Specifications

11. Working with SwitchClient
11.1 Preparing for SwitchClient
Setting up communication
To enable PowerSwitch/ FullSwitch to handle connections with SwitchClient copies (running on
the same computer or on another computer in the network), the system administrator should
properly configure the PowerSwitch/ FullSwitch preferences and settings discussed in this topic.
Note: Both FullSwitch and PowerSwitch support SwitchClient connections. FullSwitch can support
only one SwitchClient connection while PowerSwitch can support up to five SwitchClient
connections. The number of licenses (i.e. simultaneous connections) can be raised by entering
a new activation key in FullSwitch or PowerSwitch which is the same procedure as licensing a
new FullSwitch or PowerSwitch.
In SwitchClient users can submit jobs and metadata describing this job. Only PowerSwitch supports
usage of this metadata information to make automated routing decisions or providing variable
input to various tools and configurators. Also, PowerSwitch offers tools to pick-up metadata
from sources other than SwitchClient and tools to export metadata and create reports.
Compatibility between Switch and SwitchClient
Now, additional information is transmitted between Switch and SwitchClient which results in
the following compatibility issues.
Switch 09 and SwitchClient 10:
This combination is not supported. A newer SwitchClient should always to talk to a Switch of at
least the same version. Attempting to connect to an older Switch returns an error during
connection.
Switch 10 and SwitchClient 09:
This combination is supported. The communication protocol is adjusted in such a way that an
older client still gets the information it expects. This is helpful when users have upgraded
PowerSwitch and cannot ensure to upgrade all SwitchClient installations at the exact same time.
Metadata handling
The following new concepts are available for metadata handling:
Bidirectional communication.
More user friendly way of handling metadata.
Improved metadata handling affects the metadata properties on the Submit point and Checkpoint
tools, described inSubmit point on page 269 and Checkpoint.
Also the job card, which is used to display and enter metadata, is affected. Those changes are
described in a subsequent chapter.
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Enfocus Switch 10