Configure a distribution server for Windows

This documentation helps administrators configure distribution servers for Windows devices using the DAFS feature in Hexnode UEM.

In environments where enterprise applications need to be deployed reliably and efficiently, Hexnode’s Distributed Apps and Files Server provides a solution. Instead of each device individually connecting to Hexnode’s server to download apps or updates, DAFS enables a local server within the office network to handle the enterprise app distribution. This method helps reduce internet usage and improves deployment speed, especially when managing devices across multiple locations.

Setting up a DAFS involves provisioning a supported Windows device to act as the distribution server. Hexnode provides a setup package that automates the installation of Docker Desktop and pulls the necessary server components. Once configured, the DAFS syncs all enterprise apps automatically and begins serving them over the local network to devices associated with the same site.

To ensure optimal performance, Hexnode provides a range of configurable options within the DAFS setup. These settings control how servers are prioritized and how apps are deployed when multiple DAF servers are associated with a single site.

Set up distribution server for Windows devices

To configure distribution servers,

1. Login to the Hexnode UEM portal.
2. Go to Policies > Device Policies, create a new policy or edit an already existing one.
3. In the case of a new policy, add a policy name, which is mandatory before saving the policy, and an optional description.
4. Navigate to Windows > Hexnode Settings > DAFS > Configure.
5. You will have the following settings to configure,

Configure separate configurations when the device is on and off site

When this option is enabled, administrators can apply different DAFS configurations for Windows devices depending on whether they are on-site or off-site.

• A device is considered on-site when its connection is within the range of public IP addresses configured for that site.
• A device is considered off-site when its connection is outside the range of public IP addresses configured for that site.

All the options listed below can be configured separately for both on-site and off-site Windows devices.

Download source preferences

Choose the source from which Windows devices will download content. The following options are available:

1. Use DAFS when available

   Devices will download content from the local DAF server whenever it is available. If the DAFS is unavailable, they will fetch content from the Hexnode cloud storage server.

2. Use cloud storage servers only

   Devices will always download content directly from Hexnode’s cloud storage server. When this option is selected, the Server Preference settings will not apply.

3. Use DAFS only

   Devices will download content exclusively from the local DAF server. If the server is unavailable, administrators may encounter an error when deploying content to those devices.

Server Preference

The Server Preference setting allows administrators to define which Distributed Apps and Files Servers (DAFS) should be prioritized when distributing enterprise apps and updates to Windows devices. When multiple DAF servers are associated with a site, this policy helps prioritize which servers should be used by the Windows devices targeted by the policy. Admins will have two options to choose from,

1. Use the preference set in the associated site

   When this option is selected, the DAFS preference defined under the associated site will be applied. You can configure this preference by navigating to Admin > Sites and DAFS > Sites, selecting a site, and locating the DAFS section. Any DAF servers listed in that site configuration will be prioritized for devices associated with it.

2. Set a different preference

   This option allows you to manually define a different DAFS preference. You can select specific DAF servers to be prioritized for the devices receiving the policy, regardless of the preference set under the associated site. When selected, this custom preference overrides the preference defined in Admin > Sites and DAFS > Sites for the targeted devices.

Bandwidth settings

These options allow administrators to set restrictions on downloads from DAFS under certain conditions, such as exceeding bandwidth limits or when a device is connected to a VPN.

Configure bandwidth restrictions

Enable this option to define bandwidth restrictions for Windows devices using DAFS.

Disallow cache server downloads on VPN

Enable this option to prevent Windows devices from downloading content from the DAFS while connected to a VPN. If the setting Use DAFS only is selected under Download source preferences, administrators may encounter an error when deploying content to the devices.

Associating the policy with target Windows devices

If the policy has not been saved,

1. Navigate to Policy Targets > Devices > + Add Devices.
2. Choose the target devices and click OK. Click Save.
3. You can also associate the policy with device groups, users, user groups, or domains from the left pane of the Policy Targets tab.

If the policy has been saved,

1. Go to Policies. Choose the desired policy.
2. Click on the Manage drop-down and select Associate Targets.
3. Choose the target entities and click Associate.