Advanced Smart Control Network Configuration Scenarios

There are several ways to configure Smart Control Resource Managers. This document explains the more common configurations of SCRM to SCRM communication.  Connecting SCRMs will allow them to share client management responsibilities.

A Hierarchy Relationship makes one SCRM the Master and central license server while allowing sub servers to fully control their local clients. The difference between a Primary and Secondary SCRM is that only the Primary will facilitate licensing and product updates. This structure is most useful for organizations with remote locations.

A Helper Relationship gives all license, schedule, Energy Saver and ScreenView privileges to the Primary SCRM while allowing the Helper SCRM to control the Protection, Power and Miscellaneous commands to the client computers. This scenario is used when multiple administrators are sharing management of the same set of clients.
 

 

Peer Relationships gives all license, schedule, Energy Saver, and ScreenView privileges to the Primary SCRM of a subset while allowing a SCRM that is the Primary of a different subset to control the Protection, Power and Miscellaneous commands.These are used when administrators are sharing responsibilities over two separate subsets of machines.
 

Preparation for Update:
1. Please make sure that all schedules have the correct passwords before installing on Smart Control Resource Manager (SCRM) due to the fact that we have updated how bad passwords are handled in the schedule.
2. Plan to update all Smart Controls first. The SCRM to SCRM communications have been updated to be more efficient but both Smart Controls must be on the newest version.

Smart Control Updates
•    Major SCRM to SCRM communication changes. All SCRMS must be on the same version.
•    Extended last column in Log Viewer to include longest line of information.
•    Added the ability to change the Keyboard and Mouse unlock phrase from the SCRM
•    Under Client Properties -> Groups tab that list all the groups that the client is a member of.
•    Schedules with bad passwords will fail with no action (no fallback) on the client computer.
•    File Transfer entire directories with all subfolders and files
•    Improved client icons in grid
•    Add or change Secondary Smart Control for the reporting clients

V-Control
•    Corrected password bug on Windows 7 x64 clients.
•    Corrected service registration issue in msi installer.
 
Clients
•    Optional Directory Protection (ODP)
•    Will allow the user to select directories to disable protection permanently.  This change is done at the kernel level rather than the file system as it is in Directory Exclusion. This is a different technology from Directory Exclusion and is much more robust and user friendly.
•    Can be set from the configuration panel, command line or Smart Control.
•    Schedules with bad passwords will be refused and no fallback actions taken
•    Change Keyboard and Mouse unlock phrase (Only works on 2.1.10 or newer clients with 2.1.10 or newer Smart Control)
•    Additional validation in scheduling for lower fail rate.
•    Directory Exclusion is still available to clients who have it configured or by adding a parameter to the ctsrgui.exe.config file. 
•    Ability to add a secondary Smart Control.
•    Client cannot receive product updates or licenses from secondary Smart Control.
•    Client pop-up windows push to front as well as sending other windows to back.
•    Windows Update failure
•    In the event that Windows updates fail a System reboot is scheduled to avoid clients being locked out with red blocked screen.  More error handling has been added to catch update and COM exceptions.

In response to a customer request, Full Directory Transfers will be available in Smart Shield and Smart Control version 2.1.10. Directory Transfer will allow the user to duplicate a Smart Control directory and all of its contents on the Smart Shield client. This feature has many applications with regard to client maintenance and data consistency. 

To use this feature, select the client(s) you wish to add a directory to and then click the file transfer option. You will see the new button labeled “Add Directory”.

Click the button to see a directory selector window. Then use that window to select the directory you wish to transfer.

Click ok and select your client destination location. Then the process works exactly like file transfer.

Progress can be tracked via the File Transfer Manager.

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For clients that have Managed Licenses

For Clients that are Standalone Licensed