RACKWISE (SE) Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I still use Visio for other tasks after I install the Smart Client?
• I installed Rackwise, but I can't find the program.
• How do I print reports?
• How can I get to my Reports without going through Visio?
• Is my information safe?
• What are the minimum system requirements?
• Must I install .NET Framework 1.1 if it isn't already on my computer?
• The client seems very slow. How can I speed it up?
• I've selected a module from the Equipment Selector, but I don't see it in the Shape window. Is it available?
• In the Rack drawing, I can see a shape in the Rear view but not in the Front view.
• When I move equipment, my modules on the opposite side disappear. What happened?
• The module part numbers don't appear on my drawing - how do I see them?
• When I swap equipment, sometimes the modules disappear. What happened?
• What's the best way to start Rackwise?
• How can I remove the Rackwise logo from my drawings?
• I keep losing the Rackwise Explorer. What can I do?
• I see two Save buttons. Which one do I use?
• How often is the Rackwise product database updated?
• How do I get new equipment added to the Rackwise database?
• How long does it take for new products to be added to Rackwise and is there a charge for requesting product additions?
• I've just requested some new products to be added to Rackwise and until they are available I'd like to use placeholders in my drawings. How can I do this?
• What communication protocols are required by Rackwise For Visio?
• Is there a sample Excel spreadsheet for importing into Rackwise For Visio?
• Can I use the Rackwise Smartclient with other Visio Add-Ins?

Can I still use Visio for other tasks after I install the Smart Client?
Yes. Simply open Visio as you normally would.

I installed Rackwise, but I can't find the program.
Rackwise Smart Client is installed in C:\Program Files\Visual Network Design\Rackwise Smart Client.

You can find it by going to Start > Programs > Rackwise Smart Client 2.0

If you selected the Icon option during installation, you should see an icon on your desktop labeled Rackwise Smart Client.

How do I print reports?
Reports can be accessed in two ways:

	1. In the Rackwise toolbar, click the Reports icon.
	- OR -
	2. In the Visio toolbar, select Tools > Rackwise > Reports

Select the desired report and print directly from your browser.

How can I get to my Reports without going through Visio?
From either the Rackwise toolbar or the Visio toolbar, select the Reports for your Solution. When they open in Internet Explorer, bookmark their location. From then on, you can access the reports directly via Internet Explorer without opening Visio.

Is my information safe?
Rackwise stores data locally in the cache while you are logged in. Once you log off, your information is password protected and securely stored on the Rackwise server.

What are the minimum system requirements?

Must I install .NET Framework 1.1 if it isn't already on my computer?
Yes, .NET must be installed BEFORE you install the Smart Client.

The client seems very slow. How can I speed it up?
Make sure you have a high-speed connection. Dial-up users will experience significantly delayed response time.

I've selected a module from the Equipment Selector, but I don't see it in the Shape window. Is it available?
If a part is listed, it's available. Some parts don't have a front view. If the Front View box in the Equipment Selector is checked, uncheck it to display the rear view.

In the Rack drawing, I can see a shape in the Rear view but not in the Front view.
Occasionally, the Front and Rear views become unsynchronized. To correct this, move the shape to an adjacent position and make sure it's correctly glued to the connection points in the rack.

When I move equipment, my modules on the opposite side disappear. What happened?
When you move an equipment on the active page, the equipment shape on the opposite page will track with it. Under some conditions, the modules can become detached from the shape and obscured by the shape. If this happens, select the modules by dragging the mouse around the equipment, then right-click on any obscured modules and select Shape > Bring to Front. Then reattach the modules to their proper slot.

[This issue has been noted and our developers are working on it.]

The module part numbers don't appear on my drawing - how do I see them?
Right-click on the module and select Properties The part number is listed there.

When I swap equipment, sometimes the modules disappear. What happened?
When you swap equipment, its modules get left behind on the original page and must be moved to the correct page. To do this, move the equipment to expose the modules. Then cut and paste the modules on the correct page.

[This issue has been noted and our developers are working on it.]

What's the best way to start Rackwise?
From the Rackwise Smart Client icon on your desktop. However, if you opted during installation not to install a desktop icon, open Visio and click the Rackwise icon on the Rackwise toolbar.

How can I remove the Rackwise logo from my drawings?
In the Visio toolbar, select View > Layer Properties In the Layer Properties grid, uncheck Visible for header/footer.

I keep losing the Rackwise Explorer. What can I do?
In the Visio toolbar, select Window > Tile.

I see two Save buttons. Which one do I use?
There are two Save icons, one in the Visio toolbar and the other in the Rackwise toolbar. Click the Save icon in the Rackwise toolbar to save your Solution. If you don't do so, you're prompted to save the Solution when you close Visio.

How often is the Rackwise product database updated?
Products are added to the Rackwise database on a weekly basis. We work closely with equipment manufacturers to ensure we keep our product information up to date. Products typically appear in our system shortly after they are announced and engineering data is publicly available.

How do I get new equipment added to the Rackwise database?
Use the Contact Support form to specify the manufacturers and part or model numbers for the products you need added.

How long does it take for new products to be added to Rackwise and is there a charge for requesting product additions?
We do not charge Rackwise subscribers for product additions. It takes from 1 to 3 weeks to get new products added to the system.

I've just requested some new products to be added to Rackwise and until they are available I'd like to use placeholders in my drawings. How can I do this?
You can create User-Defined Devices (UDDs) for use with your Rackwise for Visio Solutions. In the Rackwise for Visio Smart Client, with your rack drawing displayed, open up the Rackwise Shapes pane and drag and drop one of the rackmount shapes to your rack. Resize the shape to the desired height and width. You can then right-click on the shape to go to Rackwise Properties where under the Data Override tab you can specify electrical, heat and weight data for your UDD.

What communication protocols are required by Rackwise For Visio?
Rackwise For Visio uses standard web services and SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) to communicate with the Rackwise server and uses the Internet Explorer (IE) Proxy settings. Your network must have ports 80 and 443 open to www.rackwise.com and the SOAP Protocol must be enabled. If your network routes traffic through a Proxy Server then your IE browser must be configured with the appropriate proxy settings.