Initial Configuration of The Boring Toolbox

Boring Toolbox requires an initial setup before you can begin using it. This article guides you through applying your license and creating your parent site. If you have an MS2 license, we'll also show you how to add managed sites to your global dashboard.

Setting Up Your Parent Site

1. After installing Boring Server, navigate to your server's IP address or DNS name followed by "/boring-toolbox" in your web browser.
2. Log in using your Milestone administrator credentials.
3. You'll be prompted to set up your first site (parent site) and enter your license information.
4. Complete the following configuration:
   • Name your site
   • Allocate licenses
   • Email server configuration (optional)
     • By default, The Boring Toolbox will use the Boring Email Service to send out live monitoring emails, but if you need/want to use your own, here is the place to set that up.
   • Update email settings. 
     • These will be the email addresses of the people who you want to receive live monitoring email notifications.
   • Set threshold settings as needed.
     • The threshold is the amount of time Boring Toolbox will wait before marking a camera or recording server as offline and sending a notification.
5. Click "Save Configuration" to complete the setup.
6. Verify the site was created by navigating back to "Managed Sites".

Adding Child Sites (For MS2 License Holders)

1. Install the Boring Toolbox Server on the child site
2. Open a new browser tab and navigate to the IP or DNS name of your child site followed by "/boring-toolbox."
3. Log in with the Milestone administrator credentials for that specific site.
4. Enter the IP or DNS name of your parent site.
5. Click "Register with Parent" to initiate the connection.
6. Return to the parent site and refresh the page.
7. You'll see the managed site is waiting for approval. Click "Approve".
8. Configure the child site:
   
   • Optionally apply parent site settings to the child site
9. Repeat this process for each additional child site you wish to add.

Verifying Your Configuration

1. After approval, child sites will automatically refresh and log into their local dashboards.
2. Return to the parent site and refresh the page.
3. All connected sites should be displayed as healthy and online.
4. Click "All Sites" in the left navigation menu to access the Global Dashboard.

Using the Global Dashboard

The Global Dashboard provides visibility into the health of all your Milestone sites in one comprehensive view. Each highlighted number is clickable, allowing you to drill down and quickly access specific information as needed.

Next Steps

Now that you've completed the initial setup, you're ready to take control of your Milestone installation using Boring Toolbox.