Configuring Central Server Settings in the Registry

Purpose

You need to change the Central Server settings without access to the console.

Resolution

Central Server settings are saved in the Registry of the Central Server and Client Console computers, and can be modified via Regedit.exe if the Consoles are inaccessible.

PDQ Deploy:

PDQ Deploy Central Server and Client Console

Changing the Central Server Port:

Note: If this setting is changed via the Registry, a Windows Firewall rule may need to be created on the Central Server to allow the inbound connection. This is explained in the article Firewall Ports and External Exceptions.

  • Close the PDQ Deploy Console on the computer you are making the change on.
  • Stop the PDQ Deploy Background Service.
  • Open Regedit.exe and navigate to:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Admin Arsenal\PDQ Deploy\Protocol
      • Modify the ServerPort Value to the desired port number (the default port is 6336).
        • For the Central Server, this will configure the port that the Central Server is listening for Client connections.
        • For the Client Console, this will configure the port that the Client Console is using to attempt to connect to the Central Server. 
  • Start the PDQ Deploy Background Service.
  • Open PDQ Deploy.

Changing the Operating Mode:

  • Close the PDQ Deploy Console on the computer you are making the change on.
  • Stop the PDQ Deploy Background Service.
  • Open Regedit.exe and navigate to:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Admin Arsenal\PDQ Deploy\Protocol
      • Modify the Mode Value to convert PDQ Deploy to use Local, Server, or Client Mode:
        • Local - This mode will convert PDQ Deploy to operate in Local Mode, disabling all Central Server features.
        • Server - This mode will convert PDQ Deploy to operate in Server Mode, enabling all Central Server features.
        • Client - This mode will convert PDQ Deploy to operate in Client Console Mode, and will require configuring the Central Server settings either via the Registry or upon the next time the Console is launched.
  • Start the PDQ Deploy Background Service.
  • Open PDQ Deploy.

PDQ Deploy Central Server Only

Note: The below Registry Value(s) will exist on the Client Console & Central Server computers, but can only take effect for computers running PDQ Central Server Mode. Changing these settings on a Client Console computer will not affect the Central Server settings.

Changing the option 'Listen on All IP Addresses' & Choosing the Listen IP Address:

  • Close the PDQ Deploy Console on the computer you are making the change on.
  • Stop the PDQ Deploy Background Service.
  • Open Regedit.exe and navigate to:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Admin Arsenal\PDQ Deploy\Protocol
      • To enable Listen on All IP Addresses (This is the default setting):
        • Change the ServerListenAllAddresses Value to 1.
      • To disable Listen on All IP Addresses:
        • Change the ServerListenAllAddresses Value to 0.
        • Change the ServerListenAddresses Value to the IP address you wish to use for Central Server Client connections.
  • Start the PDQ Deploy Background Service.
  • Open PDQ Deploy.

PDQ Deploy Client Console Only

Note: The below Registry Value(s) will only exist on Client Console computers.
 

Changing the Central Server that the Client Console Connects to:

  • Close the PDQ Deploy Client Console.
  • Open Regedit.exe and navigate to:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Admin Arsenal\PDQ Deploy\Protocol
      • Modify the ServerHostName Value to the desired hostname.
      • This Value can be the Central Server's Hostname or IP Address.
  • Open the PDQ Deploy Console.

PDQ Inventory:

PDQ Inventory Central Server and Client Console

Changing the Central Server Port:

Note: If this setting is changed via the Registry, a Windows Firewall rule may need to be created on the Central Server to allow the inbound connection. This is explained in the article Firewall Ports and External Exceptions.

  • Close the PDQ Inventory Console on the computer you are making the change on.
  • Stop the PDQ Inventory background service.
  • Open Regedit.exe and navigate to:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Admin Arsenal\PDQ Inventory\Protocol
      • Modify the ServerPort Value to the desired port number (the default port is 7337).
        • For the Central Server, this will configure the port that the Central Server is listening for Client connections.
        • For the Client Console, this will configure the port that the Client Console is using to attempt to connect to the Central Server. 
  • Start the PDQ Inventory Background Service.
  • Open PDQ Inventory.

Changing the Operating Mode:

  • Close the PDQ Inventory Console on the computer you are making the change on.
  • Stop the PDQ Inventory Background Service.
  • Open Regedit.exe and navigate to:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Admin Arsenal\PDQ Inventory\Protocol
      • Modify the Mode Value to convert PDQ Inventory to use Local, Server, or Client Mode:
        • Local - This mode will convert PDQ Inventory to operate in Local Mode, disabling all Central Server features.
        • Server - This mode will convert PDQ Inventory to operate in Server Mode, enabling all Central Server features.
        • Client - This mode will convert PDQ Inventory to operate in Client Console Mode, and will require configuring the Central Server settings either via the Registry or upon the next time the Console is launched.
  • Start the PDQ Inventory Background Service.
  • Open PDQ Inventory.

PDQ Inventory Central Server Only

Note: The below Registry Value(s) will exist on the Client Console & Central Server computers, but can only take effect for computers running PDQ Central Server Mode. Changing these settings on a Client Console computer will not affect the Central Server settings.

Changing the option 'Listen on All IP Addresses' & Choosing the Listen IP Address:

  • Close the PDQ Inventory Console on the computer you are making the change on.
  • Stop the PDQ Inventory Background Service.
  • Open Regedit.exe and navigate to:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Admin Arsenal\PDQ Inventory\Protocol
      • To enable Listen on All IP Addresses (This is the default setting):
        • Change the ServerListenAllAddresses Value to 1.
      • To disable Listen on All IP Addresses:
        • Change the ServerListenAllAddresses Value to 0.
        • Change the ServerListenAddresses Value to the IP address you wish to use for Central Server Client connections.
  • Start the PDQ Inventory Background Service.
  • Open PDQ Inventory.

PDQ Inventory Client Console Only

Note: The below Registry Value(s) will only exist on Client Console computers.

Changing the Central Server that the Client Console Connects to:

  • Close the PDQ Inventory Client Console.
  • Open Regedit.exe and navigate to:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Admin Arsenal\PDQ Inventory\Protocol
      • Modify the ServerHostName Value to the desired hostname.
        • This Value can be the Central Server's Hostname or IP Address.
  • Open the PDQ Inventory Console.

See Also:

Article - Configuring Central Server - PDQ Deploy

Article - Configuring Central Server - PDQ Inventory

Article - Firewall Ports and External Exceptions

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