Audra CMS: Managing multiple branches the smart way
If you're not an IT professional, managing multiple firewalls may not be something you're accustomed to. It can be quite frustrating to deal with various passwords and settings, especially if you're new to using Audra Business as your first firewall device.
At Audra, we understand the challenges of handling multiple gateway devices across our different site offices. We've experienced firsthand how tedious and complicated this task can be. That's why, in today's blog post, we want to introduce you to a little-known feature in the Audra Web Portal that can significantly simplify your life. Say goodbye to unnecessary headaches and let us show you how this feature can give you access to comprehensive and real-time monitoring across multiple devices through this easy and simple to setup process.
Introducing our Central Management System, or CMS for short, conveniently located within the profile tab. If you're using Audra Business for a single deployment, you might not notice it at first. The switching options won't appear if you're managing just one profile. However, if you have multiple instances of Audra Business registered under the same account, this little icon holds the key to device control. It is highly scalable, and will allow you to monitor and control as many connected devices as you want from a single interface.
[Zoomed in screenshot of home screen with CMS menu shown]
Simply tap on the icon, and a list of devices that you can manage will appear before your eyes. It's like having a magic wand that grants you the power to effortlessly oversee and control all your Audra Business devices from one central place. Say goodbye to the hassle of logging in and out of different accounts each time you want to change a setting.
Step 1: Registering devices under the same user account
The first step to get CMS set up is to register your second Audra Business device under the same email account. Follow the setup instructions that you can find in the box, and load up the Device Activation page in your web browser.
Proceed to activate the device using the unique Activation Code found on the card in the Audra Business box, and hit CONTINUE.
Once this step is completed, you will be asked to select your country of usage and to input your email address. This email address doubles up as your Audra account name, and it is very important to use the same email address that was used on your first device.
By using the same email address, you are telling the Audra cloud that this device is a part of your network and that you want to enrol it in the CMS. To confirm your intentions, click Yes when you see this pop up.
Step 2: Naming your new Audra Business device
Now that you have registered your new device to the same Audra account, it is time to name your device to ensure that you can easily identify it in the CMS.
In the next screen, you will be prompted to enter a Device Name. While we recommend giving it a clear and concise name that matches this new device’s location, you are free to use any naming convention that you see fit.
Besides this, fill in the password field with the same password that you use on your other devices. This will authenticate that your device is part of the same account, and will register the new device per the new Device Name which you have just set.
Step 3: Logging in to the CMS enabled web portal
After completing those steps, it is finally time to login and try out the new CMS functionality. To do this, simply navigate back to the Audra Web Portal login page (https://manage.audra.io), and login using your credentials.
Once logged in, tap on the icon next to your username on the top right corner. Doing this should reveal a new drop down menu that contains several names: the currently active device that you are controlling will be highlighted, while the other connected devices to your account will be greyed out.
To switch between profiles, you only need to tap on the corresponding profile name and you will instantly be in full control of that new device.
From here, you will be able to perform all the tasks you would normally be able to perform by logging in to the individual accounts - the only difference is that you can now do all this from one single screen. Remember how we said this was highly scalable in the beginning of this article? Believe it or not, the CMS will work with as many connected devices as you need it to.
Set up profiles, add devices and block content the way you would normally do it. Review connections, generate reports and set up time schedules as if you were directly logged in to those other devices. Now with CMS activated, you no longer have to juggle logins, screens or passwords and can now complete these tasks directly from one screen.
Best of all, when you add a new Audra Business device, you just need to follow these same simple steps, and it will be added to your CMS just as easily without the need of any IT professionals.
Great isn’t it?
Let us know what other quality of life improvements that you’re looking for, and we’ll be sure to channel them to the development team!
