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User interface tips and techniques

Consider these tips and techniques when using the Lenovo SDI Management Platform user interface.

Importing files​

You can import files by dragging and dropping the files on an Import dialog.

When you import a file, an expandable popup appears in the lower-right corner of the user interface with information about the progress and status of each import process. Icons on the popup help you quickly identify the process status for each import. After an import is completed successfully, a job is started to validate the file. If an error occurs during the import process, an error message is listed on the pop-up dialog to help you quickly resolve the issue.

When the popup is collapsed, you can click and hold the Drag icon () to move the popup to a different position.

Click Clear All to clear the list of completed import processes. If all import processes are complete, the popup is hidden.

Entering text in text fields​

The characters that can be entered in some text fields are restricted. The following list describes the characters that are allowed.

  • [ ]Names. Includes all letters and numeric characters in supported languages, special characters (@ - _ + / [ ] . , :), and spaces.

  • [ ]Descriptions. Includes all letters and numeric characters in supported languages, special characters (@ - _ % \& * + = / ( ) { } [ ] . , :), and spaces.

  • Passwords. There are no character restrictions for passwords.

Expanding and collapsing the navigation pane​

The navigation pane is collapsed by default, showing only icons that represent specific menu items. You can click an icon to temporarily expand the navigation pane and the menu for that icon. When you move the cursor off the navigation pane, the pane collapses so that only the icons are displayed.

To keep the navigation pane permanently expanded, click the Expand icon (). You can then collapse the navigation pane by clicking the Collapse icon ().

Scoping the user interface​

You can narrow the scope of data displayed in the current user session to specific cluster resources by using the Current scope drop-down menu at the top of the page.

Viewing more data or less data per page​

Change the number of rows that are listed in a table per page using the Rows per page drop-down list at the bottom of each table. You can display 10, 15, 25 or 50 rows.

Finding data in large lists​

There are several ways to display a subset of a large list based on specific criteria.

  • Sort the table rows by clicking the column header.

  • Narrow the scope of data in the current user session to only those resources that are in a specific resource manager or group by using the Current scope drop-down menu at the top of the page (see “Scoping the user interface” above).

  • Dynamically create a subset of lists based on data that is found in specific columns by using the Filters input fields. You can filter on shown and hidden columns. You can also save filter queries that you want to use regularly.

  • Further, refine the subset by entering text (such as a name or IP address) in the Search field to find data that is found in any available column.

    Tip: Separate multiple searches using a comma. For example, "180,190" displays all rows that contain 180 or 190 in any of the available columns.

  • Select the checkbox in the table header to select or clear all items that are listed in the table.

Viewing table data​

Refresh tables of data by clicking the Refresh icon ().

Expand or collapse each row to show or hide subdetails for the tables with expandable rows (such as on the Jobs and Repository Management cards). You can also click the Collapse All icon () to hide subdetails for all rows.

If the column size prevents some information from displaying in the table cell (indicated by an ellipsis), you can view the complete information in a popup by hovering over the cell.

Exporting table data​

Export the data in the current table to your local system by clicking the Export data icon (). You can choose to export all pages, the current page, or the selected rows, choose the file format (XLSX, CSV, or JSON), and choose whether to include all columns or only visible columns. For CSV format, you can also choose how to separate the data (using a semicolon, tab, or pipe character).

Tip: For JSON format, timestamps in the exported data reflect the time zone that is set for Lenovo SDI Management Platform, not the local system. For CSV and XLSX formats, timestamps are converted to the user’s time zone, which is displayed in the web interface. When you export data, an expandable popup appears in the lower-right corner of the user interface with information about the progress and status. Icons on the popup help you quickly identify the process status for each export. If an error occurs during the export process, an error message is listed on the pop-up dialog to help you quickly resolve the issue.

When the popup is collapsed, you can click and hold the Drag icon () to move the popup to a different position.

Click Clear All to clear the list of completed export processes. If all export processes are complete, the popup is hidden.

Configure table columns​

Configure tables to show information that is most important to you.

  • Choose which columns to show or hide by clicking All Actions > Toggle Columns.

  • Reorder columns by dragging the column headers to the preferred location.

Changing the language of the user interface​

You can change the language of the user interface when you first log in.

After you are logged in, you can change the language by clicking the User-Account menu (), and then clicking Change language.

Getting help​

There are several ways to get help with the user interface.

  • Hover the cursor over a Help icon () on some pages to display a pop-up with additional details about a specific field.

  • Click the Learn more link on some pages to open the help system and get more information in context.

  • Get help about how to perform specific actions from the user interface by clicking the User-Account menu () and then clicking Help.

The online documentation is updated regularly in English. For the latest information about Lenovo SDI Management Platform, visit the Lenovo SDI Management Platform product page.