Installing the Probe

• Facilitate discovery of IP based devices including workstations, servers, switches, printers, etc.
• Assist in some forms of remote control
• Collect data from devices that will allow the Hardware Inventory Report (H.I.R.) to be created
• Collect log data from devices

1. If you have not done so previously, log into the device identified as the Probe with the svcnetworkprobe account. (See Discovery Phase 2: Readying the Domain Environment)
2. Log into N-Central.
3. Select the appropriate customer from the View Selection dropdown menu. You will see a screen like this: 
   
4. Click the Click here to download the probe button.
   • Note: The Probe can also be downloaded from the Download Agent/Probe Software page in the Actions It is critical that you choose the “Windows Probe” download from the Customer/Site Specific Software section, and not the System Software section. 
5. After the download is complete, click the Run button when prompted. If not prompted, launch the installation file from the download location.
6. The Windows Software Probe – InstallShield Wizard 
   
   
   
7. Select the appropriate installation path for the Probe, preferably not the same drive as the Operating System (when installing the Probe on a workstation in a workgroup the only option may be the OS drive).
   • Note: Verify that the installation destination has sufficient free disk space. 
     
8. Click the Next button.
9. Proxy String
   • If a proxy server is not used to access the internet leave the box unchecked next to “I need to use a Proxy Server”.
   • If a proxy server is used to access the Internet check the box next to “I need to use a Proxy Server”, then enter the proxy string in the field below. 
     
10. Click the Next
11. Credentials
    • When installing the Probe in a domain environment:
      • Verify that the radio button next to Domain User is selected.
      • Enter the domain name in the Domain field.
      • Enter svcnetworkprobe in the Username field.
      • Enter the password that you created for svcnetworkprobe in the Password field. 
        
    • When installing the Probe in a workgroup environment:
      • • Verify that the radio button next to Workgroup User is selected.
        • Enter svcnetworkprobe in the Username field.
        • Enter the password that you created for svcnetworkprobe in the Password field. 
          
12. Click the Next button. 
    • Note: In a domain the svcnetworkprobe account must be a member of Domain Admins and Administrators in Active Directory. If membership to either of these groups is missing, an error will appear upon clicking the Next button.
    • Note: In a workgroup the svcnetworkprobe account must be a member of Administrators on this workstation. If membership to the Administrators group is not set, an error will appear upon clicking the Next button.
13. Click the OK button on the Attention window that appears. 
    
14. AMT Datastore Registration (if necessary)
    • To integrate with Intel vPro technology on devices:
      • Select the box next to” I want to use the AMT datastore”.
      • Specify the appropriate AMT user credentials in the fields below.
    • To skip Intel vPro technology integration leave the box unchecked next to” I want to use the AMT datastore”. 
      
15. Click the Next button.
16. Do NOT fill out the Network Discovery You will create a discovery job from within N-Central after the Probe is installed. Click the Next button. 
    
    
    
17. Click the Install button. 
    
    
    
18. The installation will begin. A progress bar will appear that will pause at 0% for several seconds before progressing rapidly to completion.
19. Click the Finish button when installation is complete.

When the Probe is auto-imported into the All Devices list, the N-Central server automatically attempts to deploy the Windows Agent to it. The Windows Agent collects detailed information about the device.  It also allows remote connection to a device via the Remote Control button.

1. View the status of the agent install job:

   • Click on Job Status under the Views
   • Find the job with the Job Type of Agent Install Task.
   • You can view the status of the job, the scheduled time, and if it was completed.

2. There are several ways to verify if the agent was installed on the Probe device:

   • Agent Version Column on the All Devices List:
     • Click on All Devices under the Views menu
     • Look in the Agent Version column next to the probe server.
       • • If there is a dash, the agent has not been installed. If there is a version number, the agent has been installed. 
           
   • Agent Tab on Device:
     • Click on the device name in the All Devices list.
     • Click on the Settings tab, and then the Local Agent tab.
     • Reference the Installed Agent Version information under the Installation & Upgrade Details section. If the agent is installed, a version number will appear here. 
       

1. • Agent service checking in normally:
     • Click on the device name in the All Devices list.
     • Click on the Monitoring tab, and then the Status tab.
     • Verify there is a green check mark in the Status column for the Agent Status service.
       • This indicates that the Windows Agent is installed, and communicating normally with the N-Central server.