Scan WAN environment

For a Wide Area Network (WAN) such as an organization distributed across various geographical locations, you can use Distributed Asset Scan.

Distributed Asset Scan

In a widespread organization distributed across various sites, the ServiceDesk Plus server may not be able to access all the assets on sites. Hence, a Remote AE server and a Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) server are installed on each site which scans and maintains all the workstations and user information of the respective sites. The data from the Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) Server is pushed to the remote AE Server and, in turn, the data is pushed to the Central ServiceDesk Plus Server either manually or by scheduling the data periodically.

Since there is a constant need to update the users and workstation information in the ServiceDesk Plus Server, you can automate the process by specifying the central server details in the remote server, thereby synchronizing the two servers.

Note: As in central SDP servers, even in remote AE servers, Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) also has to be installed for scanning Windows, Linux, and Mac machines. A separate Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) installation would not be required if the Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) agents deployed on the remote sites are reachable with the central SDP server. It is highly recommended not to install Endpoint Central (formerly Desktop Central) on AE remote servers as remote control and other tools would not work for machines managed on a remote server from the central server. Only inventory of these machines would be pushed from the remote server to central servers. Please check here for the ports that need to be configured in the firewall for agent-server communication.

Methods to perform Distributed Asset Scan

Manual

Extract the data in a zip format from the Remote AE server and export it to the SDP server.
Import this zip file into the SDP Server.

Auto Synchronization

Configure the SDP Server details in Central Server Settings.
Select Export and Push data to Central Server now button. The data is automatically pushed to the SDP server provided the server is reachable.

Machines scanned in these remote servers cannot be scanned and remotely controlled from the central server. However, you can contact the licensing team to get a separate remote license if you have the requirement to do the above-mentioned operations.

Install AssetExplorer Server

AssetExplorer Server can be downloaded and installed from this link: https://www.manageengine.com/products/asset-explorer/download.html

Once installed, you can switch the application between remote-server and central-server.

Accessing the Configuration

Click the Admin tab in the header pane.
Click Distributed Asset Scan under the Discovery block.

Methods to export the data

The data can be exported manually or pushed automatically in the SDP Server.

Manual

Click on Export Data to export the asset data into a zip file.
A confirmation message appears. Click Ok to proceed.
If the data has been generated successfully, an Export Data box pops up.
Click on the link to download the zip.
Send the zip file to the central server location through e-mail or through some storage device.

Auto Synchronization

If the central server is reachable, configure the details of the SDP Server by clicking on Central Server Settings.

Server Name: Enter the Server Name or IP Address of the SDP Server.
Server Port: The port where the SDP Server is installed.
Server Protocol: The protocol to connect the SDP server and the remote server. Say, Http, Https
Site: Site where the Remote AE Server is installed. The site specified must be configured in the SDP server so that the assets and users is associated to the appropriate site.
Username & Password: Admin Credentials of the SDP Server.
Domain Name: Specify Domain Name if Active Directory authentication is enabled in SDP Server.

The Central Server may be connected through a proxy server. In this case,

Enable Is connected through Proxy Server check box.
Proxy Server Name: The Server Name or IP Address of the Proxy server.
Proxy Server Port: The port of the proxy server.
Proxy Username & Password: Credentials of the Proxy Server.

On configuring the Central Server Settings, you can export and push the data to the central server automatically by clicking on the Export and Push Data to Central Server Now button. The executed date, status of the operation, and related comments are displayed in the ListView.

Schedule Pushing of data to SDP Server

You can schedule to push the data from the remote AE server to the SDP Server at periodic intervals.

Click on Schedule to synchronize data with the Central Server link.
Select Enable radio button.
Select the number of days after which the data should be pushed to the central server.
Select the date from the calendar icon to start the process. Also, select the time in hours and minutes from the drop-down.
If there is a failure in pushing the data to the central server, you can send a notification to the technician. Specify the email address in the text provided.

Importing data into SDP Server

Accessing the Configuration

Click the Admin tab in the header pane.
Click on the Distributed Asset Scan icon under the Discovery block.
Click Browse and locate the zip file of the scanned assets.
Select the Site of the remote server from the drop-down.
Click the Import button to import the data. On importing the data successfully, you get a success message.

Remote Server Functionalities

When you use the application as a remote server, some of the functionalities of the application will be limited. Refer to the below GIF to see how the application UI changes when you switch to remote server. Only the following tabs will be accessible: Home, Assets, Scan, and Community. Please note the remote server can only be used for inventory purposes and not for asset management.

To change the application as a remote server,

You can apply a remote license to change the application to a remote server. Go to Help > License. Choose and apply the remote license. Once applied, the application UI should look as shown below:

Alternatively, you can also go to Discovery > Distributed Asset Scan and select "Change as Remote Server" option.

Home

Under Home, you can see the scan and asset summary as well as view software installations in workstations and servers.

You can also troubleshoot and schedule the next scan from the dashboard itself.

Assets

Under Assets, you can view the assets added into the application. You can also manually add assets through forms. You can also choose to scan an asset from the assets view.

You can scan workstations, servers, and SNMP devices such as switches and routers. Use the left side navigation to access IT assets, Virtual Hosts, and Software.

Asset Actions

Asset actions are limited when in remote server mode.

The allowed actions for assets include:

Asset	Actions Allowed
Workstation/Servers	Change Scan Credential, Add Software, Print Preview
Other Assets (Swicthes, routers, IP Phone, )	Change Scan Credential, Print Preview

Workstation/Servers

Other Assets

Limitations:

The following features will not be available when you switch the application as a remote server.

Under Assets

Asset addition through barcode
Asset import through CSV
Non-IT Assets
Asset Replenishment
Asset Components
Asset Loan
Barcode
Groups

Under Software

Software Summary
Software Licenses
Software Agreements

Scan

You can perform asset scan using the following available scans: Windows Domain Scan, Network Scan, Workstation/Device Scan. Use the Scan drop-down to perform the required scan.