See also:
The StarConnect Data Server (STCDS) is a general purpose vehicle for bidirectional, asynchronous data exchange of central Daimler marketing, sales, aftersales systems.
The STCDS can offer an interface per retailer. Each retailer is identified via an external system ID, equal to the Global Standard Source for Networkdata (GSSN) dealer number of the main outlet of the dealer. Additional locations (site/outlet) of that retailer will use the same credentials for communicating with the STCDS.
What do you want to do?
Note: The setup within Autoline for STCDS is based on the External system ID (GSSN ID) of the retailer and not the Autoline company (site/outlet) structure.
The STCDS provides one connection per retailer which is indicated by the External system ID. Autoline is working on a company (site/outlet) structure and in some situations is one Autoline system used for multiple retailers. This requires a mapping between the Autoline company (site/outlet) structure and the External system IDs as used by the STCDS.
The parameters to exchange data with central Daimler marketing, sales, aftersales systems must be setup in the StarConnect Data Server - [External System ID] and StarConnect Data Server - [External System ID <-> Company Mapping] forms.
This form is displayed when you click Manufacturer-specific > MB. Mercedes-Benz > Menu - Utilities > Mercedes-Benz parameters and you browse to + System parameters > + StarConnect Data Server > [External System ID] on the Project parameters browser. The StarConnect Data Server - [External System ID] parameters are used for data exchanges with central Daimler marketing, sales, aftersales systems.
Tabs:
Fields:
External system ID: Displays the GSSN dealer number of the main outlet of the dealer (retailer).
Note: For each retailer specified a /STCDS/[External System ID] subdirectory structure is created on the Autoline server in the Transfer base directory, which is setup in the General parameters. This subdirectory structure contains the following folders:
Folder Description Archive Contains the data for asynchronous inbound and the outbound requests that are archived per year / month. Archived data is stored in a compressed format based on the event date of the communication request. Certificate Contains the client certificate that is installed for this retailer. Inbound Contains the data that is received from the data server which is currently not archived. In addition a log file is stored in this folder for each inbound request. Logs Contains general log files for the persistent line and communication types. Outbound Contains the data available for sending to the data server. In addition a log file is stored in this folder for each outbound request. Sync Contains the data received on the synchronous line and that is sent as a response. A log file for each synchronous request is stored in this directory. Work The Work folder is a general work area for the data server. All files stored in this directory are temporary files. The XSD folder exist in the Work folder and contains all XML schema definitions for the data that is transferred by the Communication module. The XML schema definition files (.xsd) are used to verify the XML data received by the data server before sending and after receiving to ensure that the data is formatted correctly. Retailer description: Enter the name of the retailer, the retailer name is used in forms were you select the retailer.
Activate: Select the use of the STCDS connection from the list:
N Disabled: Disables the STCDS connection for this retailer.
Y Active: Activates the STCDS connection for this retailer. Activated retailers are included in the asynchronous communication in Timed operations and a persistent line is started if required for this retailer.
System manager email: Enter the email address of the Autoline system manager. Information about technical issues with the STCDS is send to this email address.
STCDS connection details:
Protocol: Select the protocol required from the list:
HTTPS: Protocol for a secured connection. The default protocol is HTTPS.
HTTP: Protocol for an unsecured connection. HTTP is only allowed for test systems that are not connected over the internet.
Host name or IP: Enter the host name or IP address of the STCDS.
Connection time out: Enter the time in seconds that the STCDS communication module will consider a time-out on establishing a connection (asynchronous and synchronous) with the data server. Default: 10 seconds.
Technical user ID: Enter the technical user ID that is required to establish the connection with the STCDS.
Technical user password: Enter the password belonging to the technical user.
Proxy server: Select, if required, the proxy server configuration.
Note: The proxy server should allow SSL encryption and should not use caching. In addition, the proxy server should not close the connection automatically after a time-out to avoid that the persistent line is terminated.
Asynchronous communication (offline):
Data server port: Enter the communication port that is used to establish a connection for the asynchronous line. Default port for HTTPS protocol: 443.
Application path: Enter the application path of the SOAP services that are provided for the asynchronous line. Default: /STARCDS/services/ExternalInterface?externalSystemId=[External system ID].
Data line time out: Enter the time-out in seconds when waiting for data on the asynchronous line. Default: 30 seconds.
Default purge days: Enter the number of days after which data is purged from the communication archive (inbound and outbound). No data is purged if this parameter is set to zero. This parameter can be overruled by the purge setting on the communication type record. Default: 30 days.
Synchronous communication (online):
Synchronous port: Enter the communication port for the persistent line. Default port for HTTPS protocol: 443.
Application path: Enter the application path on the STCDS for the persistent line. Default: /STARCDS/services/Server?id=[External system ID].
Parameters Tab Buttons:
Install certificate: Displays a Windows Select PKCS12 certificate file dialog box on the screen to open and copy the client certificate file on the Autoline server. During install, a dialog box is displayed to enter the password that belongs to the certificate selected. An error message is displayed to abort or to view the error output when an error occurs during installation of the certificate.
The connection between the Autoline server and the STCDS server is secured to ensure that the data exchange between both systems is safe. SSL/TLS mutual authentication is used to secure the OSI transport layer as a first layer of defence. The client requires an X509v3 certificate to authenticate at the server side.
Certificates are only used if a secured connection is established between the Autoline server and the STCDS server. Hence for a HTTP proxy server it is not possible to use the certificates, for a HTTPS proxy server or direct connection it is possible to use certificates.Tip: Only applicable if you have received the client certificate to use STCDS.
Note: The name of the button changes to Update certificate when a certificate is installed.
Proxy settings: Opens the Proxy server details form to maintain the proxy server settings required.
The data that is exchanged with the data server is validated to ensure that only correct formatted data is exchanged. The corresponding XML schema definitions defined in .xsd files are used to validate the XML files.
XML Schema Validation Files Installed For This Retailer Grid:
Filename: Displays the filename of the XML schema definition file.
For the StarConnect Data server the following XSD files are required on the Autoline server:
- StarConnectDataServer.xsd
- StarConnectDataServerExt.xsd
- StarConnectDataServerExtSync.xsd
- swaref.xsd
During import the MBC POS OOM file is validated against the matching XSD schema:
- masterupdatefile.xsd
Version: Displays the version of the XML schema definition file, if the XSD file supports versions.
For the StarConnect Data server all XSD files require version 1.4 except of the swaref.xsd file which should have version 1.2. The correct versions are delivered as part of the STCDS software and are automatically updated if needed.
Product: Displays the product of the XML schema definition file. For example, GO IN CESAR, MBCPOS LMS, MBCPOS OOM, PVS, STCDS or WINGO.
XML Schema Validation Files Installed For This Retailer Grid Shortcut Menu:
Delete: Deletes the corresponding XML schema definition file from the Autoline server and refreshes the grid.
Revert to default: Updates the delivered XML schema definition (XSD) files, if require, and refreshes the grid. The update is automatically done during install of the concerning MS product, which standard includes the XSD files. You can correct the XSD files with the Revert to default button in case the files are added manually.
Field:
Filter: Enter a word or part of a word to filter the XML schema definition files which are listed in the XML Schema Validation Files Installed For This Retailer grid. The filter is case sensitive and you can use wildcards.
XML Schema Tab Buttons:
Delete: Deletes the corresponding XML schema definition file from the Autoline server and refreshes the grid.
Add: Displays a Windows Select schema definition file dialog box on the screen to open and copy the XML schema definition file on the Autoline server. It is possible to select multiple files.
Tip: An Overwrite file message is displayed in case the selected XSD file is already available. Click Yes if you want to overwrite the XSD file.
Before you can setup the parameters for STCDS, you need to create the external system ID.
To add an new external system ID:
Click the New element or the 
icon, and click the Amend toolbar button 
or the Edit > Amend menu bar command.
The Please enter a new retailer ID dialog box is displayed.
Enter the required External system ID and click OK.
The StarConnect Data Server - [External System ID] form is displayed and the STCDS parameter record for the selected External system ID parameter element is populated with some default settings in edit mode. You can complete the STCDS parameter record.
Click the Save toolbar button 
, or click the Edit > Save menu bar command, to save your changes.
Your STCDS parameters are represented as a parameter element in the browser, with the External system ID appended.
You amend an external system ID if you need to change the STCDS parameters for some reason.
To amend an external system ID:
Click the External system ID element that represents the settings you want to change.
The StarConnect Data Server - [External System ID] form is displayed for the location code you selected.
Click the Amend toolbar button , or click the Edit > Amend menu bar command.
Opens the STCDS parameter record for the selected External system ID parameter element in edit mode. You can make changes to the parameters.
Click the Save toolbar button , or click the Edit > Save menu bar command, to save your changes.
Your STCDS parameters are now stored for the selected External system ID parameter element.
If it is necessary to delete an external system ID, proceed as follows.
To delete an external system ID:
Click the External system ID element that represents the STCDS parameters you want to delete.
The StarConnect Data Server - [External System ID] form is displayed.
Click the Amend toolbar button , or click the Edit > Amend menu bar command.
The Delete toolbar button is available.
Click the Delete toolbar button 
, or click the Edit > Delete menu bar command.
The Check before deletion message is displayed.
After checking manual that there are no data queue entries for this retailer, click the OK, no entries button to continue the deletion process.
The Delete record message is displayed.
Click Yes to delete the External system ID record.
The record is deleted and the parameter element is removed from the browser.
This form is displayed when you click Manufacturer-specific > MB. Mercedes-Benz > Menu - Utilities > Mercedes-Benz parameters and you browse to + System parameters > + StarConnect Data Server > [External System ID] on the Project parameters browser. The StarConnect Data Server - [External System ID <-> Company Mapping] are used to:
Validate the permissions of a user within the STCDS communication module.
Determine the External system ID that are used for communication within the selected company for the functions concerned.
Fields:
External system ID: Select the retailer, configured for the STCDS, for which the mapping is required.
Module: Select the Autoline module to link the External system ID.
Company: Select the Autoline company available for the selected module to link the External system ID.
Note: Each module/company combination can be mapped to only one External system ID.
Buttons:
Save: Saves the details of the record corresponding to the selected gridline, or the details of the new record, and refreshes the grid.
New: Creates a new record ready for you to complete.
Delete: Deletes the details of the record corresponding to the selected gridline and refreshes the grid.
Grid:
Displays the existing mappings.
Module: Displays the Autoline module to which the retailer is mapped.
Company: Displays the Autoline company to which the retailer is mapped.
External system ID: Displays the retailer, configured for the STCDS.
These mappings are used to:
Validate the permissions of a user within the STCDS communication module.
Determine the External system ID that are used for communication within the selected company for the functions concerned.