If the Web Console user is running on a Macintosh, and it is the first time launching Host on Demand, the following message will appear to notify the user that an installer in the form of a DMG (disk image) file will be downloaded to the Web Console user’s desktop. Clicking Continue will begin downloading the installer DMG into the Web Console user’s Download folder. Alternatively, if the Host on Demand had already been downloaded and installed previously (from a different Web Console, for example), the box labelled “I’ve already downloaded and installed Host on Demand” may be checked. In this case, the download and install steps can be skipped, and clicking Share will launch the already installed Host on Demand.
Once the installer DMG has been downloaded, it must be opened by clicking the newly downloaded DMG file, located in the Web Console user’s Downloads folder. After opening, it will present the installer application.
The user should double-click the PC-Duo Host Installer icon to install the application to their local Applications folder. Once the application has been installed, it can be launched from the Web Console by clicking on the Share link. The first time this is done, the user will see a confirmation message to ensure the application was downloaded and installed correctly. The user should check the box labelled “Do not display this popup message again” to prevent the confirmation message from appearing again. Clicking Continue will launch the Host application.
Once running, the Host will automatically attempt to establish a RAS connection (Host on Demand is hardwired to report only to the RAS Server associated with the Web Console landing page) and a mini-control panel will appear at the top of the end user’s desktop indicating the status of the RAS connection.
New for v13.3, a PIN will be presented to the user which can be read off to the technician. Techncians can use the PIN to connect directly to the Host from the landing page.
Below is a table of connection states and commands available in the Host on Demand for Macintosh mini-control panel:
Status
Description
Connection Status
Indicates the status of the RAS connection between the Host on Demand and its associated RAS Server
Indicates that Host has a good connection with the RAS Server and is available for remote access
Indicates that Host has a good connection with the RAS Server and one or more Account Users have established a Master connection for screen sharing and other services
Indicates that Host was unable to establish or maintain a Gateway connection with the RAS Server; check the Alert command for more details
Commands
Actions that can be taken by the end user with respect to the Host on Demand process
View more detail about failed RAS connections between Host on Demand and its associated RAS Server; enabled in Error state
Terminate any active Master connections immediately (but keep Gateway connection with the RAS Server active); enabled in Sharing state
Terminate any active Master connections immediately and/or terminate the connection with the RAS Server;
Additional commands are available in the Host menu by clicking on the menu bar icon.
Below is a table of command available in the Host menu:
Commands
Description
Show Host Mini-Control
Panel
Keep the HOD mini-control panel on the screen at all times; (Default = selected)
Preferences
Go to PC-Duo control panel to see current configuration settings for the Host on the remote desktop
Exit Host on Demand and
Stop sharing
Terminate any active Master connections immediately and/or terminate the connection with the RAS Server
