System

The System menu provides an entry to view or edit the IKAN ALM Server configuration settings and to perform Housekeeping Actions in the IKAN ALM Build Archive.

Users that have Global Admin Access rights will have access to the following Submenus:

Users who do not have Global Admin Access rights will only have access to the following Submenus:

System Settings

On the System Settings screen, the global IKAN ALM Server settings are defined, such as the different locations (build archive, script, work copy and phase catalog) and the mail and security settings. Some of these fields are filled in automatically during the installation process.

Changing some of these settings requires preparatory actions on the IKAN ALM server.

  1. In the Global Administration context, select System > System Settings.

    The following screen is displayed.

    GlobAdmin SystemSettings

    If you do not have Global Administrator access rights in IKAN ALM, you will not be able to edit the fields.

    The following subpanels are available:

    Underneath the Edit System Settings panel, you will find the history History link. Click this link to display the System Settings History View screen. For more detailed information concerning this History View, refer to the section History and Event Logging.

Local Environment

GlobAdmin SystemSettings LocalEnvironment

The following fields are available on the Local Environment subpanel:

Field Description

IKAN ALM Server

This field contains the name of the Machine currently hosting the IKAN ALM Server.

Select another Machine Name from the drop-down list, if required.

Changing this field requires preliminary actions, like installing the IKAN ALM Server on the new target Machine, migrating Local File Copy Locations and setting up the necessary VCR clients.

IKAN ALM URL

In this field, enter the base IKAN ALM URL. This URL is used for creating hyperlinks in mails sent by IKAN ALM (Approvals, Pre-Notifications, Post-Notifications, Level Request Success/Fail Notifications), for constructing the RSS feed link and for constructing the URIs for the IKAN ALM REST API.

Local File Copy Locations

These fields are used for Build and Deploy actions.

These locations are automatically synchronized with the built-in Local FileCopy transporter. FileCopy Transporters

Work Copy Location

This field contains the path to the Work Copy Location.

In preparation of the Build process, the IKAN ALM Monitor places the sources (checked out sources from a VCR and sometimes also dependent build results) in a subdirectory of this location. The tagging of the VCR after a successful Build is done from this location as well.

You can edit the location if required.

Build Archive Location

This field contains the path to the location of the Build Archive on the IKAN ALM Server.

Build Results will be stored in or retrieved from this location. They will be placed in a subdirectory per Project Stream and per Project.

If required, you can edit the location.

Script Location

This location can be used to store build and deploy scripts.

When the build or deploy script is not available in the sources or build result, it will be retrieved from this location.

You can edit the location if required.

This field allows that the Scripts are stored outside the Version Control Repository and managed on a (secured) central location.

Phase Catalog Location

This field contains the path to the location of the Phase Catalog on the IKAN ALM Server.

Newly created Phases and Phases that have been imported will be stored in this location.

Relative Locations (Remote Transporters)

These locations are used for all remote transport actions (SSH, FTP and FileCopy).

These locations are relative. The complete path will be assembled as follows: the prefix path (as specified in the SSH, FTP or FileCopy Transporter definition) concatenated with the relative location defined on this Local Environment tab.

Remote Transporters are activated by defining them as the Transporter Protocol when specifying the settings for a Machine.

For more information, refer to the sections Transporters and Machines.

Work Copy Location

This field contains the location of the Work Copy displayed as a remote location.

This is the location where the VCR interface places the checked out sources or dependent build results on the IKAN ALM Server, so that they are accessible for a remote IKAN ALM Agent handling a build process.

You can edit the location if required.

Build Archive Location

This field contains the location of the Build Archive displayed as remote location.

This is the location where the Builds are stored in or retrieved from by a remote IKAN ALM Agent handling a build or deploy process.

You can edit the location if required.

Script Location

This field contains the location of the Build or Deploy Script displayed as a remote location.

Scripts will be retrieved from this location if they are not stored in the Version Control Repository.

You can edit the location if required.

This field allows that the Scripts are stored outside the Version Control Repository and managed on a (secured) central location.

Phase Catalog Location

This field contains the location of the Phase Catalog displayed as remote location.

Newly created Phases and Phases that have been imported will be stored in this location. A remote IKAN ALM Agent that needs to install a Phase will use this location to retrieve it.

Transporter Protocol Settings

The Transporter Protocol defines how Sources and Build Results will be transported.

SSH Port

Specify the SSH Port Number. This is only necessary if the SSH Server on the IKAN ALM Server uses an SSH Port other than the default port number 22. An SSH Server daemon must be installed on the IKAN ALM server in order to use SSH as a Transporter Protocol.

Note: This port number may be overwritten by the port number defined in the Transporter definition. Creating a Secure Shell Transporter

FTP Port

Specify the FTP Port Number. This is only necessary if the FTP Server on the IKAN ALM Server uses a TCP Port other than the default port number 21. An FTP server must be installed on the IKAN ALM Server in order to use FTP as a Transporter protocol.

Note: This port number may be overwritten by the port number defined in the Transporter definition. Creating an FTP Transporter

Security

GlobAdmin SystemSettings Security

The following fields are available on the Security subpanel.

Field Description

User Group with User Access Rights

This field contains the name of the User Group to which all Users requiring access to IKAN ALM must belong. Note that Users can also get access to IKAN ALM when they belong to a Nested User Group of the selected User Group.

You may select another User Group from the drop-down list, if required.

You may also leave this field empty. In this case, all authenticated users will have User access rights to IKAN ALM.

User Group with Admin Access Rights

This field contains the name of the User Group to which all Users requiring Administrator Rights must belong. Note that this must be an external User Group.

Only users belonging to this or a Nested User Group may create, edit and delete Global Administration definitions in IKAN ALM.

You may select another external User Group from the drop-down list, if required.

You may also leave this field empty. In this case, all authenticated users will have Administrator access rights to IKAN ALM.

Mail

IKAN ALM can send mails automatically or on demand to notify on failed or successful Builds and Deploys, to request an approval before delivering to a Test or Production Level, or just to notify connected users on changed settings.

Settings for connecting to an external mail system can also be defined on the Mail tab.

The Mail settings can be tested via the Notify IKAN ALM Users submenu option. Notifying IKAN ALM Users

GlobAdmin SystemSettings Mail

The following fields are available on the Mail subpanel.

Option Meaning

SMTP Server

Select the Machine name of the SMTP Mail Server.

Port

This field contains the SMTP Port number used by IKAN ALM to connect to the Mail Server.

This field is optional, by default port 25 is used.

Authentication Type

Select which Authentication Type is required:

  • Anonymous: select this option, if the SMTP Server can be used without authentication.

  • Authentication: select this option, if the SMTP Server requires authentication.

User

This field contains the User name used to authenticate on the SMTP Server.

This field is mandatory if Authentication was chosen as Authentication Type.

Password

This field contains the masked Password used to authenticate on the SMTP Server.

This field is mandatory if Authentication was chosen as Authentication Type.

The characters you enter are displayed as asterisks.

Repeat Password

In this field, re-enter the password used to authenticate on the SMTP Server.

From User

This field contains the From: E-Mail Address used in IKAN ALM notification e-mails.

Content Type

Indicates which templates will be used to compose notification and approval mail messages.

There are two options: * HTML: the templates containing HTML tags will be used. * Plain Text: the templates without HTML tags will be used.

Template Location

By default, the mail templates are located in the following directory:

TOMCAT_HOME/webapps/alm/WEB-INF/classes/templates

If you want to customize these templates, we advise you to change this location to a local directory on the IKAN ALM Server.

The locale directories match the language settings of the user:

  • en for English

  • fr for French

  • de for German

If no match is found, the templates in the default directory will be used.

For the HTML formatted templates, a html suffix is added before the _.vm extension.

For plain text templates, there is no such suffix.

Miscellaneous

GlobAdmin SystemSettings Misc

The following fields are available on the Miscellanous subpanel:

Field Meaning

Auto Refresh Rate

In this field, you can enter the number of seconds for the automatic refresh function on the The Desktop Overview Screen, Level Requests Overview, Level Request Detail, Package Details and Build History Screen.

As a result, these overview screens will be refreshed each time the interval expires (if the user has activated the Auto Refresh function on his or her Desktop submenu).

If you do not want to allow the use of the Auto Refresh option, enter 0 (zero) in this field.

RSS Feed Enabled

In this field you can enable the RSS functionality.

As a result an RSS button will become available on the user’s Level Requests Overview panel.

By default the RSS Feeds are enabled.

For more information, refer to the section The IKAN ALM RSS Functionality.

RESTful Web Services Enabled

The IKAN ALM REST API enables you to interact with IKAN ALM programmatically and integrate its functionality in scripts, other applications or stand-alone apps. Interaction is possible with:

  • Authentication

  • Approvals

  • Builds & Deploys

  • Constants

  • Level Requests and Creating Level Requests

  • Git and Subversion Repositories

  • Issue Tracking Systems

  • Lifecycles

  • Machines

  • Packages

  • Projects

  • Project Import and Export

  • Project Streams

  • User Groups and Users

By default, this feature is disabled for security reasons.

The IKAN ALM REST API is fully documented and, when Restful Web services are enabled, accessible through the web interface: Help > REST API Documentation.

Secure Server-Agent Communication

This field indicates whether or not the web services communication between the IKAN ALM Web Application, IKAN ALM Server and IKAN ALM Agent is done through a secure channel.

Build/Deploy Parameter Prefix

This option determines the value of the IKAN ALM Build/Deploy parameters prefix (by default alm) and the name of the property file that is generated for Execute Script Build or Deploy phases (by default alm_ant.properties when you use an ANT Scripting Tool).

In case you are upgrading from a version prior to IKAN ALM 5.0, this feature allows you to keep on working with the old scm4all parameter prefix and the old scm4all_ant.properties file, and not having to modify your Build and/or Deploy scripts.

Note: This is a compatibility solution. At a certain point in time, you will have to modify your scripts and use the new alm prefix.

  1. Make the necessary changes on the different panels.

  2. Click Save at the bottom of the screen.

    You may also click Refresh to retrieve the settings from the database.

Housekeeping

The Housekeeping functionality allows you to manage the Build Archive. A search can be performed locating Build Files that may no longer be needed. These Build Files can be selected and marked for removal. The system will then physically remove them from the Build Archive and set the Archive Status of the related Builds to "deleted", hereby avoiding these Builds to be used in further Deploys.

The Housekeeping screen also shows information about the Build Archive, like the total number of build files in the Archive, the size of the Archive and the remaining free space on the hard drive where the Archive is located.

  1. In the Global Administration context, select System > Housekeeping.

    The Housekeeping screen is displayed:

    GlobAdm Housekeeping Screen

    On top of the screen, the Build Archive Info panel displays the following information.

    The Build Archive Info is based on hardware data obtained from the Build Archive location on the IKAN ALM Server. This Build Archive location is defined in the Local Environment tab of the System Settings. Local Environment

    Field Description

    Total Number of Build Files

    This field contains the total number of Build Files in the Build Archive.

    Total Archive Size

    This field indicates the total size (in a multiple of bytes) of the Build Archive.

    Free Space on Archive Disk

    This field indicates the remaining free space (in a multiple of bytes) on the hard drive where the Archive is located.

  2. Define the required search criteria on the search panel.

    The list of items on the overview will be automatically updated based on the selected criteria.

    You can also:

    • click the Show/hide advanced options link to display or hide all available search criteria,

    • click the Search link to refresh the list based on the current search criteria,

    • click the Reset search link to clear the search fields.

      You can enter or select several search criteria to narrow your search.

    Criterion Description

    Project Name

    Enter or select the name of the Project for which you want to display the Build Files.

    Project Stream Build Prefix

    Enter or select the Project Stream Build Prefix.

    Project Stream Build Suffix

    Enter or select the Project Stream Build Suffix.

    Build End Date

    Specify the minimum age of the Build Files.

    The possible values are:

    • None Specified

      No age specified, and the Build End Date/Time From and To fields will be ignored

    • Older than 3 years

      Only Build files older than 3 years will be displayed

    • Older than 1 year

      Only Build files older than 1 year will be displayed

    • Older than 3 months

      Only Build files older than 3 months will be displayed

    Build End Date/Time From

    If you want to specify a range of dates, enter in this field the first Build End Date/Time of the range.

    You can also click the calendar icon to select the Build End Date/Time.

    Click the required date to copy it into the field.

    The time will be set to the current time. However you can still change the time manually.

    This field will be ignored when a Build End Date field has been selected.

    Build End Date/Time To

    If you want to specify a range of dates, enter in this field the last Build End Date/Time of the range.

    You can also click the calendar icon to select the Build End Date/Time.

    Click the required date to copy it into the field.

    The time will be set to the current time. However you can still change the time manually.

    This field will be ignored when a Build End Date field has been selected.

    Size > (in Mb)

    Use this field to specify the minimum size of the Build Files to be displayed on the Build Files Overview.

    Size < (in Mb)

    Use this field to specify the maximum size of the Build Files to be displayed on the Build Files Overview.

    Deployed

    Select Yes to display only the Build Files that have been deployed.

    Select No to display only the Build Files that have not been deployed.

    If the option All is selected, both the deployed and undeployed Build Files will be displayed.

    Level Request Status

    Specify the status of the Level Request that created the Build Files. Only Build Files that were created by a Level Request that currently has this status are displayed.

    The possible values are:

    • Success

    • Warning

    • Fail

    • Run

    • Awaiting Post-approval

    • Rejected

    • Aborted

    • Aborting

    Level Name

    Enter or select the name of the Level for which you want to display the Build Files.

    Level Type

    Enter the Level Type (Build, Test or Production).

    Build Environment Name

    Enter or select the name of the Build Environment for which you want to display the Build Files.

    Show Hidden Project Streams

    Indicate whether you want to display the hidden Project Streams or not.

    • Yes

      Hidden Project Streams will be displayed.

    • No

      Hidden Project Streams will not be displayed.

    • All (= default)

      All Project Streams, hidden and unhidden, will be displayed.

  3. Verify the search result on the Build Files Overview.

    The Build Files Overview panel lists the following information for each displayed Build File.

    Field Description

    View Content

    Click the view View link to view the content of the Build File. Results

    File Name

    The name of the Build File.

    Build Size

    The size of the Build File.

    Build End Date

    The date and time at which the Build execution ended.

    Project Stream

    The name of the Project Stream.

    Hidden

    Indication whether the Project Stream is hidden or not.

    Level Name

    The name of the Level.

    Build Environment Name

    The name of the Build Environment.

    Level Request OID

    This field displays the Level Request OID of the Build. Click the link to display the details for this Level Request.

    Level Request Detail

    Level Request Status

    This field contains the Level Request Status. See Level Requests Overview screen

    Deployed

    This field indicates whether or not the Build has been used by a Deploy.

  4. Select the Build Files to be deleted and click the Delete button underneath the overview.

    Select the check box in the table heading in order to select all the displayed Build Files.

  5. The Confirm Build Files Deletion popup window is displayed.

    GlobAdm Housekeeping Delete
  6. Click Delete to confirm the deletion or Back to return to the previous screen without deleting the Build Files.

    When the delete is confirmed, the removal is executed. The action is logged in the Housekeeping History and the User is redirected to the View Housekeeping Details screen where the result of the action is displayed.

    GlobAdm Housekeeping Delete Success

Housekeeping History

This functionality allows you to search for previously performed delete actions.

The Housekeeping History screen displays the history of Housekeeping Actions that have been performed.

It provides a Search panel where the User can enter search criteria to restrict the list of displayed History Actions.

  1. In the Global Administration context, select System > Housekeeping History.

    The Housekeeping History screen is displayed:

    GlobAdm HousekeepingHistory Screen
  2. Define the required search criteria on the search panel.

    The list of items on the overview will be automatically updated based on the selected criteria.

    You can also:

    • click the Search link to refresh the list based on the current search criteria,

    • click the Reset search link to clear the search fields.

      You can enter or select several search criteria to narrow your search.

    Criterion Description

    User ID

    Enter or select the ID of the User whose Housekeeping Actions you want to display.

    Delete Status

    This field indicates the Delete status

    Start From

    If you want to specify a range of dates, enter in this field the start Date/Time of the range.

    You can also click the calendar icon to select the Date/Time.

    Click the required date to copy it into the field.

    The time will be set to 0:0 (midnight). However you can still change the time manually.

    Start To

    If you want to specify a range of dates, enter in this field the end Date/Time of the range.

    You can also click the calendar icon to select the Date/Time.

    Click the required date to copy it into the field.

    The time will be set to 0:0 (midnight). However you can still change the execution time manually.

  3. Verify the search result on the Housekeeping Actions Overview.

    The Housekeeping Actions Overview panel lists the following information for each displayed Housekeeping Action.

    Field Description

    Action Type

    This field contains the type of the Housekeeping Action.

    Start Date/Time

    This field indicates the date and time when the Housekeeping Action started.

    User ID

    This field displays the ID of the User who performed the Housekeeping Action.

    Delete Status

    This field indicates the Delete status.

    Possible statuses are:

    • Success

    • Warning

    • Error

  4. You can click the view View link to display the View Housekeeping Details screen.

    GlobAdm HousekeepingHistory Details success
    GlobAdm HousekeepingHistory Details error

Synchronize Build Archive

The Synchronize Build Archive screen allows an IKAN ALM Administrator to synchronize the physical representation of the Build Archive on the file system with the logical representation of the Build Archive in the IKAN ALM database.

For example, a Build File that was manually deleted on the file system (using the OS delete command) will still have its Archive Status set to “Present” in the IKAN ALM database. During synchronization the status will be set to “Non existing”.

  1. In the Global Administration context, select System > Synchronize Build Archive.

    The Synchronize Build Archive screen is displayed:

    GlobAdm SynchBuildArchive screen
  2. Define the required search criteria on the search panel.

    The list of items on the overview will be automatically updated based on the selected criteria.

    You can also:

    • click the Show/hide advanced options link to display or hide all available search criteria,

    • click the Search link to refresh the list based on the current search criteria,

    • click the Reset search link to clear the search fields.

      You can enter or select several search criteria to narrow your search.

    Criterion Description

    Name

    Specify the name of the Project.

    VCR Project Name

    Specify the VCR Project Name.

    Show Hidden Projects

    Indicate whether you want to display the hidden Projects or not.

    • Yes

      Hidden Projects will be displayed.

    • No (= default)

      Hidden Projects will not be displayed.

    • All

      All Projects, hidden and unhidden, will be displayed.

    Description

    Specify the description of the Project.

    VCR

    Select the VCR from the drop-down list.

    Locked

    Specify whether the Project is locked or not.

  3. Verify the search result on the Projects Overview.

    The Projects Overview panel lists the following information for each displayed Build File.

    Field Description

    Name

    This field contains the Project Name.

    Description

    This field contains the Project Description.

    VCR

    This field contains the VCR used for the Project.

    VCR Project Name

    This field contains the VCR Project Name.

    Locked

    This field indicates whether or not the Project is locked:

    • If it is locked, this field contains the locked icon (locked ).

    • If it is not locked, this field remains empty.

    Hidden

    This field indicates whether the Project is hidden or not.

    User Access

    This field contains the name of the User Group whose members have regular access rights to this Project.

    Admin Access

    This field contains the name of the User Group whose members have administrative access rights to this Project.

  4. Select the Projects to be synchronized and click the Synchronize button underneath the overview.

    Select the check box in the column header to select all Projects for synchronization.

    In order to not overburden the IKAN ALM Server, it is best to limit the number of selected Projects and split up the Build Archive Synchronization in several steps.

  5. The Synchronize Build Archive Log screen is displayed.

    GlobAdm SynchBuildArchive synchronize

    The extra field Synchronizing Status is displayed for each Project on the Project Synchronization panel.

    It can have the following values:

    • Done: The Project has been synchronized successfully.

    • Synchronizing…​ : The Project is currently being synchronized.

    • Waiting: The synchronization of this Project has not yet started.

    • Error: There was a problem synchronizing the Project.

  6. Click Refresh to update the Synchronization statuses.