Agent Installation Methods

Endpoint Central is a client server model which manages all the endpoints in an enterprise from a centralized location. These are the various agent installation methods available for Desktop Management.

Automatic agent installation

The agents are installed automatically in the end-user's device and the installable gets deleted after a successful installation. This is used in places where there is minimal restriction on bandwidth consumption. Agents can be automatically installed in LAN network or in a remote office having a Distribution Server.

Manual agent installation

When there are numerous roaming users which move out of the network periodically or when there is bandwidth constraints, the installable can be downloaded and placed in a shared folder.

Silent agent installation

When there is no need for manual intervention, agents can be installed in a silent manner. Silent command can also be used to install agent from any other third party tool.

Agent deployment along with OS

For enterprises which have new machines to be managed and where the required operating system has to be deployed, the agent can be deployed with the OS. 

Agent installation through GPO

In enterprises with an Active Directory Domain setup and numerous endpoints to manage, Group Policy Objects (GPO) offer an efficient way to deploy agents. This method is particularly useful during the initial bulk onboarding of agents, as GPOs automate the installation process, ensuring consistency and reducing manual effort across the network.

GPO Installation Methods

IP Range based Agent deployment

When there are numerous endpoints in a workgroup based setup in an enterprise, using IP ranges, agents can be deployed in bulk to all the devices.

  • IP ranges: Agent can be installed using IP address or IP ranges or using computer names

Agent installation through network share

Agent installer files can be easily accessed from a common central location. There is no need for transferring complete agent installer files to all devices in a network.

Agent installation for cloud based setup

The product server can be hosted in cloud using Microsoft Azure or AWS. The agents can be deployed in Azure AD and AWS instances.

Agent Installation via MDT

  • Open the MDT Workbench application. 
  • Click the Application->New Application option. 

  • Select "Application with source files"

  • Enter the details of the target application 

  • Indicate the location of the source folder and click next

  • Enter a destination folder name.

Enter the command line for silent installation:

LocalOffice_Agent.exe /silent

Verify the summary and click finish, the application will be added to the list of apps. 

Agent installation with SCCM

    • Navigate to Agent -> Computers -> Download Agentand download the respective remote office agent installer file.
    • Paste the exe in a share path accessible by all the computers on which the agent is to be installed.
    • Download the script given below and update the shared path with your network share path.

      script

sccm agent installation
  • Now, open System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) and navigate to Software Library -> Overview -> Application Management ->Packages.
  • This will launch Create Package and Program Wizard window, in which you will be asked to fill in the necessary information like Name, Description, Manufacturer, etc.
1 sccm
    • Enable the checkbox This package contains source files. Select Network path and enter the path of the shared folder as shown below.
2 sccm
    • Select Architecture as x86 (if available) and the program type as Standard and click Next.
3 sccm
    • Fill in the necessary information, as shown in the image below and click Next.
4 sccm
    • Review the requirements and ensure they are like as shown in the image below and click Next.
5 sccm
    • After reviewing, confirm the settings to proceed to create the package
6 sccm
    • The package has been created successfully.
7 sccm
    • The package can now be deployed to the end user's computers.

You have now successfully installed agents in target endpoints using SCCM.

 Check this page to learn how to automatically enroll windows endpoints to your server for modern management.