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FileLocator Network - How it works
FileLocator Network can search remote computers in one of two ways:
- via Administrative Shares, e.g. C$, D$
- via a Search Agent process running on the remote computers
Searching via Administrative Shares
When searching via administrative shares FileLocator Network connects to the administrative
shares on each computer, e.g. C$, D$ etc. and searches all necessary data via the network.
This option works on
all computers that support administrative shares, regardless of operating system,
because no code is run on the remote computer. However, this also means that all searched data needs to be retrieved
over the network limiting the
possibilities of parallel searching.
Searching via Search Agent Process
When searching via the Search Agent process FileLocator Network runs
the search locally on each remote computer and retrieves just the found
results. This method is much faster and more efficient than searching via Administrative Shares since the
CPU work load is spread across the networked computers and the data is searched locally, ie not sent over the network.
The Search Agent process can be run on demand or installed manually:
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On Demand
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The simplest option but requires write access to the administrative shares on each remote
computer. For every search request FileLocator Network:
1. Copies the Search Agent process to the remote machine via an administrative share.
2. Runs the search through the Search Agent process.
3. Collects the results.
4. Removes the Search Agent process and any temporary files.
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Manual (TCP/IP)
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In situations where administrative access to the remote machines is not always available
or desirable it is possible to install/run the Search Agent process manually and
communicate with it via TCP/IP sockets.
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Which Option is Best?
Each approach has its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages:
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Admin Shares
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Search Agent
(On Demand)
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Search Agent
(Manual)
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Advantages
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Works with any operating system that supports administrative shares
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Yes
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Fast parallel searching
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Yes
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Yes
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Reduced network traffic
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Yes
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Yes
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Encrypted communication path
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Yes
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Yes
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Windows Firewall friendly
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Yes
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Yes
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Simple to use
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Yes
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Yes
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Requirements
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Windows 2000 or higher
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Required
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Required
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Read access to admin shares
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Required
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Required
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Write access to admin shares
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Required
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Manual installation/run of Search Agent
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Required
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Exception on Windows Firewall
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Required
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Executable code run on remote computer
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Required
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Required
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All searchable data sent over network
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Required
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