Overview of Global Configurator

What is Global Configurator?

Global Configurator (GC) is a software application that provides you with the ability to create a single configuration file of all devices on an A/V network.  There are two categories of devices in an A/V network:

• Controllers and Extron IP Link® devices – interfaces, switchers, and control panels that have Ethernet ports for network connectivity, and serial and infrared (IR) ports for audio/visual device connectivity.

• A/V devices – video projectors, displays, DVDs, VCRs, document cameras, projector screens, room lighting.  These devices are the equipment used to generate an audio/visual presentation.

Once this "global" configuration file is built, GC generates a graphical user interface called GlobalViewer®, allowing users to monitor and control all A/V devices contained within the GC configuration file.

After the configuration file is created, one or more devices on the A/V network can be designated as a GlobalViewer host device.

The configuration file is then uploaded to the host device.  The GlobalViewer interface can be launched by opening an Internet browser on a local PC and entering the host device's IP address in the browser's Address field.

In the example network diagram below, the Extron System 5 IP is set up as the GlobalViewer host device.

The System 5 IP, SCP 226 AAP Control Panel, IR 402 Remote Control, and all of the A/V input/output devices (document camera, DVD, VCR, video projector,  screen, etc.) can be added to the Global Configurator project file.  Once the configuration file is complete and uploaded to the host device, you can then launch the GlobalViewer interface from the host device (System 5 IP) to monitor and control all of the devices on this A/V network.

The Global Configurator screen

The illustration below shows a typical Global Configurator screen after several IP Link devices have been added in the IP Link Tree window.

The four main areas of the GC screen are the:

1. Toolbar menus and icons

2. IP Link icons

3. IP Link Tree window

4. Global Configurator window

See the Reference Information book of this help file for complete details on each area of the GC screen.

What can I do with Global Configurator?

 With the Global Configurator application you can:

1. Identify all of the devices on your A/V network by device type and location.

2. Set the communications parameters of each Extron interface/controller/switcher on your A/V network.

1. IP address

2. Gateway

3. Subnet mask

4. Passwords

5. E-mail server

6. Date/Time

3. Set scheduled actions for the devices on your A/V network.

1. Power on/off

2. Video mute on/off

3. Volume up/down

4. Audio mute on/off

5. Many more options... depending on the selected device

4. Set automated e-mail deliveries based on specific occurrences.

1. Unauthorized system activity

2. System restart

3. Excessive lamp hours

4. Disconnect notification

5. Custom e-mails

5. Select conditions to be monitored on your A/V network.

1. Aspect ratio is normal/wide

2. Audio mute is on/off

3. Device status is lamp off w/temperature warning

4. Device status is power fail

5. Many more options... depending on the selected device

6. Assign device drivers to the serial and IR ports of the Extron devices on your A/V network.

1. Device type

2. Manufacturer

3. Device driver version

7. Configure the front panel button operations of Extron IP Link devices.

1. Display

2. Room

3. Input Selection

4. DVD & VCR Control

8. Configure the front panel button operations of Extron devices as they are displayed in the GlobalViewer  graphical user interface.

1. Button captions

2. Button tooltips

3. Button repeat rates

4. Button operations

5. Button modes

9. Upload your configuration file to a device on your A/V network that is designated as a GlobalViewer host device.  From the GlobalViewer host graphical user interface screen you will be able to monitor and control all of the devices on your A/V network that have been configured using the Global Configurator application.