Asset Scan FAQs
1) How to perform a domain scan in AssetExplorer
When you install and start AssetExplorer for the first time, it detects all the domains in your network and the neighboring network of the server on which it is installed. Click Admin >> Windows Domain Scan to list all the domains. You can also enter the domain controller information, login name and password of the domain you want to scan. The login name and password should be a domain admin login name and password. AssetExplorer uses DesktopCentral agents from BUILD NO 6900 for scanning Windows machines. Agent-based scan is made mandatory from this build 6900 onwards.
Refer below links for more details.
Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) for agent based scan
2) What are the various scanning methods supported by AssetExplorer?
Please refer to this link to know about the various scanning methods:
3)What are the devices that can be scanned by AssetExplorer?
With AssetExplorer, you can scan domains and networks that are part of your enterprise. This includes Windows, Linux, MAC, Solaris, HPUX, AIX machines, VMWare, Hyper V devices, Cisco IP phones, and other SNMP supported devices like printers, routers, switches etc.
Note: Endpoint Central Agents are mandatory for scanning Windows, Linux, and Mac machines from build 6900.
Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) for Agent based scan:
4) What are the ports used by AssetExplorer for scanning devices
Please refer to the following link for details on the ports used:
5) How to configure AssetExplorer to perform automatic asset scan
You can schedule periodic scanning of your network, enable regular clean up of scanned information, and set the re-scan interval for scanning workstation under Admin >> Audit Settings Or you can also configure scan schedule under the Assets tab.Schedule Scan.
6) How to scan WAN environments or What is the purpose of a distributed asset scan?
Please refer to the following link for more details on scanning WAN environment and distributed asset scan.
Links: Scanning WAN environment.
7) How to track machines which are not connected through VPN.
Refer to the following link to know more.
8) How to scan new workstations added to a network without performing a complete domain/network scan.
You have two options to scan new workstations, without performing a complete domain/network scan.
- Individual device Scan
- You can have AssetExplorer look for new workstations added to the network every specified number of days automatically. Click Admin tab -> Audit Settings -> Enable "Check for newly added workstations and specify the number of days interval in which the application should look for new workstations".Refer to this link: Schedule Scan
9)How does AssetExplorer identify the uniqueness of a workstation?
Refer to the following link for more details.
Identifying uniqueness of workstation
Agent Based Scan
1) How does an agent based scan work?
Please refer to this page for more details.
2) What are the OS supported in agent based scan?
The following Windows OS versions are supported:
- Windows 10
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 8
- Windows 7
- Windows Vista
- Windows XP* (*Conditional Support)
- The following Windows Server OS versions are supported:
- Windows server 2019
- Windows server 2016
- Windows server 2012 R2
- Windows server 2012
- Windows server 2008 R2
- Windows server 2008
- Windows server 2003* (*Conditional Support)
The following Linux versions are supported:
- Ubuntu 10.04 and later versions
- RedHat Enterprise Linux 6 and later versions
- CentOS 6 and later versions
- Fedora 19 and later versions
- Mandriva 2010 and later versions
- Debian 7 and later versions
- Linux Mint 13 and later versions
- Open SuSe 11 and later versions
- Suse Enterprise Linux 11 and later versions
- Pardus 17, and 19
- Oracle Linux Server 6, 7, and 8
- kernel versions supported above 2.6.33
The following Mac versions are supported:
- 10.7 Lion
- 10.8 Mountain Lion
- 10.9 Mavericks
- 10.10 Yosemite
- 10.11 El Capitan
- 10.12 Sierra
- 10.13 High Sierra
- 10.14 Mojave
- 10.15 Catalina
- 11.0 Big Sur
3) From which build, the Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) agent will be used for agent scan?
Build no 6900.
4) What are the advantages of moving to the Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) agents?
Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) Agents are from Endpoint Central, which is a complete and robust unified endpoint management tool for Windows, Linux, and macOS computers. AssetExplorer's asset scanning functionality benefits by leveraging the effective and powerful Endpoint Central Agent. There are specific agents for scanning Windows, Linux and macOS devices and these agents fetch complete hardware details during the scan while maintaining the uniformity of data fetched across Windows, Linux, and Mac machines.
5) Should the backup-restore operations be performed separately for Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central)?
Yes. It is recommended to take backup of Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) and please refer this link for more details.
6) Will there be any change in the license for the existing customers who deploy Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) agent for scanning?
No, there will not be any changes for the existing customers who deploy Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) agent for scanning in license from build no 6900.
7) With AE and Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) integrated, what will happen if the number of nodes purchased in Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) is lesser than AE?
New customers of AE from build no 6900 will have inventory and warranty features served from Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) for all AE nodes. However, for features like remote control, chat, Wake-on-LAN, system manager an add-on license has to be purchased. Once the add on license is purchased, these features will be supported for the number of nodes purchased in the add on.
All existing AE customers with a Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) integration enabled already (before build 6900) will have inventory, warranty, and remote control features served from Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) for all AE nodes. So, if the number of nodes purchased in AE is higher than the nodes in Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central), inventory, warranty, and remote control features will be supported for all AE nodes. Other Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) features like Wake-on-LAN, system manager, chat, system tools, remote shutdown (which includes shut down, restart, hibernate, standby, and lock computers) would work for nodes purchased in Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central).
All existing AE customers without Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) integration will have inventory, warranty, and remote control features served from Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) for all AE nodes. For features including chat, Wake-on-LAN, system manager, an add-on license has to be purchased. Once the add on license is purchased, these features will be supported for the nodes purchased in the add on license.
8) What will be the AE technicians role in Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central)?
Technicians with asset view permission or AE RemoteControl role will be added in Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) with the Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) Admin role. When such technicians are deleted in AE, they would be deleted in Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) too.
9) What happens if an asset that is managed both in AE and Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) is deleted in AE?
Assets in Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) are managed for both AE & AE+Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) functionality. Therefore if an asset which is deleted in AE does not have any Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) functionality, then it will get deleted in Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) too. The agent installed in the client machines will get uninstalled. But if the asset which is deleted in AE does have a Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) functionality, then it will not be deleted in Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) and such assets would be add under the exclude list in AE.
10) Will the agentless scan be supported?
No, the agentless scan will not be supported anymore. We strongly recommend not to use agentless scan. However, if you still want to use the agentless scan, you can use Scan Scripts (Not recommended by us).
11) I'm new to AssetExplorer. How do I deploy agent for scan?
Based on your user type, you can follow the respective links below to learn about agent deployment.
Deploying Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) agents for fresh AE installations
12) I have Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) already running in my environment. How do I integrate AssetExplorer for scanning?
Refer to this link for more details.
13) What are the prerequisites for Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) installation for scan?
Refer to the following link for more details.
Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) for agent based scan
14) What are the Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) Agent features?
Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) Agent Features:
- Agent based inventory of Windows, Mac and Linux machines
- Warranty information of devices
- Remote control *
- Chat *
- Wake-on-LAN *
- System manager *
Note : Add-on license has to be purchased for features marked with (*).
15) What are the ports used for scan?
Refer to this link for more details.
16) How to track user devices which keeps moving around and cannot be recorded in the corporate network
Refer to this link for more details.
17) What are the other use of agent apart from scanning?
Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) Agent does come with remote control functionality and add-on tools. Refer to this link for more details.
18) What are the various methods to deploy the agent on Windows machines?
You can deploy the agent on a Windows machine using the below mentioned methods:
Install Windows agents using startup script in ActiveDirectory
Install Windows agents through GPO light weight tool
Install Windows agents for workgroup machines.
Install Windows agents manually
Image a Windows computer with Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) agent
For detailed information, refer to this link
19) What are the various methods to deploy the agent on Linux machines?
You can deploy the agent on a Linux machine using the following methods:
Install Linux agent using Linux agent installation tool
Install Linux agent manually
Image a Linux computer with Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) agent
For detailed information, refer to this link
20) What are the various methods to deploy the agent on Mac machines?
You can deploy the agent on a Linux machine using the following methods:
Install Mac agents using Mac agent installation script
Install Mac agent manually
Image a Mac computer with Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) agent
For detailed information, refer to this link
21) How can I image a Windows/Linux/Mac computer with Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) Agent on it?
Refer to the links mentioned below
How to image a Windows computer with Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) agent
How to image a Linux computer with Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) agent
How to image a Mac computer with Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) agent
22) How to deploy agent on a non-windows server
If AssetExplorer is installed on a Non - Windows server like, Linux, then Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) has to be installed manually in another Windows machine (as currently Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) supports windows OS only). This Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) installation has to be integrated with SDP under Admin >> Integrations >> Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central). Once integrated, the agent deployment can be done from Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) installation and refer the links below for more details.
Links:
Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) for agent based scan
Deploying Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) agent for fresh SDP installation
23) How to change the Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) database from Postgres to MSSQL
By default, the Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) gets installed with a bundled PGSQL database. However, Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) also supports MSSQL. Please check here for MSSQL versions supported by Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central). Click here for a detailed instruction for moving Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) to a MSSQL database.
24) How to upgrade the agent
The agent will get updated automatically by the application as soon as a new agent gets released.
25) How to uninstall the agent
Refer to the links mentioned below for more details.
26) How to configure NAT settings
The NAT settings let you specify the public IP Address to which the requests/data from the Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) Agents will be sent. The requests get translated at your router to reach the Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) Server.
To configure the NAT Settings, follow the steps below:
- Go to Admin >> Agent Configuration.
- Specify the Public IP Address, and click Save.
Note:
This step is not required if the computer where the Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) Server is
installed is directly accessible via the internet.
27) How to update the server IP and ports in agent if they are changed?
Refer to this link for more details.
28) What should I do with the AE remote servers?
Refer to this link for more details.
29) What if the number of technicians in AE and Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) is different ?
Even if the number of technicians is lesser in Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) than in AE, all the AE technicians would be allowed to perform agent related functionalities such as inventory, remote control, system manager etc from within AE.
30) Is agent-server communication secured?
Yes
31) Should Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) be upgraded separately for subsequent service packs?
While upgrading AE to later versions, few upgrades might require Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) also to be upgraded in order to be compatible. In such cases, post-upgrade a message would be displayed on the top banner in AE, that Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) also has to be upgraded with the compatible build number and the service pack link. This upgrade has to be performed manually
32) Should backup-restore for Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) be performed separately?
If Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) is downloaded and installed within AE for inventory, remote control and tools functionality in a Windows server, the backup and restore for Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) has to be performed separately. Please refer this link for the steps to be followed.
Backup, upgrade & installation FAQ:
General Module:
1.Should the backup-restore operations be done for Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) separately?
Yes. It is recommended to take backup of Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) and please refer to this link for more details.
2.If the Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) is installed only for scan purpose will the Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) services be automatically started / stopped along with AE ?
Yes, the Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) service will automatically start and stop whenever the AE service starts or stops.
Upgrading AE:
1.Should Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) be upgraded separately for subsequent service packs?
While upgrading AE to later versions, few upgrades might require Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) also to be upgraded in order to be compatible. In such cases, post-upgrade a message would be displayed on the top banner in AE, that Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) also has to be upgraded with the compatible build number and the service pack link. This upgrade has to be performed manually
2.How to upgrade the Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) agent
The agent will get updated automatically by the application as soon as a new agent gets released.
Linux:
1.Is it possible to scan devices if ServiceDesk Plus is installed on a Linux machine?
If AssetExplorer is installed in a Non - Windows server like say, Linux, then Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) has to be installed manually in another Windows machine (as currently Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) supports windows OS only). This Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) installation has to be integrated with SDP under Admin >> Integrations >> Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central). Once integrated, agent deployment can be done from Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) installation and refer the link below for more details.
Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) for agent based scan
Database:
1.How to change the Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) database from Postgres to MSSQL?
By default, Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) gets installed with bundled PGSQL. Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) also supports MSSQL. Please check here for MSSQL versions supported by Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central).
Click here for detailed instructins for moving Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) to MSSQL.
HTTPS and SSL Support for AE:
1. Will Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) be installed in HTTPS mode?
By default Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) would be installed in both HTTP and HTTPS mode. But when Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) is integrated with AE, it uses HTTP mode. However, Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) can be changed to the HTTPS mode .
Refer to this link for more details.