Tools4FIM RCDC Editor - Now with Resultant Rights Evaluator!

The RCDC editor is a WYSIWYG editor for Resource Control Display Configurations (RCDCs). This accelerates and supports FIM user interface customization, but saving heaps of time manually editing XML files. Once you have exported the Service configuration, you can browse through the RCDCs and configure them. You can then save the results and test them in FIM. As far as possible the RCDC Editor is designed not to allow illegal configurations, which is where so much time is normally wasted. Once you have used it, you won't go back to editing the configuration manually; and if you’ve never edited one manually, you’ll never need to!

'An overview of the RCDC Editor' – a 5 minute video on what RCDC Editor is for, aimed at anyone without any prior knowledge.

‘Using the RCDC Editor' – a 25 minute overview of how to use the RCDC Editor aimed at people who have used FIM 2010 and want to know in more detail what the RCDC Editor does; this is also a useful kick start for anyone about to use the RCDC Editor.

The Resultant Rights Evaluator (new in the RCDC Editor) – a 5 minute video on the new Resultant Rights Evaluator

Background

RCDC configurations are stored as XML. The out-of-the-box method of editing them is to export the XML, edit it manually, and import it again. For this to work you must:

  • Save valid XML
  • Save a valid configuration
  • Save a configuration that actually does what you intended
  • Have a very good understanding of the XML and how the RCDC configurations work

It is rare to achieve this successfully first time, and because the only feedback you get is that it fails to load the RCDC, it is not unusual to spend hours making a trivial change.

The RCDC Editor saves valid XML, saves valid configurations (except where you have consciously overridden the settings) and (through it's WYSIWYG nature) makes it easy to configure it as you intended.

Functionality

  • Handles all the control types you are likely to want to edit (there are some special ones which you are advised to leave well alone)
  • Let's you drag controls around and between groupings (tabs)
  • Let's you create and delete new tabs
  • Has a comprehensive help file to guide you through complex options
  • Keeps a copy of your original configuration as a backup
  • Search based on display name or usage keyword
  • The Editor supports localization - resource strings have to be created in FIM first, and then exported

General principle of operation

  • Export (part of) the FIM Server (Portal) configuration using the PowerShell CmdLets
  • Create a new project in the RCDC Editor that points to the exported configuration file
  • Edit an RCDC
  • Save it, or copy it to the clipboard
  • In FIM either load it, or paste it from the clipboard
  • Perform and IISReset
  • Test your RCDC

In the latest version the RCDC Editor now has a new trick (version 3.0 onwards) - it allows you to evaluate resultant rights. For example, suppose you have a number of Policies giving Read and Modify rights to different Requestors in respect of different User Resources (or any resources). The behavior of the RCDC depends on:

  • The Requestor - e.g. are they "administrator", someone in the HR set, or just any old user?
  • The Target - e.g. is it "self", "other user", administrator" etc.

There is no simple way of finding out which attributes can be read, read and modified, or maybe just modified in each case ("just modified" is not usually helpful, and so it is also interesting to know about). At least there wasn't a simple way - until now! This is exactly what you can do with the Resultant Rights Evaluator. See a short video introducing the Resultant Rights Evaluator, or see a slightly longer one introducing all the features of the RCDC Editor if you are not already a convert!

Download the RCDC Editor (FREE)

The RCDC Editor is free to download and try - however, by default, the RCDC Editor is installed in reduced functionality mode. In this mode, you can create a project and view your RCDCs, edit controls, add controls etc. What you cannot do is save your RCDCs or copy the XML. You must license your project in order to save changes or copy your XML. The RCDC editor is licensed per FIM installation. Once you have purchased a license and activated your project you can save changes and test your RCDCs.

RCDC Single Environment License ($495)

(NB: Once you buy a license, you will be given a License ID and Password. Then, in the RCDC Editor, from the File menu, take the option to Activate license – and follow the instructions to activate online, or manually (if you have no direct internet access from the server). If activating manually you will need to use the 'manual activation' page, which you can find here).

A complete product brochure for all the current Tools4FIM tools may be downloaded here