Getting started as administrator

This online help assumes Xtraction has already been installed and is up and running. For installation or upgrade instructions, see the Install & Upgrade Guide.

Open a web browser (Chrome is recommended) and enter the Xtraction application URL. Typically, the default URL is: http://[SERVER]/Xtraction/ (where [SERVER] is the name of the server where Xtraction is installed).

•For Windows authentication: If you're already authenticated to the domain, you shouldn't have to re-enter your credentials. If prompted, enter your Windows user ID and password.

•For Local authentication: You must initially enter the defaults of admin for username and password for password. Note that local authentication enables you to always have access to an analyst license to perform administrative functions even if all available Xtraction licenses are in use by others.

With either authentication method, the first user to log in will have administrator and enterprise designer privileges.

When logging out, it's best to use the Logout option at the bottom of the page to release your license for others to use. Logging out by closing your web browser isn't recommended, since your license may not be immediately released.

Initial tasks

Once authenticated, you'll mainly interact with Xtraction through the Administration menus, where you can complete the tasks listed below. Access these menus from the Administration link at the bottom of the page.

As administrator, you're responsible for setting up the following basics before allowing others to use the product:

•Change the admin credentials: After installation, the first user to log in will have administrator privileges regardless of Windows or Local authentication. If Xtraction was configured to use Local authentication, you should immediately change the default credentials for the administrator account. To do so, click the Profile > Change Password link at the bottom of the page. For Local authentication, usernames are not case sensitive but passwords are.

•Set up user groups and create public folders: Define user groups with a common need for access to the same Xtraction resources. Groups enable you to efficiently manage access to the folders that contain dashboards, documents, and filters. For details, see User groups and folder security.

•Define data policies: Impose restrictions on user access to data by defining data policies. For details, see Data policies.

•Define variables: (Optional) Filter the dashboard or document content that users can view. Variables are based on a value in a user's profile, rather than a fixed value, enabling you to design content that's reusable for multiple users. For details, see Variables.

•Set up user accounts: If the Auto Create Users option was enabled during installation, an account is automatically created the first time a user accesses Xtraction. However, you may want to create user accounts ahead of time so that the user roles are already assigned. For details, see User accounts.

Ongoing tasks

Ongoing, the role of administrator involves the following tasks:

•Maintaining global display settings for content, which includes time zones, colors, and so on.

•Reloading the installed data model file or license file when conditions change.

•Managing license availability to ensure licenses are readily available for all users.

•Updating Xtraction database connection strings when the settings have changed.

For details, see Ongoing tasks.