INFO Ad-hoc Device Access

Summary

This document describes the ad-hoc device access feature of AutoFind Web (version 1.5.33 and later).

More Detail

This feature allows an AutoFind Web (AFW) user, with a special permission, to grant map access to a set of devices using a computed web address for a configurable length of time. AFW sends a notification email to the recipient(s) of this access.

The sections below describe the process of enabling this feature for users, granting access, getting notified of and accessing the web URL and the conditions under which access is terminated.

Special Permission

To allow the granting of external access, assign AFW users the “Can Grant Access” permission. Use the Admin Tool to assign this permission, as shown in the screen shot below.

Granting Access

Once allowed, the function is accessible from the context menu of the Devices tab. Select on or more devices on the grid, as needed, before granting access.

Select the menu item to open the window to enter information (shown below). Use this window to change the list of selected devices, if needed. Separate multiple email addresses with a comma or a semicolon. Click the “Grant” button when ready.

A successful operation results in presentation of the web URL. A failed operation presents the error similarly.

Each email address receives the web URL in an email.

The map centers on a single device at the maximum zoom level.

The map fits multiple devices.

Each device location has a tooltip containing the report date and time in the browser’s local time.

An invalid URL returns a “Not Found” (HTTP 404) error.

The following conditions result in a “Not Found” error:

• Using an invalid URL.
• The expiration date has arrived.
• The granting user loses the permission to grant access.
• The granting user is un-ACL’d from one or more devices (may reduce the number of devices on the map).
• The granting user is no longer ACL’d to any of the devices.
• The granting user has been deleted from the system.

Auditing

Use the AFW database tables AdhocAccess, AdhocEmails and AdhocUsers to determine which user granted access to what devices and emails and when. Use the database table AdhocAudits to determine when a URL was accessed, from where it was accessed and the corresponding number of devices returned.

Configuration

This feature depends the following configuration items found in the Config table.