User guide

Chapter 4: DSView Management Software 29
Launching the DSView Management Software
This section describes how to launch the DSView management software so that you may begin
using it to manage DS appliances and target devices.
NOTE: A warning message will appear and some software features may not be available if the version numbers of
the DSView management software and DSAuth Server software are not compatible. This occurs when the
DSView management software is launched. If the warning message appears, you may wish to upgrade either the
DSView management software or DSAuth Server software. See Chapter 2 for information on software installation.
To launch the DSView management software:
Select Start - Programs - Avocent - DSView.
- or -
Double-click the DSView icon. The DSView management software will launch.
NOTE: A warning message displays if the software versions of the DSView management software and DSAuth
Server do not match. The DSView management software will launch when you close the message box.
Configuring LDAP Authentication
In addition to authentication using the database on a DSAuth Server, an Administrator may also use
Lightweight Directory Assistance Protocol (LDAP) authentication to provide DS users with a
different type of authentication. LDAP is a vendor-independent protocol standard used for
accessing, querying and updating a directory using TCP/IP. Based on the X.500 Directory Services
model, LDAP is a global directory structure that supports strong security features including
authentication, privacy, integrity and centralization.
To authenticate DS users, they must be stored on an LDAP-enabled directory server, such as
Novell
®
e-Directory
™
. The Administrator defines and chooses the LDAP server that will be used
for LDAP authentication, specifies LDAP service parameters and adds and deletes the LDAP
service for DS users.
When a request is made to connect to an LDAP service, the DSView management software queries
the DSAuth Server to determine if a DS user has access to the LDAP service. A user credentials
dialog box will appear that prompts the DS user to supply a username, password and authentication
type (Windows or LDAP). The DS user’s login information is then sent to and verified in the
LDAP database residing on the DSAuth Server and LDAP server, which enables the LDAP service
for the DS user. Figure 4.2 illustrates this interaction.