Help for PDQ Inventory > Computer Window > Agent (BETA)

In order for the optional Agent to perform tasks, it needs to be installed on each individual computer. The Agent can be installed on computers in your network within the PDQ Inventory Console, using the Setup Wizard, or using PowerShell or CLI. This chapter covers installations using PDQ Inventory. For PowerShell or the CLI, see Installing Agent (BETA) with PowerShell or the CLI. (The Agent requires Enterprise mode running Central Server.) For more information, see Agent (BETA).

If the Agent has already been installed, see Reconfiguring the Agent (BETA).

This section contains the following installation topics:

•Installation for Internal Computers

•Multiple Computers

•Single Computer

•Installation for External Computers

•Computers Already Scanned

•Computers Not Scanned

•Confirm Successful Installation

Installation for Internal Computers

For an Internal computer that is connected to your network, the Agent can be installed directly through PDQ Inventory. This installation is done silently without scripting, manual configuration, or interruption to the end user. You can either install to multiple computers at once, or install to one computer at a time. Both methods are listed below.

Multiple Computers

To install the Agent through PDQ Inventory to multiple Internal computers:

1.The computers must first be added to PDQ Inventory. For assistance, see Adding Computers.

2.On the Main Console window, select the All Computers page in the tree, or open a collection page.

3.Select the computer(s) that will receive the Agent.

4.On the Main Console toolbar, click Computer > Install Agent (BETA) (or right-click and select Install Agent (BETA)).

This launches a silent installation on the selected computers.

5.To view the installation status, click the Customize this grid button (upper left corner) or right-click the column header and select Edit Columns.

6.In the Hidden Columns, select Agent Status and move it to the Visible Columns.

7.Click Close.

This adds the column to the Main Console window, which will display Installing .

NOTE: It is normal to see it briefly display Not Installed before displaying the Agent Status.

Single Computer

To install the Agent through PDQ Inventory to one Internal computer:

1.Add the computer to PDQ Inventory. For assistance, see Adding Computers.

2.On the Main Console window, select the All Computers page in the tree, or open a collection page.

3.Select the computer, then click Computer > View Computer Details (or press Ctrl+O or double-click it).

This opens the Computer window.

4.Select the Agent (BETA) page.

5.Click Install Agent (or click Computer > Install Agent (BETA) on the toolbar).

This launches a silent installation on the selected computer. The Agent page indicates the installation is in progress with a waiting icon .

NOTE: It is normal to see it briefly display Not Installed before displaying the Agent Status.

Installation for External Computers

For External computers that are not on your network, the Agent will need to be installed and configured manually. The installation differs depending on whether or not the computer has previously been scanned. Both methods are listed here.

VIDEO: Manually Install the Agent

(https://youtu.be/Iw2aTr51GiA)

Computers Already Scanned

When the computer has already been scanned, the configuration file can be generic.

To install the Agent manually to a scanned computer:

1.Add the Computer to PDQ Inventory. For assistance, see Adding Computers.

2.Scan the computer once if it has not already been scanned.

NOTE: If the computer has not been scanned, use the Computer Not Scanned method.

3.Open Windows Explorer on the PDQ Inventory console computer.

4.Go to the directory C:\Program Files (x86)\Admin Arsenal\PDQ Inventory

5.Copy AgentInstaller.exe and AgentInstaller.Config.xml to the target computer.

Both files must reside within the same folder on the target computer.

6.On the target computer, double-click AgentInstaller.exe

7.On the PDQ Inventory Agent Setup window, follow the prompts.

8.Once installed, click Finish to exit the Setup Wizard.

The Agent is now installed and configured.

Computers Not Scanned

When the computer has not been scanned, the configuration file must be specific to the individual computer.

To install the Agent manually to a computer that has not yet been scanned:

1.Add the Computer to PDQ Inventory. For assistance, see Adding Computers.

2.On the Main Console, select the All Computers page in the tree, or open a collection page.

3.Select a computer, then click Computer > Agent Manual Install File (BETA) (or click Computer > View Computer Details (or press Ctrl+O), navigate to the Agent (BETA) page and click Agent Manual Install File).

This prompts you to save the config file.

NOTE: The config file is specific to the selected computer and is named accordingly. For example, Matt-Laptop.Config.xml

4.Open Windows Explorer on the PDQ Inventory console computer.

5.Go to the directory where the config file is saved, typically C:\Program Files (x86)\Admin Arsenal\PDQ Inventory

6.Copy AgentInstaller.exe and <ComputerName>.Config.xml to the target computer.

Both files must reside within the same folder on the target computer.

7.Double-click AgentInstaller.exe

8.On the PDQ Inventory Agent Setup window, follow the prompts.

9.Once installed, click Finish to exit the Setup Wizard.

The Agent is now installed and configured.

Confirm Successful Installation

To confirm the Agent has been installed, on multiple computers:

1.On the Main Console, select the All Computers page in the tree, or open a collection page.

2.Click the Customize this grid button (upper left corner) or right-click the column header and select Edit Columns.

3.In the Hidden Columns, select Agent Status and Agent Version and move them to the Visible Columns.

4.(Optional) Rearrange the column order.

NOTE: The column Agent Last Seen can also be moved to the Visible Columns.

5.Click Close.

This adds the selected columns to every collection page.

6.The Agent Status column will display Internal or External if it is installed. If the Agent has not been installed, this field will display Not Installed. If the Agent is installed but unable to communicate, this column will display Unavailable.

7.The Agent Version column will display the version of the Agent installed on the computer. If the Agent has not been installed, this field will remain blank.

To confirm the Agent has been installed, per computer:

1.Select a computer, then click Computer > View Computer Details (or press Ctrl+O or double-click it).

This opens the Computer window.

2.Select the Agent (BETA) page.

3.The Status field will display Internal, External, or Unavailable. If the Agent has not been installed, this field will display Not Installed.

4.The Version field will also display the version of the Agent. If the Agent has not been installed, this field will remain blank.

To confirm the Agent installation and status using collections:

1.On the Main Console, expand the Collection Library in the tree.

2.Expand Applications > Utilities > PDQ > PDQ Agent.

This displays all the Agent collections.

3.Select the collection you want to view.