Getting Started with Rove Mobile Admin

Install the Rove Mobile Admin Server

The download link provided in your registration email points to the installer for the Rove Mobile Admin server. We recommend installing this server software on Windows 2003, or Windows 2008, server. This server software, however, may be installed on most versions of Microsoft Windows. The Mobile Admin Server would typically be deployed inside the network amongst the servers that it will manage.

Please Note: Mobile Admin is a 32 bit application with added 64 bit compatibility. If you plan to manage Exchange 2007, the 32 bit Exchange tools will be used. The 32 bit tools are a free download from the Microsoft Technet website. If you must run the 64 bit Exchange tools, please contact Support before installing the Mobile Admin Server.

  1. Run the installer on the selected Microsoft Windows computer to install the Rove Mobile Admin Server.
  2. When prompted by the installer, enter the activation code (supplied in your registration confirmation email) to activate this Rove Mobile Admin Server.
  3. When the installer completes, a browser window will be shown containing links to the web interface and to the product documentation.

    Note: If you do not see any links to the web interface and to product documentation in the browser, it could mean that the Mobile Admin service has not started after installation. Please contact Support for assistance.

  4. Verify proper installation by clicking Web Interface. This should open to a login screen.

Note: The first account credentials used to login to the Rove Mobile Admin Server will be designated as the Mobile Admin Administrator. By default, this will be the only account that has the Mobile Admin Administrator rights, allowing for the configuration of the Mobile Admin Server. Other accounts can be created and promoted to the Mobile Admin Administrator role at a later time.

Installing the Rove Mobile Admin Client on your Smartphone

We recommend installing the Mobile Admin Server before proceeding to the device client installation. Once the Rove Mobile Admin Server has been installed, the Rove Mobile Admin Client can be addressed. There are a variety of ways to install the Mobile Admin Client to a device:

  • Connecting the device over the air (OTA) to the newly installed Mobile Admin Server using the carrier network, or using WiFi where available on the internal network (the device must include a WiFi interface)
  • Downloading from an online store, such as the BlackBerry App World, the Apple App Store, or the Android Market Place
  • A manual installation using desktop computer software such as the BlackBerry Desktop Manager or Microsoft Active Sync

Attention iPhone users! The Mobile Admin Client for iPhone is available only from the App Store.

If the smartphone has a connection to the internal network, the easiest way to install the Rove Mobile Admin Client on a smartphone is to point the device browser to the Mobile Admin server using the following URL:

http://hostname_or_IP:4054 (where hostname_or_IP is replaced by the computer hostname or network IP address of the Mobile Admin Server computer)

This URL will resolve to a Welcome page at the Mobile Admin Server. The Mobile Admin Server will detect the type of device being used, will determine the appropriate client to use with this device, and will provide a download link to the client software. Clicking the link initiates the download and the software will be automatically installed in the process.

This technique assumes the smartphone has a network connection to the internal network and to the Mobile Admin Server. This is not always the case! This connectivity must be in place before the Mobile Admin Client will be able to connect with the Mobile Admin Server in order to manage the systems on the network. A BlackBerry device running with a BlackBerry Server will generally be able to make such a connection without further configuration because of the connectivity to the internal network provided by the BlackBerry Server.

For smartphones not using BlackBerry Server technology, connecting the smartphone to an internal WiFi network is the quickest way to get the Mobile Admin Client installed and to begin evaluating the application. Once the device is connected to the internal WiFi network, use the device browser and the previously specified URL to install the client software. This connection method will be limited to the range of the WiFi connection.

The remaining connection methods make use of the carrier network. This means the devices will access the internal network from the carrier’s Internet access. If the device is not able to establish a network connection to the internal network and to the Mobile Admin Server, this connectivity must be addressed by using a VPN solution that supports the device, or, by configuring access to the Mobile Admin Server through a firewall using HTTPS/SSL over port 4055.

We recommend using VPN connection in the absence of a BlackBerry Server. VPN clients are generally available from the online stores supporting the devices, such as the Apple App Store, or the Android Market Place. A VPN client may also be available from the manufacturer of the existing VPN solution in your organization. In a VPN configuration, establish the VPN connection then launch the device browser and enter a URL to the Mobile Admin Server, http://hostname_or_IP:4054. This will resolve to a welcome page where a download link will be provided.

When a VPN solution is not available, the Mobile Admin Server supports HTTPS/SSL connections over port 4055. The network firewall would need to be configured to allow incoming connections only to the Mobile Admin Server using Network Address Translation (NAT), or using port forwarding. Instruction for setting these rules falls outside the scope of support due to the variety of devices that could require different instructions for such a task. The fundamental requirement in this configuration is a firewall rule to allow incoming TCP connections to the Mobile Admin Server over port 4055. In this configuration, the device will need to connect to the firewall, which will in turn relay the connection request in to the Mobile Admin Server. Use the device browser to initiate the connection using the following URL:

https://hostname_or_IP:4055 (use the external hostname or IP address of the network firewall)

Again, this will resolve to a welcome page where a download link will be provided.

Launching the Mobile Admin Client for the first time

  1. When the installation process completes, verify that the installation was successful by finding the icon labeled Mobile Admin and launching the client.
  2. When the client application starts, accept the EULA.
  3. The client options page will be presented. The first field on the options page is the Mobile Admin Server field. Enter the hostname or IP address of your Rove Mobile Admin Server computer.

    Note: The hostname or IP address entered is dependent on the connection method to the internal network.  Be certain to enter a hostname or IP address that will resolve through the BES, or through the WiFi network, or through the VPN, or through the firewall.

  4. Verify the entry for the last field on the options page – Connect using. The appropriate option must be selected: BlackBerry Enterprise Server (MDS) for use with a BlackBerry Server, Internet TCP/IP for connections over the Internet (VPN or HTTPS/SSL), BIS a BlackBerry device option with most carriers, and WiFi when a WiFi network connection is available. en successfully connected to the Mobile Admin Server, a login screen will be displayed. Enter your Windows domain credentials to authenticate.
  5. You will see the Mobile Admin home screen in the client. From here, you can choose to manage servers, or to manage specific services on your network.

Support is available for trial users. If you have not found answers here, please contact Support for assistance.

Managing your First Server

Now that you have one or more clients installed on you or your team’s smartphones, the first step is learn how to manage a server in Rove Mobile Admin's interface.

  1. From the Mobile Admin home screen, select Manage Servers to open the Manage Servers list.
  2. In the list, one server has already been added – this is the Rove Mobile Admin server itself. To begin managing the server, click Select from the menu.
  3. Rove Mobile Admin will now detect any services or applications that it can manage on the server.
  4. A list will appear of all of the services and applications that Rove Mobile Admin detects.
  5. To begin administration, select any of the services and applications listed. Often, users begin by selecting Event Logs or Services from a Windows server.

Managing your First Service

The second way to utilize Mobile Admin is through the management of specific services on your network, rather than hosts.

  1. From the Mobile Admin home screen, select Manage Services to open the Manage Services list.
  2. In the list, click Add Service... at the top to begin the process.
  3. Rove Mobile Admin will now display a list of all services that it can manage. Click a service that interests you to continue the process.
  4. The Add Service screen will appear. Please enter any hostname or credential information that is prompted for, and click Add.
  5. Now, this service on the host has been added to the Manage Services list. Clicking that item will allow you to manage the service.

Managing Specialized Servers or Services

Certain servers, such as BMC Remedy Service Desk, BES, and VMware vSphere/vCenter Server require some additional tools to be installed before they can be managed by Rove Mobile Admin. Please refer to Management Prerequisites for Specialized Servers for further details.

If at any time, you have any questions around the installation or usage of Mobile Admin, please contact our support team.

Further Resources