In this article, we describe how you can easily automate and quickly deploy a ControlUp test environment or PoC environment!
You don’t need any packaging know-how or understanding of XOAP, we provide you with all templates and best practices from a single source.
Table of contents
Quick start in ControlUp
ControlUp is a software platform designed for monitoring, managing, and troubleshooting virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and server environments. It provides IT administrators with real-time insights and tools to optimize the performance and efficiency of their virtualized infrastructure. Find out more about ControlUp
The following illustration will help you to get an overview of ControlUp, which components are required and which are used. We focus on the following architecture components in the provision of the PoC / test environment:
- ControlUp Insights On-Premises Server (IOP)
- ControlUp SOLVE On-Premises Web Console (SOP)
- ControlUp Agent
For a Proof of Concept (POC) installation with 500 users, you can consolidate both roles onto a single machine. Due we automating the installation and delivery, you can start as well with multiple server systems.
Quick facts:
ContrulUp Server | ControlUp Console | |
|---|---|---|
Operating System | Windows Server supported versions: 2022, 2019, 2016 | Windows Server supported versions: 2022, 2019, 2016 OR Windows 11, 10 |
System definition | min. 2 CPUs 8GB RAM 10 GB disk | min. 2 CPUs 8GB RAM 10 GB disk |
Others | NET Framework 4.8 or later PowerShell 5.x or later | NET Framework 4.5 or later |
Create an AD group for users requiring access to the ControlUp real-time console.
Allow the following ports through any firewalls:
ControlUp Console <-> ControlUp Agent: port tcp\40705
ControlUp Console <-> ControlUp Monitor: port tcp\40706
Create an Service Account with the following rights:
Hypervisor: Read-only
Connectivity to Servers/VDI/RDSH: Local admin
Connection to Horizon: Read-only
Connection to Citrix Broker: Read-only
Connection to NetScaler: Read-only
If you plan to set up notifications and alerts based on KPIs, an internal SMTP server with a username, password, and port is required.
To deploy the ControlUp agent and understand its requirements, refer to the following resources:
Edge DX Agent Distribution and Installation
How to Deploy the Agent on Your Master Image for PVS/MCS Linked Instant Clones
By adhering to these guidelines, you’ll have the way for a well-optimized ControlUp environment, ensuring a smooth experience for both administrators and end-users.
Find the official documentation and implementation requirements: HERE
4 steps for an automated ControlUp delivery
Use the predefined templates and best-practices to deploy a standardized Control-Up On-Premises infrastructure.
Step 1 - Create your XOAP account
Create your XOAP account, which is 30 days for free. Access all software installation packages and templates.
The trial has all the modules configurations and applications integrated, that are needed for this example.
Step 2 - Customization
Once your XOAP workspace is ready, go to Groups in Application Management. If you search for ControlUp groups you will find 4 of them.
It’s important that you edit ControlAgent Agent installation parameters. Parameters which must be edited are:
- DeviceRegistrationCode
- TenatName
To do that, click on “ControlUp Agent” group Action Menu and select edit.
In edit group window, expand application parameters, set needed values and save application installation parameters and group changes by clicking on Save buttons.
Use the predefined server roles to deploy all ControlUp Server components and prerequisites at the push of a button. Customize the roles to your needs.
In Application Management, you will find the roles that contain the complete installation sequence. The software packages are provided in the correct order and dependency.
You can easily change versions and extend groups at any time.
Step 3 - Deployment
Once saved, you are ready to push ControlUp agent and console to your servers.
To do that, go in Groups tab in Configuration Management, find ControlUpConsole and ControlUpAgent config groups and download registration script.
To apply configuration on the server, copy registration script to the desired server, open powershell as administrator and run it.
Download the corresponding group in Configuration Management and simply run the script on your target system. It will appear in XOAP within a few minutes.
Note: Set the execution policy to remote-signed.
Step 4 - Finish
When the script is finished, you will be able to see your server in Nodes tabs in Configuration Management.
To install only ControlUp agent, repeat same process using ControlUpAgent configuration Group.
If you go to the nodes details, you will be able to see applied configurations, installed applications and server details.
You can then download a freely available installation script for the deployment of the components described above. In the combination of the different modules within XOAP, it is of course possible to roll out further infrastructure and client components to the target systems without having to set up your own infrastructure.
Furthermore, commands can also be received from ControlUp via API and sent to Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, as well as Google Cloud Platform (GSP).
This functionality is included in the platform.XO module and further information can be found here.
In summary, automating the installation of the ControlUp infrastructure is a strategic decision that enhances operational efficiency, reduces errors, and facilitates the scalability and security of the environment. It empowers organizations to deploy, manage, and maintain their ControlUp infrastructure in a more streamlined and reliable manner.
Automating the installation process significantly reduces the time required for deployment. Manual installations involve numerous steps, which can be time-consuming and prone to human error.
Automation streamlines the entire process, allowing for quicker and more consistent deployments.
- Consistency and Standardization
- Error Reduction
- Scalability
- Centralized Management
- Reproducibility
- Resource Optimization
- Easy Updates and Upgrades
- Documentation and Auditing
Empower yourself to deploy manage, and maintain your complete ControlUp infrastructure in a streamlined and reliable manner. Download your automation and installation PowerShell DSC scripts.
With the XOAP you can easily maintain automate Agent installations and update needed configurations. Also using Image Management you can include ControlUp Agent to your Azure or AWS golden image templates.
If you want to learn more or need additional help getting started with your ControlUp deployment 👉 book a demo
