Managing Branch Offices

In this topic:

Managing Your Installation

It is possible to monitor branch offices at remote locations using a centralized database. Use this option when there are too many Clients to reasonably provide VPN or Internet access for each. Clients communicate with on-site Server Components, and the local Data Vault server uses a VPN connection to communicate with the centralized Database and File Storage location.

In this configuration, Clients are managed from a Control Center at the branch location, but all data goes to the central database. ALL Server Components (with SQL Server and Databases) should be installed on the central Server computer before you set up a branch office.

General configuration:

Local, branch office Server Components access the central database via a VPN connection.
Any Dashboard used at the branch office requires a direct VPN connection to the central database computer.
Branch office Clients communicate with the Local Servers and do NOT require a direct connection to the central database.
The Data Vault service requires Network Account credentials to write files to the File Storage Location AND SQL Server credentials to access the central database.
The local Web Filter Server requires SQL Server credentials to access Web Filtering Policy at the central database. See below.
You will manage and configure the branch Client installations from the branch office Control Center.

Spector 360 Clients require direct connection to the Primary Server, and you can install only one Primary Server under one serial number. If remote Clients will NOT have VPN or direct Internet access to the central Server, you’ll need to install a Primary Server at each branch office to accommodate the Clients at that location. Contact SpectorSoft Sales Support to obtain a serial number for the Primary Server at each branch office.

To install branch office Server Components:

Perform the following steps at each branch office.

Obtain a serial number for the Primary Server to be installed at the local branch office.
Make sure the VPN connection from the local Server to the central Server is active.
Use your branch office serial number to download the Spector 360 Setup program. You will install the Primary Server, Data Vault, Control Center, and Web Filter Server (if you are using Web Filtering at the branch office). Do NOT install the Database. Keep in mind that the Data Vault Server may be handling 10-30 MB of data, per Client, every day. The server computer should meet the following requirements:

At least 100 GB free hard disk space, depending on amount of data recorded
Static IP address
Always available on the network
Internet connection
Working VPN connection to the remote, central server computer.

When prompted, enter the serial number you have obtained for this branch location.
You will be asked for name of the computer where the Spector 360 SQL Server instance is installed. Be sure to provide the correct Computer Name for the central Server computer where the Spector 360 Database is installed.
Enter the SA Password defined for the central database. Click Next.
Accept the default settings for installing components under Local System / Network accounts.
When you are prompted, enter the network credentials to be used by the Control Center service. Domain Administrator credentials are recommended for this service. Click OK.
When prompted for each, select Install on This Computer for the Primary Server, Data Vault, and Web Filter Server.
Follow normal procedure as described in the Deployment Guide to register the local branch office serial number and obtain an unlock code. Finish the installation.

To configure the branch Data Vault for SQL Server Authentication:

A remote Data Vault requires SQL Server authentication to directly communicate with the database. Select this option after installation, from the Control Center.

Make sure the VPN connection to the central server is active.
Open the Control Center.
Select Windows Start > All Programs > Spector 360 > Spector 360 Control Center.
In the Control Center, right-click the Control Center and select Properties.
From the Properties window, select the Data Vault tab.
Click Set Credentials in the top Data Vault section. You’ve already configured the Data Vault to use Local or Windows Network credentials. Change the selection to SQL Server Credentials. The user name and password you enter will be added automatically to the database as a login account; however, be sure to use the SAME account at all branch offices. Click OK.

Data Vault Properties

Select SQL Server Credentials

You are then prompted for the Database SA (System Administrator) Logon password. Enter the SA password for the central Spector 360 Database. Click OK.

Enter the SA Password for the Central Database

To configure the branch Web Filter Server for SQL Server Authentication:

If you are using centralized Web Filtering:

In the Spector 360 Control Center Properties, select the Web Filter Server tab.
Click Set Credentials in the top Web Filter Server section. You’ve already configured the Web Filter Server to use Local or Windows Network credentials. Change the selection to SQL Server Credentials. Enter the SAME SQL Server credentials you used for the Data Vault service. Click OK.
Enter the SA password for the central Spector 360 Database. Click OK.