Name: Remote Alert
Version: 1.0.0.0

Summary:
Remote is a Windows Home Server Add-in that permits WHS administrators to monitor remote access attempts to their Windows Home Server computer.  Any attempt to log on to the WHS by a web browser is reported by Remote Alert in real-time using the WHS Network Health task tray icon.  A record of access attempts is maintained by Remote Alert in the WHS Console.  Remote Alert can be configured to record successful and/or failed log on access attempts.

Key Features and Benefits:

• Integrates seamlessly with the WHS Console and Network Health task tray
• Real-time reporting of remote access log on attempts
• Centralized remote access history management
• On-demand aggregation (low-resource footprint)

System Requirements:

• Microsoft Windows Home Server configured to allow user remote access
• 1.2 GHz (or equivalent) x86 CPU and later
• 512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended)

Installation File Name:

RemoteAlert.msi

Driver Files:
A complete list of the core files used by the Windows Server is found at the Windows Home Server Program Files Wiki.  The following identifies the driver file used by the Remote Alert Add-In.

C:\Program Files\Windows Home Server\HomeServerConsoleTab.RemoteAlert.dll

Install Remote Alert Add-In:
A detailed description of the steps necessary to install WHS Add-Ins is found at the Windows Home Server Add-In Installation Wiki.

Generally you use your networked home computer to download, save, and install Remote Alert.  Do the following:

• Log off your session with the Windows Home Server Console
• Download the Remote Alert installer file to the Software\Add-Ins folder on the Windows Home Server computer.  The folder path will look like: \\<ServerName>\Software\Add-Ins, where <ServerName> is the computer name for your Windows Home Server
• Log on to the Windows Home Server Console
• Open the Windows Home Server Settings
• Click Add-ins in the left frame
• Click the Available tab in the "Available Add-ins" frame
• Click the Install button for the Remote Alert Add-In

Uninstall Remote Alert Add-In:
A detailed description of the steps necessary to uninstall WHS Add-Ins is found at the Uninstall Windows Home Server Add-In Wiki.

Generally you use your networked home computer to uninstall Remote Alert.  Do the following:

• Log on to the Windows Home Server Console
• Open the Windows Home Server Settings
• Click Add-ins in the left frame
• Click the Installed tab in the "Available Add-ins" frame

• Click the Uninstall button for the Remote Alert Add-In.

User Manual:

RemoteAlert monitors attempts to log on to the WHS by a web browser, thereby permitting WHS administrators to monitor remote access attempts to their Windows Home Server computer.  RemoteAlert can be configured to monitor successful and/or failed access attempts. Attempts to log on to the WHS by a web browser are reported by RemoteAlert in real-time using the WHS Network Health task tray icon and a history of log on attempts is maintained in the WHS Console.

Using Remote Alert with the WHS Console:

Remote Alert is located in the Windows Home Server Settings area of the WHS Console.  Log on to the WHS Console and click the Settings option.  Next, click Remote Alert in the left frame of the WHS Settings window.

Remote Alert has two tabs, one for History and one for Settings.  The following describes the functionality of each tab.

Settings Tab
The Settings Tab is used by the WHS administrator to configure the events that Remote Alert monitors.  Two events, Successful and Failed remote log on notifications can be chosen.  A check mark indicates that the event is monitored.  By default both Successful and Failed log on notifications are monitored.  The WHS administrator may change these settings.  Changes to these settings are made effective when the OK or Apply button is clicked.

Option: Successful remote log on notification
This option enables the monitoring of successful remote log on attempts to the WHS.  Remote Alert does the following for each successful log on.

•   Displays a balloon pop-up above the WHS Network Health task tray icon that identifies the user who has connected via remote access to the WHS
  .
• The color of the WHS Network Health task tray icon turns yellow
• The Date, Time, User and "Log on" is recorded for the event in the Remote Alert History
• The color of the Network Health tab in the WHS Console turns yellow and displays "Network At Risk" message
  
• A yellow Home Network Health entry is created for the user's remote access event
  

The Network Health status remains yellow until all users log off from their remote access session.  When the user either closes the browser window or clicks the Log Off button in the browser, Remote Alert does the following.

• The color of the WHS Network Health task tray icon turns green when all remote access sessions are closed
• The Date, Time, User, and "Log off" is recorded for the event in the Remote Alert History
• The color of the Network Health tab in the WHS Console turns green and displays "Network Healthy"
• The Home Network Health entry for the user is removed from the list

Recommended WHS Administrator Action
The WHS administrator should make an effort to ensure that the remote access session is valid.  The WHS administrator can open the Network Health tab in the WHS Console and place a check mark for the Ignore this issue option to ignore the event.


The background color of the Home Network Health State entry for this user's remote access event turns grey and remains in the Home Network Health list until the user ends their remote access session.

If there are are no other warnings in the Home Network Health list, the color of the WHS Network Health task tray icon and WHS Network Health tab turn green.

Option: Failed remote log on notification
This option enables the monitoring of unsuccessful remote log on attempts to the WHS.  Incorrect user name and password combinations are considered to be a failed attempt.  Remote Alert does the following.

• Displays a balloon pop-up above the WHS Network Health task tray icon that identifies a remote access attempt to log on to the WHS has failed.
  
• The color of the WHS Network Health task tray icon turns red
• The Date, Time, User, and "Failed" is recoded for the event in the Remote Alert History
• The color of the Network Health tab in the WHS Console turns red and displays "Network Critical" message
  
• A red Home Network Health entry is created for the failed remote access event. The Home Network Health entry remains in the list and is removed by Remote Alert 30 minutes after the event occurred.
  

Recommended WHS Administrator Action
The WHS administrator should make an effort to ensure that the remote access session is valid and not an attempt by an unauthorized user to gain access to the WHS.  Should it be determined that the WHS is being attacked, the WHS administrator should perform prudent security measures to protect the system.

The WHS administrator can open the Network Health tab in the WHS Console and place a check mark for the Ignore this issue option to ignore the event.

The background color of the Network Health State entry for this user's remote access event turns grey and remains in the Network Health State list for 30 minutes when it is automatically removed by Remote Alert.

If there are no other warnings in the Home Network Health list, the color of the WHS Network Health task tray icon and WHS Network Health Tab turn green. 

History Tab
Based on the events monitored, a record of log on and log off attempts are displayed in the History Tab.  The Tab has columns for Date, Time, User, and Event.  The history entries are sorted by earliest date and time.

Home Network Health Entries:

There are two different types of health entries that can be displayed in the Home Network Health list.  The background color can be yellow, red, or grey depending on the event type and if the issue is to be ignored.

•  Yellow Background
  
  
  

  A Home Network Health entry is created for each user who successfully authenticates their remote access session with the WHS.  Initially, the background color is yellow.  This entry remains in the list until the user terminates their remote access session.

  While there are Home Network Health entries with yellow backgrounds, the color of the WHS Network Health task tray icon and Network tab in the WHS Console are yellow.

• Red Background
  
  
  

  A Home Network Health entry is created for each unsuccessful remote access attempt to log on to the WHS.  Initially, the background color is red.  This entry remains in the list for 30 minutes.

  While there are Home Network Health entries with red backgrounds, the color of the WHS Network Health task tray icon and Network tab in the WHS Console are red.

• Grey Background
  

  Home Network Health entries with grey backgrounds indicate that the WHS administrator has chosen to ignore the issue when the Ignore this issue option has been checked.  Entries for successful remote access sessions remain in the list until the user terminates their session.  Entries for failed log on attempts remain in the list for 30 minutes.

  When all Home Network Health entries are ignored the color of the WHS Network Health task tray icon and Network Health tab in the WHS console are green.