HP Web Jetadmin Software - Exporting Device Data Frequently Asked Questions
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NOTE:
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This FAQ document pertains to HP Web Jetadmin 10.X software. More detailed information can be found in the various user guides and white papers downloadable from
http://www.hp.com/go/webjetadmin
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Question: What documentation is available to help understand the Exporting Device Data feature in HP Web Jetadmin?
Answer:
Question: What is the benefit of exporting data from HP Web Jetadmin?
Answer:
The Exporting Device Data feature allows you to extract real-time device data directly from the Microsoft SQL Server database used by HP Web Jetadmin.
Question: What is the difference between the Reporting feature and the Exporting Device Data feature in HP Web Jetadmin?
Answer:
In general, Reporting is used to show historical usage data over time, while Exporting is used to show printer data valid at the time of the export. In certain situations, exporting this raw data from a Device List Layout to a file may be more useful than creating a report. Both methods (Reporting and Exporting) are offered to meet the various needs of our customers.
Question: What file formats are supported for the exported data?
Answer:
Both CSV and XML file formats are supported.
Question: How do you export device data?
Answer:
The Export Devices wizard can be launched by selecting Export from the Tools drop-down list or it can be launched by displaying a list of devices, right-clicking on the list of devices, and then selecting Export.
Question: How are data columns selected for export?
Answer:
Once the Export Devices wizard is launched, the Select columns page will be displayed. If the wizard was launched from the Tools drop-down list, the Selected columns list will be pre-populated with the default columns. If the Export Devices wizard was launched by right-clicking and selecting Export from the device list area, the Selected columns list will be pre-populated with columns that were already enabled in the device list. In either case, existing columns can be deleted or new columns can be added from this page. Also, the order of the columns can be defined on this page. Data columns can be added to or removed from the main device list area before starting an export by right-clicking anywhere in the column header area. The most common data columns can easily be selected or deselected from the drop-down list. The user can also select Customize to add or delete other data columns.
Question: When selecting data columns, what is the Threshold option used for?
Answer:
The Threshold option specifies the age or type of data that HP Web Jetadmin will use when gathering data from the devices selected. The user defines the threshold level to be used from the following list:
- Database only:
Data is only gathered from the database, not from the device. This allows for very quick data gathering.
- Missing items only:
Data is gathered mainly from the data base; however any missing device data in the database will be gathered directly from the device. This helps minimize the time it takes to gather the data.
- From device only:
This option forces all data to come from the device, insuring the most up-to-date information. However, this option will cause the data gathering to take longer, since every device must be contacted and data gathered from it.
- 1 hour:
Data in the database older than 1 hour will be updated directly from the device before being exported. This minimizes the time it takes to export the data while insuring the data is mostly up-to-date.
- 3 hours:
Data in the database older than 3 hours will be updated directly from the device before being exported. If device data does not change much in a 3-hour time period, this option minimizes the time it takes to export the data while insuring the data is mostly up-to-date.
- 6 hours:
Data in the database older than 6 hours will be updated directly from the device before being exported. If device data does not change much in a 6-hour time period, this option minimizes the time it takes to export the data while insuring the data is mostly up-to-date.
- 24 hours:
Data in the database older than 24 hours will be updated directly from the device before being exported. If device data does not change much in a 24-hour time period, this option minimizes the time it takes to export the data while insuring the data is mostly up-to-date.
Question: How are devices selected for the export function?
Answer:
If the Export Devices wizard was launched from the Tools drop-down list, the Select devices page will be displayed. The user can then select the devices to be included in the export and click Next. If the Export Devices wizard was launched by right-clicking and selecting Export from the device list area, just the devices that were already selected in the device list will be included in the export. If no devices were selected in the device list area, the Select devices page will be displayed so the user can select the devices.
Question: What are the destination options for the exported data?
Answer:
Once the columns and devices are selected, the Specify destination settings page is displayed. This page allows the user to choose the File name for the export and the destination. The default file name is HP Web Jetadmin Exported Devices. For Destination, the user can select one of the following three options:
- Server file:
The server file name and path are specific to the HP Web Jetadmin host installation. The provided path describes where the file will be located after the export has completed. If a file of the same name exists in the location, the filename of the export file will have a time stamp appended to it to make it unique. The File path on the server, which is not modifiable, is:
C:\Documents and Settings\NetworkService\Local Settings\Application Data\Hewlett-Packard\HPWebJetadmin\WjaService\Export
- Local file:
Select this to save the export to a local file on the client PC. You will be prompted for a file name and location after the export has begun.
- Email:
Select this option to send the data to an email address. Type the email address on this page or browse for the correct email address.
Question: Can the Device Export function be scheduled?
Answer:
Yes. Exports can be generated on-the-fly or scheduled. If the Schedule device list export box was checked by the user in the Select columns portion of the wizard, a Specify schedule options page will be displayed after the user chooses Next on the Specify destination page. A flexible set of scheduler options can be used to launch a one-time or recurring Export devices process.
Question: Can data from HP Web Jetadmin be exported in such a way that it can be imported into another database application?
Answer:
Yes. Most Enterprise database applications have the ability to import a CSV file. Data from HP Web Jetadmin can be exported into a CSV-formatted file such that the order of the data columns matches the format used by the other Enterprise database application. Using the Device Export function, select the appropriate columns and order required. Refer to the FAQ titled ‘How are data columns selected for export?’ for additional details on selecting and ordering data columns.
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