================================================================================ SimpleSight - Deployment Guide ================================================================================ This guide walks you through deploying SimpleSight in your environment, from server setup to rolling out agents across your fleet. ================================================================================ TABLE OF CONTENTS ================================================================================ 1. Pre-Deployment Planning 2. Server Deployment 3. Network Configuration 4. Agent Deployment 5. Post-Deployment Verification 6. Scaling and Best Practices ================================================================================ 1. PRE-DEPLOYMENT PLANNING ================================================================================ BEFORE YOU BEGIN: * Choose a dedicated server computer (physical or VM) - Windows 10/11 or Windows Server 2016+ - Minimum: 4GB RAM, 50GB disk space - Recommended: 8GB RAM, 100GB+ disk space for large deployments * Decide on a static IP address or hostname for the server - Example: 192.168.1.100 or simplesight.company.local - This MUST be configured before deploying agents - See NETWORK_CONFIGURATION.txt for details * Determine server accessibility - On-premises only? - Remote access via VPN? * Plan agent deployment strategy - Manual deployment per-device? - Group Policy deployment? (domain-joined computers) - Remote deployment via RMM tool? (MSPs) * Backup strategy - Local backup of database file? - Windows Server Backup? - Third-party backup solution? ================================================================================ 2. SERVER DEPLOYMENT ================================================================================ STEP 1: RUN SERVER INSTALLER ------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Download SimpleSightServerInstaller.exe 2. Right-click → Run as Administrator 3. Follow the installation wizard: a) Server Hostname - Use the computer's network name OR IP address - Examples: "OFFICE-SERVER", "simplesight", "192.168.1.100" - This goes into the TLS certificate b) Certificate Installation - It's recommended to leave "Install certificate to Trusted Root" CHECKED - This allows the browser to trust HTTPS on the local server. - The agent installer will have the generated certificate packaged in. c) Server Port - Default: 8000 - Use 443 for standard HTTPS (may conflict with IIS/other services) - Firewall rules will need to allow this port d) Admin Credentials - Choose a strong password (minimum 8 characters) - This is your web UI login - Secure this password somewhere - password recovery is not yet implemented, a full reinstall would be required if lost. e) Database Options - First install: Creates new database - Reinstall: Option to keep existing data in uninstall wizard 4. Wait a few minutes for installation to complete - Server files extracted - Certificate generated and installed - Database initialized - Agent installer built automatically - Scheduled task created 5. Click Finish when complete STEP 2: VERIFY SERVER IS RUNNING ------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Open browser on the server computer 2. Navigate to: https://localhost:8000 (or your configured port) 3. You should see the SimpleSight login page - If you see a certificate warning, the cert wasn't installed properly - If you can't connect, check Windows Firewall 4. Login with your admin credentials 5. You should see the dashboard with 0 devices STEP 3: CONFIGURE WINDOWS FIREWALL ------------------------------------------------------------ The installer does NOT automatically create firewall rules. You may need to allow inbound connections manually: 1. Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security 2. Click "Inbound Rules" → "New Rule..." 3. Rule Type: Port 4. Protocol: TCP, Specific local port: 8000 (or your port) 5. Action: Allow the connection 6. Profile: Domain, Private (optionally Public if needed) 7. Name: "SimpleSight Server" 8. Click Finish Test from another computer: - Open browser - Navigate to https://YOUR_SERVER_IP:8000 - You should see login page (may get certificate warning if the agent/cert isn't installed - normal) STEP 4: CONFIGURE STATIC IP (CRITICAL!) ------------------------------------------------------------ Agents need a consistent address to connect to. Choose one option: OPTION A: Static IP (Recommended) 1. Open Network and Sharing Center 2. Change adapter settings 3. Right-click network adapter → Properties 4. Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" → Properties 5. Select "Use the following IP address" 6. Enter: - IP address: 192.168.1.100 (or your chosen IP) - Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 (typical) - Default gateway: 192.168.1.1 (your router) - Preferred DNS: your preferred DNS server (such as 8.8.8.8) or your router 7. Click OK OR configure DHCP Reservation on your router: 1. Find router admin interface (usually 192.168.1.1) 2. Find DHCP settings 3. Add reservation: MAC address → desired IP address 4. This ensures the server always gets the same IP OPTION B: DNS Configuration - Configure your domain DNS to point a hostname to the server - Example: simplesight.company.local → 192.168.1.100 - Requires Active Directory or router DNS configuration - See NETWORK_CONFIGURATION.txt for details ================================================================================ 3. NETWORK CONFIGURATION ================================================================================ See NETWORK_CONFIGURATION.txt for detailed DNS and hosts file configuration. Quick summary: - Agents need to resolve your server hostname OR use IP address - Static IP is simplest for small deployments - Hosts file is acceptable for <50 devices - DNS is recommended for 50+ devices ================================================================================ 4. AGENT DEPLOYMENT ================================================================================ LOCATE THE AGENT INSTALLER ------------------------------------------------------------ After server installation completes, the agent installer is ready: Location: C:\Program Files\SimpleSight Server\agent\SimpleSightInstaller.exe This file is standalone and can be copied to other computers. DEPLOYMENT ------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Copy SimpleSightInstaller.exe to a USB drive or network share 2. On each target computer: - Copy installer to local computer if on network share - Right-click → Run as Administrator - Follow the wizard: a) Server URL: https://192.168.1.100:8000 (use your server IP/hostname) b) Verify SSL: Unchecked (using self-signed certificate) c) Test Connection - should show green "OK" d) Admin username and password (from server installation) e) Test Credentials - should authenticate successfully f) Check-in interval: 4 hours (default) g) Wait 2 minutes for installation 3. Verify installation: - Check Programs and Features in Control Panel - Refresh web UI - device should appear within 1 minute DEPLOYMENT VERIFICATION ------------------------------------------------------------ After deploying agents: 1. Wait 2-5 minutes for initial check-in 2. Open web UI 3. Navigate to Devices page 4. Verify devices appear with "Online" status (last check-in < 6 hours) 5. Click a device to view inventory details Expected data collected: - System info (OS, version, architecture) - Hardware (CPU, RAM, disks, manufacturer, model) - Network (IP address, MAC address, adapters) - Installed software (all programs from registry) - Windows Update status ================================================================================ 5. POST-DEPLOYMENT VERIFICATION ================================================================================ CHECKLIST: ------------------------------------------------------------ * Server accessible via HTTPS from all client computers * Device inventory data populating correctly * Check-ins occurring approx. every 4 hours (or configured interval) COMMON ISSUES: ------------------------------------------------------------ See TROUBLESHOOTING.txt for detailed solutions. Quick checks: - Agent not appearing? - Check firewall on server - Verify agent can reach server URL (ping/browser test) - Check agent/server logs for errors - Reinstall, make sure IP address/hostname is correct - Certificate errors? - Use "verify_ssl: false" in agent config (default) - Or distribute certificate to all computers - Or use IP address instead of hostname - Database errors? - Verify server has write permissions to C:\ProgramData\SimpleSight (server must be running as admin) - Check disk space - Review server logs ================================================================================ For more information, see: - NETWORK_CONFIGURATION.txt - DNS and IP address setup - TROUBLESHOOTING.txt - Common issues and solutions - ARCHITECTURE.txt - Technical details and system design SimpleSight - Lightweight IT Asset Management ================================================================================