Creating a local configuration for the controller

When you install the controller component, you can configure properties and the properties are saved to the trc_controller.cfg file in the controller installation directory. The properties in this file are used each time the controller starts and are the same for all users. However, you can also create a user-specific configuration after installation by using the Configure controller option in the controller UI.

About this task

The first time that you use the option, the configuration window displays the values that are set in the trc_controller.cfg file. When you save new values in the configuration window, the properties are saved to a trc.properties file. The file is in the .trc directory in your home directory. The property values in the trc.properties file override the property values in the trc_controller.cfg file.

You can set a mandatory property option in the global properties so that a user cannot edit the property in the Configuration Window. A mandatory property overrides a local property. This option applies to the properties in the General Tab only.

To set a property to mandatory, complete the following steps:
  1. Edit the trc_controller.cfg file. You might need to change the permissions on the file to edit it.
  2. For the property that you want to make mandatory, copy the property name and add .mandatory = true to the end.

    For example, to make the Enable Address History property mandatory so that it cannot be edited in the Configuration Window:


    enable.address.history=false
    enable.address.history.mandatory=true

  3. Save the file.
  4. Stop and start the controller component.

Procedure

To configure the controller properties in the controller UI, complete the following steps:
  1. Click Configure Controller > Configure.
  2. Configure options on the General tab.
    Use the General tab to configure properties for peer to peer sessions only. Configure the following properties:
    Enable Address History, Enable User History, Enable Domain History

    Select the properties to store a history of the target IP addresses, user IDs, and domain names that are used to start a peer-to-peer session. The items are then available for selection in the Open Connection window when you start a peer to peer session. The history is stored in the trc_history.properties file in your home directory.

    Maximum Number of History Items
    Specify the maximum number of items you want to store in the history.
    RC Default Port
    Specify the port number that is displayed in the Connection Window when you start a session. If left blank, 888 is used by default.
    Collaboration Default Port
    Specify the port number that the controller listens on for collaborators who join a collaboration session. If left blank, 8787 is used by default.
    Enable Collaborator Join Prompt
    Select this option to display a prompt to indicate when a new controller requests to join a collaboration session.
    Forth v2 Security Level
    Allows compatibility with an earlier version of target. Default is 3. Select a lower level if the controller needs to connect to older targets.
    Hide Chat
    Select this option to hide the Chat Only button on the Open Connection window.
    Note: Although the buttons can be displayed on the Open Connection window, this session type is not available on the BigFix® Remote Control Target for macOS target.
    Hide Guidance
    Select this option to hide the Guidance button on the Open Connection window.
    Note: Although the buttons can be displayed on the Open Connection window, this session type is not available on the BigFix® Remote Control Target for macOS target.
  3. Configure options on the Run Tools tab.
    Use the Run Tools tab to create a list of tools that you can run on the target during a remote control session. The tools are displayed as menu items in the Perform Action in target menu in the controller UI.
    Note: If the Edit and Remove options are not available when you select the item, you cannot change or remove the item.
    To add a tool, complete the following steps:
    1. Click Add.
    2. Enter values for the tool.
      Tool Name
      Enter a name for the tool. The name is displayed as a menu item in the Perform Action in target menu. For example, Control Panel.
      Tool Command
      Enter the command to run the tool. For example, to run the Control Panel if you are using a Windows™ operating system, enter

      [System Folder]\control.exe

      If you are using a Linux™ operating system, enter

      /usr/bin/gnome-control-center

      Tool Parameters
      Optional. Specify parameters for the command to run.
      Tool User
      Optional. Determines which privileges or credentials the command is run with. If left blank, run the tool as the logged on user.
    3. Click OK.
    To edit a tool entry, complete the following steps:
    1. Select a tool.
    2. Click Edit.
    3. Change the values for the tool.
    4. Click OK.
    To remove a tool entry, complete the following steps:
    1. Select a tool.
    2. Click Remove.
  4. Configure options on the Key Sequences tab.
    Use the Key Sequences tab to create a list of special keys, or often repeated sequences of special keys, that can be sent to the target during a remote control session. The key sequences are displayed as menu items in the Perform Action in target menu in the controller UI.
    Note: If the Edit and Remove options are not available when you select the item, you cannot change or remove the item.
    To add a Key Sequence, complete the following steps:
    1. Click Add.
    2. Enter values for the key sequence.
      Key Sequence name
      Enter a name for the key sequence. The name is displayed as a menu item in the Perform Action in target menu. For example, Inject F1.
      Key Sequence Value
      Enter a sequence of keys. The sequence of keys is sent to the target computer. For example, to send the F1 key, enter [F1].
    3. Click OK.
    To edit a key sequence entry, complete the following steps:
    1. Select a key sequence.
    2. Click Edit.
    3. Change the values for the key sequence.
    4. Click OK.
    To remove a key sequence entry, complete the following steps:
    1. Select an entry from the list.
    2. Click Remove.
  5. Click OK on the configuration window to save the configuration to the trc.properties file.
    Note: After you create your own configuration, you can reset the local values to the global values that are in the trc_controller.cfg file. Click Revert on the Configuration Window to display the global values. You must click OK on the Configuration Window to save the reverted values to the trc.properties file.