How the Client Works

In this topic:

Client Licensing

What the Client Records

Stealth Operation

How the Client Records

The Client

The Client Recorder is hidden software that records all activity at each network computer where it is installed. After you register and unlock your serial number, you can install one Client for each license you have purchased. If you have a 100 Client license agreement, you can install the Client on 100 computers. If necessary, you can  purchase additional Client licenses under your current serial number. More...

Client Licensing:

When you install the Client Recorder on a computer:

 

Your installation is "unlocked" for a set number of Clients
when you register your serial number

 

To record on a Windows multi-user server, you need one license for each unique user logging into the server. For example, a 50 Client license would allow installation of the Client onto a Citrix MetaFrame server configured for 50 users. More...

What the Client Records:

The installed Client immediately begins recording computer activity:

Like a surveillance camera, the Client takes
regular screen snapshots of activity

The Client also provides Keyword Alerts, Internet Blocking, "record" toggle hotkeys, and instant screen snapshot hotkeys. All settings are available through the Deployment Utility or Client Settings.

Stealth Operation:

Normally the Client runs in stealth mode, but you can configure it to be visible to the computer user. Either way, the Client operates in the background, monitoring and recording all computer events without causing degradation in computer performance.

Though part of the Client is installed as a Windows Service, it is sufficiently hidden so that it will not be observed by the computer's user.

How the Client Records:

The Client includes a Client Service and a Recorder component. These work together in stealth to record activity on the computer and report back to the centralized Data Vault and Control Center.

  1. The Client service communicates with the Primary Server to establish licensing and with the Control Center to update its status.

  2. The Client begins recording computer and Internet activity.

It saves recorded activity in 15 minute chunks and compresses, encrypts, and stores events in a hidden folder on the hard drive of the Client computer. (Data on the Client can only be read by a local Viewer.)  

  1. Periodically, the Client attempts to upload recorded data to the Data Vault.  

If the Client service cannot make contact with the Data Vault, the recorded data remains on the Client computer until a specified time period passes or a maximum data size is reached. Then, the Client begins to delete the oldest stored data.

  1. Once recorded events are pushed to the Data Vault, the Client deletes them from the local computer.

It is critical that the Client is configured with the correct Primary Server settings (computer name and IP address). The Primary Server must be up and running for the Client to function properly. If necessary, you can correct Primary Server communication in the Server settings of the Deployment Utility or the Configure Computer Client Settings.  

Meanwhile, the Client Service provides Client Recorder status (installed or not, recording or not, and which settings are in place) to the Control Center so that you can monitor, manage, and configure the Clients from the Control Center.

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