Madge RingUser help file
========================

                                               LSS 5.0(0), August 1996
                                               -----------------------


Contents for Madge RingUser Help
================================

Madge RingUser  tells you which computers  are using your  network and
what network drivers they are using.

To learn how to use Help, press F1.

General Information
-------------------
Window layout
Ring Poll Status
Printing the list of ringusers
Getting help

Configuring RingUser
--------------------
Keeping RingUser on top of other windows
Changing the font
Changing the colors
Changing the times for which different colors are used
Changing the poll timeout
Changing the order in which ringusers are displayed
Restricting the display to certain ringusers
Saving RingUser's configuration
Configuration file - RINGUSER.INI

Commands
--------
Configure Menu Commands
Sort Menu Commands
View Menu Commands
Print Menu Commands
Help Menu Commands


Window layout
=============

RingUser  displays  the  information about  ringusers  in  4  columns:
Insert Address, Station  ID, Product ID and Name.   Distinctive colors
are used for ringusers that have  recently joined or left the network.
The list may be  scrolled with the scroll bars, or  by using the arrow
keys or the Home, End, PageUp and PageDown keys.

Below the list of ringusers is RingUser's  status bar.  This shows the
following information:

*  The Ring Poll Status.

*  The number of ringusers found on the ring (see Note below).

*  The number  of ringusers  being displayed (see  Note below).   This
   might be fewer than the number found on the ring if you are viewing
   selected ringusers.

Note - both the  numbers of ringusers shown on the  status bar include
those ringusers that have recently left the ring.

See also
--------
Changing the font
Changing the colors
Changing the times for which different colors are used
Changing the order in which ringusers are displayed
Restricting the display to certain ringusers
Ring Poll Status


Ring Poll Status
================

The  Ring Poll  Status appears  in the  status  bar at  the bottom  of
RingUser's window, and is one of the following:

*  Ring ok
   RingUser completed  its most  recent periodic  poll of  the network
   successfully.   The  list  of  ringusers displayed  is  up-to-date,
   unless  there  have been  some  ringusers  joining or  leaving  the
   network since  the most recent poll  and RingUser did not  see them
   come or go.

*  Polling ring
   RingUser is  conducting its periodic poll  of the network,  to make
   sure that it knows about all ringusers on the network.  The list of
   ringusers displayed is updated as the poll progresses.

*  Problem with ring poll
   RingUser is not able to complete  its periodic poll of the network.
   This is probably because a node has  crashed and is not replying to
   RingUser's messages.   The  list of  ringusers displayed  cannot be
   kept  up-to-date while  this  situation  persists.   RingUser  will
   continue indefinitely to try to conduct its poll.

See also
--------
Changing the poll timeout


Printing the list of ringusers
==============================

You can print out the list of ringusers.  The printout will be exactly
what appears in the RingUser window, that  is, it will use the current
sort  order  and  any  restrictions you  have  chosen  for  displaying
selected ringusers.

To print the list of ringusers
------------------------------

1  Decide  which  ringusers  you  want the  printout  to  show.    See
   "Restricting the display to certain ringusers".

2  Decide the order you  want the printout to use.   See "Changing the
   order in which ringusers are displayed".

3  From the Print Menu, choose Print List of Nodes (ALT+P, P).

4  Choose the OK button.

See also
--------
Print Menu Commands
Changing the printer setup


Changing the printer setup
==========================

Use this command to select which printer you want to use and to select
printer options for your printout.

To change the printer setup
---------------------------

1  From the Print menu, choose Print Setup (ALT+P, S).

2  In the Print Setup dialog box, select the printer you require.

3  Select  the printer  options you  require.   The options  available
   depend on the printer you have selected.

4  Other  options may  be configured  by choosing  the Options  button
   (ALT+O).   When  you have  selected them  choose the  OK button  to
   return to the Print Setup dialog box.

5  Choose the OK button.

See also
--------
Print Menu Commands
Printing the list of ringusers


Getting help
============

Madge RingUser provides general help and context-sensitive help.

To obtain general help
----------------------

>  From the Help menu, choose Contents (ALT+H, C).  Or, just press F1.

To obtain context-sensitive help about a dialog box
---------------------------------------------------

>  Display the dialog box by choosing the appropriate menu item.  Then
   choose the Help button (ALT+H) or press F1.

To obtain context-sensitive help about a menu item
--------------------------------------------------

>  Highlight  the menu  item (by  hitting  ALT, then  using the  arrow
   keys).  Then press F1.

To search for help on a particular topic
----------------------------------------

>  From the Help menu, choose Search for Help On (ALT+H, S).

To learn how to use help
------------------------

>  From the Help menu, choose How to Use Help (ALT+H, H).

See also
--------
Help Menu Commands


Keeping RingUser on top of other windows
========================================

You may find it useful to keep RingUser's window always visible on top
of other windows even when you select another window.

To keep RingUser on top of other windows
----------------------------------------

>  From the Configure menu, choose Always on  Top (ALT+C, T).  A check
   mark appears on the menu to indicate that Always on Top is active.

If you do  not want RingUser's window  to be on top,  choose Always on
Top again.  The check mark disappears.

See also
--------
Configure Menu Commands


Changing the font
=================

You can  change the  font that  RingUser uses  to display  information
about ringusers.  You can also change  the style and size of the font.
Changing  the font  will  also  affect the  printout  of  the list  of
ringusers.

To change the font
------------------

1  From the Configure menu, choose Configure (ALT+C, C).

2  In  the Configuration  dialog box,  choose the  Select Font  button
   (ALT+F).

3  In the Font dialog box, select the font, style and size.

4  Choose the OK button to return to the Configuration dialog box.

5  Choose the OK button.

For help  with the  Configuration dialog box,  choose the  Help button
(ALT+H) or press F1 while using the dialog box.

See also
--------
Configure Menu Commands
Configuration dialog box
Changing the colors
Printing the list of ringusers


Changing the colors
===================

RingUser uses 3 colors to distinguish between ringusers, as follows:

*  ringusers that have recently joined the network

*  ringusers that have recently left the network

*  all other ringusers

The default  colors are green, red  and black, respectively.   You can
change the first two of these colors, as described below.

To change the colors
--------------------

1  From the Configure menu, choose Configure (ALT+C, C).

2  In the Configuration dialog box, choose  the Select Color button in
   the appropriate box.

3  In the Color dialog box, select the color.

4  Choose the OK button to return to the Configuration dialog box.

5  Choose the OK button.

For help  with the  Configuration dialog box,  choose the  Help button
(ALT+H) or press F1 while using the dialog box.

Note - When a ringuser changes its Product ID, the old Product ID will
appear in the  leaving color for a  time, and the new  Product ID will
appear in the joining color for a time.

See also
--------
Configure Menu Commands
Configuration dialog box
Changing the times for which different colors are used
Changing the font


Changing the times for which different colors are used
======================================================

When a  ringuser joins or leaves  the network, RingUser  displays that
ringuser using a distinctive color for a time.  The default time is 60
seconds, but this may be changed, as described below.

To change the times for which different colors are used
-------------------------------------------------------

1  From the Configure menu, choose Configure (ALT+C, C).

2  In  the  Configuration  dialog  box, enter  the  new  time  in  the
   appropriate box.   The times for ringusers joining  and leaving the
   network may be set differently, if required.

3  Choose the OK button.

For help  with the  Configuration dialog box,  choose the  Help button
(ALT+H) or press F1 while using the dialog box.

See also
--------
Configure Menu Commands
Configuration dialog box
Changing the colors
Changing the font


Changing the poll timeout
=========================

RingUser  constantly  monitors  the  network,  looking  for  ringusers
joining and leaving the network.  It  also performs a periodic poll of
the network, just in case it misses  a ringuser joining or leaving the
network.  The status of the ring poll appears in the status bar at the
bottom of RingUser's window.  By  default, this poll takes place every
60  seconds.   You may  choose instead  to do  the poll  more or  less
frequently.

To change the poll timeout
--------------------------

1  From the Configure menu, choose Configure (ALT+C, C).

2  In the  Configuration dialog box,  enter the  new time in  the Poll
   Interval box.

3  Choose the OK button.

For help  with the  Configuration dialog box,  choose the  Help button
(ALT+H) or press F1 while using the dialog box.

See also
--------
Configure Menu Commands
Configuration dialog box
Ring Poll Status


Changing the order in which ringusers are displayed
===================================================

By default,  ringusers are displayed  in Ring  Order, that is,  in the
order in which they are physically  connected to the network, with the
computer on which you are running RingUser at the top, that computer's
upstream  neighbour  immediately  below,  and   so  on,  down  to  the
downstream neighbour of the computer running RingUser at the bottom.

You may  choose instead  to order  the display  of ringusers  by their
Insert Address, Station ID, Product ID or Name.

To change the order in which ringusers are displayed
----------------------------------------------------

>  From the Sort menu, choose Ring  Order, Insert Address, Station ID,
   Product ID or Name (ALT+S, then R, I, S, P or N).

See also
--------
Sort Menu Commands
Restricting the display to certain ringusers


Restricting the display to certain ringusers
============================================

By  default, RingUser  displays  all the  ringusers  connected to  the
network.  You may choose instead to display only certain ringusers, or
not  to display  certain  ringusers, based  on  their Insert  Address,
Station ID, Product ID or Name.

To restrict the display to certain ringusers
--------------------------------------------

1  From the View menu, choose View Selected Nodes (ALT+V, S).

2  In the View Selected Nodes dialog box, enter the fields to indicate
   how you  want to restrict  the display  to certain ringusers.   For
   more details, see "View Selected Nodes dialog box".

3  Choose the OK button.

For help  with the  View Selected  Nodes dialog  box, choose  the Help
button (ALT+H) or press F1 while using the dialog box.

To view all ringusers
---------------------

>  From the View menu, choose View All Nodes (ALT+V, A).

See also
--------
View Menu Commands
View Selected Nodes dialog box
Changing the order in which ringusers are displayed


Saving RingUser's configuration
===============================

When  RingUser  is first  installed,  it  is  configured to  save  its
configuration each  time it exits and  use the same  configuration the
next time it is run.  This prevents you having to reconfigure RingUser
to your preferences each time you  run it.  The configuration consists
of the following:

*  The position and size of RingUser's window.

*  The colors used for ringusers that have recently joined or left the
   network, and the times for which those colors are used.

*  The font used to display ringusers.

*  The time between RingUser's periodic polls of the network.

*  The order in which RingUser displays the list of ringusers.

*  The criteria used for displaying selected ringusers.

*  Whether or not RingUser saves its configuration on exit.

If you do not want RingUser to remember its configuration
---------------------------------------------------------

1  From the Configure  menu, choose Save Settings on  Exit (ALT+C, S).
   The  check  mark on  the  menu  disappears  to indicate  that  Save
   Settings on Exit is no longer active.

2  From the Configure menu, choose Save Settings Now (ALT+C, N).  This
   is so that the next time you run RingUser, Save Settings on Exit is
   not active.

If  you  want RingUser  to  remember  its configuration,  choose  Save
Settings on Exit again.  The check mark reappears.

To make RingUser save its configuration now
-------------------------------------------

>  From the Configure menu, choose Save Settings Now (ALT+C, N).

See also
--------
Configure Menu Commands
Configuration file - RINGUSER.INI


Configuration file - RINGUSER.INI
=================================

Madge RingUser stores its configuration  information in a special file
named RINGUSER.INI.  The first line is always [Madge RingUser].  Other
lines tell RingUser about its configuration, as follows:

Window=
-------
The coordinates of RingUser's window.

Joining Period=
---------------
The  time  (in  seconds)  for which  nodes  joining  the  network  are
displayed in a distinctive color.

Joining Color=R,G,B
-------------------
The Red, Green and Blue components of  the color used to display nodes
joining the network.

Leaving Period=
---------------
The  time  (in  seconds)  for which  nodes  leaving  the  network  are
displayed in a distinctive color.

Leaving Color=R,G,B
-------------------
The Red, Green and Blue components of  the color used to display nodes
leaving the network.

Font=
-----
Information about the font that RingUser uses.

Poll interval=
--------------
The time  interval (in seconds)  between RingUser's periodic  polls of
the network.

Save Settings on Exit=
----------------------
Whether  or not  RingUser saves  all  the settings  described in  this
section when you quit RingUser.

Sort by=
--------
The order in which RingUser displays the list of ringusers.

View Selected Nodes=
--------------------
Whether or not RingUser is displaying only certain ringusers.

Filter by=
Display State=
--------------
The options selected in the View Selected Nodes dialog box.

IA nnn=
SID nnn=
PID nnn=
Name nnn=
---------
The lists  of Insert  Addresses, Station  IDs, Product  IDs and  Names
selected in the View Selected Nodes dialog box.

See also
--------
Changing the font
Changing the colors
Changing the times for which different colors are used
Changing the poll timeout
Changing the order in which ringusers are displayed
Restricting the display to certain ringusers
Saving RingUser's configuration


Configure Menu Commands
=======================

Always on Top
-------------
Causes RingUser's window to appear on top of other windows, so that is
not  hidden behind  other  windows, even  when it  is  not the  active
window.

Configure
---------
Displays  the Configuration  dialog box,  which allows  you to  change
various colors, fonts and timeouts used by RingUser.

Save Settings on Exit
---------------------
If checked, tells RingUser to save its configuration when it exits, to
prevent you having to reconfigure RingUser the next time you run it.

Save Settings Now
-----------------
Makes RingUser save its configuration now.

Exit RingUser
-------------
Quits RingUser.

See also
--------
Keeping RingUser on top of other windows
Changing the colors
Changing the times for which different colors are used
Changing the font
Changing the poll timeout
Changing the order in which ringusers are displayed
Saving RingUser's configuration


Sort Menu Commands
==================

Ring Order
----------
Displays ringusers in the order in which they are physically connected
to the network.

Insert Address
--------------
Sorts ringusers by Insert Address.

Station ID
----------
Sorts ringusers by Station ID.

Product ID
----------
Sorts ringusers by Product ID.

Name
----
Sorts ringusers by Name.

See also
--------
Changing the order in which ringusers are displayed


View Menu Commands
==================

View All Nodes
--------------
Displays information  on all the  ringusers connected to  your network
(and those that have recently left the network).

View Selected Nodes
-------------------
Displays  the View  Selected Nodes  dialog  box, which  allows you  to
display, or not to display, selected ringusers.

See also
--------
Restricting the display to certain ringusers


Print Menu Commands
===================

Print List of Nodes
-------------------
Prints the list of ringusers exactly as it appears in the window.

Print Setup
-----------
Displays a dialog box  that allows you to select which  printer to use
and  to  select  printer  options for  your  printout.    The  options
available depend on the printer you select.

See also
--------
Printing the list of ringusers
Changing the printer setup


Help Menu Commands
==================

Contents
--------
Displays the Contents page for Madge RingUser Help.

Search for Help On
------------------
Displays a dialog box  that allows you to search for  a topic in Madge
RingUser Help.

How to Use Help
---------------
Displays Windows Help.

About Madge RingUser
--------------------
Displays the  version number and date  of your copy of  Madge RingUser
and the Madge copyright notice.

See also
--------
Getting help


Configuration dialog box
========================

Tells RingUser:

*  which colors to  use for ringusers joining and  leaving the network
   and how long to use them for

*  which font to use for the list of ringusers

*  how often to conduct the periodic poll of the network

The Configuration dialog box has the following items:

Joining Node box - Color Period
-------------------------------
Enter the time (in seconds) for which nodes joining the network should
be displayed in a distinctive color.

Joining Node box - Select Color button
--------------------------------------
Choose this  button to open  a Color dialog  box, which allows  you to
change the color used to display nodes joining the network.

Leaving Node box - Color Period
-------------------------------
Enter the time (in seconds) for which nodes leaving the network should
be displayed in a distinctive color.

Leaving Node box - Select Color button
--------------------------------------
Choose this  button to open  a Color dialog  box, which allows  you to
change the color used to display nodes leaving the network.

Select Font button
------------------
Choose this  button to  open a Font  dialog box,  which allows  you to
change the font used to display ringusers.

Poll interval
-------------
Enter the time  (in seconds) between RingUser's periodic  polls of the
network.

OK
--
Choose the OK  button when you have  filled in all the  fields to your
satisfaction.

Cancel
------
Choose the Cancel button to cancel your selection.

Help
----
Choose the  Help button  to obtain help  for the  Configuration dialog
box.

See also
--------
Changing the colors
Changing the times for which different colors are used
Changing the font
Changing the poll timeout
Configure Menu Commands


View Selected Nodes dialog box
==============================

Tells RingUser  which nodes  you want to  be displayed,  or not  to be
displayed.

The View Selected Nodes dialog box has the following items:

Filter by
---------
Select one  of the  following to  indicate how  you are  selecting the
ringusers to be displayed or not displayed:
        Insert Address
        Station ID
        Product ID
        Name

Display only these Nodes
Do not display these Nodes
--------------------------
Select  one of  these  options.   To  edit  the list  of  nodes to  be
displayed or  not to be  displayed, choose  the Edit List  button (see
below).

Edit List
---------
Choose the Edit List button to edit  the list of nodes to be displayed
or not to be  displayed.  The View Selected Nodes  dialog box expands,
displaying these additional items:

Add
---
Choose the Add button to add the selected item in the right box to the
list in the left box.

Remove
------
Choose the  Remove button to  remove the  selected item from  the left
box.

OK
--
Choose the OK  button when you have  filled in all the  fields to your
satisfaction.

Cancel
------
Choose the Cancel button to cancel your selection.

Help
----
Choose the  Help button  to obtain  help for  the View  Selected Nodes
dialog box.

See also
--------
Restricting the display to certain ringusers
View Menu Commands


Madge RingUser Glossary
=======================

Insert Address
Name
Product ID
Ringuser
RINGUSER.BIA
Station ID


Insert Address
==============

A node's Insert Address is the MAC address the node uses as the source
address in the frames it sends out.


Name
====

When RingUser  discovers a  node's Station  ID, it  searches the  file
RINGUSER.BIA  for  information  based  on   that  Station  ID.    This
information is displayed in the Name column.


Product ID
==========

A node's  Product ID is  reported by the node  in response to  a query
sent  by RingUser.   This  is normally  the  name and  version of  the
network driver being used by the node.


Station ID
==========

A  node's Station  ID  is the  MAC  address reported  by  the node  in
response to a  query sent by RingUser.   This is normally  the same as
the node's Burnt In Address.


Ringuser
========

A computer connected to the network.


RINGUSER.BIA
============

A  text file  that normally  tells RingUser  about the  range of  node
addresses used for each  type of adapter card.  If  desired, it may be
edited to convey different information instead, for example, the names
of individual workstations or servers.



                   ****** End of RINGUSER.TXT ******
