Meet Algorius Net Viewer 11.0
We are glad to announce the release of Algorius Net Viewer 11.0. Key innovation of this version is the full-fledged implementation of the Client-Server technology. Meet Algorius Net Viewer Server!
Client-Server
Algorius Net Viewer Server is a separate application that can be launched as a Windows service or as a console application.
The Algorius Net Viewer application itself acts as a client. The client connects to the server and automatically receives available maps, a collection of devices, general settings, monitoring results, and inventory data from it. Using the client, you can remotely create/edit maps and inventory cards, as well as configure the server.
Algorius Net Viewer Server provides centralized storage of information, centralized monitoring, and network inventory. Optionally, you can organize distributed work by installing several Algorius Net Viewer Servers in the network and work from the client with several servers simultaneously.
At the same time, the ability to work locally, without the Client-Server technology, is preserved.
First Launch
The first thing you will notice after launching Version 11 is the new welcome page:
There are two new buttons Install Server and Connect to Server, which will help you get started using the Client-Server technology.
Click Install Serverto install Algorius Net Viewer Server. A new application will open — Algorius Net Viewer Server Setup:
This application allows to specify the parameters required to start the server in automatic or step-by-step mode:
- Directory — The place where the configuration, backups, work log, and other server data are stored.
- Database — Storing maps, settings, logs, and inventory data. Each server instance requires a separate database.
- Web Server — Accessing the server from the client or from the Web interface.
- Authorization — For the first login to the server, as well as for account management.
- License — Activating a commercial license.
Server Connection
Upon completion of the server installation, you will be prompted to go to Algorius Net Viewer, where a window for connecting to the server will open. Enter the Super-Administrator login and the connection will be established. This is enough to start using the Client-Server technology.
As you have already noticed, access to the Algorius Net Viewer server is carried out using accounts. Each account contains a username, password, and role. The role defines the list of operations that are available to the user. There are the following roles:
- Guest — Viewing maps and inventory cards.
- Designer — Viewing and editing maps and inventory cards.
- Administrator — Server configuration additionally available.
- Super-Administrator — Account management available additionally.
For more information on account management, see documentation.
Network Maps
The Application allows to simultaneously work with local maps (from files) and those downloaded from the server. The server list is displayed in the map tree and in the Server menu. Local maps are displayed in the map tree under the Local section. Maps downloaded from the server are displayed in the map tree under the corresponding server.
Transferring Maps to the Server
In order to import your maps to the server, select them in the map tree and drag them to the server. You can also use the Import item in the context menu or on the map tree’s toolbar. The maps will be saved on the server in the database.
Map Hierarchy
In this version, the method of building the hierarchical structure of maps has been changed. Previously, child maps were referenced in links to other maps. To make a map a child, just drag it with the mouse to the required parent map in the map tree. Due to this change, the map hierarchy needs to be formed in a new way.
Database
Network maps, inventory data, logs and settings are stored on the server in a database. The client does not need a database, except for working locally. At the same time, each instance of the application and the server must use its own database.
Transferring the Database to the Server
If you want to transfer logs and inventory data from the previous database to the server, you can do this in the following way:
- If the embedded database (SQLite) is used, then it is enough to use the previous database file on the server. The location of the embedded database file is displayed in the application settings and in the server configuration. When replacing the file with the database, Algorius Net Viewer Server must be stopped.
- If an external database is used, it is enough to specify its access parameters during server configuration and remove access to this database for clients.
More information about working with databases is available in the documentation.
Server Setting
Each server has its own settings. When working with maps downloaded from the server, the corresponding server settings are available – a list of logins, scanning methods, report templates, and others. They are automatically loaded and synchronized during connection with the server.
Server settings can be edited from the client. For this, there are corresponding items in the Server menu and in the map tree. For convenience, the server settings window looks like the application settings window, and has a different color on the left panel:
To simplify the transfer of local settings to the server, copy/paste of scanning methods and report templates, as well as export/import of notification settings are provided.
Device Collection
The list of device types used is now set on the server and automatically synchronized on clients. You can add your devices to the collection.
For more information, see the documentation.
Expansion of Licensing Policy
In connection with the launch of the Algorius Net Viewer client and server, the licensing policy has been expanded.
License activation is not required for the client; it is enough to activate the license on the server. Each server instance requires its own license. One license cannot be used on multiple servers at the same time. But one license can be used on several computers to work locally and on one server at the same time.
No changes were made to operation in the free version. The server and application in the free mode can work for an unlimited time, but with limited functionality.
For more details on the licensing policy, see the Licensing section.
Other Innovations
To implement the Client-Server technology, we had to make significant changes in the application architecture. We tried to provide for all aspects necessary for multi-user work – the system of rights, capturing maps for editing, data synchronization, etc.The full list of innovations is available at the following link: https://algorius.com/download/whatsnew/11x.html