AutoHotkey Community

NetKeeper

Overview
NetKeeper is a small piece of software designed in AutoHotkey language code to support users in a Windows NT environment. Using already present resources in the operate system, the NetKeeper improve the printer sharing features of the network. It also helps deploy files into the terminals and manage installed virtual machines.

Version
Alpha Version being tested with success in a Windows XP network system connected to a Windows 2003 server. The network is monitored by the Ranger software and Norton Anti-Virus Corporation software.

Modules
The software works from four different modules recorded in four executable files:

NetKeeper NetKeeper.exe
V 2.0 Main module, with start-up and background routines

NetKeeper Working Office NKOffice.exe
V 1.5 User interface module, with options to synchronize documents and locate printers.

NetKeeper Infiltrator NKInfiltrator.exe
V 1.0 Setting up module, which work in the operate system starting script to verify the NetKeeper installation.

NetKeeper Shed NKShed.exe
[In development.] Server module, managing the universal files and settings.

NetKeeper

An important feature of the main module is the use of the icon tray as the main interface. Just few routines inside the modules show a graphic interface to the user. The NetKeeper small icon in the tray shows the current status of the current routine working.

The main module routines are organized in:
• Starting Up
o Update time and date with the log on server.
o Install a network port printer if the user own administrative rights.
o File Deploying - Deploy files from a source in the network to a terminal hard drive.
o Virtual Machine Management - Synchronize virtual machines files between the server and the computer. Locate and register the virtual machines installed in the computer to the logged user. [Microsoft Virtual PC]
o Launch a queued application (especially MSI extension) or open a document file.
o Create or delete a shortcut in the desktop to access virtual machines, deployed files and the Netkeeper Working Office.

• Background
o Keep verifying the access status to the server and local system.
o Printer Smart Redirection - Redirect the output default printer when the printer status changes.
o Printer Auto Sharing - Connect the user to shared and available printers in the network
o Periodically list the installed printers in the system in a universal file in the server.
o Restart the operate system if the computer lost connection with the server.

File Deploying
This routine copies only the files (not subfolders) inside the source folder to any target folder in the computer. Before start, the routine verify the free space and accessing rights to the target folder. Once the verification is done, all files are compared and copied. If the file is already present in the target folder, it is overwritten if older than seven days.

Virtual Machine Management
Inside the NetKeeper folder, a special folder stores the virtual machines files to be synchronized with the computer when the user log on. If the files are not present in the folder, they are erased from the computer folder. Any already current file in the computer is overwritten if is thirty days old. After the synchronization, this routine registers all virtual machine console files to the current user. If specified, the routine launch a virtual machine and even turn off the computer once the machine window is closed.

Printer Smart Redirection
If a printer status change to offline or is a null printer (fax or file generators), this intelligent routine will look for the best output of an available printer. The selected printer preference starts with the local printers. If none is found, the network printers are tested. A printer with less jobs and full access is the routine’s preference.

Printer Auto Sharing
Using a universal printers list, this automated script installs available network printers to the current user. The printers are sorted in groups to organize the printer’s location. The user can access a single shared printer in different computers without the interference of a manual installation.

sorry, but where´s the script?

I am not sharing the script, just the idea.



I can tell how I did the routines, but I will not reveal the whole script. It is a important 'toy' to my career.

But so why do you post under Scripts&Functions? This should be instead under Smalltalk...

NetKeeper’s Working Office

This module open to the user a graphic interface window with buttons to access tools and a small panel showing the virtual machines files found in the computer. The routines in this module use the same universal files in the Netkeeper suit, but work independent from the main module. The tools available to the user are:

• Open the company’s network message board
• Synchronize ‘My Document’ files to a removable device
• Locate and use available printers in the network
• Request technical support to solve an issue

In the bottom, the small panel of the virtual machines offer two buttons to open the files in a window or in full screen. Both buttons trigger a routine which detect if the machine need registration before start.

Open the company’s network message board
In this interface the user accesses the box of the message, a list with the subject messages, and two buttons options: Post a Message and Delete. The user can delete just the messages post by it. A message is show with the domain username, date and number of views. Messages older than thirty days are erased.

Synchronize ‘My Document’ files to a removable device
A powerful and useful interface which let the user keep its document files in synchronization with a removable device driver (memory stick, hard disk, etc). The interface routine is designed to automatically detect the device connection to the USB port. Once the connection is confirmed, the routine gather information about the device and the ‘My Documents’ folder. If the device owns enough space, the routine release the button to synchronize. Once the synchronization starts, the routine compare the files and execute a bi-directional copy of the files respecting the last update file. It also delete files and duplicate the folder‘s tree in both directions. The removable device folder and the ‘My Document’ folder become exactly the same after the synchronization.

Locate and use available printer in the network
The first interface of this option shows the number of local and network printer available to the user. All local shared printers and remote printers are tested to verify they status. If they are ready and on line, they are include in the list. All local printers are listed, except the ones with null output. Once the printer list is filtered, the second interface offer to the user important details about the printer and a button to use the printer.

Request technical support to solve an issue
[In development]

Because this is the best spot to speak about a software done in AutoHotkey, not in 'small talk'



I will relase parts of the script soon I have a beta version.

Stop to be a bee.

I think youre wrong. Scripts&Functions is only for existing Scripts and Functions.
To talk about Scripts without a code belongs to Smalltalk.

Hey, be nice or you will not have your candy!

What so ever, here are few pictures showing the graphic interface of the software.

http://cid-22f512d0bb6954f1.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/.Public/NetKeeper?lc=1033

Nevertheless it looks amazing.

Did i got you right, You can automatically connect a shared Printer
to multiple Computers simultaneously?
Is it possible to make the silent, too?
Is it possible to use multifunction printer's features like scanning?

Looking Forward to it.

Thank you by you interest. I am glad that someone is interested.



The NetKeeper is designed to connect the network printers without the user interference. Printers with an IP port can be installed as local printers in the computer, with appear to any logged user. When a shared printer from other computer is installed, the windows just update the registry of the present user. That means the others user must repeat the process every time they first log on in the computer.

If this is necessary in a room with 16 computers and just 1 shared ink printer without IP port, the responsible IT technician will be drive nuts when the room is fully busy and everyone wish to print. A user with advanced level and access to the option ‘Add Printer’ perhaps locates and connect the printer. All other users simply cannot follow the steps without support.

Do you think that is the end?

If these 16 users come back next day and each one sit in a different computer, is necessary repeat the ‘Add Printer’ process 16 times! And it is just one group. If the room is used by 80 users every week, you do not need read Pythagoras to realize the big task: 16x80=1280 times to install a single printer connection.

Someone forgot to feedback the Microsoft team about this horrible mistake of software design.

Since this is a challenge in the preparatory school where I work, I wrote the two modules to trick this mistake: Auto Sharing and Smart Redirection.

The first works in the background and is silent. While the user is log on, the module read a universal file in the server and connects to any available printer. The printer’s availability is sorted in groups. With this option is possible organize near printers to be shared by the computers of the same group. This avoids the guy in the reception find his printed documents in the stock room printer.

The second just verify the status of the output default printer. If the printer cannot work because is offline or do not produce real piece of paper, it is replaced by other available printer. And since the Auto Sharing just connects printers from the near group, the choice can be a shared printer in another room. Once the printer is changed, the module warns the user with a ‘balloon tip’.



The NetKeeper just shows a different icon in the system tray when working. But I will implement an option to make the whole script silent.



No... And I am looking for any support or starting point to work with scanners in AHK. Does anyone know a command-line executable program that manage scanners or drivers TWAIN?

_________________


http://www.autohotkey.net/~FirstToyLab/

NetKeeper Infiltrator 1.5a

To deploy the standalone module and install it in the start-up registry key, this module was written to work in the ‘Netlogon Script’ set in the active directory profile.



I wish share this script with network administrators as a good example to create a little executable which can work with the automated scripts. It’s kept the update the files in the terminal and ensures the program is launched. Next version I will implement a uninstall subroutine.

Funny fact: it update quicker the files in the terminal computer than if was did by few lines in the own Net Logon script. And if the usual user of the machines owns administrative rights, it’s possible stay in the office and chill out... The script spread the software like butter!

http://www.autohotkey.net/~FirstToyLab/