Multi-user Configuration

Rob Moore · Post by **Rob Moore** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 8:38 am

Hello--

I am about to buy some new hardware to install HostMonitor on. One of my goals is to make the station visible to several people at once.

Currently, the physical machine is on my desk and only I use it. When someone else wants to use it, they connect to it via RDP, and then only they can use it. (The computer running HostMonitor is running Windows XP.)

HostMonitor is started as a service.

My plan is to install Windows Server 2003 (or 2008) on the new computer. We could then use it either in standard mode, allowing two simulatneous RDP sessions, or in Terminal Services mode, allowing unlimited simultaneous RDP sessions. The most likely scenario is that I would be the only one adding or modifying tests. One or two other people might want to see the status of some of the things being monitored.

Will this work? That is, can more than one person log onto the machine at the same time and both (or all three) see the HostMonitor console?

Thanks,
Rob

KS-Soft Europe · Post by **KS-Soft Europe** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:00 am

I think, you may use Remote control Console (RCC). RCC allows you to work with HostMonitor which is running on a remote system just like you work with HostMonitor when it is started on your local system. RCC has exactly same interface as the one of the HostMonitor. Beside that, several operators may connect to the same instance of HostMonitor at the same time. http://www.ks-soft.net/hostmon.eng/rcc/index.htm

RDP is not proper solution in your case because HostMonitor service works as Win32 interactive service, so the user, who connects to RDP console (session 0), is only able to see HostMonitor GUI. With Windows Vista/Server 2008 situation is wierd, because due to Microsoft, Win32 services are unable to interact with the desktop at all. So, you should use RCC to access HostMonitor service, running on Windows Vista/Server 2008.

Regards,
Max

KS-Soft · Post by **KS-Soft** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 10:15 am

Note: Enterprise license comes with 1 RCC license. If you need more RCC licenses, you may purchase 1 RCC license for $100 USD, 10 RCC for $500 USD
If you own Lite, Standard or Professional license, 1st RCC license will cost $150 USD
http://www.ks-soft.net/hostmon.eng/regmon.htm#tools

Regards
Alex

Rob Moore · Post by **Rob Moore** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 10:24 am

Thanks for the info. RCC looks good.

What about my original query, though? Will RDP work?

Also, looking at the tech specs for HostMonitor, there's no mention about it working on Vista or Server 2008. Will it work on those platforms?

Thanks,
Rob

KS-Soft · Post by **KS-Soft** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 10:32 am

What about my original query, though? Will RDP work?

Answer was posted above
===================
RDP is not proper solution in your case because services work in session 0, only the user, who connects to RDP console (session 0), is able to work with interactive services. With Windows Vista/Server 2008 situation is wierd, because due to Microsoft, Win32 services are unable to interact with the desktop at all. So, you should use RCC to access HostMonitor service, running on Windows Vista/Server 2008.

Regards,
Max
===================

Also, looking at the tech specs for HostMonitor, there's no mention about it working on Vista or Server 2008. Will it work on those platforms?

Most of Windows Vista/2008 related problems were fixed recently and software works fine... Well, with some exceptions. There is at least one problem remains - Win32 services cannot display anything on desktop on Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.
Recomended workaround - Remote Control Console

if you have a choice Windows 2003 or Windows 2008 - use Windows Server 2003 SP2

Regards
Alex

Rob Moore · Post by **Rob Moore** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 10:46 am

Ah, you are right. You did answer my question above. Thanks. And thanks for the detail about Vista and Server 2008.

Rob

KS-Soft · Post by **KS-Soft** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:06 am

You are welcome

Regards
Alex

greyhat64 · Post by **greyhat64** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:17 am

The most likely scenario is that I would be the only one adding or modifying tests. One or two other people might want to see the status of some of the things being monitored.

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned using the web interface for those who "want to see the status". It's perfect for that purpose and I have an entire tech support team monitoring dozens of tests, acknowledging alerts, disabling tests (if they've been given that permission), etc.

Keep the one Enterprise RCC for yourself, since your are the 'Editor', and add one only if you bring on another editor and you can't timeshare the RCC.

Note: It probably goes without saying, but multiple Admins/Editors without a good change control process is a recipe for disaster.

Rob Moore · Post by **Rob Moore** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:11 pm

One more question: How about running HostMonitor on Windows XP or Windows 2003 64-bit? Is that OK, or should I stay away from 64-bit?

Thanks again,
Rob

KS-Soft · Post by **KS-Soft** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:25 pm

HostMonitor is 32-bit application, however, we have tested HostMonitor and RMA on Windows 2003 Standard 64 bit and Windows XP Professional x64. Works fine.
Note: If you plan to use ODBC Logging or ODBC test method, you should create Datasources using 32-bit ODBC Data Source Administrator (C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe).

Regards
Alex

greyhat64 · Post by **greyhat64** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:57 pm

As far as using Windows XP - isn't there a limit to the number of simultaneous connections that put XP at a disadvantage?

KS-Soft Europe · Post by **KS-Soft Europe** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 1:03 pm

greyhat64 wrote:As far as using Windows XP - isn't there a limit to the number of simultaneous connections that put XP at a disadvantage?

Number of simultaneous connections can be increased by changing some registry settings, like TcpNumConnection, MaxUserPort and TcpTimedWaitDelay. Please, read the following post for details: http://www.ks-soft.net/cgi-bin/phpBB/vi ... hp?p=21409

Regards,
Max

KS-Soft · Post by **KS-Soft** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 1:07 pm

This can be a problem when you are using Passive RMA (installed on XP) to perform a lot of tests.
Its not a big problem for RCC, Web or Telnet Service, unless you have 20-50 operators using web interface. Yes, XP can miss some requests even from 2-3 web users (even from single operator) however I don't think this issue is critical because operator can easily click Refresh button to send another request.
Telnet client uses single connection per user. RCC uses single TCP connection to HostMonitor as well.

Anyway, if you have a choice, its better to use Windows Server 2003.

Regards
Alex