WOLFVISION vSolution Link Pro Software User Guide

WOLFVISION-vSolution-Link-Pro-Software

Specifications

• Product: vSolution Link Pro
• Manufacturer: WolfVision GmbH
• Version: 1.9.1
• Operating System Compatibility: Windows IIS
• Application Type: Web server application
• Browser Compatibility: Modern fully HTML5 compatible browsers
• System Requirements:
  • Operating Systems: Windows Web Services (IIS Internet Information Server)
  • Other Requirements: Email credentials, SSL certificate, Internet access, 24/7 server availability

Product Usage Instructions

Installation
Follow the vSolution Link Pro Installation Guide provided by WolfVision on setting up the application on a Windows IIS server.

System Requirements
To ensure smooth functioning of vSolution Link Pro, make sure you meet the following system requirements:

• Install the application on a Windows IIS server.
• Use a modern fully HTML5 compatible browser to access the application.
• Have Email credentials, SSL certificate, Internet access, and maintain 24/7 server availability.

Custom Email-Provider:
If you do not have a custom email provider set, the integrated Sendgrid account will be used for sending Emails.

Firewall Rules:
Ensure that all necessary ports, services, and IP addresses are available and not blocked by your firewall (external and personal). Set a rule to allow the application WolfVision.MgmtTool.Api.exe for= full functionality.

FAQ:
Q: What should I do if I encounter technical errors while using vSolution Link Pro?
A: In case of technical errors or issues, please contact WolfVision support for assistance. They will provide you with the necessary help to resolve any problems you may face.

Installation Guide: vSolution Link Pro on IIS
Version 1.9.1

 About this Guide

This document explains the setup of vSolution Link Pro application by WolfVision on a Windows IIS server.

Copyright
Copyright © by WolfVision. All rights reserved.
WolfVision, Wofu Vision and are registered trademarks of WolfVision Center GmbH, Austria.

• The software is the property of WolfVision and its licensors. Any reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.
• No part of this document may be copied, reproduced, or transmitted by any means, without prior written permission from WolfVision except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes.
• In the interest of continuing product improvement, WolfVision reserves the right to change product specifications without notice.
• Information in this document may change without prior notice.
• Disclaimer: WolfVision shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions.
• Use of Trademarks, Registered Trademarks, and other Protected Names and Symbols
• This manual may make reference to trademarks, registered trademarks, and other protected names and/or symbols of third-party companies not related in any way to WolfVision. Where they occur these references are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent an endorsement of a product or service by WolfVision, or an endorsement of the product(s) to which this manual applies by the third-party company in question. Regardless of any direct acknowledgment elsewhere in the body of this document, WolfVision hereby acknowledges that all trademarks, registered trademarks, service marks, and other protected names and/or symbols contained in this manual and related documents are the property of their respective holders.

System Requirements

Windows Web Services (IIS Internet Information Server)
As vSolution Link Pro is a web server application, it can be accessed by any modern fully HTML5 compatible browser of a third-party device in the local network.
To use all features the application provides, it has to be installed as IIS (Internet Information Server). Email credentials, SSL certificate, Internet access and 24/7 server availability are also required.
The software (64bit application) can be installed on following operating systems. The following shows the minimum system requirements, more recommended:

• Windows Server 2019 or newer (all requirements according to Microsoft must be fulfilled)
• CPU minimum 1 Core with 2.60GHz (2 cores, or more recommended)
• 4GB RAM (8GB, or more recommended)
• 100GB minimum free disk space for firmware files (250GB, or more recommended)
• Access to secure port (e.g. 443, https default)
• Server address (IP:port) has to be reachable via secure web socket (wss)
• .NET Core Hosting Bundle, tested with version 7.0.3

Please note

• Latest updates recommended.
• Earlier versions of operating systems are not tested and may not be supported.
• Please note the required disk space for the local firmware repository, disk space of at least 20GB is recommended.
• To access the devices, they have to be online and in the same network to be reachable! Pay attention of correct network settings, especially when running in special network environments.
• Cynap systems will disable their LAN ports when powering down by default and can be powered up by using the Wake on LAN functionality. For network infrastructures with blocked Wake on LAN, use power down mode Power Save to keep the LAN port of your Cynap active. When
• using WolfVision Visualizer devices, use power down modes Normal or ECO to keep the LAN port active. Certain Visualizer models are supporting Wake on LAN (check power down mode of connected Visualizer).
• An incorrect system time may cause network connection to fail, the use of a valid timeserver recommended.

Custom Email-Provider
Valid custom email-provider credentials are required when enabling:

• 2-factor authentication

• Management Hub

• Event log Email notification

• Box Replacement*

• Password reset*.

• If no custom provider is set, the integrated Sendgrid account will be used for sending Emails.

SSL certificate – a prerequisite for enabling Management Hub
A valid SSL certificate is required when restricting the access to https.

Firewall Rules
Ensure that all necessary ports, services and IP addresses are available and not blocked by your firewall (external and personal).

Acknowledgements (“ACKs”) of TCP packets are not considered in the following table in order to be able to illustrate the direction of the data packets. Since acknowledgments are usually sent back via the same TCP port, the other direction shall not be blocked to ensure smooth functioning.

On certain systems, you have to set a rule to allow the application:
WolfVision.MgmtTool.Api.exe for full functionality.

Function                   / Application| Port| Type| Inbound     / Outbound| Description
---|---|---|---|---
vSolution Link Pro| | | |
Wake On LAN| 7 / 9| UDP| Inbound         / Outbound| Wake On LAN – Usually port 7 is used for sending the magic packet
DNS| 53| TCP / UDP| Inbound         / Outbound| DNS – This port will be used for Domain Name System. If this port is blocked, DNS service are not available
http, Cynap control| 80| TCP| Inbound         / Outbound| This is the default port to connect to the web interface (httpd) of vSolution Link Pro. Of this port is blocked, connection cannot be

established

https, SSL, e.g. Cloud Service,              Cynap control| 443| TCP| Inbound / Outbound| This is the default port to connect to web interface (https) of vSolution Link Pro. If this port is blocked,

connection cannot be established.

SMTP| 587| SMTP| Outbound| Mail        Server        –        Port        for communication with SMTP server.
Discovery Multicast| 50000| UDP| Inbound| This port is used for device discovery all available Cynap and Visualizer in the network by vSolution applications          (uses Multicast                 IP address 239.255.255.250). If this port is blocked, device discovery is not possible
Device Discovery| 50913| UDP| Inbound| This port is used for device discovery. If this port is blocked, device discovery is not possible.
For control purposes| 50915| TCP| Inbound         / Outbound| This port is used for control

purposes. If this port is blocked, no control is possible

DHCP option 43 (or 60)

• To allow the devices to register fully automated, set the DHCP option 43 (or 60) at the DHCP server in your network environment.
• This option is used by clients and servers to exchange vendor specific information.
• The setting can be set for one or more scopes (Scope Options) or for the entire server (Server Options).
• Different versions of DHCP server operating systems vary, the following steps are describing setting up on a Windows Server 2019 Datacenter.
• Open your DHCP Application and select “Configure Options” in the context menu of “Scope Options”, “or “Server Options”.

Example with IP 192.168.246.5

0x02 = Type Cynap Devices (defined by WolfVision)
0x0D = decimal 13 in hex = length of the IP address (4 octets, inclusive dots)

Example with URL vlinkpro.wolfvision.com

0x02 = Type Cynap Devices (defined by WolfVision)
0x17 = decimal 23 in hex = length of the URL

Please Note
The following Cynap systems are supporting DHCP option 43, DHCP option 60, and manually entered URL of vSolution Link Pro server in their settings:

• Cynap
• Cynap PRO
• Cynap Core
• Cynap Core PRO
• Cynap Pure
• Cynap Pure Pro
• Cynap Pure Receiver
• Cynap Pure SDM
• Cynap Pure Mini

The following Visualizer systems are supporting DHCP option 43, and manually entered URL of vSolution Link Pro server in their settings:

• VZ-2.UHD
• VZ-3neo.UHD
• VZ-8neo.UHD
• VZ-8.UHD

With default settings, listening the DHCP option is enabled.

On-Premise or Management Hub

The vSolution Link Pro is a web server application and needs to be installed, preferred on a server to ensure 24/7 availability.

Hosted On-Premise (Local Installation)
When the application is hosted on-premise, this server, all Cynap and Visualizer systems and also the third party devices (desktops, workstations, tablets) have to be in the same Ethernet network.

Hosted with Management Hub (Cloud Installation)
When the application is hosted with enabled Management Hub feature, Cloud supported devices can be managed additionally.

Supported WolfVision Cynap systems in Management Hub:

• Cynap
• Cynap Pro
• Cynap Core
• Cynap Core Pro
• Cynap Pure
• Cynap Pure Pro
• Cynap Pure Receiver
• Cynap Pure SDM

For full compatibility, keep installed firmware version of all your devices up to date.

Server Installation (Windows IIS)

The vSolution Link Pro is a web server application and needs to be installed, preferred on a server to ensure 24/7 availability.
Different versions of IIS may vary slightly, the following steps are describing the installation on a Windows Server 2019 Datacenter (OS build 17763.1131) with .NET Core Hosting Bundle version 7.0.3. The installation on other versions may vary.
vSolution Link Pro is delivered with a standard web.config, which can be adopted, depending on your needs.
Note additional settings for using Management Hub (cloud access) feature.

Download the installation files
Download the zip archive vSolutionLinkPro_WindowsServer.zip from the WolfVision web page and unpack it.

Add IIS functionality
Open the Server Manager Dashboard and Add Roles and Features:

Important
WebDAV role should stay disabled for vSolution Link Pro server for full functionality.

Select WebSocket Protocol (Application Development, sub item of IIS Web Server)

Prepare file structure
Copy the unzipped folder vSolutionLinkPro_WindowsServer to c:\inetpub\wwwroot

Change properties to manage permissions of the IIS to allow full control

Start Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager

Setup IIS
Manage sites of IIS and add the physical path

Restrict access to https and check the used port.
This setting is required prior activating Management Hub feature.

• Define your valid SSL certificate for proper https connection.
• This setting is required prior activating Management Hub feature.
• Change .NET CLR version in Basic Settings to “No Managed Code”
• Change Managed pipeline mode to “Integrated”.

Change Start Mode in Advanced settings to “AlwaysRunning” to allow 24/7 operation

Change Idle Time-out (minutes) in Advanced settings to “0”

Please note
When the IIS is running OnDemand, it stops when:

• No vSolution Link Pro window is open in a browser window at any client
• No Management Hub connection is open
• No device uses calling home.

Installing .NET Core Windows Server Hosting

Install the .NET Core Hosting Bundle.
The application was tested with .NET version 7.0.3: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/thank-you/runtime- aspnetcore-7.0.3-windows-hosting-bundle-installer

For further details about IIS, please visit: https://docs.microsoft.com/en- us/aspnet/core/host-and- deploy/iis/?view=aspnetcore-7.

Stop and restart the service at Application Pool Tasks at IIS Manager.

Adopt appsettings.json
The file appsettings.json allows modifying all settings offline by using a common text editor. The most important settings are accessible at the graphical user interface (Configuration – Settings).

Using Management Hub (Cloud)
“UseHttps” in section “Hosting” has to be set to “true”.

Activate Management Hub (optional, depending on setup)
The Management Hub for Cloud support needs to be enabled in the setting at initial start:

Alternative, activate the Management Hub in the file appsettings.json and adopt all settings according your needs manually:

Start the application

To start vSolution Link Pro, open the browser of the workstation and enter the IP address of the server.
Example URL http://192.168.0.1:80

For security reasons, the default password has to be changed at first login.
Please note, after inactivity of 30 minutes, you will be logged out automatically.

Device Requirements
To access the devices, they have to be online and reachable!
Cloud-connected devices (Management Hub) are keeping a secure websocket connection (WSS) open to allow managing.
E.g. Cynap devices will disable their LAN ports when powering down by default and can be powered up by using the Wake on LAN functionality. For network infrastructures with blocked Wake on LAN, use power down mode Power Save to keep the LAN port of your Cynap system active.
Depending on network infrastructure and due to multiple network ports, IP routing has to be specified to route the network traffic.
When using WolfVision Visualizer devices, use power down modes Normal or ECO to keep the LAN port active.

First Login – Change Password (“admin” at initial start)
When you login the first time, the password must be set:

When the blank Windows server IIS page should be opened, check the used ports and restart the server.

Updating vSolution Link Pro

Stop vSolution Link Pro at IIS Manager.
Backup the Data folder from your current installation folder.
Unpack the zip archive of the new version and copy the full content to the installation folder. Copy the content from your previously saved content of Data to the current Data folder.

Important
When the installation folder “vSolutionLinkPro” was exchanged, the permission has to be renewed (see chapter 5.5 Prepare file structure).

Complete the update
Start the vSolution Link Pro at the IIS Manager.

Updating from version v1.8.0 (or earlier)
When vSolution Link Pro version 1.8.0, or earlier was installed previously, the application pool has to be modified.
Set Enable 32-Bit Applications to “False”

Change Start Mode in Advanced settings to “AlwaysRunning” to allow 24/7 operation

Change Idle Time-out (minutes) in Advanced settings to “0”

Please note
When the IIS is running OnDemand, it stops when:

• No vSolution Link Pro window is open in a browser window at any client
• No Management Hub connection is open
• No device uses calling home.

Check the settings files web.config and appsettings.json
Verify web.config (will be found in the root folder of the IIS), hostingmodel has to
Set Enable 32-Bit Applications to “False”

Verify web.config (will be found in the root folder of the IIS), hostingmodel has to be set to “inprocess”.

The setting “InProcessHostingModel” in the file appsettings.json is obsolete since vSolution Link Pro v1.9 and later.
This setting is ignored and has no effect anymore.

Move from Desktop Installation to IIS Installation

To move all data from a former desktop installation to a server installation, ensure that vSolution Link Pro is properly installed on the IIS server.

Important
A fresh installation of vSolution Link Pro on the server with identical version number than the former desktop installation is strongly recommended.
By continuing with the following steps, all the data of the vSolution Link Pro installation on the server get lost.

1. Stop the vSolution Link Pro server at the IIS Manager.

2. elete all files and subfolders of the Data folder on your IIS installation.

3. Default path:
   C:\inetpub\wwwroot\vSolutionLinkPro\

4. Copy the entire contents of the Data folder from your desktop installation.
   Default path:
   Windows desktop installation (hidden folder) C:\ProgramData\WolfVision\vSolution Link Pro\
   MacOS desktop installation /Library/Application Support/WolfVision/vSolution Link Pro/

5. Paste the files into the Data folder of your IIS installation.

6.  Default path:
   C:\inetpub\wwwroot\vSolutionLinkPro\

Important
Check all listed paths in the appsettings.json file and correct it accordingly.
Default path on IIS: C:\\inetpub\\wwwroot\\vSolutionLinkPro\\Data\\
Start the vSolution Link Pro at the IIS Manager.
All settings and data of the former Desktop installation are transferred to the server, including login credentials.

Index

Added section “Move from Desktop Installation to IIS Installation”.

1.9.0| 2023-07-25| Update to vSolution Link Pro version 1.9.0 Added rules for updating the application.
**** The version numbering has been adapted to the versioning of the application.
1.5| 2023-05-17| Added Management Hub activation (Cloud)
1.4| 2023-04-25| Update to vSolution Link Pro version 1.8.0
1.3| 2022-06-21| .NET Core Update to version 5.0.17
1.2| 2022-05-23| Added WebDAV note
1.1| 2021-07-07| Updated Firewall rules
1.0| 2021-03-09| Created

WolfVision GmbH Oberes Ried 14
A-6833 Klaus / AUSTRIA

Tel. +43-5523-52250
Fax +43-5523-52249
E-Mail: wolfvision@wolfvision.com
www.wolfvision.com

References

• Wolfvision GmbH
• Presentation, Collaboration & Visualizer Systems - WolfVision GmbH
• Host ASP.NET Core on Windows with IIS | Microsoft Learn
• Download ASP.NET Core 7.0 Runtime (v7.0.3) - Windows Hosting Bundle Installer

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