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Administrator User Guide

StayLinked Solution Overview

StayLinked™ is a software product that provides a complete solution for managing host Telnet and SSH sessions, improving user workflow, gathering actionable user information, and much more. This section describes the features and architecture of the StayLinked product.

StayLinked Features

StayLinked, with its Client2Host™ architecture, eliminates the typical challenges associated with deploying a wireless terminal solution in your enterprise by providing:

  • Reliable wireless user remote control of host-based application sessions.
  • Centralized wireless session/client configuration, monitoring and control.
  • Secure end-to-end wireless data transmission between clients and the application host.
  • Programmable telnet host screen recognition, reformatting and SmartTE modernization.
  • Tracking of unique StayLinked devices and their usage of the StayLinked system.
  • Visibility of analytical system and application data using a web-based user interface.

StayLinked Application Components

There are three basic components that make up the StayLinked system: the host-based server application, which initiates and preserves all wireless terminal user sessions on the application host computer; the thin client application that resides on the various wireless devices; and a Windows-based administrator console that provides centralized visibility, configuration, and management of all connected devices.

The StayLinked Server Application

The StayLinked server is a Java application that runs on the application host computer or on a separate computer connected to the host computer(s). The server listens for connection requests from devices running the StayLinked thin client application and initiates the appropriate 5250, 3270, VT100/220/420, SSH, or TESS emulation sessions to the requested host.

The server owns and maintains the telnet session at the host computer, sending screen updates to the device and forwarding user inputs from the device to the session. The server also recognizes desired screens and can take actions when these screens are recognized and/or reformat these screens to fit on small-screen devices or just to have a different look and feel.

The StayLinked Server runs natively on a wide variety of reliable host computing platforms:

  • IBM AS/400 – iSeries – i5 – System i – IBM i (OS/400, i5/OS, IBM i)
  • IBM RS/6000 – pSeries – p5 – System p (AIX)
  • HP9000 (HP-UX)
  • Sun Solaris
  • SCO OpenServer, OpenUnix & UnixWare
  • Linux (x86)
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Apple OS X

The installation of the StayLinked server application is described in section 2 of this user guide, in more detail in the server-specific installation guides, and operationally in the server tuning documentation.

The StayLinked Thin Client Application

A StayLinked thin client application is installed on each device that will connect to the host computer. Since each device type is somewhat unique, the client applications are written for specific devices or families of devices. The ultra-thin client software installs quickly and provides the local support for display, keystrokes, scanning, radio communications, and diagnostics.

Upon startup, the client requests a session from the StayLinked server application. The client sends keystrokes, scans and touch events to the server and receives screen updates back from the server. In addition, many diagnostic utilities are included with the client application to help identify various problems with the device and wireless network.

StayLinked thin client applications are available for a wide range of devices, including but not limited to; Wired, RF/Wireless and Cellular network devices from Zebra, Motorola, Symbol, Intermec, Honeywell, DataLogic, PSC, HHP, Psion and others, running DOS, PocketPC/Windows Mobile, and Windows CE/CE.Net, Android, iOS and Windows desktop and tablet operating systems.

The installation of the StayLinked thin client application is described in general in section 2 of this user guide and in more detail in the various device-specific client support guides. StayLinked client application features and functions are described in detail in the various OS-specific client user guides.

The StayLinked Administrator Application

The StayLinked administrator provides centralized device and session management. This powerful application can be installed on one or more Windows PCs and enables administrators to:

  • View and sign on to one or more StayLinked servers
  • Set up properties for one or more telnet hosts
  • Specify screens that can be recognized and configure actions to be taken when these screens are recognized and/or reformat these recognized screens to fit better or look different on the devices
  • Set up properties for one or more device groups
  • Manage keyboard maps, tap spots and client settings
  • View and control connected StayLinked devices
  • Send messages, files, and remote commands to devices
  • Prepare and deploy client software updates to devices
  • Create partnerships between two or more devices to share the same terminal session
  • View, share, transfer or completely take over device sessions
  • Troubleshoot device and network problems
  • Build and print ‘Scan2Configure’ and ‘Scan2Command’ profiles that allow you to configure and control the StayLinked Client software by scanning barcodes
  • Track the usage of each unique device that connects to the StayLinked Server
  • Configure the StayLinked IQ Technology Preview settings and launch the StayLinked IQ user interface using a web browser.
  • Manage and control the users that are allowed to run the StayLinked Administrator

The installation of the StayLinked administrator application is described in the Getting Started article on this site. The entire set of StayLinked Administrator features and functions are described in detail in the many article links listed below.

Getting Started

Using the StayLinked Administrator

Connections List and Session Management

Telnet Host Administration

Device Group Administration

Managing Keyboard Maps

Managing Tap Spot Collections

Managing SmartTiles Collections

Managing Session Partnerships

Client Administration

Scan2Command and Scan2Configure Profiles

Device Management

Usage Tracking

StayLinked iQ

Administrator Management

Server Administration

Appendix – Special Scripting Mnemonics

Appendix – Administrator Troubleshooting

Updated on September 18, 2020

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