Agent Deployment Options for Edge DX

ControlUp Edge DX significantly enhances IT support efficiency and reduces support costs for physical endpoints. By proactively finding, resolving, and preventing issues, it leads to fewer help desk tickets and faster resolution times. This results in a better overall desktop experience for users, improved productivity, and more streamlined IT operations.

In this blog, we will discuss the following options for deploying the ControlUp Edge DX agent:

• Manual agent deployment
• Automated agent deployment with configuration management
• Agent version control
  • Global defaults
  • Advanced agent deployment options

Manual Agent Deployment

Agents are deployed to endpoint devices by downloading an agent for Windows, macOS, Linux, or thin client. You can run the agent deployment with a logon script or manually execute the MSI on endpoint devices. Figure 1 shows where to download the agent and provides a sample command line for an unattended installation, including the Tenant Name and Device Registration code.

Automated Agent Deployment

Most enterprise accounts will download the agent and use the command line installation code to deploy the Edge DX agent with configuration management software such as Microsoft Intune or System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM). Watch the step-by-step video on how to automatically deploy the ControlUp Edge DX agent with SCCM.

Agent Version Control

Once an endpoint has a ControlUp Edge DX agent, the agent automatically updates to fix bugs or use new capabilities such as non-anonymous user sentiment. However, some customers may prefer more control over who gets an update, when they get it, and which version they receive. To gain more control over agent versions, administrators need to setup global defaults and advanced agent deployment options.

Global Defaults

Many customers use agent version control to deploy the latest general availability version agent to all devices when available. In Figure 2, you can see the options to automatically deploy “LATEST GA VERSION” to all Windows devices or to stay on a specific agent version.

Advanced Agent Deployment Options

Larger organizations that want more control over agent deployment can use advanced options to specify who gets which agents and when without updating a central repository. The lower red box in Figure 3 shows that agents automatically get the latest GA version to all devices at the same time with the group tag “PNW Office”. In Figure 3, the upper red box shows all other devices that will receive the latest GA version 30 days after its release, with the installation staggered over 30 days.

Additional agent options are available to fit your business needs. The agent deployment can be configured to only execute during certain times of the day, like after business hours, to avoid disrupting people during working hours. The deployment can be configured to be staggered over several days to reduce bandwidth spikes. You can configure multiple version deployment rules to do deployments like a ring release system or to target canary machines or users.

ControlUp Edge DX provides significant business value by enhancing IT support efficiency and reducing operational costs. By proactively finding and resolving issues, it minimizes help desk tickets and accelerates resolution times, leading to a more seamless and productive user experience. This not only boosts employee productivity but also streamlines IT operations, allowing businesses to focus on strategic initiatives rather than troubleshooting. The flexibility in deployment options ensures that organizations can tailor the solution to their specific needs, whether through manual or automated methods, and keep control over agent updates to ensure stability and performance. Overall, ControlUp Edge DX empowers businesses to support a high-performing IT environment with reduced downtime and improved user satisfaction.

Check out the agent deployment options demo

Jeff Johnson

Jeff is a product marketing manager for ControlUp. He is responsible for evangelizing the Digital Employee Experience on physical endpoints such as Windows, macOS, and Linux. Jeff has spent his career specializing in enterprise strategies for client computing, application delivery, virtualization, and systems management. Jeff was one of the key architects of the Consumerization of IT Strategy for Microsoft, which has redefined how enterprises allow unmanaged devices to access corporate intellectual property.