Workstation viewer (Lotus Foundations)

From Nitix Knowledgebase

What is the workstation viewer?

The workstation viewer is a Lotus Foundations subsystem that can list the workstations and servers that are connected through the local network. The Workstations screen tells you which computers are on the network, what their names and IP addresses are, and who is logged on.

If a workstation can be administered remotely using virtual network computing, the remote administration program can be accessed from WebConfig.

Accessing the workstation viewer

1. Select Workstations from the left side of any WebConfig screen. The Workstations screen is displayed.
2. Scanning for workstations can waste bandwidth, no workstations are displayed in the list by default. Click New Scan to view an updated list of workstations.
3. Click Refresh after a few seconds to view the updated list. Workstations are displayed in the list if they are connected to the network.
4. Workstations can be sorted by the IP Address or Workstation Names by clicking on the appropriate header.

Virtual network computing (VNC)

Using free Windows software called Virtual Network Computing (VNC), you can configure Windows, Mac, and Unix workstations so they can be controlled remotely from a central workstation. If users need help or settings need to be changed, the VNC software provides and alternative to and administrator having to physically go and sit in front of the workstation to solve the problem.

Computers with a VNC remote administration server installed are displayed with the words "Remote Admin" next to them on the Workstations screen.

Configuring VNC

There are two parts to configuring remote administration:

1. VNC Server - which should be installed on every user’s workstation.
2. VNC Viewer - which should be installed on the administrator’s workstation.

Once the servers and viewers are configured, clicking the Remote Admin link on the Workstations screen connects you to the remote VNC server and displays the remote desktop.

Configuring the VNC server

1. To download VNC, go to one of the following:
   • http://www.realvnc.com/download.html
   • http://download.cnet.com/ (and search for VNC)
   • For the MAC version, go to: http://www.chromatix.uklinux.net/vnc/
2. The file comes in a zipped format. Unzip the file in a temporary location for installation. Run the Setup program and follow the instructions. Accept all defaults during the installation process.
3. When installation is finished, reboot the workstation.
4. Click Start > Applications > VNC > Start VNC (App mode).
5. The first time you start VNC you have to set up a password, which is needed to connect to your workstation.
6. When VNC is active, a small VNC icon displays in the bottom right corner of your screen.

Configuring the VNC viewer (for the administrator’s workstation)

1. Download VNC from the internet and configure the VNC server.
2. Look for vncviewer.exe, and copy it somewhere obvious (such as C:\).
3. Click Start > Programs > Windows Explorer.
4. From the Tools menu, select Folder Options. Click the File Types tab and the File Types screen is displayed.
5. Click New Type.... The Add New File Type screen is displayed.
6. Enter a description of the file type (such as VNC Viewer Admin) in the Description of Type field.
7. Enter "vnc" in the Associated extension field.
8. Enter "application/x-vnc" in the Content Type (MIME) field.
9. Click New. The New Action window is displayed.
10. Enter "Open" in the Action field.
11. Enter the following line in the Application used... field. "c:\windows\" refers to the location where VNC has been installed. The quotations around "%1" are required.

c:\vncviewer.exe /config "%1"

12. Click OK. VNC Viewer Admin is displayed in the Registered file types list of the File Types screen.

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