The Boring Toolbox V6 Release FAQ

Q: What's new in this update?

This release is a game-changer! We’ve made significant updates to improve the functionality, security, and performance of The Boring Toolbox:

• Browser-First Experience: All major features have now migrated to the browser, making the desktop client optional. This update completes that transition.
• Updated Architecture: We’ve re-engineered how sites connect, creating encrypted tunnels for more secure and robust multisite management. The updated architecture improves security, speed, and overall reliability.
• Streamlined Setup: A brand-new workflow simplifies setting up your parent site and licensing the system.
• New Global Dashboard: Our sleek new Global Dashboard offers:
• Drill-down capabilities into each site.
• Real-time CPU and memory stats for management servers.
• Recent events are viewable directly from the dashboard.
• Tile filtering based on site health (online/offline status).
• Global Site Report: You can access the Global Site Report directly from your browser for a comprehensive overview of your sites.

This update is designed to provide a faster, more secure, and more powerful experience. 

 

Q: What architectural changes have been made?

The updated architecture now requires network connectivity between each managed site and the parent site. Specifically, port 443 must be open to establish a secure tunnel between the child and parent sites.

 

Q: How do user permissions work in the browser-based Global Dashboard compared to the Desktop Client?

Users with permission to access the parent site will see health data for all child site tiles on the Global Dashboard. However, permissions are still enforced:

• If, from the Global Dashboard, you click on a tile to launch the Boring Toolbox for a specific child site, you will be prompted to log in. Without the proper permissions for that child site, you won’t be able to access that site’s details.
• User roles and permissions remain intact. Users without permissions can view a high-level health status preview on the Global Dashboard but cannot explore the site further or make changes.

This ensures that health stats' visibility is enhanced while respecting role-based access controls.

 

Q: What’s changing with Desktop Client, and why is it now optional?

We’re preparing to sunset the desktop client in the near future, and this release marks an important step in that direction. The desktop client is now optional, as all major features are accessible through the browser.

This shift offers several benefits:

• Streamlined IT Management: Since only the Boring Server needs to be installed and managed, there is no need to deploy or maintain multiple clients.
• Enhanced User Experience: Users can now access the Toolbox directly from their browser, eliminating the need to launch a separate application.
• Standardized Interface: The browser-based UI provides a familiar and intuitive experience, making it easier for all users to navigate and use.

This update makes the Toolbox more flexible and efficient for both IT teams and end-users.

 

Q: Are there any features that still only exist on the Desktop Client?

While all major features have been transitioned to the browser, there are a few small ones that remain exclusive to the desktop client, for now. These include:

• Manual Filtering of Recording Servers: A function that manually filters recording servers by site will not be available in the browser.
• Audible Alerts: Audible notifications are not yet supported in the browser.
• Custom Defaults for Drop-Downs: The desktop client allows users to set custom defaults for drop-down menus, such as recording server storage thresholds or camera storage thresholds. Defaults for these filters are pre-set in the browser application.
• System Overview Charts: Bar charts from the desktop client will not be available in the browser at launch but will be included in a future update.
• Hardware Tab Streaming Video: In the desktop client, clicking "details" in the hardware tab streams live video. In the browser, this is replaced with a refreshable still image.
• Managed Site Report: The browser does not support generating a Managed Site Report yet.

These features are either planned for future browser updates or are being reevaluated for their usage and implementation in the browser environment.

 

Q: What action is needed to use the features in this new release?

You will need to upgrade all of your servers to the latest version of The Boring Toolbox and manually migrate your parent and managed sites from the browser application. 

 

Q: How do you migrate your managed sites from the Desktop Client to the browser?

If you are already using managed sites in The Boring Toolbox, we have created a guided workflow to help you migrate them to the new browser architecture.

 

 

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:  Install, activate, create

1. The Parent Site
   • Install Boring Server
     • Download and install the latest version of the Boring Server.
     • When you install the latest version, all sites, even child sites, will show up as individual parent sites.  We will convert them to child sites in later steps.
       
       
   • Activate the Parent Site
     • At the end of the installer, you will be prompted to log into the Boring Toolbox in the browser.  If you have already closed the installer, open a browser and navigate to https://[address -of-your-server]/boringtoolbox.
     • Log in using your Milestone administrator credentials.
     • You will be asked to activate your license in the browser during your first login.  Click Yes.
     • Enter your license and click Activate License.
     • Your parent site is now ready to accept child sites.
       • NOTE: Your existing site configuration will be carried over from the Boring Toolbox desktop client.
       • To confirm, you can click on Managed Site and click on the parent.  A drawer will slide from the right of the screen and show you the site’s configuration details.
         
         
2. Child Sites
   
   
   • Install Boring Server:
     • Download and install the latest version of the Boring Server.
     • NOTE: When you install the latest version, the child sites will appear as individual parent sites until we convert them in a later step. 
       
       
   • Activate and convert the Child Site 
     • At the end of the installer, you will be prompted to log into the Boring Toolbox in the browser.  If you have already closed the installer, open a browser and navigate to https://[address -of-your-server]/boringtoolbox.
     • Log in using your Milestone administrator credentials.
     • You will be asked to activate your license in the browser during your first login.  Click Yes.
     • Enter your license and click Activate License.
     • Wait about 30 seconds and navigate to Managed Sites.
       • If you get a notice asking you to activate your license again.  Click, No and refresh.  This means you were a little too quick for Boring 🙂
     • Click on the site's name, and a details drawer will slide out from the right side.
     • Click the three dots next to the site name.
     • Click Convert to managed site.
     • Enter the IP address of the parent site.
       
       
   • Approve Child Sites in the Parent Dashboard
     • Navigate back to the Managed Site page on the Parent and refresh the page.
     • You will now see the Child Site waiting for approval.
     • Approve the pending child site, review the configuration, and save it.
       • NOTE: Your existing site configuration will be carried over from the Boring Toolbox desktop client. 
     • Repeat this process for each additional child site.
       
       
3. Global Dashboard
   • Return to the Parent Site once all child sites are approved and online.
   • Navigate to the "All Sites" tab to view the Global Dashboard.
   • The dashboard provides a comprehensive, actionable view of your sites' health, with clickable data for quick access to details.

Important Notes

• The process is completed per site, so each site must be manually added and configured.
• For users with online licensing, this guide covers the full process. A separate guide for offline licensing will be provided soon.
  
  

Q: Is the process the same for offline licensing?

If your management server does not have internet access, there is one additional step you need to take to obtain our licensing key. 

 

Q: Is the process different for MS1 customers compared to MS2 customers?

The process is largely the same, with one key difference:

• MS1 Customers only have one parent site that must be created in the browser.
• MS2 Customers: In addition to creating the parent site, they must create each child site.

Regardless of the version, all customers must follow the same workflow process to set up their sites in the browser.

 

Q: Is the process the same for new installations?

The process is similar but not exactly the same.  After you install The Boring Server, follow the steps in the video below.

 

 

Q: What happens if I start migrating my sites but don’t finish in the same session?

All your existing managed sites will remain visible in The Boring Toolbox desktop client after being created in the browser.  So you can safely start the process without worrying about losing visibility to the complete infrastructure.