specific to and can be created by each user.

To add a favorite

• In the Altiris Console with a view loaded, right-click an item link or folder in the left pane and select Add to Favorites.

To delete a favorite

1. In the Altiris Console with a view loaded, right-click the favorite you want to delete and select Delete.
2. In the dialog that opens, click OK.

Trees and Views

In the Altiris Console, trees are the hierarchal organization of the interface-related items associated with Notification Server or a solution. To access the trees, select View > menu item.

An Altiris Console view includes items from the trees. The navigational structure of a view consists of item links (shortcuts to items), items (always located within an item link folder), and folders. Think of a view as a series of shortcuts to specific tree items. Trees and views also use slightly different icons. The following table provides additional details.

Views provide optional ways to organize and access Notification Server and solution functionality. Notification Server and solutions include predefined views that make it easier to access functionality. These views can be extended, changed, or removed. You can even create your own views. For details, see the console documentation.

Portal Pages and Web Parts

An Altiris Console portal is a page that displays multiple Web parts. Portal pages are created by selecting the web parts you want to view. Web parts are created by specifying a report or Web page. The Altiris Console includes numerous portal pages and Web parts that can be used as they are or modified. You can also create you own. For details, see the console documentation (accessed through the console Help menu).

<>The My Portal Page

The My Portal page is a special portal page that is unique to each user. For more on portal pages, see Portal Pages and Web Parts.

To access or edit the My Portal page

1. In the Altiris Console, select Home > My Portal.
2. To edit the portal page:
   1. In the upper-right corner, click Edit.
   2. Do one of the following:
      • To add a Web part, in the left pane, select the Web part you want to add and click Add.
      • Add the Web parts in the order in which you want them to appear on the page.
      • To remove a Web part from the page, click in the upper-right corner of the Web part frame.
   3. Repeat the previous step until the page is as wanted.
   4. Click the View Page link to save the changes.

Setting Permissions on a Console Element

You can set permissions on any element (menu, view, portal page, or Web part) of the Altiris Console and control access to it.

To set permissions on a console element

1. In the left pane of the view for configuring the element (Configure > Console > element type), right-click the element and select Properties.
2. In the dialog that opens, click the Security tab.
3. Make the wanted changes.
   For details on setting permissions, see the Notification Server documentation.
4. Click Apply.

Customizing the Console

The Altiris Console 6.5 is extremely customizable. You can add menu items, create views, create portal pages, and create Web parts. For more information, see the Altiris Console documentation. The console also includes a quick start, which walks you through the basics of customizing the console. To access the quick start from the console, click Help > Quick Starts > Altiris Console 6.5.