Installing and configuring the NetSupport Connectivity Server

A 'NetSupport Connectivity Server' or 'Gateway' runs on a machine that is accessible to both the Tutor and Student PCs. The machine must have a fixed (static) IP address. You can install the NetSupport Connectivity Server as a standalone component or alongside other NetSupport School components.

When installing NetSupport School, select the Name and Connectivity Server component on the Custom Setup screen. You must then configure the NetSupport Connectivity Server properties. At the end of the installation, the NetSupport Connectivity Server Configuration Utility opens automatically. Alternatively, you can open it later by right-clicking the NetSupport Connectivity Server icon in the system tray or selecting {File}{Configure Connectivity Server} in the NetSupport Connectivity Server Console.

By default, the NetSupport Connectivity Server operates as a standalone Primary Connectivity Server. In the NetSupport Connectivity Server Configuration Utility, you can configure it to operate as a standalone Secondary Connectivity Server to provide backup connectivity.

Note: To display the NetSupport Connectivity Server icon in the system tray, choose {Start}{Programs}{Startup}{Connectivity Server}. On Windows 8 machines, right-click the Start screen and choose All Apps at the bottom of the screen. Click the NetSupport School Name Server Console icon.

The Connectivity Server is configured with the IP address of the Connectivity Server machine and a security key. Configure the IP address and security key on the Tutor and Student machines to validate connections between the components.

Once you configure the Tutor and Student connectivity options to use the designated NetSupport Connectivity Server, each Student machine registers its current IP address with the server each time it starts. When locating Students, the Tutor uses the configured browse method. Instead of performing a UDP browse across the network, it queries the NetSupport Connectivity Server for Students that match the specified criteria.

Note: If you connect to Students via the Name & Connectivity Server in Room mode, configure the NetSupport Connectivity Server settings at the Tutor in both the Tutor Configurator and the Student Configurator.