Sometimes the fix is simple: turn it off and on again. The problem is getting to the machine to do it. When you're managing devices across multiple buildings, multiple sites, or from home, walking to each computer isn't practical.
حل التحكم في الأجهزة عن بُعد يعالج هذه المشكلة. فمن خلال وحدة تحكم Faronics Cloud، يمكنك إعادة تشغيل أجهزة الكمبيوتر، وإيقاف تشغيلها، وتنبيه الأجهزة في وضع السكون، وتفعيل إجراءات الطاقة الأخرى - كل ذلك دون مغادرة مكتبك. هل هناك جهاز كمبيوتر يواجه مشكلة في المبنى C؟ أعد تشغيله من مكتبك في المبنى A. هل تحتاج إلى تنبيه أجهزة المختبر لإجراء صيانة في الساعة 2 صباحاً؟ قم بذلك وأنت في منزلك.
This guide explains what remote actions are available, when they're most useful, and how remote control reduces the need for on-site visits.
Remote Actions Explained
Here are the remote control capabilities available through Faronics Cloud:
Remote restart
The most commonly used remote action. A remote restart does exactly what it sounds like - reboots the computer remotely.
Select the device (or multiple devices) in the Faronics Cloud console and issue a restart command. The command is sent to the device's agent, which initiates a system restart.
The computer restarts. If Deep Freeze is active, the machine returns to its frozen baseline - this is why remote restart is so powerful. It's not just a reboot; it's a restoration to a known-good state.
The device must be online and connected to Faronics Cloud. You can't restart a machine that's already powered off or disconnected from the network.
Remote shutdown
Shut down computers remotely when they should be off:
Issue a shutdown command from the console. The device receives the command and initiates a proper Windows shutdown.
End-of-day shutdown across a lab. Powering off devices before a holiday closure. Energy saving by ensuring computers aren't left running overnight.
Once shut down, the device can't receive further commands until it's powered back on (unless Wake-on-LAN is configured). Use shutdown when you genuinely want machines off, not when you might need them again soon.
Wake-on-LAN
Wake sleeping or powered-off computers over the network:
Wake-on-LAN (WoL) sends a special network packet - a "magic packet" - to the device's network adapter, which triggers the computer to power on.
The device's BIOS/UEFI must have Wake-on-LAN enabled. The network adapter must support WoL. The device must be connected to power (obviously) and connected to the network (usually via Ethernet - Wi-Fi WoL support is inconsistent).
Wake-on-LAN works best on local networks. Waking devices across different subnets or over the internet requires additional network configuration (directed broadcasts or WoL relays). Devices that are completely powered off (rather than in sleep/hibernate) may or may not respond, depending on hardware and BIOS settings.
For reliable WoL, configure devices to sleep rather than shut down. Sleep mode keeps the network adapter powered and listening for wake packets.
Remote freeze and thaw
Control Deep Freeze state remotely:
Unfreeze a device to allow changes. Useful for one-off updates, software installations, or troubleshooting that requires persistent changes. The device becomes modifiable until you refreeze it.
Lock down a thawed device. After making changes, freeze the device to protect the new baseline. Useful when you've finished maintenance and want protection restored.
You can thaw for a specific number of reboots or until a certain time. The device automatically refreezes after the specified condition is met - no need to remember to manually refreeze.
Force check-in
Request an immediate status update:
Devices normally check in every few minutes. A force check-in command requests immediate communication, updating status and applying any pending policy changes.
التحقق من أن الجهاز متصل بالإنترنت ومستجيب. دفع تغييرات السياسة فوراً بدلاً من انتظار الفحص المجدول التالي. التأكد من إتمام الإجراء عن بُعد بنجاح.
Bulk actions
Apply remote actions to multiple devices at once:
• Select multiple devices in the console
• Apply the same action to all selected devices
• Restart an entire lab with one command
• إيقاف تشغيل جميع الأجهزة في المبنى عند نهاية اليوم
هذا يعزز كفاءة الإدارة عن بُعد؛ فإعادة تشغيل 30 جهاز كمبيوتر تتطلب نفس الجهد المبذول لإعادة تشغيل جهاز واحد.
When Remote Control Helps Most
Remote device control is useful in many situations, but some scenarios show its value most clearly:
Remote troubleshooting
When a user reports a problem, remote restart is often the first step:
1. بلاغ المستخدم: "الكمبيوتر في الغرفة 204 لا يعمل بشكل صحيح"
2. يمكنك التحقق من حالة الجهاز في Faronics Cloud - ستجده متصلاً بالإنترنت وفي وضع التجميد (frozen)
3. إصدار أمر بإعادة التشغيل عن بُعد
4. The computer reboots and restores to its baseline
5. تحقق من عودته للعمل وكونه مجمداً
6. تم حل المشكلة - لا حاجة لزيارة ميدانية
For Deep Freeze-protected machines, a remote restart often is the fix, not just a diagnostic step. Whatever was wrong is cleared by the reboot.
Preparing devices for use
Ensure devices are ready before users arrive:
Restart all exam room computers to guarantee clean, consistent state. Every machine starts fresh with identical configuration.
Restart training room PCs to clear any residue from previous sessions.
Libraries or public computing centres can restart all public PCs before doors open, ensuring every machine is in known-good state.
After-hours management
Handle issues without being on-site:
Wake devices, trigger maintenance actions, verify completion - all from home.
Issue reported after hours? Restart the device remotely. If that resolves it, no need to go in.
أكد من إيقاف تشغيل جميع الأجهزة بشكل صحيح حتى لو كنت خارج المبنى.
Multi-site management
عندما تكون مسؤولاً عن الأجهزة في مواقع متعددة:
• Manage all sites from one console
• Issue commands to any device, any location
• No driving between sites for routine tasks
• Handle urgent issues at remote sites immediately
A multi-academy trust IT team can manage computers across all schools from a central location. A library system can manage branches across a county. Geography stops being a barrier.
Energy and cost management
Remote power control supports energy efficiency:
Ensure devices aren't running overnight or during holidays when they shouldn't be.
Keep devices asleep until actually needed, then wake them for use or maintenance.
Check which devices are running and shut down any that shouldn't be.
Avoiding On-Site Visits
لكل زيارة ميدانية تكلفة: وقت السفر، والانقطاع عن الأعمال الأخرى، واستهلاك المركبات عند التنقل بين المواقع. يقلل التحكم عن بُعد هذه الزيارات بشكل كبير:
Tasks that no longer require a visit
Remote restart - if it fixes it, you're done
إعادة تشغيل عن بُعد
Remote restart restores baseline
Remote shutdown
Remote restart all devices
Check status, restart any that show issues
تحديث السياسة، فرض تسجيل الدخول، إعادة التشغيل إذا لزم الأمر
What still requires a physical visit
Remote control doesn't eliminate all visits - some things need hands-on attention:
Dead drives, broken screens, failed power supplies
If a device can't reach Faronics Cloud, you can't control it remotely
Devices that won't power on (and WoL isn't working)
New device installation, cable management, peripheral setup
المشكلات التي تستمر بعد إعادة التشغيل (نادرة الحدوث مع Deep Freeze، ولكنها ممكنة إذا كانت نقطة الأصل نفسها تحتوي على مشكلات)
The goal isn't zero visits - it's eliminating unnecessary visits. Many "computer problem" calls become remote restarts rather than physical trips.
Decision framework: remote first
عند الإبلاغ عن مشكلة، ابدأ بالخيارات عن بُعد:
1. Is the device online? What state is it in?
2. For most issues, this is the first response
3. Did the device come back online? Is it in the expected state?
هل تم حل المشكلة؟
5. If remote actions don't resolve it, then go on-site
This approach resolves many issues in minutes rather than requiring a trip that might take an hour including travel time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if someone is using the computer when I restart it?
تتم عملية إعادة التشغيل تلقائياً دون ظهور رسالة تأكيد للمستخدم "هل أنت متأكد؟". لذا، فإن أفضل الممارسات هي التحقق من عدم وجود أي شخص يستخدم الجهاز قبل البدء في إعادة التشغيل، أو التواصل مع الموظفين الموجودين في الموقع. وبالنسبة لعمليات إعادة التشغيل المجدولة (مثل تلك التي تسبق الامتحانات)، يجب التأكد من إبلاغ الجميع بالتوقيت بوضوح لضمان خلو الأجهزة من المستخدمين.
How quickly do remote commands execute?
عادةً ما يتم تنفيذ الأوامر خلال ثوانٍ إلى دقائق. يحتاج الجهاز إلى استلام الأمر خلال عملية التحقق التالية (check-in). إذا كنت بحاجة إلى إجراء فوري، فقم بفرض عملية التحقق أولاً. قد تؤثر ظروف الشبكة وحالة الجهاز على التوقيت.
Can I schedule remote actions?
Yes. Maintenance windows schedule thaw/freeze cycles automatically. You can also schedule restarts and other actions for specific times - useful for "restart all library computers at 6 AM before opening."
What happens if a remote restart fails?
The console shows command status. If a restart doesn't complete successfully, you'll see the device isn't responding or hasn't come back online. This usually indicates a deeper issue - hardware problem, network issue, or a device that's already powered off - that may require a physical visit.
هل يمكن للإجراءات عن بُعد أن تعمل عبر الإنترنت، أم أنها تقتصر على الشبكة المحلية فقط؟
Restart, shutdown, freeze/thaw, and check-in commands work over the internet - they go through Faronics Cloud. Wake-on-LAN is more complex; it works best on local networks and requires additional configuration for remote wake across the internet.
The Bottom Line: Control Without Walking
Faronics Cloud puts essential device controls at your fingertips. Restart computers to resolve issues and restore baselines. Shut down devices that should be off. Wake machines for maintenance. Control Deep Freeze state. Do all of this from wherever you are, for devices wherever they are.
The practical impact: fewer trips to physically touch machines, faster resolution of reported problems, and the ability to manage devices after hours without being on-site. For IT teams managing distributed devices - across buildings, campuses, or regions - this transforms what's possible.
Start with remote control. Visit only when you must. That's efficient device management.
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