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Features |
  
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Features |
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Windows-Like Desktop Workspace
The picture above shows the SANtool web desktop. Windows may be moved, closed, and resized as desired. All of the rendering is performed via a standard web browser using HTML, Javascript, and image files saved on the SANtool. Pan over the image with your mouse to learn more about the features within this image.
Form Components
HTTPS URL: The SANtool includes a self-signed digital certificate to enable secure encrypted connection between the web browser and the system that the SANtool is plugged into. Software is included to generate a unique certificate of 384 bits or more. This picture shows a certificate error because the SSL certificate is self-signed (i.e, free), rather than authenticated by a signing authority such as Verisign.
Start Menu: Clock on the Start Button in order to expand a menu of functions.
Task Bar: All widgets create a task bar button. Click on the button to maximize the output and bring it into the foreground.
Peripherals Window: The SANtool will scan for peripherals once it is launched, and provide you with a list of devices. The software is aware of what types of peripherals that various widgets support, and will prevent you from running a widget against a peripheral that does not support it. (I.,e, it won't let you run a tape test on a disk drive).
Widget: Widgets are action-items to perform. Most widgets act upon a list of devices that you select from the peripherals window.
Widget Parameters: Widget and/or device-specific parameters for each widget are presented in this window. Parameters are sometimes specific to certain device types, and/or depend on other parameters selected in the same screen. The software will automatically enable/disable/hide or set defaults to other parameters in the same window as necessary to insure that the user does not select invalid options. Fields are data-type aware. You can't enter alpha-numeric data when a digit is required.
Widget Results Window: Each function reports results in a new window. This allows you to resize and pan windows as necessary in order to make it easy to compare results.
Action Button: The Repair Data Blocks button will not activate until you have selected both an appropriate physical device, but also have entered a block number. While this screen shot does not show it, you are free to enter either decimal or hex block numbers. The screen will automatically convert characters to the other base as you type them.
Command-Line Text: The SMARTMon-UX command-line parameters for the chosen widget will be revealed as you enter a command. This will help familiarize you with the raw commands that are being sent to the selected peripherals.
Widget Characteristics Icons: The upper-left corner of each Widget Parameters window provides insight into whether resulting output is text, how long it normally takes to run, and relative safety of the function.
Sample Screens: Most functions provide a set of reasonable sample data obtained from one of our systems. By clicking on the appropriate button, you can see what type of information the function returns
Rewind Sample Screens: All sample data windows will appear as new windows on the desktop. They will stay on the screen until you close them. If you have already closed a sample window and wish to see it again, then click on the rewind button to reset the sample screen list to the beginning. Duplicate samples will not appear, and any sample screens that are in the background will automatically move to the foreground if they are re-selected to display.
Online Manual: Click on the internet help icon to view additional information regarding this widget on the SANtools website.
Low overhead
A lightweight (under 250KB) embedded web server (included) provides the mechanism to render the screens to the browser over a secure connection that uses standard SSL. All Javascript, HTML, and image files that get loaded typically take less than 6MB worth of browser memory. Each O/S-specific SMARTMon-UX executable averages 1 MB in size.
Native Language Support
While no language-specific ports of the SANtool have been released, the framework supports native language translations of screen fields, error messages, and help information. All fields are saved as javascript variables, and a user may override descriptions for such fields by just editing a text file and refreshing the browser. English-language fields are also saved in the same format, so you are empowered to change fields to meet your individual needs as well.
Target Machine Friendly
The SANtool does not install anything on the machine it is plugged into, nor does it require pre-requisite software like web servers or a java engine. The same SANtool can be mounted on UNIX/LINUX and Windows-based machines and be used immediately via command-line, without having to reformat or change anything on the USB stick, as it shares a common file system. (Note, some UNIX variants, such as HP/UX may require patches to support USB flash memory file systems).
Supports Autolaunch.
If autolaunch/autoplay is enabled, then click on the ICON and wait for the default browser to appear and render the logon page.
Security Features
| • | Licensing and firmware information is embedded on secure hidden partition. As such, one is free to use standard zip and backup programs to make copies of entire device before going onsite. You are also free to hand the SANtool to an end-user after you are through, and let them reformat the device. Copy a new distribution from our website, or your FTP site, and you are ready to use it again. (You will need to keep a backup of your self-generated digital certificate, generate a new one, or use the supplied certificate before you can create accounts and interact with the web browser). |
| • | Includes windows-based programs to generate unique digital certificates. All username/passwords for local and remote systems are encrypted. Only secure http is supported. You are not even allowed to operate the SANtool unless you are using secure web browsers. |
| • | For sites where data theft is of utmost concern, SANtools has a destroy-and-replace policy. Run a program on the SANtool that erases all data on the device, then physically destroy it and send us the pieces. (The part of the USB stick that has the serial number information must be in tact). For $25 + S/H, we will replace your SANtool with another unit. (Restrictions apply, of course). |
Expert-Friendly Architecture
| • | The core engine of the SANtool is command-line based, and all functions and capability is biased towards the concept that the user knows what he/she is doing. If a user wants to spin down or reformat the boot disk, then the software will not stand in your way, or require you to navigate through are-you-sure screens. |
| • | The user is free to run a command-line directly, by just entering the commands from the O/S prompt. A small wrapper script addresses the problem of needing multiple executable images depending on the host O/S by detecting the current O/S, and passing parameters to the correct executable. You are free to add shell/batch scripts as necessary to automate processes. If you have a need to add a large number of remote hosts and username/password information, then you can opt to use the built-in script to add additional hosts / account information, or you can use a text editor to delete old entries. |
| • | Sample screens for many widgets included with the SANtool, so user can familiarize him/herself with the capability without having to actually run them. Most useful when user does not have access to the necessary hardware. |
| • | Less than 50 MB of the USB flash memory is used, leaving plenty of room for additional files and programs. |
| • | More portable than a laptop; easier to get through airport security; won't break if it is dropped; no need to hide in trunk of rental; and will typically survive a washing machine (but we will not guarantee that it will). |
Page url: http://www.santools.com/santool/index.html?features.htm