What is the hub, what does it do, and where to install it

The CloudFiler Hub is a desktop companion that streamlines setup and maintenance, reducing the burden on IT teams by delivering up-to-date versions of CloudFiler Apps to user-users, removing the need for manual software roll-outs or updates.

You will typically install it on each user’s computer.


System Requirements


  • Operating System: 64-bit Windows (MacOS version is planned but not yet available)
  • Runtime: Requires the .NET Desktop Runtime 8


Should you uninstall anything first?

The Hub replaces the CloudFiler Shell Extension, CloudFiler Helper and CloudFiler Location Manager, so we recommend that you uninstall these first.


Where can I find the installer?

The installer is available on the same webpage as other CloudFiler installers. You should have received a link to this page previously. If you can't locate it, please contact our support team.


Authenticating via the Hub

The Hub now provides the security authentication for CloudFiler's Apps, so whereas earlier versions of the Shell Extension, Location Manager and Sync Connector required license files or tenant keys, their new versions which are delivered to users via the hub, don't require any separate authentication.


Don't deploy it without letting users know what to expect

When you deploy the Hub to users it will require them to authenticate, so be sure to let them know what to expect - we suggest that you email them with one or more of these screen shots so that they know what's coming.



If the user has multiple email accounts the Hub will attempt to select their business account, but users may need to alter the selection.




Upon logging in, a web page will open to finalise and confirm the authentication, which you can then close.


New users will need to accept the End User Licence Agreement

New users will need to accept the agreement.



The Hub provides the right tools to each user

Once authenticated, and wherever they log in, the Hub downloads the latest tools that have been provisioned for that user. 

Those with Admin rights and those that have been assigned to the CF Admin group will receive access to the Add Location, Location Manager and Bulk Importer tool.

Fine-grained software distribution controls are planned for future releases.


Signing out or Quitting the Hub

Users can sign out and re-authenticate at any time by right-clicking the Hub icon in the system tray.


If you sign out, the tray icon remains active enabling you to sign in again.

If you quit the Hub, all processes are terminated and it won't re-start until you next log in.


Quick Access to Tools

After installation, the Hub runs in the system tray.


  • Left-click the icon to launch the CloudFiler Search Interface
  • Right-click to open a menu showing available applications, based on the user's access permissions

 



Launching the Pico search tool via the Hub

As mentioned above, a really convenient way to launch Pico is to single click the Hub's icon in the tray as the alternative is to launch it via Outlook which might not be running.


How to make it stay on the task bar

By default Windows will add the tray icon to the list of hidden items. You can change this to ensure it remains visible on the taskbar as follows:


  1. Open the Taskbar settings by holding down the Windows key and press the I key on the keyboard, then select select Personalisation and Taskbar
  2. Expand the Other system tray icons section and toggle the CloudFiler.Launcher to On


Switching Profile

Most businesses will only have one CloudFiler tenant, but if you have more than one you can switch tenants when required. Once you have changed tenant, if you then re-start an App like Add Location or the Location Manager, it will switch to working with the tenant that you have selected.