Set up a probe in a workgroup

Before installing a probe in a workgroup:

  • Ensure that all the computers in the workgroup have an administrator account with the same username and password.

  • Set the password to expire according to your business's security best practices

  • The account cannot be a member of any other group other than Administrators.
  • Login to each computer on the workgroup using this account at least once.

N-able does not recommend using probes to deploy the N-central agent to Windows machines in workgroup environments. If you use a probe only to discover network devices, the above permissions on your windows machines are not required. N-able recommends deploying the n-central agent locally to all Workgroup machines.

  1. In Windows, click Start > Run.
  2. Type DCOMCNFG and click OK. Click No for any warning screens that appear unless it is the User Access Control (UAC) prompt.
  3. Double-click Component Services, then double-click Computers.
  4. Right-click My Computer and click Properties and click the COM Security (Default Security) tab.
  5. In the Access Permissions section, click Edit Default.
  6. Ensure that Self and System are listed in the dialog with Local and Remote Access.
    • Add the probe's user account, if applicable. To add a user, click Add and enter the missing user names (including domain name) and click OK. You will need to set their permissions to both Local and Remote Access.
    • Click OK to return to the COM Security tab.
  7. In the Launch Permissions section, click Edit Limits.
  8. Ensure that Anonymous Logon and Everyone are listed in the dialog.
    • Add the probe's user account, if applicable. To add a user, click Add and enter the missing user names (including domain name) and click OK. You will need to set their permissions to both Local and Remote Access.
    • Click OK to return to the COM Security tab.
  9. Close the Component Services dialog and click OK to exit the Properties window
  10. Click Start > Run.
  11. Type WMIMGMT.MSC and click OK.
  12. Right-Click on WMI Control (Local) and click Properties.
  13. On the Security tab, expand the Root folder and select CIMV2and click Security.
  14. Ensure that the probe and the Administrator credentials are listed with Full access. Repeat for the SecurityCenter folder.
  15. Click OK and exit out of the wmimgmt.msc console.

The edited DCOM settings requires a reboot of the server after these setting changes. Reboot the target device, not the probe.

If this is not possible now, restart the Windows Software Probe services on the target machine again.

See also N-able N-central deployment checklist (Workgroup).