Using the Deployment Utility

Manage Computers

Before installing the Client Recorder on network computers, you can build an executable Client Install file that specifies exactly how you want Spector CNE to record, block, and/or deliver Keyword Alerts. You can select this Client Install file to deploy your settings to a single computer, a group of computers, or as a batch installation on the network. The Deployment Utility takes you step-by-step through selecting Client settings and building a Client Install file (the default file name is spsetup_Settings.sds).

The Deployment Utility does not install the Client. It simply prepares the settings and builds the .sds install file. You will select your Client Install file when you request an installation (right-click on a computer and select Install Spector Client).

To run the Deployment Utility:

  1. Start the Deployment Utility:

Open the Control Center and select Manage Computers. Open the Action menu, or right click on Manage Computers, and select Deployment Utility. The Client Deploy Utility wizard opens.

  1. Read the Client Deploy Utility Agreement box.
    Click Review Agreement to read the Software License Agreement you have with SpectorSoft. You may only install the Client on the number of computers for which you are licensed. See Serial Number Registration. If you agree to the terms of the agreement, click I Agree.

  2. Choose a configuration file.
    Accept the default Configuration file Settings.ini to start with default SpectorSoft settings. You can change settings as you progress through the Deployment Utility wizard and your changes will be retained the next time you use the utility. Click Start to continue.

You can change the configuration file (.ini) name, or create multiple configuration files with different settings for different Clients. For example, one Client Install file may have ALL activity recording enabled ("All.ini"), and another may have ONLY Web Sites recording enabled ("JustWeb.ini"). See Using Different Configuration Files.

  1. Set options for recording activity.
    After you select the Configuration File, you step through panels that allow you to turn activity recording on or off and set options. By default, all activity recording is ON, but Keyword Alerts and Blocking are NOT set. Click Next to accept the default settings or your changes to the defaults. Click each of the following for help with the settings panel.

  2. Email

  3. Web Sites

  4. Chat/IM

  5. Keystrokes

  6. Programs

  7. Network

  8. Files Transferred

  9. Document Tracking

  10. Screen Snapshots

  11. When to Record
    By default, the Client records all the time and records all programs. If you wish, limit recording to particular times or to include or exclude particular programs. The When to Record panel also allows you to set a Recording Hotkey combination to instantly stop and start recording a computer, and a Snapshot Hotkey combination to take a manual Snapshot at a computer. Click Next.

  12. Who to Record.  
    By default, the Client records ALL users.  If you wish, limit recording to include or exclude specific users on the Who to Record panel. Click Next.

  13. Define Keywords
    You can specify keywords that cause an "Alert" event. The Client will watch for these keywords in Chat/IM Web Sites, Email, and Keystrokes, as you specify, and record a "Keyword Alert" when it detects one. See Keyword Settings. Click Next.

  14. Keyword Alerts
    If you define keywords, you can have the Client send email notification as soon as it detects one. Important - Follow instructions in Keyword Alert Notification to configure the email notification address. Click Next.

  15.  Set Security.
    The Security panel allows you to set a password for accessing Client data and determines how and if you will access a "Viewer" at the Client computer. As a rule, for security, you do NOT want to install the Client Viewer unless there are issues with a network connection to a computer. By default, the Client is set to Stealth Mode and the Viewer is NOT installed. See Client Security.  This panel also allows you to manage Data File storage on the Client computer. Click Next.

  16. Set Blocking.
    The Block Websites panel is the first in a series that allow you to control Internet access at the Client. Click Next at each panel.

  17. Block Websites - If you wish, specify web domains or subdomains to block or allow.

  18. Block Chat/IM - If you wish, specify Chat/IM contacts to block or allow.

  19. Block Internet Access - If you wish, block or allow ports used by specific types of Email, Chat/IM, or other protocols and set a schedule that directs the Client When to Block.

  20. Who to Block - If you wish, specify users to whom to apply these settings.

  21. Server Settings.
    The last settings panel (before you actually build the install file) confirms the computer names and IP addresses of the Server Components computer(s) and the ports that will be used for communication. See Server Communication Settings. Click Finish.  

  22. Build the Install file.
    At this point, your changes have been added to the Settings.ini Configuration file (unless you supplied another name) and you are ready to build the spsetup_Settings.sds Client Install file. Click Build to continue.

  • If you changed the .ini file, the Client Install file will be spsetup_filename.sds.

  • If you are using the Deployment Utility on a Windows XP client with Firewall enabled, a rule is automatically added — Program: System Event Dispatcher, Port: 2468.

  1. Set Build Options. 
    This panel allows you to specify how you want the Client to install on network computers. Click OK to accept the defaults or your changes to the panel. See Client Install Build Options.

  1. End the build.
    At the end of the Build options, a message informs you that the Spector Client Installation file was created and where it is located. Click OK.

To install the Client from the Control Center you will select the .sds file you just created. To install the Client at the Client computer, you will rename the install file from spsetup_xxx.sds to an spsetup_xxx.exe file extension.  

By default the Deployment Utility creates a Client Install file with an .sds file extension. This allows you to easily identify the Spector Client install files when starting an installation. In addition, the .sds extension prevents accidental execution of the Client Install on your Control Center computer.  

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