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How to Use Live Terminal on Windows for Remote Troubleshooting
TL;DR
Live Terminal provides secure, real-time access to a Windows device’s PowerShell from the Hexnode UEM console. Administrators can troubleshoot devices, run diagnostic scripts, restart services, and query system logs without screen sharing or interrupting the user.
What is Live Terminal?
Live Terminal is a remote troubleshooting feature that provides IT administrators with access to a device’s command-line interface directly from their web browser console.
On Windows devices, administrators can access command-line environments such as Windows PowerShell to troubleshoot device issues remotely.
Live Terminal allows IT teams to:
- Diagnose and fix device issues remotely.
- Run diagnostic scripts.
- Restart stopped services.
- Query system logs.
With Live Terminal, administrators can troubleshoot devices without:
- Initiating a screen-sharing session.
- Installing third-party remote desktop software.
- Interrupting the user on the device.
How Hexnode enables Live Terminal on Windows devices
Automated prerequisite checks
Before establishing a Live Terminal session, Hexnode automatically verifies whether the target Windows device has the required native SSH service installed. This eliminates the need for administrators to manually check or configure prerequisites on individual devices.
Silent provisioning
Hexnode’s background agent automatically deploys and configures the necessary OS-level components, including the SSH Daemon (sshd.exe) and SSH Agent (ssh-agent.exe), to enable Live Terminal access.
Secure web proxying
Hexnode UEM establishes a secure bridge between the UEM console and the remote Windows device, enabling administrators to access the device’s terminal remotely without configuring complex VPNs or firewall rules.
Compliance and auditing
Hexnode tracks Live Terminal session activity, including successful and failed connections. These events are recorded in the device’s Action History tab, providing administrators with visibility into terminal activity for security and compliance purposes.
Start a Live Terminal session
To start a Live Terminal session on a Windows device:
- Sign in to your Hexnode UEM console.
- Navigate to Manage > Devices and select the Windows device.
- On the Device Summary sub-tab, locate the Live Terminal section.
- Click the Start SSH session button under Live Terminal to start the live terminal session.
SSH Service Installation and Live Terminal Availability
When you click Start SSH session, Hexnode checks whether the required SSH service is available on the Windows device. If the service is unavailable, the Live Terminal section on the Device Summary page displays SSH Service Installation in Progress while the service is being installed.
Live Terminal remains unavailable until the installation is complete, after which it becomes available in the same Live Terminal section.
Launch terminal in new tab
Click Launch terminal in new tab to open Live Terminal in a separate tab within the same browser. This allows administrators to work in the terminal while continuing to use the Hexnode UEM console in the original tab.
Manage an active Live Terminal session on a Windows device
Once a Live Terminal session is established, administrators can use the built-in controls to manage the terminal workspace and active connection.
Restart
Click Restart to refresh the Live Terminal session and resume troubleshooting if the session becomes unresponsive.
Stop
Click Stop to end the Live Terminal session once you have completed the required troubleshooting tasks.
Maximize
Click Maximize to expand the Live Terminal workspace, giving you a larger view for executing commands and reviewing output.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Installation in Progress” mean in the Live Terminal area?
When the required components for Live Terminal are being deployed, the Live Terminal area on the Device Summary page displays Installation in Progress. Once the background deployment is complete, Live Terminal becomes available automatically.
How does a Live Terminal session expire?
Starting a new Live Terminal session on the same device terminates any existing active Live Terminal session. The terminated session displays a Session Expired message.
