Create sites for distributed apps and files server in Hexnode

In Hexnode UEM, Sites represent the physical office locations of your organization. Admins can create sites to group devices and distribute enterprise apps based on where the devices are located. This geographical segregation of devices makes it easier to manage distribution tasks. You can create multiple sites within the same office location to organize devices more effectively.

This guide explains how to create sites for distributed servers and set up the Distributed Apps and Files Server (DAFS) in Hexnode. A DAFS acts as a local distribution server that stores and delivers enterprise apps, and updates to devices within a site. This setup helps reduce internet bandwidth usage and speeds up content delivery by allowing devices to retrieve data over the local network instead of downloading it individually from Hexnode’s central server.

Once a site is created, it can be associated with a DAFS. When linked, all devices assigned to that site will use the associated DAFS to receive enterprise apps and their updates. This setup is especially useful for large deployments across multiple office locations where reliable and efficient content delivery is a priority.

Create a Distributed Apps and Files Server (DAFS)

A DAFS stores files locally to share among the devices in a site. To create a DAFS:

1. Log in to the Hexnode UEM console.
2. Navigate to Admin > Sites and DAFS > DAFS.
3. Click +CREATE to set up a new distribution server.
4. Choose the server type and click Download Provisioning Package to get the PowerShell script for server setup.
5. Use a Windows device to set up the DAFS server.
   Note:

   A DAFS can only be set up on devices that meet the following system requirements:

   • Operating System

     Minimum required: Windows 10 version 1809 or Windows Server 2019

   • Memory

     At least 4 GB of physical memory (RAM) is required.

6. Copy the downloaded provisioning script to the Windows machine where the server is to be set up.
7. Launch Windows PowerShell as an administrator.
8. By default, the execution policy is set to Restricted, which blocks all scripts from running. To allow the script to execute, change the policy using the following command:

   Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

9. Run the script by entering its full path. For example, if the script hexnode-dafs-setup.ps1 is located in C:\Scripts, use:

   C:\Scripts\hexnode-dafs-setup.ps1

10. While the script is being executed on the device, it communicates with Hexnode to request server promotion. On the Hexnode UEM portal, after downloading the PowerShell script, click on Check New Servers to refresh the list. The device running the script will then appear under the Discovered Servers section.
11. Click on the gear icon and select Promote. Promoting a server means acknowledging the device as a DAFS server and completing its configuration. You will then be prompted to proceed with server configuration options.
    

    Setting	Description
    Name	A custom name to identify the DAFS server within the Hexnode UEM console.
    Computer name (FQDN)	The hostname of the device on which the DAFS server is being configured.
    Private IP address	The private IP address of the DAFS server within the local network. Devices on the same network will use this address to access the DAFS.
    Last contacted time	The timestamp of the most recent communication between Hexnode and the DAFS server.
    Public DNS Name	Provide a public DNS name which will be used by devices outside the network to access the DAFS.
    Server Configuration	Defines how the DAFS server will communicate with associated devices.
    Communication protocol	Specifies the protocol (HTTPS) used by the DAFS server to transfer data to client devices.
    Port	Define the network port on which the server listens for incoming requests.
    SSL certificate	Select how the SSL certificate will be configured to secure HTTPS communication. Options include: Use an existing trusted certificate – Upload and use a certificate signed by a trusted Certificate Authority. Create a self-signed certificate – Automatically generate a self-signed certificate.
    SSL certificate passphrase	A password to unlock the uploaded certificate. This field is available only when Use an existing trusted certificate is selected.

12. Once the configuration is complete, click Promote in the top-right corner of the Hexnode portal. The script execution will continue on the Windows device.
13. The DAFS server will now be listed under Promoted Servers in Admin > Sites and DAFS > DAFS.
14. To edit a DAFS, click on the Actions dropdown and select Edit. You can modify the name, port number, and public DNS name.
15. The device may reboot during this process. After the script completes successfully, revert the PowerShell execution policy to Restricted by running:

    Set-ExecutionPolicy Restricted

16. Once a DAFS is successfully created, it can be associated with one or more sites as needed.

Create Sites for distributed servers

To create a site:

1. Log in to the Hexnode UEM console.
2. Navigate to Admin > Sites and DAFS.
3. You will see a Default Site, which includes all devices currently enrolled in your Hexnode portal.
4. To create a new site, click the + icon next to the Default Site.
5. You will now be presented with the following configuration options:
   

   Setting	Description
   Site name	Enter a name for the site. This is a mandatory field.
   Description	Provide a brief description of the site’s purpose or location.
   Owner	Assign a technician as the owner of the site.
   Region	Select the geographical region the site belongs to. Available options include: EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) APAC (Asia-Pacific) NA (North America) LATAM (Latin America and the Caribbean)
   Country	Choose the country in which the site is located. The list of countries is filtered based on the selected region.
   State/City/Province	Select the appropriate state, city, or province of the site. Options will be updated based on the selected country and region.
   Time zone	Choose the time zone in which the site is located. This is auto-populated based on the region, country, and city selected.
   Address	Provide the physical address of the site location.

6. Once the above fields are configured, click Next to associate a pre-configured DAFS.
7. From the list of available DAFS servers, choose one to associate with the site and click Save.
8. After the site is successfully created, there are two ways to associate a DAFS with a site in Hexnode:
   1. On Hexnode UEM console:
      1. Navigate to Admin > Sites and DAFS.
      2. Click on the desired site to open its details.
      3. In the top-right corner, click the Actions dropdown and select +Add DAFS.
      4. From this menu, you can also select Edit to modify site information.
   2. Using Add Devices to Site remote action.
9. On the Windows device where the DAFS server was set up, the Docker Desktop application will be installed. You can navigate to the Volumes section from the left-hand menu to view details such as stored data and the container in use.