MIT Enviro-monitor Dashboard

Owned by Sean Millar
Oct 30, 2024
4 min read

This is a guide on how to use the UCentric Dashboard including how to add, configure and edit all widgets.

To view a list of the widgets that can be used, please find them here: MIT Enviro-monitor Dashboard Widgets

Accessing the dashboard

The dashboard can be accessed in the same way as other web applications from the UCentric suite. In the address bar of your browser, navigate to the system IP address or hostname as you would for other applications. And append ucdashboard to the end of the address, for example 127.0.0.2/ucdashboard.

This will load the main interface and present a login prompt. Again, similar to other applications, this uses the same login credentials as the web interface or single point application. These users can be created or edited through the web interface itself under the Administration pane.

Interface Overview

The below image is the main interface of the dashboard once logged in for the first time. Typically on a default dashboard with nothing currently set on it. A blank canvas.

Using the image above, we can see a navigation bar on the top of the screen. From left to right there are the following options:

  1. Selected Dashboard. This will be the current dashboard name, and a dropdown arrow that allows you to select other saved dashboards. This can be used to view different dashboards or those that are grouped together with transitions.

  2. Mode Selector. This is a pencil icon and will show either the text Free Mode or Grid Mode. Free Mode allows full freedom of movement when placing widgets on the dashboard. Grip Mode will assist in widgets ‘snapping’ in place to great a more ordered look. The modes can be switched between freely at any time.

  3. Locked/Unlocked. This is a padlock icon and text of the current status of the dashboard. Unlocked allows editing of the dashboard and moving widgets, whereas locked will ensure that widgets remain in place.

  4. Add Widget. This is the main button to use when creating a dashboard. Along with the button pictured at the centre of the screen, clicking this opens a list of the available widgets that can be added. These will be touched upon later in the article.

  5. Settings. This button is the picture of a person, followed by the name of the user currently logged in. Clicking on this opens a menu filled with settings to do with the dashboard.

Adding A Widget

Adding a widget can be achieved in two ways, the first is only available on new and blank dashboards. In the centre of the screen there is the button to Add Widget. Alternatively, there is always the Add Widget button on the navigation pane as mention in the above section.

Clicking either button will present the screen above. Showing the vast array of available widgets, you can scroll through the list or use a filter to search. Using sub groups such as UCentric to find reporting widgets, or by searching for the exact name.

The screen above is an example of the configuration pane. These will be different depending on the widget in question, but can be accessed by clicking on the Cog icon in the top right of any widget when you hover over them.

This allows you to do basic jobs, such as Refresh, Duplicate and Rename the widget. And more advanced options related to the specific widget, such as selecting the search parameters to display. More information on each widget can be found here: MIT Enviro-monitor Dashboard Widgets

Live Dashboard

The dashboard can be set up in a variety of ways, please see below some examples of what a live dashboard can look like:

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