Using LANOff |
Latest
Version: 5.2
Size: 719KB
Released:
18-October-2011 |
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LANOff works by the the main program interrogating
each slave twice a second via two ports using the UDP protocol,
sending a small amount of data each time and checking it is returned
correctly. This gets around the problem that a crashed computer
may have a valid network connection but not be capable of communication.
It also gives some protection against network corruption and interference. Both the
main and slave programs consume very little system resources but
they do run with high priority. Shutdown, Power Off and Reboot
can be optionally configured to force all running applications to close.
For information about logging see log files.
See configuration for
details of the parameters that can be set plus their limits and
restrictions for the main and slave programs. If no name is entered
for a slave the IP address or domain name will be displayed. Only
one instance of the main or slave programs can be run on any
machine at a time. Clicking the Reset button on the the main program
will completely reset the program and all connected slaves. Clicking
reset on a slave will reset the slave only. The configuration can only be changed by users
with administrative privileges. If LANOff is changed to run minimised
closing the Configuration screen will put the program back in the
System Tray.
Click on the Test button to enable Test Mode which
sets both the activation delay to 2 seconds and the monitoring
period to 5 seconds and puts up a pop up rather than powering off
the computer. Clicking Test on the main program will put all slaves
into test mode. Clicking the Test button while in Test Mode will
restart Test Mode. Click the Reset button to exit Test Mode or
Reset the program in Operational Mode (this will also reset the
slave program if used).
About & Configuration Screens
Program operation is inhibited while
either the About or Configuration screens are open. The About screen will automatically time out after 30 seconds if left open. The Configuration screen will automatically time out after 600 seconds if left open, a warning message is given with 90 seconds left. The program
is reset when the configuration screen is closed if any changes
have been made, if no changes are made the program will resume
from where it was stopped when the configuration screen is closed.
The configuration can only be changed by users with administrative
privileges. If AllOff is set to run minimised closing the Configuration
screen will put the program back in the System Tray. Communications to the Slave, if used, are not inhibited when the configuration screen of the main program is open.
Display
LANOff indicates whether the network and specific
connections are good by colouring the display; green is a good
connection and orange is a bad connection. There is a timeout
of up to 3 seconds before a connection is marked as bad. it can
take up to 2 seconds before a connection is marked as good. The
main program display also shows the first letter of the shut down
type for each connected slave (B - Standby, H - Hibernate, M -
Monitor, P - Power Off, R - Reboot, S - Shutdown). When the program
indicates Network OK this only means there is a connection to the
first network termination (usually a switch or router).
Fixed Activation & Shutdown Time
Optionally the activation time and shutdown initiation times can be set to a fixed timed based on the 24 hour clock. Clicking on fixed time activation enables the program activation to be set to a fixed time rather than a preset delay after start up. If the reset button is clicked or the program started once the activation time has passed activation will be immediate. Clicking on fixed time shutdown enables program shutdown initiation to be set to a fixed time. This time takes priority over communications from the main program. If the reset button is clicked once the shutdown time has passed fixed time shutdown will be set to the defined time the next day. If the fixed shutdown time is earlier than the fixed activation time then shutdown will be set to the defined time the next day.
If fixed time shutdown is enabled the shutdown, power off and reboot will be forced independently of the state of the force flag for the fixed shutdown time only.
Forced Shutdown
By default forced shutdown is enabled for Power Off, Shut Down and Reboot. Optionally this can be disabled for CPU and Keyboard/Mouse detection by un ticking the Force checkbox. This will have no effect on fixed time shutdown if enabled.
Function Keys
Each button on the various screens can also be operated from the keyboard by pressing the <Alt> key and letter combination shown below. The function of Alt C changes in shutdown mode.
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Main Screen |
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Config Screen |
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About Screen |
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Register Screen |
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<Alt> C |
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Cancel |
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<Alt> A |
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Archive |
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<Alt> E |
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Exit |
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<Alt> C |
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Cancel |
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<Alt> C |
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Configure |
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<Alt> C |
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Cancel |
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<Alt> R |
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Restore |
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<Alt> R |
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Register |
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<Alt> E |
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Exit |
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<Alt> E |
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Exit |
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<Alt> A |
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About |
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<Alt> R |
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Restore |
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<Alt> C |
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Cancel |
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<Alt> T |
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Test |
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<Alt> S |
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Save |
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<Alt> R |
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Reset |
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<Alt> V |
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View Log |
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<Alt> U |
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Update |
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Run Minimised
When set to run minimised LANOff
runs in the System Tray, the program can be reactivated by double
clicking on the tray icon. Once shutdown is initiated AllOff always
switches to visible 'run on top' and the About, Exit, Test, Update and
Configuration buttons are disabled. Shutdown can be cancelled
by clicking the Cancel button which will put the program back in
the System Tray if AllOff is set to run minimised.
Test Button
Click on the Test button to enable
Test Mode which sets both the power off delay and the monitoring
period to 5 seconds and puts up a pop up rather than powering off
the computer. Clicking the Test button while in Test Mode will
restart Test Mode. If the AllOff Slave is used clicking Test will also put the Slave into test mode. Click the Reset button to exit Test Mode or
Reset the program in Operational Mode (this will also reset the
slave program if used).
Tray Icon
The tray icon shows program state (inactive - blue letters, activity - green letters, no activity - orange and green letters, shutdown initiated - orange letters).
Use As A Network Monitor Only
Set 'Shutdown Type' to 'Monitor' for every computer including the main one. Set the other parameters as required.
Use To Shutdown A Server When The Connected Computer(s) Shutdown
Set 'Shutdown Type' to 'Monitor' for all remote computers. Set the main computer to the 'Shut Down Type' desired. Set the other parameters as required.
Use To Shutdown Computer(s) Connected To A Server
Set 'Shutdown Type' to the shut down type desired for all remote computers. Set the main computer 'Shutdown Type' to 'Monitor'. Set the other parameters as required.
Update Check
Clicking on the Update button on the main screen connects LANOff (Main or Slave) to the JSutils web site to check if it is the latest version. If not you will get the opportunity to download the latest version. The Update button is disabled in shutdown mode./
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