Install Lansweeper Classic

[Lansweeper]

This page provides instructions for installing Lansweeper Classic software using either an easy or advanced install method.

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Depending on your situation, you might require a different installation experience.
If you're a new customer and do not have a Lansweeper Classic installation, install the Lansweeper Cloud-first trial.
If you're an existing customer with a Lansweeper Classic installation, link your installation with a cloud site.
If you're an existing customer and want to create a new Lansweeper installation that's linked with cloud, install Lansweeper Cloud.

If you don't have Lansweeper Classic yet, you can always download Lansweeper Classic.

There are two main ways you can install the Lansweeper software, both of which are documented in this installation guide. You can choose an Easy or an Advanced Install.

• If you perform an Easy Install, all Lansweeper components (Lansweeper scanning service, database and web console) are installed on the same machine. The database is installed under the SQL LocalDB database server, which is limited by Microsoft to 10 GB of data, and the web console under the IIS Express web server.
• If you perform an Advanced Install, you can choose which component (Lansweeper scanning service, database, web console) to install on which machine. The database can then be installed under the SQL LocalDB or SQL Server database server. The web console can be installed under the IIS or IIS Express web server.

To help you select the correct database server for your needs, we recommend reviewing the comparison list in this knowledge base article.

Perform an Easy Install

1. Download the latest Lansweeper installer and run it on the Windows computer you want to install Lansweeper on.
2. Review the terms of use, click Accept to continue.
   
   
3. Select the Easy install option.
   
4. You can choose a custom HTTP and HTTPS port used for the web console. If you don't choose custom ports, the installer will automatically install the web console under the first available ports. 
   
5. You can choose a custom folder to install under. Select Install to start the installation process.
   
   • The Lansweeper service will be installed under Windows Services.
   • The Lansweeper database will be installed under SQL LocalDB, which is limited by Microsoft to 10 GB of data. The database will be called "lansweeperdb" and should not be renamed.
   • The Lansweeper web console will be installed under IIS Express, which is installed and configured automatically, and your preferred ports.
6. When you get to the screen that confirms the successful installation of Lansweeper, select Finish to close the installer.
   

Perform an Advanced Install

1. If you want to host the database under SQL Server, make sure you manually install your SQL Server instance prior to running the Lansweeper installer. You'll need to point the Lansweeper installer to your existing SQL Server instance.
2. Download the latest Lansweeper installer and run it on the Windows computer you want to install Lansweeper on.
3. Review the terms of use, click Accept to continue.
   
   
4. Select the Advanced install option and select the components you want to install on the machine.
   
   If you're spreading out database, service and website over several machines, keep in mind that:
   

   • The database must be installed first, then the service and then the web console.
   • You need to reset the database password after installing all components, due to the installer adding a random password to the service and website configuration files. Instructions for resetting the database password can be found in this knowledge base article. If you don't reset the password, you'll see database login failures.
   • You need to copy the Encryption.txt file from the server hosting the web console to any servers hosting the Lansweeper service, replacing the default file generated on the servers. The Encryption.txt file is a key used to encrypt and decrypt credentials submitted in Lansweeper and must be the same on all servers hosting a Lansweeper component. If you're spreading out components over several machines, each server will have a unique file by default and you'll need to manually copy one of the files to all Lansweeper servers, so the encryption key is the same on all servers:  
     Program Files (x86)\Lansweeper\Key\Encryption.txt
5. Select the database server you want to use. If you're spreading out Lansweeper components over several machines, you need a SQL Server. For a more detailed comparison between database servers, review this knowledge base article.
   
6. If you selected a SQL Server as your database type, submit the name of the SQL Server instance you want to install the Lansweeper database under. This should be the same SQL Server instance name you use when logging into other SQL tools like SQL Server Management Studio.
7. If you selected a SQL Server as your database type, select the authentication method you want to use to connect to SQL Server from the Authentication dropdown. You can choose Windows authentication or SQL Server authentication. If you choose Windows authentication, the database installation is performed under the currently logged on Windows user. If you choose SQL authentication, you need to submit your SQL username and password.
   
   The user performing the database installation must be a member of your SQL Server's sysadmin server role. When the installation has completed, the Lansweeper service and web console will connect to the database with a newly created SQL user called "lansweeperuser", which only has access to the Lansweeper database.
8. If you are installing the Lansweeper web console, select the web server you want to install the console under. Selecting Recommended will install the web console under IIS Express, selecting Advanced will install the web console under IIS. The Advanced option will only be available if IIS is already enabled on your computer.
   
9. You can choose a custom HTTP and (if offered by the installer) HTTPS port used for the web console. If you don't choose custom ports, the installer will automatically install the web console under the first available ports.
10. You can choose a custom folder to install under. Select Install to start the installation process.
    
    • The Lansweeper service will be installed under Windows Services.
    • The Lansweeper database will be installed under the database server of your choice, will be called "lansweeperdb" and should not be renamed.
    • The Lansweeper web console will be installed under the web server of your choice and your preferred ports.
11. When you get to the screen that confirms the successful installation of Lansweeper, select Finish to close the installer.
    
12. If you did not perform a full installation (service, database and web console), run the installer on any other machine you want to use to host Lansweeper. Click through the opening and license agreement screens and once again select the Advanced install option.
    
    • Select the components (service and/or web console) you want to install on the machine.
    • Tick the SQL Server checkbox.
    • Point the installer to your existing SQL Server instance and Lansweeper database when prompted.

If you spread out the installation over several machines, reset the database password by following these instructions, to avoid seeing database login failures for the web console or scanning service. The Lansweeper installer adds a random database password to the scanning service and web console configuration files. If you don't reset the password, the scanning service and web console won't be able to connect to the database.

If you spread out the installation over several machines, copy the Encryption.txt file from the server hosting the web console to any servers hosting the Lansweeper service, replacing the default file generated on the servers. The Encryption.txt file is a key used to encrypt and decrypt credentials submitted in Lansweeper and must be the same on all servers hosting a Lansweeper component. If you're spreading out components over several machines, each server will have a unique file by default and you'll need to manually copy one of the files to all Lansweeper servers, so the encryption key is the same on all servers:  
Program Files (x86)\Lansweeper\Key\Encryption.txt

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