Spector CNE Frequently Asked Customer Questions
Click here to return to Spector CNE Network Monitoring features page.
The following questions are the most common questions our customer support representatives receive regarding Spector CNE.
If there is a question you have that is not answered here, please contact our support staff by sending us an email. We will respond within 24 hours but typically within 4 hours. Click here to email support!
 |
- Will the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) work with Windows 98/ME computers? What about Windows NT/2000/XP?
- Will the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) work with Windows 95 computers?
- Does Spector CNE work with Citrix and Terminal Services?
- Can Spector CNE be used in a Windows Workgroup Environment?
- Will Spector CNE work in a Novell Environment?
- Won't Spector CNE fill up our hard drives with data?
- Will I have to set up appropriate permissions for the folder where Spector CNE will store its data?
- Can I install the software to many computers at the same time?
- Will Spector CNE record laptops that are not always connected to the network?
- Can I re-configure the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) installation on several computers at the same time?
- I would like to install the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) while users are logged off of their machines. Is this possible?
- Is Technical Support available?
- Can Spector CNE be circumvented by our employees?
- Should we inform our employees that their computer and internet activities are being monitored?
- I have several individuals who want to review recorded data. Can I install several copies of the Spector CNE Control Center for this purpose?
- Will it take a long time to review the recordings?
- How many computers can I monitor with Spector CNE?
- What if I need to monitor more than 25 computers?
- What is Premium Maintenance?
1. Will the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) work with Windows 98/ME computers? What about Windows NT/2000/XP?
Yes. The Spector CNE Recorder (Client) can be installed on 98/ME computers provided a few additional items are installed on the client computers (such as Remote Registry Services and Remote Administration). Alternatively, the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) can be installed manually or via a login script.
Additionally, Spector CNE will work with all Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP Pro systems (Windows XP Home is not currently supported.)
Detailed Instructions are included in the Spector CNE Documentation.
2. Will the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) work with Windows 95 computers?
Spector CNE does not officially support Windows 95. However, we have had customers report successful installation of the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) on Windows 95 machines.
3. Does Spector CNE work with Citrix and Terminal Services?
Spector CNE will record all Windows users that log in to the server using Terminal Services or Citrix. When reviewing the data, you will simply select the "View By User" menu option to view the information for a specific Windows Terminal Services or Citrix user.
4. Can Spector CNE be used in a Windows Workgroup Environment?
Yes. This will work as long as each computer has one Administrative Account with the exact same username and password (case sensitivity rules apply). When you wish to administer the computers, you would need to logon to the Spector CNE Control Center computer using this account.
5. Will Spector CNE work in a Novell Environment?
Spector CNE will work in a TCP/IP Novell Environment provided the underlying Windows Network is configured properly.
6. Won't Spector CNE fill up our hard drives with data?
It is important to note that in the vast majority of setups, Spector CNE will be configured so that the recordings are moved to the Data Vault (an included component in all Spector CNE software), thus effectively taking almost no disk space on the local computer, as recordings are automatically transferred from the local computers to the Data Vault several times per hour. (In those cases where the computer being recorded becomes disconnected from the network, such as a laptop traveling for business, Spector CNE continues to record and keeps the recordings on the local hard drive until the laptop reconnects to the network, and thus to the Data Vault, and automatically transfers all its saved recordings to the Data Vault at that point in time.)
The amount of disk storage required per day for each computer being recorded will generally range from between 2 and 20 megabytes per day, depending upon the types of events being recorded. For example, if you choose not to record screen snapshots, the storage requirements go down substantially, perhaps to below one megabyte per computer per day.
With those computers writing to the Data Vault, won’t that be a lot of traffic on our network?
You would be surprised at how little traffic is generated. Plus, the traffic that is generated is managed to minimize bottlenecks. Every four minutes, each computer will automatically transfer recorded information to the Data Vault for no longer than 30 seconds. No information is recorded or sent across the network if a computer is idle for 3 minutes.
In eight hours, assuming a worst case scenario whereby the computer is constantly being used and interacted with for the full eight hours, information is transferred approximately 120 times (every four minutes). Ten MB divided by 120 transmissions equals approximately 83 KB for each transmission.
7. Will I have to set up appropriate permissions for the folder where Spector CNE will store its data?
No. All recordings are saved by the Data Vault which is a Windows Service running with Administrator privileges. You will only need to change the permissions for the Data Vault folder if you wish non-Administrators to access the recorded events.
8. Can I install the software to many computers at the same time?
Yes, Spector CNE provides the ability to install and configure many computers simultaneously through the use of logical groups. Computers are assigned to the same group and then an installation or configuration change to a group creates an installation or configuration change to all computers in the group.
For instance, if you wish to install the same configuration to all computers in the Accounting Department, you can create a group titled "Accounting" and assign the appropriate computers to that group. Spector CNE will then allow you to push out an identical pre-configured installation to all of the computers in the "Accounting" group.
9. Will Spector CNE record laptops that are not always connected to the network?
When the Spector CNE Recorder is installed on a laptop, it records activity to the network Data Vault as any PC does. If the Client is disconnected from the network, as is the case when a laptop travels, recording will still continue on the Client and all events will be saved locally on the laptop. As soon as the laptop re-connects to the network, it will recognize that it once again has access to the Data Vault and upload the previously stored recordings.
10. Can I re-configure the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) installation on several computers at the same time?
Yes. Spector CNE features a mass update tool which allows you to update the settings on several computers at the same time, even if the computers are turned off.
11. I would like to install the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) while users are logged off of their machines. Is this possible?
Yes. This is possible for Windows NT, 2000 and XP machines. It is not possible for 9x/ME computers.
In addition, Spector Recorder (Client) installations can be scheduled for any time of the day allowing an administrator to schedule an installation on a Client computer, but the actual installation would not take place until the computer is not in use.
12. Is Technical Support available?
Technical Support and Product Updates are provided free of charge for all purchases for the first 30 days after purchase. Technical Support is provided via email and telephone as well as through our online Knowledge Base. Major Product Upgrades are not provided if you have not selected Premium Maintenance. If you have selected Premium Maintenance, you get one full year of all of the above PLUS one full year of product and version upgrades.
13. Can Spector CNE be circumvented by our employees?
Spector CNE would be very difficult for an employee to circumvent for the following reasons:
- The Spector CNE Recorder (Client) that resides on the user PC records in the background and does not contain a user interface that an employee may stumble upon. Thus, there are no Hotkeys, desktop icons or System tray icons that might indicate the presence of the Spector CNE Recorder.
- Spector CNE does not show up in the Windows task list, and cannot be uninstalled using the Windows Add/Remove function.
- Spector CNE is designed to use very few system resources and does not slow down the desktop user.
- The recordings reside on the desktop only for a short period of time before they are automatically and seamlessly uploaded to the Spector CNE Data Vault.
Even if an employee did find a way to circumvent the software, you would have the Spector CNE recordings archived that would provide proof of exactly what the employee did to undermine your decision to monitor. We would suggest that you make it known to your employees that any efforts to circumvent or disable the tools the company is using would be considered grounds for reprimand, possibly leading to dismissal.
14. Should we inform our employees that their computer and internet activities are being monitored?
Spectorsoft believes that in the majority of installations, it makes sense to inform your employees that monitoring software may be used. This is especially true if your primary goal is to reduce or eliminate productivity loss due to inappropriate or frivolous surfing, or if you are trying to eliminate the use of company computers to propagate sexually or racially offensive emails and chats, or if you wish to eliminate company confidential information from getting into the hands of the wrong people, such as your competitors.
Informing your employees of the fact that you are monitoring, and demonstrating the comprehensive details recorded by the software together serve as a strong deterrent for the kind of behavior you are trying to prevent.
However, Spectorsoft does recognize there may be some situations where it does not make sense to inform an employee in advance. Such an example might be if you suspect an employee of embezzling and you are looking for proof to substantiate or refute the suspicion. Another example might be if you suspect an employee of using company computers to conduct illegal acts that could pose liability for you if you don't take action to stop it.
15. I have several individuals who want to review recorded data. Can I install several copies of the Spector CNE Control Center for this purpose?
Yes. You can install as many copies of the Spector CNE Control Center as you need provided that each installation uses the same Primary Server and Data Vault.
16. Will it take a long time to review the recordings?
Spector CNE is designed to spend as little time as possible reviewing recordings. This is how many of our customers monitor their employees:
- Archival recording - When a problem occurs, you have already recorded it. It is similar to a bank whose surveillance cameras run all the time, but only reviews the recordings when there is a problem.
- Random monitoring, such as a weekly review of computer use for a day. This is also useful when the person monitored comes up for review or has given notice of leaving.
- When you notice unusual actions, such as always switching screens when walking by.
- For Cause – Formal investigations upon suspicion of serious violations of computer use.
17. How many computers can I monitor with Spector CNE?
For $495, you can monitor up to 10 computers. For $995, you can monitor up to 25 computers.
18. What if I need to monitor more than 25 computers?
We’ll be happy to provide a custom quote based on the number of computers you wish to monitor. Feel free to call 888-598-2788 or fill out our Corporate Pricing Request.
19. What is Premium Maintenance??
For One Year from the date of purchase, you will receive:
- Priority Product Support, 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week, by Telephone and/or Email
- Unlimited Access to the Spector CNE Knowledge Base
- Product Updates at no additional charge
- Product Version Upgrades at no additional charge
The Fee for Premium Maintenance is $100 for up to 10 computers, or $200 for up to 25 computers.
Recorder (For computers being recorded)
- Windows XP Pro, 2000, NT 4.0, Server 2003, ME or 98
- Network Access (Networked on a Windows Domain or Workgroup)
- Administrator share level access (C$) to computer
- Task Scheduler enabled for remote installation
- Registry Services enabled for remote management
Control Center (MMC Snap-In)
- Windows XP Pro, 2000, NT 4.0 or Server 2003
- Administrator Privileges
- Network access to computers being recorded
Data Vault (Optional Archiving Server)
- Windows XP Pro, 2000, NT 4.0 or Server 2003
- Network access to computers being recorded
- Approx. 2-15MB of hard disk space per day for each computer being recorded (Hard disk requirements may vary depending upon the type of events being recorded)
Primary Server
- Windows XP Pro, 2000, NT 4.0 or Server 2003
Pricing Information
Instant Download!
10 Licenses: $495
25 Licenses: $995
If you need more than 25 Licenses, please refer to our Spector 360 product. This product offers a much better value with reporting features. 50 or 100 licenses packages are immediately available via Spector 360.
Ordering is 100% safe via our authorized plimus.com
secure payment server.
|
