Install BigFix MDM Service for Windows

Learn how to install BigFix MDM Service for Windows to provide MDM service on Windows through WebUI.

Before you begin

This procedure is for a first time installation of an MDM Service on the MDM Server. If you have already installed one of the MDM Services, use Add MDM servers and plugin option to add an additional MDM service, as some of the configuration is common to all MDM Services and should not be re-supplied for each MDM Service installed.

These prerequisites must be met to install the BigFix MDM Service for Windows:
  • You must be a Master Operator to perform this task through WebUI.
  • You must have the wnscredentials.json file ready to upload. For the work flow to create this file, see Generating WNS credentials.
  • You must have a Trusted CA TLS certificate.
  • You must have the BigFix Agent running on the MDM Server target.
  • You must have the BigFix Plugin Portal installed and running on the MDM Plugin target

About this task

To install BigFix MDM Service for Windows:
  1. From the WebUI main page, select Apps > MCM.
  2. On the Modern Client Management page, click Admin.
  3. On the Admin page, from the left navigation, under MDM Servers, select Install.
    Install MDM Server
  4. Select Target Device for server. Click Select and select an appropriate target on which you want to install the MDM server.
  5. Select Target Device for Plugin. Click Select and select an appropriate target on which you want to install the MDM server.
    Note:
    • You need MDM Plugin to set up a connection between the MDM Servers and the BigFix Plugin Portal. MDM Plugin communicate with the MDM Server through REST APIs and the AMQP protocol using client certificates.
    • Ensure that the server host is running the Plugin Portal and that the BigFix agent is running locally. For details about installing the BigFix Client, see Installing the BigFix components.
    • From MCM v3.4 onwards, the plugin can be installed from the same screen as the MDM server, making the process simpler and more convenient.
  6. Server Install Type: For Select OS, select Windows to manage Windows devices.
  7. Pre-requisite System Check: Click Run Prerequisite Scanto scan the MDM target device and verify that all prerequisites are installed or configured. Review the scan results and ensure success before proceeding with the install parameters.
    Note: If the scan detects any issues, refer to Prerequisite & Connectivity Scan for more information to resolve the issues.
  8. Install Parameters:
    • Organization Name: Enter a string. While enrolling a device, the organization name entered here is displayed to the end users.
    • User Facing Hostname: For over the air enrolls, this is the hostname of the server where users can visit to enroll in MDM. The value must be a valid FQDN that is accessible from the Internet. For example, mdmserver.deploy.bigfix.com.
      Note: https:// should not be included here.
  9. TLS Credentials: Upload the MDM Server TLS certificate and key files.
    1. TLS Key Password: Enter a string to set the password to encrypt the TLS key.
    2. TLS Certificate: Click Upload File and browse through the location to select the TLS .crt or .pem file.
    3. TLS Key: Click Upload File and browse through the location to select the unencrypted TLS .key file that was previously saved. Refer to BigFix MDM Server TLS Certificate Content.
  10. WNS Credentials: This field appears when you select Windows as the operating system. Click Upload File and browse through the file location to select the wnscredentials.json file.
    Tip: For more information on how to generate wnscredentials.json file, see Generating WNS credentials.
  11. Click Install.
Results: This action completes these activities:
  1. Downloads a set of Podman images from software.bigfix.com which is needed for the MDM installation.
  2. Installs the services and certificates including the Plugin certificates and the TLS certificate on which the server runs.
  3. Applies all required configurations.
  4. After successful installation, you can find the MDM plugin files at this location:
    • Windows — C:\Program File (x86)\BigFix Enterprise\BES Plugin Portal\Plugins
    • Linux
      • Binaries — /opt/BESPluginPortal/Plugins
      • Data files — /var/opt/BESPluginPortal
    Now, you can manage the enrolled Windows endpoints.