Profiles

StageNow 4.3

Overview

This section provides information for the staging administrator on creating and managing Profiles. The StageNow Workstation Tool offers pre-defined Wizards that represent common use cases for deploying information to mobile devices within the enterprise.

StageNow 4.0 (and higher) supports Trusted Staging, which can protect devices with MX 9.2 and higher from unauthorized staging.
Trusted Staging requires the use of Trusted Profiles; see below and the Trusted Staging Guide for details.

Create a Profile

The staging administrator uses the provided StageNow Wizards to configure settings that define software configuration and installation for enterprise devices. When creating a Profile for staging the device, the administrator progresses through the following steps in the banner provided in the Workstation Tool:

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  • Config (StageNow and RD) - The setting information entered in the StageNow Config section is stored within StageNow barcodes or NFC tags. The setting information entered in the RD Config section is stored within RD barcodes. Note that the RD Config section only appears if Legacy Mode is turned on in the Settings screen. The amount of settings created in this section affect the number of barcodes and/or NFC tags that the system generates later.

  • Deployment - This information includes settings that do not reside in StageNow barcodes or NFC tags, and is represented as a file on the StageNow deployment server and so requires network connection. Reading the barcode or NFC tag created in the Config section connects the client device to the server and points to this file for deployment. Note that this section does NOT appear in the Connect Network, Manage Device Security, and Wipe a Device Wizards.

  • Review - The Review section presents all setting information entered in the Config and Deployment sections in a single page. The administrator can add comments, complete the Profile, or return to any setting to update it.

  • Publish - The Publish section allows the administrator to select the method of delivery (linear barcodes, PDF417 barcodes or NFC tags) for the completed Profile, as well as test, publish, and stage the Profile.

Profile States

As progress is made through the Wizard, the top right corner of the window reflects the state of the Profile:

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  • Incomplete - The Profile is not yet complete.

  • Complete - All information required by the Wizard is included in the Profile, but it is not yet tested to ensure the Profile functions as intended.

  • Tested - The Profile was tested to determine whether it is sufficiently operational for staging. It is not yet visible to the operator.

  • Published - The Profile is visible to the operator.

  • Staged - The operator has acquired the Profile, i.e., generated barcodes and exported data to write to an NFC tag.

Following are tips for navigating through the Wizard.

Click on the sections of the primary banner (e.g., StageNow Config, RD Config) to view that section. Note that section must be completed before clicking ahead to the next section.

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Use the "Back" button to return to the previous section and the "Continue" button to proceed to the next section.

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Similarly, click on the oval buttons in the secondary banner to view that sub-section. Each sub-section must be completed before clicking ahead to the next one.

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The small round buttons adjacent to each oval button indicate the status of that section:

  • A green check icon indicates that section is complete.

  • A green eye icon indicates the section being viewed.

  • An orange icon with a pencil indicates the section that is in process.

  • An orange icon with a pause indicates the section that is in process while viewing another section.

  • A grayed-out oval with no adjacent round button indicates a section not yet started.

Use the arrows at the beginning and end of the secondary banner to scroll through these sub-sections.

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When selecting "Yes" for a secondary banner item, additional subsections are added to the banner.

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To edit the Profile name, click the pencil icon next to the name.

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At any point, click the Home button to return to the Home screen.

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When populating a setting template window within a Wizard, to make the setting available for selection when creating other Profiles, select the Save Setting for Re-use checkbox, and enter a name for the setting. See Save for Reuse for more information.

Configure

To create a Profile, open the StageNow Workstation Tool and log in.

Select Create New Profile, and then select the device MX version from the drop-down menu. The tool retains the current selection when configuring future Profiles.

Initially, a warning appears indicating that selecting an incorrect version can cause staging to fail. If target devices contain different versions of MX, select the lowest version. Select the checkbox on this window to suppress display in the future.

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Select one of the following Wizards and select Create.

After completing the StageNow Config and RD Config sections of the Wizard, proceed to the next section of the Wizard. Certain Wizards include a Deployment section, whereas others proceed to the Review section.

MX Selection

Selecting MX 6.x or higher from the MX version drop-down menu supports a Wi-Fi hotspot option for some Wizards. If selecting MX 6.X for the applicable Wizards, the first Wizard window displays a prompt for selecting one of the following options from the drop-down menu:

  • "The devices I wish to provision are currently not connected to a network. I will define a network with this Profile that will be used for staging."

  • "The devices I wish to provision are already connected to a network that will be used for staging."

  • "I wish to use the WiFi Hotspot feature which will automatically create a network for staging using this computer's network card."

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Select an option and proceed to the instructions for the selected Wizard.

MX Notes

  • The second and third options above are supported only by Wizards that use the Deployment section of the tool.
  • StageNow 2.9 and higher supports plug-in CSPs, which deliver additional MX features not included with a given StageNow version.
  • Plug-in CSPs are delivered as a .zip file. DO NOT unzip!
  • Copy the .zip file to the following folder on the StageNow admin PC:
    • \Program Files (x86)\Symbol Technologies\Staging_Solution\SNCertFiles\
  • If the plug-in CSP was unzipped or delivered as separate files, use the following steps to create a .zip file:
    • Use PKzip or a compatible compression utility to zip the CSP and its corresponding DSD file into a single .zip archive file.
    • Name the new file [CSPname].zip (substituting "[CSPname]" for the real name. Example: RfidMgr.zip).
    • Copy the file to the folder shown above. NOTE: Do NOT drag the file as described on the CSP Library screen.
  • On the CSP Library screen, click the "OR, CHOOSE FILE" button and select the desired CSP's .zip file.
  • The parameters of the plug-in CSP are now available using the standard process for creating a staging profile.

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Deployment

Use the Deployment section of the Wizard to specify the subset of the settings that define what the Profile does, and store these settings on a deployment server. See the specific Profile Wizard for instructions.

Note: This section is not available on some Wizards.

Wizards that include the Deployment section require that device(s) access the Deployment Server in order to acquire the information provided there. Specifically, the device and the server should be on the same network, or there should be routing from the device network that allows connection to the Deployment Server.

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Review

The Review section of the Wizard allows selection verification.

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  1. Select Expand to view the StageNow configuration and RD configuration settings. This setting list offers the following fields:

    • Step - The section step where the Administrator added the setting.
    • Description - A user-defined "friendly" description of the setting.
    • Last Updated - Last time the Profile was updated.
    • View - Click to view/modify the setting.

  2. Select Change to make any changes to the settings.

  3. Select the icon next to Profile Description to enter a description for the Profile. image Click image to enlarge; ESC to cancel.

  4. Enter the description and select Save.

  5. Encryption for staging data is selected by default in order to protect the sensitive data encoded in the Profile barcode or NFC tag. See StageNow Encryption for more information. De-select this checkbox if necessary to save space.

  6. Select Complete Profile to proceed to the Publish window. The Profile status at the top right of the screen is now Complete.

Publish

The Publish section of the Wizard permits selection of a staging method, testing of the method for Profile functionality, and making the Profile available to the staging operator. This window lists the available Profile delivery types, and displays dates and times when the Profile was Last Tested, Published and Staged.

Barcode Profile Staging

To stage a barcode Profile:

  1. Select the Barcode tab: image Click image to enlarge; ESC to cancel.

  2. To create a direct connection via hotspot instead of using the configured staging network, check the "Yes, use WiFi Hotspot" checkbox. This allows staging with a single staging barcode without requiring an external Wi-Fi network, and eliminates the need for reprinting barcodes if there is a Profile change.

  3. To stage devices from content stored on a server, check the "Host the Deployment Package Outside of StageNow FTP Server" and enter the server address and fully qualified file name (including path, see image above) of server-based content using the Source URI syntax. For more information and examples of this syntax, see the Source URI and Examples sections of the File Manager guide. This feature supports HTTP, HTTPS, FTP and FTPS (FTP over TLS or SSL) protocols and basic authentication of URL-embedded credentials (Devices with MX 4.4+ support FTP only; HTTP/HTTPS requires MX 7.0 or higher on device; FTPS requires MX 7.1 or higher).

  4. Select the checkbox for PDF417 or Linear to specify the type of barcode for deployment, or choose Select All to select all barcode types.

  5. Select Test to test the functionality of the Profile before publishing. This generates a PDF of test staging barcode(s). While this step is optional, it is important to determine whether the Profile functions as intended before making it available to the operator(s) for staging devices. image Click image to enlarge; ESC to cancel.

  6. If the staging material functions properly, select "Publish" to publish the material for operator use. Note that the administrator can choose to publish only certain types of barcodes that were successfully tested, and publish the others when they are ready.

  7. Enter staging instructions for the operator. image Click image to enlarge; ESC to cancel.

  8. Select "Publish Now" to continue. image Click image to enlarge; ESC to cancel.

  9. To make the Profile available for staging, select "Stage" to generate a PDF of staging barcode(s) that devices can scan for staging. See Device Staging.

  10. To export the Profile for consumption by StageNow or an MDM, select the "Export For StageNow" or "Export For MDM" button. See Exporting Staging Profiles.

Select "Unpublish" to unpublish a Profile and remove operator access.

NFC Profile Staging

IMPORTANT: Data contained in the .bin files for NFC or USB/SD Card staging is limited to the equivalent of two (2) barcode PDF files. If “file too long" (or similar) message appears when generating the file, reduce the file size by moving settings in the "Config" section of the Profile to the "Deployment" section until the barcodes generated for the Profile requires no more than two (2) PDFs.

To stage an NFC Profile:

  1. Select the NFC tab. image Click image to enlarge; ESC to cancel.

  2. To create a direct connection via hotspot instead of using the configured staging network, select the Yes, use Wifi Direct checkbox.

  3. Select Test to test the functionality of the Profile before publishing. This saves the NFC tag as a .bin file for testing. While this step is optional, it is important to determine whether the Profile functions as intended before making it available to the operator(s) for staging devices.

  4. If the staging material functions properly, select Publish to publish the material for operator use.

  5. Enter staging instructions for the operator.

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  6. Select Publish Now.

  7. To make the Profile available for staging, select Stage. This save the NFC tag as a .bin file that devices can read for staging. See Device Staging.

  8. To export the Profile for an MDM or for StageNow, select the Export For MDM or Export For StageNow button. See Exporting Staging Profiles.

To unpublish a Profile to remove operator access, select Unpublish.

USB and SD Card Profile Staging

StageNow 3.3 (and later) allows the .bin file(s) generated during the NFC Staging process to be used for staging a device from a USB drive or SD card.

To automatically stage a device from a USB drive or SD card:

  1. Generate .bin file(s) using the NFC Profile Staging procedures above.
  2. Create a folder called "Stagenow" on a USB drive or SD card.
  3. Copy the .bin file(s) to the new folder's root level.
  4. Attach (or insert) the storage device and boot the (new or enterprise-reset) device to be staged.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
  • On devices with MX 9.0, any .bin file causes Setup Wizard bypass.
  • On devices with MX 9.1 and later, a security check ensures that bypass occurs only if the StageNow Profile was created using MX 9.1 or later.
  • Devices with MX 9.1 (or later) automatically skip the Android Set-up Wizard and begin staging when a .bin file is found.
    Learn more about SUW bypass limitations.
  • Staging Profiles stored on an SD card take precedence over USB (if both are present).
  • If using a USB stick as the Source Access Method during Profile creation:
    • The USB-based storage path (mount point) is preceded by /storage/usbotg/, as below: image Click image to enlarge; ESC to cancel.
    • StageNow writes the name and path of the storage medium into the Profile. The same medium (with the name/path unchanged) can then be connected to the device and used as the source of staging data instead of a PC host or server. 
    • All files needed for staging MUST be present in external staging medium for successful device staging by this means.

To manually stage a device from a file on the device:

  1. Generate .bin file(s) using the NFC Profile Staging procedures above.
  2. Copy the .bin file(s) to any location on the device.
  3. Launch the StageNow client and tap the "Browse" button.
  4. Navigate to and tap the .bin file copied in Step 2 to begin staging.

Copying a Staging Profile

To create a new Profile by copying an existing one:

  1. Select the Copy icon (shown below) next to the Profile. image Click image to enlarge; ESC to cancel.

  2. Enter a new name for the Profile, and select Save. image Click image to enlarge; ESC to cancel.

  3. A window indicates the Profile was copied successfully. Select OK.

  4. See the next section for instructions on editing the new Profile.

Editing a Staging Profile

Note:
In-progress Profiles created in StageNow 2.0 may not function after upgrading to the latest StageNow Tool.

To edit a Profile:

  1. Select the Profile from the home screen.

  2. Use the navigation UI in the Wizard to locate the setting to update. See Navigating the Wizard. image Click image to enlarge; ESC to cancel.

  3. Select Edit to enable the fields for updating.

  4. Make the required changes and select Save, or select Cancel to discard the changes.

  5. Select Continue and proceed through the Wizard.

  6. In the Review section, select Complete Profile to move to the Publish section to generate updated barcodes or NFC tags.

Exporting Staging Profiles

Note:
Incomplete Profiles cannot be exported.

To export a single Profile for StageNow or for an MDM:

  1. Select the Export icon next to the Profile. image Click image to enlarge; ESC to cancel.
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  2. Select whether to export for an MDM or for within the StageNow tool. image Click image to enlarge; ESC to cancel.

  3. If selecting Export For StageNow, to lock the Profile so it cannot be changed and hide the details from other administrators, select the check box, and then select OK.

  4. Select a location for the Profile and select Save. A window indicates that the Profile was exported successfully.

  5. Select OK.

Note: RD settings are not exported and so cannot be imported.

Exporting All Profiles

Note:
Incomplete Profiles are not exported.

To export all staging Profiles:

  1. Select All Profiles. image Click image to enlarge; ESC to cancel.

  2. Select the Export Profile(s) button. image Click image to enlarge; ESC to cancel.

  3. To lock the Profile so it cannot be changed and hide the details from other administrators, select the check box.

  4. Select OK. image Click image to enlarge; ESC to cancel.

  5. The default name for the zip file containing all Profiles is MULTI_PROFILES.ZIP. Select a location for the Profile and select Save. A window indicates that the Profile was exported successfully.

  6. Select OK.

Importing a Staging Profile

To import a Profile:

  1. Click "All Profiles" in the Home screen's left-hand pane: image Click image to enlarge; ESC to cancel.

  2. Click "Import Profile(s)" button. A navigation dialog appears: image Click image to enlarge; ESC to cancel.

  3. Navigate to the file to be imported and click "Import" button. A dialog appears to indicate that the Profile was imported successfully.
    Click OK.

  4. The imported Profile appears in the Profiles list. Profiles locked during export appear with a lock icon after import: image Click image to enlarge; ESC to cancel.

IMPORTANT: After importing a staging Profile, its settings counters are reset to zero (see image below).

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Deleting a Staging Profile

To delete a Profile:

  1. Select the trash icon next to the Profile. image
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  2. Select OK to confirm the deletion.

  3. A window indicates that the Profile was successfully deleted. Select OK.

Upgrading Profiles

StageNow 2.3 and later allow the administrator to upgrade Profiles created in any released or beta StageNow version to the latest version, i.e., StageNow 2.5.