Pre-requisites/assumptions
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- An MDM specific profile is installed onto the iOS device and relevant permissions granted.
- The iOS device is enrolled into the MDM environment.
- An MDM specific Client application is installed on the device.
- The user is familiar with the Meraki or AirWatch web interface/configuration.
Cisco Meraki
Adding/deploying the application
- Login to your Meraki interface and choose Systems Manager – Apps.
- Select Add App. Confirm that the app platform is iOS and the app type is App Store.
- Search for the NetSupport Browser app and select it from the list of found NetSupport iOS apps.
- Complete any settings you require and confirm the target devices for the app installation. Click Save when complete.
- The app will auto-install if configured to do so. If at a later date, you need to force install the app again, return to the Systems Manager – Apps.
Configuring the application
- In the Meraki interface, select Systems Manager – Settings.
- Select Add Profile. Ensure Device Profile (default) is selected and click Continue.
- On the Profile Configuration page, assign a suitable name to the new profile and in the Targets section, confirm the devices to be included in the scope of the deployment. Click Save when complete.
- Select the + Add settings option. Confirm that the device type is iOS and in the Managed App Config section, also confirm that the platform is iOS.
- Confirm the Profile details by selecting iOS as the platform and NetSupport Browser as the app.
- You can now configure the required NetSupport parameters to facilitate connections between the iOS devices and, depending on which NetSupport products you have installed, your central NetSupport DNA Server and/or NetSupport School Tutor. For each parameter, see below for a full list of available commands, enter the Key, Type and Value. Click the blue plus icon to add additional settings. Click Save when complete.
The following settings can be applied to configure both NetSupport DNA and NetSupport School Student components. As a minimum requirement, you should specify your DNA Server address and port, and if connecting to a NetSupport School Tutor, the required connectivity settings such as the NetSupport Connectivity Server (Gateway) address and key if in use and if using Room Mode, the room name(s).
Available NetSupport DNA settings
| Setting | Key | Value type | Example value | Notes |
| Enable/Disable DNA | com.nsl.dna.agent.enabled | Boolean | True/False | Enables or disables NetSupport DNA functionality. |
| Server Address | com.nsl.dna.server.address | Text | 10.20.0.123 | Sets the DNA Server IP address. |
| Server Port | com.nsl.dna.server.port | Text | 1743 | Sets the DNA port number. |
| Allow Roaming User | com.nsl.dna.roaming.user.allowed | Boolean | True/False | Enables or disables login to the app when not connected to the DNA Server/off-site. |
| Collect Roaming Data | com.nsl.dna.roaming.data.collect | Boolean | True/False | The app will continue to collect browser data when not connected to the DNA Server/off-site. |
| Use Password Authentication | com.nsl.dna.authentication.password | Boolean | True/False | For use in non-Active Directory environments where users do not have a user name/password login. |
Available NetSupport School settings
| Setting | Key | Value type | Example value | Notes |
| Enable/Disable School | com.nsl.nss.student.enabled | Boolean | True/False | Enables or disables NetSupport School functionality. |
| Fixed Room Name | com.nsl.nss.room.name | Text | Maths | Locks Room Mode to a fixed room name. |
| List of Rooms | com.nsl.nss.room.list | Text | Maths, English, Science | Comma separated room names as a selectable list. |
| Port | com.nsl.nss.port | Text | 5405 | Sets port number for NetSupport School connections. |
| Multicast Address | com.nsl.nss.multicast.address | Text | 225.16.8.68 | Sets the multicast address for NetSupport School. |
| Gateway Address | com.nsl.nss.gateway.address | Text | 10.20.0.123 | NetSupport School Connectivity Server IP address. |
| Gateway Port | com.nsl.nss.gateway.port | Text | 443 | NetSupport School Connectivity Server port number. |
| Gateway Key | com.nsl.nss.gateway.key | Text | Password | Enter the Connectivity Server key/password. |
| Use Gateway | com.nsl.nss.gateway.enabled | Boolean | True/False | Enables or disables the NetSupport Connectivity Server component. |
General settings
| Setting | Key | Value type | Example value | Notes |
| Default URL | com.nsl.browser.defaulturl | String | Valid URL address | Set the default web page for the browser. |
| Auto Sign-Out | com.nsl.session.timeout | Number | 0 = Never 2 = 2 minutes 5 = 5 minutes 10 = 10 minutes 15 = 15 minutes 30 = 30 minutes 60 = 60 minutes |
Other number values will be rounded to nearest highest value. |
| Remember Login Username | com.nsl.login.user.remember | Boolean | True/False | Set the app to remember the login credentials. |
| Use Anonymous Sign In | com.nsl.login.user.anonymous | Boolean | True/False | Allow users to sign in without domain credentials. |
Conclusion
By following the steps above, the NetSupport Browser app should now be installed on the required iOS devices and configured to connect to your central NetSupport DNA Server and/or NetSupport School Tutor installation.
On the iOS devices themselves, the app settings will confirm, where applicable, that the app’s configuration has been ‘locked-down’ by a central policy and can’t be edited by users.
If you need to re-deploy the app or a configured profile, you can do so by selecting, Systems Manager – Devices. Selecting the device will provide additional configuration options, for example, allowing you to block device users from accessing other applications such as the App Store and preventing them from uninstalling apps.
To uninstall the app from devices, select Systems Manager – Apps. Select the app and scroll down to the Status section, use the checkboxes to select which devices you want to apply the command to, then select Push followed by Uninstall.
To remove the configuration profile, select Systems Manager – Settings, select the profile and click the red cross to delete. Click Save to complete.
VMware AirWatch
Adding/deploying the application
- Login to your Workspace ONE UEM (VMware AirWatch) interface and choose Apps and Books, select Public and choose Add application.
- Select Apple iOS as the platform. Leave the Search App Store option selected and enter the app name, NetSupport Browser. Click Next.
- Select NetSupport Browser from the list of displayed NetSupport apps.
- When the selected app loads, configure the required options and select Save and Assign.
- Add an Assignment using the Add Assignment button or select from the list of existing assignments if already displayed. Complete the settings as required and ensure Applications Configuration is set to Enabled. A form loads allowing you to enter the app’s required configuration settings. Enter the required options to confirm how the app connects to your central DNA Server and/or NetSupport School Tutor. (A list of available NetSupport settings follows below.) Click Add.
Available NetSupport DNA settings
| Setting | Key | Value type | Example value | Notes |
| Enable/Disable DNA | com.nsl.dna.agent.enabled | Boolean | True/False | Enables or disables NetSupport DNA functionality. |
| Server Address | com.nsl.dna.server.address | Text | 10.20.0.123 | Sets the DNA Server IP address. |
| Server Port | com.nsl.dna.server.port | Text | 1743 | Sets the DNA port number. |
| Allow Roaming User | com.nsl.dna.roaming.user.allowed | Boolean | True/False | Enables or disables login to the app when not connected to the DNA Server/off-site. |
| Collect Roaming Data | com.nsl.dna.roaming.data.collect | Boolean | True/False | The app will continue to collect browser data when not connected to the DNA Server/off-site. |
| Use Password Authentication | com.nsl.dna.authentication.password | Boolean | True/False | For use in non-Active Directory environments where users do not have a user name/password login. |
Available NetSupport School settings
| Setting | Key | Value type | Example value | Notes |
| Enable/Disable School | com.nsl.nss.student.enabled | Boolean | True/False | Enables or disables NetSupport School functionality. |
| Fixed Room Name | com.nsl.nss.room.name | Text | Maths | Locks Room Mode to a fixed room name. |
| List of Rooms | com.nsl.nss.room.list | Text | Maths, English, Science | Comma separated room names as a selectable list. |
| Port | com.nsl.nss.port | Text | 5405 | Sets port number for NetSupport School connections. |
| Multicast Address | com.nsl.nss.multicast.address | Text | 225.16.8.68 | Sets the multicast address for NetSupport School. |
| Gateway Address | com.nsl.nss.gateway.address | Text | 10.20.0.123 | NetSupport School Connectivity Server IP address. |
| Gateway Port | com.nsl.nss.gateway.port | Text | 443 | NetSupport School Connectivity Server port number. |
| Gateway Key | com.nsl.nss.gateway.key | Text | Password | Enter the Connectivity Server key/password. |
| Use Gateway | com.nsl.nss.gateway.enabled | Boolean | True/False | Enables or disables the NetSupport Connectivity Server component. |
General settings
| Setting | Key | Value type | Example value | Notes |
| Default URL | com.nsl.browser.defaulturl | String | Valid URL address | Set the default web page for the browser. |
| Auto Sign-Out | com.nsl.session.timeout | Number | 0 = Never 2 = 2 minutes 5 = 5 minutes 10 = 10 minutes 15 = 15 minutes 30 = 30 minutes 60 = 60 minutes |
Other number values will be rounded to nearest highest value. |
| Remember Login Username | com.nsl.login.user.remember | Boolean | True/False | Set the app to remember the login credentials. |
| Use Anonymous Sign In | com.nsl.login.user.anonymous | Boolean | True/False | Allow users to sign in without domain credentials. |
- Confirm the devices to be included in the scope of the deployment and click Save and Publish, followed by Publish. The NetSupport Browser app should now be installed on the selected devices along with the specified NetSupport configuration settings.
Conclusion
By following the steps above, the NetSupport Browser app should now be installed on the required iOS devices and configured to connect to your central NetSupport DNA Server and/or NetSupport School Tutor installation.
On the iOS devices themselves, the app settings will confirm, where applicable, that the app’s configuration has been ‘locked-down’ by a central policy and can’t be edited by users.
If you need to re-deploy the app or a configured profile, you can do so by selecting, Apps & Books and selecting the app you want to edit. Select the app followed by Assign or Delete. Deleting the app will uninstall it from the assigned devices.
You can also block access to other apps, for example, the App Store, and prevent users from uninstalling the app.