Local User Interface Framework

The local user interface (UI) of a server appliance provides information to the user on the server appliance rather than on the client computer. When a server appliance is running and communicating with client computers, the Web UI available through a client computer is generally the best place to display information for the user. There are, however, the following three cases in which communicating with the user through the local UI is critical:

• When the server appliance is inaccessible from a client computer, specifically during startup, shutdown, or when there is a problem with the local area network (LAN) connection.
• When the user must perform a task at the server appliance-such as turning off the power to the server appliance, or inserting a tape into a drive. In these cases, information provided through the local UI eliminates the need for the user to travel between a client computer and the server appliance to gather critical information and complete the task.
• When the user needs access to real-time system status information. The Web UI can only provide an instant copy of the system status at the time a page refreshes. For information like disk status, network status, or some device-specific task progress, customers need continual, real-time information directly from the server appliance itself. Providing status information as the default display on the local UI addresses these needs.

In short, the local UI provides end users a secondary UI from which to view the system status when real-time information is needed, and to configure the system when client computers displaying the Web UI are not in close proximity.

The local UI consists of an LCD panel and a small keypad, and should provide a concise, appliance-like experience for the user. Consequently, computer jargon and extraneous details are avoided. The local UI display can be a 64x128 pixel LCD. Alerts, as well as OEM branding, can be displayed on the local UI. The Microsoft® Server Appliance Kit 3.0 provides the software framework and some plug-in features for the local UI. The plug-in features provide the following subfeatures:

• System status information
• IP address and machine name
• Alerts
• Network configuration options
• Machine name-setting options
• Restart
• Shutdown

In addition to the plug-in features provided, as OEM, you can add to the local UI to meet your device-specific needs. For example, makers of Windows Storage Server 2003 server appliances can use the local UI to display available disk space and to show how many users are logged on to the server appliance.

All local UI pages should be written in standard Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). Additionally, all text displayed in the local UI must run through the Server Appliance Kits Localization Manager to take full advantage of the multilingual support provided.

The following diagram illustrates how the local UI works.