ASIP 6.0 Training 

ASIP 6.1 Overview 

Installation & Use: ASIP 6.1 New Features

 

 

 

 

 

updated: 9/11/98 

 

 

 

 


Installation & Use

Remote Administration

AppleShare IP 6.1 supports remote administration. Using a standard Web browser, the server administrator can perform many tasks remotely, such as creating new users, changing passwords, or starting or stopping mail or print services. 

Setting Up Remote Administration

Remote administration of the ASIP 6.1 server requires the following:

  • The Web & File Server must be running. Although you can start and stop other services (mail and print) remotely, the Web & File Server must be running to do any remote administration.
  • Web access must be enabled, with appropriate privileges set to the default Web Folder (the administrator needs at least read access). If you change the Default Web Folder, be sure to move the Plug Ins and Errors folders to the new location.
  • Remote Web Administration must be enabled; this is done in the Web & File Server Settings window, under "General". It is set to enabled by default.


 

  • You will need TCP/IP access to the server from the client machine. This can be over a LAN, WAN or a dialup connection. If using TCP Filtering (or a firewall), make sure that no filters are set up that would prevent the client machine from accessing the server on the Web Admin port (311).
  • The Web browser used must be Netscape Navigator 3.0.1 or greater, Netscape Communicator 4.0 or later, or Microsoft Internet Explorer (MSIE) 3.0 or later. Apple strongly recommends Netscape Communicator 4.0 or later, or MSIE 4.0 or later. Other web browsers that support frames and Java might work, but they are not supported because they have not been tested. 
  • To access Remote Administration, use the following URL: 

http://your.server.com/.admin

    You will be prompted to enter the administrator name and password.

  • Read the ReadMe files for any late-breaking news about known issues or compatibility problems. 

Remote Admin Interface

If you are familiar with performing administrative tasks at the server itself, you'll have no problem following the Remote Admin interface. (And if server administration is still unfamiliar to you, review the appropriate sections of the ASIP 6.0 training module, or on-line help files, to become familiar.) The Remote Admin interface is intuitive and mostly self-explanatory. This toolbar appears on every page, and allows you to move easily between the different server components. The Status section will show you what services are enabled and running, and allow you to start or stop mail and print servers. (Web & File Services must be running at all times in order to access Remote Administration.)

 

 

The screenshot below shows the interface for managing users.

 

This screenshot shows the options for managing Web Server Settings. As you can see, they closely mirror the options as they appear in the AppleShare IP Web & File Admin program.

 

One nice feature that Remote Administration adds is the Usage History graph. This can be especially useful in troubleshooting; for example, if users reports that they found the server slow in the morning, you can use this chart to see how busy the server was at that time.

 

What tasks can't be performed remotely?

Some tasks still require you to be at the server itself; these are listed below:

AppleShare IP Manager

    All of the AppleShare IP Manager functions are available in Remote Admin except launching the server-based administrative applications. See the Status page of Remote Admin.

Users & Groups

    The following functions are NOT available in Remote Admin:

    • Import Users and Export Users & Groups 
    • Duplicate User and Duplicate User Multiple features 
    • Batch attribute setting feature. 

Web & File Admin

    Start is NOT available since Remote Admin requires the Web service to be running at all times.

    User and groups names must be typed in for setting access privileges.

    Other functions NOT available are:

    • Duplicate Folder 
    • Unmount Disk 
    • Web & FTP Mime Settings 
    • Reset cache 
    • Serialization Setting 
    • Send Message to Connected Users 

Mail Admin

    The following functions are NOT available in Remote Admin:

    • Date & Time Modification on server
    • Viewing and Managing mail messages on the server (NOTE: you can use IMAP Admin Access Port for this functionality)
    • Attempt outgoing connections to Mail Hosts.
    • Show pending messages for Mail Hosts. (NOTE: you can use IMAP Admin Access Port for this functionality) 

Print Admin

    The following function is NOT available in Remote Admin:

      Clear all Logs

 

Remote Admin Security

Every server administrator should be concerned about security. Remote Administration can be secured in the following ways:

  • Password security: The client must provide the name and password of a server administrator to gain access.
  • Automatic LogOut: The Remote Admin connection will close after a short period of inactivity; this will prevent unauthorized use if you are unexpectedly called away from your workstation.
  • TCP Filtering: Using the TCP Filter Admin program, you can create a filter that would allow access to the Remote Admin port only from your own workstation, or from certain networks. See the section on TCP Filtering for more details.
  • Disable Remote Administration: You also could simply disable the feature altogether. 

 

Troubleshooting Tips:

Here are some general guidelines on how to troubleshoot problems accessing the server for remote administration:

  • Review the steps listed under "Setting Up Remote Administration".
  • Try accessing the server's default Web page, using the URL "http://my.server.com"; this will let you know whether its Web services in general, or remote administration in particular that is causing the problem.
  • If the problem appears to be with accessing Web Services in general:
    • Try pinging the server, to test IP connectivity.
    • Try connecting from another workstation, to determine if the problem is at the client or the server. If possible, try connecting from a device on the same LAN as the server itself.
    • Try disabling TCP Filtering at the server.
  • If the problem appears to be specifically with Remote Administration:
    • Verify the URL being used. It should be the domain name of the server, followed by "/.admin", without the quotes: 

http://www.company.com/.admin

    • Verify that the name and password being entered are correct, and that the user is set up as a server administrator.
    • Verify that the Plug Ins folder is within the default Web Folder, that it contains the Remote Admin Folder, and that access privileges to all of the folders allow the administrator at least read access.
    • Verify that Plug Ins have not been disabled.
    • Verify that there's enough free RAM on the server to accommodate the Remote Admin.cgi. 
    • Verify that you're using a tested Web Browser; check that Java is supported, and review the Remote Admin Read Me files for any late-breaking known compatibility or set up issues with certain browsers.

 

 

Click the right arrow to the section on TCP Filtering...