Controller configuration

The GFI OneGuard ControllerA GFI OneGuard component automatically discovers devices connected to the network, acting as a relay that channels communications between Agents and Platform. is responsible for searching the network for devices. It also installs AgentsA GFI OneGuard component that runs as a background service on target devices and handles the deployment of patches, service packs and software updates. on managed devices and relays information between the PlatformThe main component of GFI OneGuard that connects all the services offered by the product and the database that stores all collected information. and the Agents.

A GFI OneGuard Controller installation consists of a background service and a system tray agentA GFI OneGuard component that runs as a background service on target devices and handles the deployment of patches, service packs and software updates.. The system tray agent is used for monitoring and configuration purposes.

NOTE

Accessing the Controller is not usually required since all operations can be done directly from the Platform. Use the Controller for special customizations or for troubleshooting purposes. It is recommended that only individuals with advanced knowledge of the network infrastructure configure the Controller since a misconfiguration may stop communications between GFI OneGuard and devices.

To open the Controller, log in to the server where the Controller is installed, right-click the GFI OneGuard Controller icon in the system tray and click Open.

Controller settings

To configure the GFI OneGuard Controller, click Configure... in the Controller main window.

Controller settings

Use the different tabs to configure the following options:

Tab	Description
Communication - Platform	Configure how the Controller communicates with the GFI OneGuard Platform. Go to the Communication tab and select Platform. In Server address, specify the location of the Platform and the connection details. Click ... and key in the following details: Server: Key in the Platform server name or IP address. Port number: Key in the Platform listening port. This must match the port configured in the GFI OneGuard Platform under System Settings > Network Control. For more information refer to Network Control. Protocol: Select the protocol accepted by the Platform. This must match the protocol configured in the GFI OneGuard Platform System Settings, under Network Control. For more information refer to Network Control. Click OK. If the Platform is configured to require authentication by the Controllers, check Use authentication and key in the credentials as configured in the Network Control settings in the Platform. For more information refer to Network Control. If the communication with Platform must pass through an HTTP/HTTPS proxyA server or software application used to control and filter Internet access. The correct proxy settings need to be set in GFI OneGuard to allow Internet access when a proxy is used., check Use a proxy server and key in the proxy server details. Click OK.
Communication - Agents	IMPORTANT Customize these settings with caution. These are meant to be configured only when installing the Controller the first time, before deploying Agents. Customizing these settings after Agents have been deployed may impact the existing connection with the deployed agents and require their re-installation. Configure how the Controller communicates with the Agents: Go to the Communication tab and select Controller. In Server address, specify the connection details. Click ... and key in the following details: Port number: Key in the listening port of the Controller. Protocol: Select the protocol that the Controller accepts. Click OK. For added security, you may set agents to authenticate with the Controller. Click Use authentication and key in a random username and password that agents will then use when communicating with Controller. If the communication between Controller and agents must pass through an HTTP/HTTPS proxy, select Use a proxy server and key in the proxy server details. Check Create and bind self-signed certificateA certificate that is signed by the person or application creating it rather than a trusted certificate authority. A certificate is used to encrypt the data during transmission. to encrypt communication with agents using a certificate. Click OK.
Discovery Area	Configure where the Controller looks for machines to be managed in GFI OneGuard. By default, the Controller looks for other machines in the current domain or workgroup. To discover more machines: Go to the Discovery Area tab and click Add. Select the type of area to add, for example, IP Range to discover machines within a range of IP addresses. Key in the area details and click OK.
Advanced	Configure other Agent deployment settings: Timeout: The value in seconds that the Controller waits when deploying agents. If the timeout value is exceeded, agent deployment cannot be executed. Thread Pool Size: The number of threads that the controller uses to install agents. Click OK.
Bandwidth SaverA feature available on the Controller which stores locally downloadable files such as system patches. It downloads and store the patches to be used by all the computer using the same controller.	The Controller may be configured as a bandwidth saver so that downloadable files (such as system patches) are temporarily stored on the Controller. Agents download files through the Controller rather than directly from the internet. The Controller stores a copy of files on disk for future use by other devices, reducing bandwidth use. To configure the Bandwidth Saver: In the Bandwidth Saver tab, check Enable Bandwidth Saver to switch on the feature. Key in the following: Address: Key in the IP or FQDN address of the Bandwidth Saver machine. Port: The port used by the proxy. Ensure that this port is open for both the Agents and the Controller. The default port is 8123. Name and Password: Define custom credentials to be used for authentication. Deployed GFI OneGuard Agents automatically use these credentials. CacheA temporary storage of files for quick access when required. Path: The location where the Bandwidth Saver stores files for download by the agents. Ensure that there is enough disk space on this folder's drive since the cache may become quite large. If the Controller connects to the internet via another proxy, fill in the Cascading proxy details with the details of the proxy server. Click OK.
Update schedule	Configure the frequency of GFI OneGuard Controller and Agent automatic updates. Go to the Update Schedule tab. Ensure that Enable automatic update is checked and configure a schedule. Select the frequency of the updates and specify that exact day and time for the update to occur. Click OK.
Controller Enrollment	Specify the connection information used by the Controller to connect to the GFI OneGuard Platform the first time. This is used when the Controller is not yet connected to any Platform instance. Configure the following options: In Server address, specify the connection details. Click ... and key in the following details: Controller: Key in the Platform server name or IP address. Port number: Key in the listening port of the Controller. Protocol: Select the protocol that the Controller accepts. Click OK. Key in connection credentials and click Connect Click OK. When a connection is established, configure Platform communication options from the Communication tab.

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