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Booster Installation

Description

Booster software is compatible with either macOS, Windows or Debian.  All necessary installers or appliances can be found on the current download pages: FileWave Software Downloads

Installers

Debian

Linux has two options.  FileWave provides (as with the FileWave Server) a pre-built Debian VM.  Alternatively, it is possible to self instal the software on a Debian system.

macOS & Windows

Installers are available as PKG or MSI.

As typically with MSI installers, options exist not only for instal, but repair and deletion

Instal Paths

Booster instals the software to one of the following locations:

  • Windows: C:\Program Files\FileWave\fwBooster.exe
  • macOS, Debian: /usr/local/sbin/fwBooster

Booster Configuration

Once installed, configuration is via the Booster Monitor application, available for both macOS and Windows from the same downloads page.

Installation

Debian

If using the pre-built Debian Appliance, simply add the VM to the VM infrastructure.  Alternatively, follow the commands provided on the downloads page.

macOS & Windows

Run the relevant PKG or MSI installer, accepting any terms and agreements.

Custom Installers may be created, pre-defining details, e.g. Server Address, Port and Booster Monitor Preferences password: Custom Installers

Configuration

Network Address

Configure a static IP for the Booster and consider adding a Domain Name within the DNS for this IP.

macOS and Windows can be configured using the Settings.  However, Debian will require some command line configuration.

Debian IP Setup
Network Interface

The current IP may be determined with the 'ip addr' command:

# ip addr
1: lo: <LOOPBACK,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 65536 qdisc noqueue state UNKNOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/loopback 00:00:00:00:00:00 brd 00:00:00:00:00:00
    inet 127.0.0.1/8 scope host lo
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
    inet6 ::1/128 scope host noprefixroute 
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
2: ens192: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state UP group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 00:0c:29:9d:4d:7e brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp11s0
    inet 192.168.1.98/24 brd 192.168.1.255 scope global dynamic ens192
       valid_lft 68853sec preferred_lft 68853sec
    inet6 fe80::20c:29ff:fe9d:4d7e/64 scope link 
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever

The key part here is the name of the network interface.  In the above example, this is 'ens192'.

Edit Network File

Make a backup of the current file:

cp /etc/network/interfaces /etc/network/interfaces-mybackup

Edit the original file:

sudo nano /etc/network/interfaces

Add the chosen IP and other necessary details for this interface.  GiveGiven the details above, it may look something like the below once edited:

# This file describes the network interfaces available on your system
# and how to activate them. For more information, see interfaces(5).

source /etc/network/interfaces.d/*

# The loopback network interface
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

# The primary network interface
iface ens192 inet static
address 192.168.1.22
netmask 255.255.255.0
gateway 192.168.1.255
dns-nameservers 8.8.4.4 8.8.8.8

Once complete, save and then restart the network service:

sudo systemctl restart networking

Re-running the 'ip addr' command should now show the new details.

Add a name with this IP on the DNS.

Booster Setup

Instal the Booster Monitor on a chosen macOS or Windows device.  On launching the Booster Monitor, use the above created network address.  The initial view is akin to the FileWave Client Monitor, but with Booster specific details:

image.png

Select Preferences, enter the created password (or default password as provided from the downloads page)

Consider changing this password at the earliest possible moment

This password is only used to access the Preferences from the Booster Monitor.

The Booster Monitor may then be used to configure the Booster.  At a very basic level, the Server Address and port should be added.

image.png

Approving Boosters

Once a Booster is setup on the network with the relevant FileWave Server details, it should then check-in with the server and be visible in the Booster section of the FileWave Central admin application software.

As of FileWave 13.1.0, additional security and certificates were introduced, requiring the approval process.

cert_not_installed.png

The approval process generates a certificate for the Booster.  There are four ways to generate a certificate for a booster.

  1. Select booster(s) in the Booster view → right-click → Create Certificate/Enroll Booster
  2. Select booster(s) in the Booster view → Create Certificate/Enroll Booster (in the button bar)
  3. Select booster(s) in the Booster Details → right-click → Create Certificate/Enroll Booster
  4. Select booster(s) in the Booster Details → Create Certificate/Enroll Booster (in the button bar)

Server_certs.gif

Booster Deletion

If a Booster were deleted from FileWave, this will revoke the certificate.  If still running, on a subsequent check-in, the approval process should need to be re-actioned.

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