ProPunch Server Follow
The ProPunch Server dashboard allows the application server to be started or stopped, application updates to be applied, as well as application data to be saved or restored.
Note:
- The ProPunch Server will automatically start after system reboot. User logon to the computer/server is not required.
The ProPunch Dashboard interface can be accessed by double-clicking the ProPunch Dashboard icon on the computer desktop or by locating it via All Programs > ProPunch.
Server Control
In the Server Control section of the ProPunch Server dashboard, you can start and stop the server, open the ProPunch user interface, and change the default port. By default, the ProPunch server uses port 80 to communicate with web clients.
The dashboard also displays the currently installed ProPunch Version, the application Install Key, and the Machine Unique Id of the computer/server. These values will be helpful when contacting ProPunch support.
To start or stop the ProPunch server, follow these steps:
- Open the ProPunch Server dashboard.
- To stop the application server, click Stop Server. The label will then change to Start Server, which can be clicked to start the application server.
- To start the application service, click Start Server. The label will then change to Stop Server, which can be clicked to stop the application server.
To open the ProPunch user interface, follow these steps:
- Open the ProPunch Server dashboard.
-
Click Open ProPunch. The dashboard will open the application GUI (graphical user interface) in the default web browser.
- For guidance on creating a ProPunch shortcut on client PCs, please reference the Create ProPunch Shortcut article.
To change the default port, follow these steps:
- Open the ProPunch Server dashboard.
- If the ProPunch Server is currently running, click Stop Server.
- Click Edit Ports. The port configuration file will open in Notepad.
- Replace “80” with the port to be used.
- For guidance on finding an unused port, please reference the Find Unused Port article.
- Select Save from the File menu.
- Close the port configuration file and click Start Server.
Software Update
In the Software Update section of the ProPunch Server dashboard, you can search for updates and open update files. You typically will not need to access the update file.
To update your ProPunch application, follow these steps:
- Open the ProPunch Server dashboard.
- Click Search For Updates to check for application updates.
-
If an update is available, click Yes to proceed with the update or No to cancel.
- If the latest version is already installed, an alert indicating the application is up to date will appear. Click OK to dismiss.
- After clicking Yes to install the update, the application server will be automatically stopped and the application will be inaccessible during the installation.
- After the installation is complete, the application server will be started automatically. An alert will appear indicating that the application is up to date. Click OK to dismiss.
Data Backup
In the Data Backup section of the ProPunch Server dashboard, you are able to backup your database, restore data from backups, and view your saved backups.
Backup Now
Backing up your data creates a copy of your data that can be recovered in the event of data failures. Data failures can occur from human error, hardware failure, accidental deletion of data, etc. Backing up data can save time and money in the event of data failure.
From the ProPunch Server dashboard, click Backup Now to create a database backup. The file will be stored in the location specified in Backup Location. To change the location, click the field to browse for a new location.
Display Backups
On the ProPunch Server dashboard, click Display Backups to view database backups saved in the Backup Location. You can also locate these files using your PC's File Explorer and navigating to the location specified in Backup Location.
Restore From Backup
In the event of a data failure, you can easily recover your data using the Restore From Backup option.
To restore from a database backup, follow these steps:
- Open the ProPunch Server dashboard.
- Click Restore From Backup.
- A warning message will appear, click OK to proceed.
- Selecting the backup file and click Open.
- A second warning message will appear, click Yes to proceed with the restore.