Installing and Using VeritiLink™ SoftwareQuick Reference Card

For more information on installing VeritiLink™ Software, see the VeritiLink™ Remote Management Software Installation Guide (PN 4388492). To access the VeritiLink Software Help, click .

System Requirements for Client and Server Computers

Hardware Components (Provided by Customer)

• Computers, including at least one server. The server computer can also act as a client.

• Veriti™ Thermal Cyclers.

• RJ 45 Cat 5 Ethernet Cables.

• Router or hub.

• Printer (optional)..

Table 1 System requirements for the server computer (requirements are based on estimated system load)

Component

Minimum Requirements

Fewer than 5 clients Average of 10 clients Average of 20 clients†

† For this configuration, select the Apache Web Server option when you install the VeritiLink Software.

Up to 25 thermal cyclers 25 to 50 thermal cyclers 25 or more thermal cyclers

Computer • Intel Dual Core Processor, 2.0 GHz

• 1 GB RAM• 40 GB Hard Drive

• Pentium D processor, 3.0 GHz

• 2 GB RAM• 40 GB Hard Drive

• Intel Xeon processor, 3.0 GHz• 2 GB RAM• 160 GB Hard Drive, with Raid

1 support

Monitor • 1024 × 768 pixels

Operating System

Microsoft Windows® XP Operating System, Service Pack 2 or greater

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Operating System

Web Browser Microsoft Internet Explorer, v7.0 or Mozilla Firefox, v2.0

Table 2 Minimum requirements for client computers

Component Minimum Requirements Component Minimum Requirements

Computer • Pentium 4 processor• 512 MB RAM• 10/100 NIC with RWU (internal)• 1 GB Hard Drive

Operating System

Microsoft Windows® XP Operating System, Service Pack 2 or greater

Monitor • 1024 × 768 pixels Web Browser Microsoft Internet Explorer, v7.0 or Mozilla Firefox, v2.0

VeritiLink™ Remote Management Software

Page 2

Setting Up the Veriti™ Thermal CyclersAfter updating the firmware to version 1.2.0 (or greater), prepare the thermal cyclers for use.

1. Connect all instruments to the network. A suggested configuration is shown here:

2. Log in to the thermal cycler as a user with administrative privileges and go to the Admin Menu screen.

• Touch Settings Menu, then touch Admin Menu.

3. Set the instrument name.By default the instrument name is set to the thermal cycler serial number. You can change the name so it will be easier to identify.

a. Touch Set Instrument Name.

b. Touch the field to enter the name, then touch Done.

4. Set the date and time.

a. Touch Set Date & Time.

b. In the Date and Time screen, touch the fields to enter the date and time, then touch Done.

5. Set the IP address.The thermal cycler must have an IP address to be recognized on the network. Choose to have a computer on the network dynamically assign the IP address or set a static IP address.

a. Touch IP Settings.

b. Touch Dynamic or Static.For static addresses, also enter the IP address for the thermal cycler, the subnet mask, and the default gateway.

c. Touch Done.

6. Enable VeritiLink Software access to the thermal cycler.

a. Touch Security.

b. Touch Yes next to Allow VeritiLink Software Control. Change other settings as desired.

c. Touch Done.

7. Toggle the switch on the back of the thermal cycler to power off.

8. Toggle the switch again to power on.

VeritiLink™

Softwareserver

computer

Clientcomputer

Clientcomputer

Clientcomputer

Clientcomputer Printer

Router

External (company) network

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Installing the VeritiLink™ Software ServerInsert the VeritiLink™ Remote Management Software installation CD into the CD drive and follow the instructions that appear on the screen. In the Select Features screen, check Apache Web Server for laboratories with many thermal cyclers and/or many clients.

Starting the VeritiLink™ Software ServerThe VeritiLink™ Software Server is installed as a service and starts automatically after the software is installed and any time the server computer is restarted. If you need to restart the server manually, follow these instructions:

1. Click Start All Programs Applied Biosystems VeritiLink Remote Management Software Start VRMS Services.

2. To use the software, open your web browser and, in the URL field, enter the VeritiLink Software server IP address or name and then press Enter.

Setting Up VeritiLink™ Remote Management SoftwareUse VeritiLink Remote Management Software Setup Wizard to set up the software. The Setup Wizard appears when the administrator first logs into the VeritiLink Software.

Figure 1 Discover Instruments tab in the Setup Wizard, before and after clicking Discover Instruments

To identify thermal cyclers available on the network, click Discover Instruments. All thermal cyclers on the network are displayed in the window. Follow the instructions in the Setup Wizard to select instruments for monitoring, to create groups, set up security, verification reminders and email notifications.

For any thermal cycler that does not appear in this window, try the following:

1. Verify the thermal cycler is powered on.

2. Verify that the IP address for the thermal cycler is correct.

3. Verify that the “Allow VeritiLink Software Control” setting (in the Security screen on the thermal cycler) is Yes.

4. Verify the Ethernet cables are connected to the missing thermal cycler and the network.

5. Restart the missing thermal cycler.

6. Click Discover Instruments again.

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Monitoring Thermal Cyclers in the Instruments TabYou can see information about one or more thermal cyclers in the Instruments tab in any of four views. Some views use icons to convey information, as shown in Table 3.

Figure 2 Overview view, showing one type of information at a time

Figure 3 Single Instrument view, showing details for one instrument at a time

Figure 4 Thumbnails view, showing up to 6 types of information at a time

Figure 5 Detailed List view, showing a tabular view of all thermal cyclers in the system

Table 3 Thermal cycler status icons

Status Icon and Meaning

Run Status Unavailable: Ready: Starting run:

Running: Paused: Stopping run or aborted:

Notification Status Enabled: Disabled:

Verification Status Reminders disabled: Verifications current: \ Verifications overdue:

Part Number 4390856 Rev. A

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Creating and Editing a Run Method1. Click the Manage Methods tab.

2. In the menu bar, click Create New Method.The run method editor opens, with the default run method displayed. Using the default run method as a template you can:

• Add and delete steps and stages• Edit the number of cycles in a stage• Edit time, temperature, and ramp rate for a step• Add a pause before a step• Add AutoDelta steps• Edit the method name, sample volume, sample block type, and heated cover temperature

3. When you are done, click Save Method to save the run method to your computer or to a thermal cycler.

Performing a Thermal Cycling RunFollow the steps below to perform a run on more than one thermal cycler, and/or when using a method stored on the computer.

1. In the Instruments tab, select a thermal cycler for the run. Ctrl-click to select additional thermal cyclers with the same or compatible blocks, then click Start to open the Start Run dialog.

2. In the Start Run dialog, choose a run method:• For a run method stored on a thermal cycler, click Instrument. Use the Instrument drop-down list to

select the thermal cycler, then click a folder to display the run methods. Click the run method in the table to select it. (The run method does not have to be located on the instrument performing the run.)

Part Number 4390856 Rev. A

www.appliedbiosystems.com

• For a run method on your computer, click My Computer, then click Browse. Navigate to the run method, click Open, then Upload.

3. Enter changes to the run parameters.

4. Load your samples in the thermal cyclers (s) and click Start Run.

During a Thermal Cycling Run

Actions During a Run

Viewing the Progress of the Run

Click the Instruments tab. Click Single Instrument in the View drop-down list and select the thermal cycler from the Details for Instrument drop-down list.

The vertical yellow bar highlights the current step. The time remaining in the run is also shown.

© Copyright 2007, Applied Biosystems. All rights reserved.

For General Laboratory Use.

Applera, Applied Biosystems, and AB (Design) are registered trademarks, Veriti and VeritiLink are trademarks of Applera Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or certain other countries. All other trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners.

12/2007

To... Do This

Stop the run Click Abort

Pause during the run Click Pause

Continue a paused run without waiting for the pause to complete Click Resume

Change the number of cycles for any stage Click Modify Run Change Number of Cycles

Skip to the next step Click Modify Run Skip to Next Step

Part Number 4390856 Rev. A