Excel Import: Detailed word document or Ppt

[DCIM_Support]

Hi does anyone have detailed snapshot by snapshot learning document that lists how to work with Excel mass uploader function. I would need specific details pertaining to CP fields , their usage and how to get the best out of such migrations. Any specific best practices while performing such uploads will also be good to know.

Is it possible to have every field in DCO mapped in Excel and the changes like patch panel mapped to what port for 500 PLUS specific servers be updated in Excel sheet and imported back into DCO without hampering the layouts or asset information for them?

(CID:96043195)

[DCIM_Support]

Hi Vineet, thanks for posting! We will investigate it, in the meantime - if any of you have something to share - please do so 🙂

(CID:96043285)

[DCIM_Support]

The following page contains the information about how to import data from Excel in to DCO:
How to import data in to StruxureWare Operation

(CID:96043290)

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Are there any updated videos or docs? In 7.4.5 I only have two options under Import and I can't find any references or Excel/Import anywhere else.

(CID:96043420)

[DCIM_Support]

The feature is still the same so there are no updates to the videos or docs for version 7.4.5.

(CID:96043502)

[DCIM_Support]

Hi vineet, 
I have not seen a learning document like you mentioned (other than the resource Jef shared) but I have used the Excel import tool extensively.  The main thing to understand about the Excel import tool is that it is mainly for initial data uploads as opposed to being used to append information to existing assets.  

If you attempt to create an excel spreadsheet to update custom properties on servers that already exist in the rack, it will remove the current server and replace it with a new one (which has only the corresponding fields you have configured in the excel spreadsheet, it will lose existing fields unless re-created in the excel spreadsheet).  

For some customers this could be a change control issue and others may find this acceptable.  Any other live data associated to the server would have to be re-associated.  Instead of appending information to the server (i.e. custom properties or network connections) it removes the existing server and replaces it with a new one.  

It is very easy to test scenarios with the excel import as DCO does allow you to preview the changes before they happen.  Additionally, even if you execute the import beyond the preview you can always undo as long as you don't save after the import.  

Hope this helps

(CID:96043374)

[DCIM_Support]

An interesting thread that mirrors what we have been informed by our technical partners.  I understand the points made above by Jonathan about custom properties with new or replacement server additions.  I do have a few of questions myself though.

1. If you are adding a small dataset of information via an excel file e.g. 10 servers, does that have to include the entire estate that is currently in the system (so as not to replace the previous information added)?  Or do any adds only affect previous instances of those items being installed.
2. Following from question 1.  We have long lists of infrastructure (patch lead connectivity) that - not through choice - we are installing manually.  Is there a way to add these to an excel upload file that can build our connectivity records in quicker?  These connections obviously connect in some cases to ports on servers and so as a consequence do these servers need to be replaced in the upload file as well?

We have watched the tutorial video but it cannot answer the above questions.

Thanks

(CID:96043384)

[DCIM_Support]

Nigel, 1. If you want to add new devices, you only need to include the new additions, not any of the existing equipment. 2. The Excel import tool does have fields to all customers to mass import network cabling and if you download the template file there are some examples in there. To land network connections to existing servers they would need to be replaced (patch panels, switches, and routers would also need to be replaced to update the network connection information). Maybe you could look at using the excel import sheet for importing all of the network path other than the server connection and then doing the last connection to the server manually. Hope this helps, JG

(CID:96043413)

[DCIM_Support]

Thanks Jonathan. The aspect of replacing any equipment in the network chain, probably rules out any connectivity uploads via excel - Unless you are doing an entire room, or your uploads are for entirely new infrastructure and equipment. I say this because if you were appending a single patch to a panel with multiple previous connections then, as I understand it, you would need to replace the entire panel with your new connection and all the old connections. Is this a fair conclusion?

(CID:96043534)

[DCIM_Support]

Yes that is a fair conclusion; it is all or nothing as appending isn't an option JG

(CID:96043536)

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