The DS-Client software runs on Windows, Linux, and MAC computers. For a list of supported operating systems, see the Client Software Installation Guide.

All interactions with the DS-Client are performed using the DS-User software, which is a GUI interface for DS-Client administration.

The DS-User software can run on any computer with the TCP/IP protocol installed. The DS-User software can administer a DS-Client running on a local or remote computer (thereby providing remote management over a TCP/IP connection, and even over the Internet). The DS-User (or user that uses it) is required to provide valid credentials to the DS-Client for authentication before it is able to perform any activity. The authentication method that the DS-Client uses for user access validation depends on the DS-Client platform.

DS-User is included in the DS-Client installation package.

Java DS-User also allows users to connect to multiple DS-Clients from the same GUI instance, allowing them to switch easily between DS-Client management sessions with one click. The DS-Clients can be on any platform (Windows / Linux / Mac), as long as they are visible on the network from the DS-User computer.

A DS-Client performs login validation (for DS-User sessions) with the local or domain user account database (if applicable).

An administrator can configure the DS-Client with different user and group roles for access to DS-Client. A DS-Client allows multiple, simultaneous DS-User connections, with the same or different authentication. See “Configuring the user and group settings”.