Update the Agent

Take Control (TeamViewer) was introduced for Windows in Monitoring Agent version 6.3 and launched for Mac computers in Mac Agent 1.3.0.

Take Control (SolarWinds) was included for Windows from Monitoring Agent 10.5 and launched for Mac computers in Mac Agent 2.1.0.

For supported Operating Systems and associated Monitoring Agent (where applicable), please refer to Supported Operating Systems: Windows andSupported Operating Systems: Mac

The option to select the Take Control engine (SolarWinds or TeamViewer) was introduced in Dashboard 6.34, with engine selection supported from Windows Monitoring Agent 10.5.0 and Mac Agent 2.1.0. Please note that earlier Agent versions will default to Take Control (TeamViewer) regardless of the engine selection setting.

This section covers the steps to perform a new Agent installation as well as update existing Agents.

New Installations

The Monitoring Agent is installed on new servers and workstations by selecting the required version from Agent, Download Agent or from File, Add Device, Download Agent, download then run this installer on each server (Windows) and workstation (Windows and Mac) where Take Control is to be enabled.

An alternative for Windows is to deploy using the Site Installation Package - from Agent, Download Agent or File, Add Device, Download Agent and Download Site Installation Package - to generate a silent installer for installation on multiple workstations via Group Policies or the one-click Remote Worker installer for workstations not connected to Active Directory.

Existing Agents

All existing configuration settings are retained when the Agent is updated, regardless of how the Agents were originally deployed.

Manual Update

Log into the Dashboard and navigate to the Agent menu, Download Agent or File, Add Device, Download Agent. Select the required version of the Agent to initiate the download of a compressed file containing the Agent, once downloaded extract then run the executable on each server (Windows) or workstation (Windows and Mac) to update.

Automatic Update

Rather that access each device to update the Agent, the Dashboard includes the option to automatically update individual or multiple devices.

Agent Auto Update Dialog

Log into the Dashboard and navigate to the Agent menu, Agent Auto-update Settings to open the Agent Auto Update dialog.

To help identify devices that may be running an older version of the Agent the expandable left-hand tree displays a visual indication of the current Agent version status for the Client and Site nodes.

From the left-hand menu the user can select the node level to apply the update to (all Servers or Workstations, Client or Site) then choose the required action in the dialog's north panel. For example, they can opt to globally update allWindows Servers, Windows Workstations or Mac Workstations at the global level, expand the Servers or Workstations node to update all devices at a specific Client or expand a Client node to update all devices at a specific Site. By default, servers and workstations will inherit the update settings from the Site, which will in turn inherit the update settings from the Client, which will in turn inherit update settings for all servers and workstations.

In addition to updating all Agents in the selected node the Client and Site nodes include the option to select individual devices, each with their own configurable action.

Regardless of the selection, from all down to individual devices, each Agent Auto Updatedialog action drop down has the following options:

Multiple Devices

The following table covers the outcome of updating the Agent via the Update All Windows Servers: Update All Windows Workstations: or Update All OS X Workstations drop-downs in the All Servers or All Workstations section of the Agent Auto Update dialog.

Individual Devices

Individual devices can be selected for update in the Agent Auto Update dialog when in the Client or Site node. Navigate to the target device(s) under the Individual Servers or Individual Workstations section, then select the require Agent version from the device's Update drop-down.

Apply settings and Pending Actions

Once satisfied with the selection click Save to apply changes and exit out of the dialog.

Where all devices at the Client and Site level are set to receive an update this is indicated in the left-hand menu with the orange pending icon against relevant nodes. At the device level of the Agent Auto Update dialog, the Agent version is displayed in the Pending updates column for the device (available from in the Client or Site node).

When in the pending state updates may be canceled via the Cancel all pending updates Auto Agent Update dialog action at all Servers and Workstations, Client, Site and individual device level.

Notes:

To match the company's update policy a mixed approach may be adopted when rolling out Agent releases. For example, set the all servers and workstations option at the Client or Site level then use the individual device option to exclude specific devices.

Only General Availability (GA) Agents are supported in the Agent Auto Update dialog, although individual devices may be automatically updated to a Release Candidate via the Edit device update option (below).

To help navigate large lists of devices click the maximize button to full screen the Agent Auto Update dialog and click the restore button to return to its normal size

Please be aware that the updates are only performed on those Operating System where that version of the Agent is supported. For example, where all devices at a Client are selected for update and one device is running Windows 2000 then this device is excluded from the update.

Individual Device - Edit Device Dialog

In addition to Agent Auto-update Settings automatic updates for an individual server or workstation may be actioned in the Edit dialog for the device.

Highlight the required server or workstation in the north panel of the Dashboard, open the EditServer or Edit Workstation dialog available from the Edit menu, in the Server or Workstations drop-down, or by double or right-clicking on the device in the north panel.

Select the required release from the Update Agent drop-down in the Agent Version section then OK to exit out of the dialog and apply.

This update mechanism supports both General Availability and Release Candidate releases.

Take Control URLs

In addition to the Dashboard and Agent URLs, each device's Take Control installation requires access to the connection URLs for the corresponding version of Take Control: Take Control (TeamViewer) or Take Control (SolarWinds)

Summary Tab

The Summary tab displays Agent Supported Features reflecting whether the device can be accessed via Take Control.