The Sparxx Server listens for incoming requests from client kiosks and administrator applications and manages the flow of information between all participants. By using a proprietary protocol, the server maintains the client connections and distributes commands made from the AdminTool.

The server also maintains info about the response of the individual connection, including the length of time since the last status call from each client, the kiosk's IP address, and the run status of selected applications.

System Security
Security is essential to the operation of a control network system such as this one. Without encryption and security, hackers could possibly monitor the stream of data and commands to the kiosk and "hijack" one or all of the kiosks in your system.

The first line of defense against malicious hackers is encryption. RagnaSoft's proprietary 80-bit dual key encryption scheme is used when sending any and all information over the Internet. Our second line of defense is a secured data server to regulate the flow of information to and from the kiosks and the Administrator Tool.

RagnaSoft implements the latest in Microsoft Enterprise server products and utilizes a mix of Linux and Windows NT to provide for the utmost in Internet security.

The Sparxx AdminTool
The AdminTool manages encrypted, secure communications between the server and its kiosks.

With this tool, the administrator can select an individual kiosk, several, or all of the kiosks to send commands such as:

• Reboot the kiosk(s)
• Update the Sparxx client software
• Start a managed application
• Stop a managed application

After being downloaded from the Sparxx Server, the AdminTool provides the administrator with the flexibility of being able to manage all of the kiosks currently being monitored by the administrator. The only requirements to use the AdminTool are a minimum of Internet Explorer 5 and an active Internet connection.

Easy to Use
Using the familiar Windows Explorer style interface, the AdminTool displays information about all of the kiosks (running the Sparxx Client) assigned to the Administrator.

The administrator has access to system details such as:

• The kiosk ID
• Date/timestamp of when the kiosk registered with the system
• The length of time that has passed since the kiosk has sent a status to the server
• The location of the kiosk
• The kiosk's current IP address
• The run status of any application that the Sparxx System monitors