Installing Kiwi CatTools NG as an application or a service

During the installation of Kiwi CatTools, you have the option of installing the program as either an application or as a service.

• Application installs CatTools as a typical Windows software application, requiring you to log in to Windows before running the program.
• Service installs CatTools as a Windows software service, allowing the program to run without the need for you to log in to Windows.
  • This option also installs the CatTools Manager which is used to control the service.

Install Kiwi CatTools NG as an application

The application version installs KCT NG as an application, requiring a user to log in to Windows before opening the program.

Installing CatTools as an application is recommended if you need to run one-off or attended Activities. This option is also recommended for infrequent or part-time users who are running KCT NG on their own personal computers.

Install Kiwi CatTools NG as a service

The Service version installs KCT NG as a Windows service, allowing the program to run without the need to log in to Windows. This option also installs the Kiwi CatTools NG Manager, which is used to manage your device activities and activity schedules.

You can interact with the KCT NG service using the Kiwi CatTools NG Manager, which can be thought of as the GUI for the service.

When using the service version of KCT NG, it is important that you run the program as an account with administrator privileges to perform the tasks necessary for KCT NG to operate.

SolarWinds recommends the service installation to Enterprise customers, as well as anyone running unattended activities, who need to make use of around-the-clock scheduling, or who are dedicating a machine specifically for KCT NG to run on.

What is a service?

A service is a program that runs in the background and interacts with a machine according to different rules from a standard application. A standard application is able to run according to the limitations of the user who is logged in at the time. A service by default runs under a local system account, which normally has many restrictions in terms of file permissions.

A service runs when a system is powered on and does not require a user to be logged in to the machine to execute.

Install Kiwi CatTools NG on a virtual machine

KCT NG can run on a virtual machine, but may require you to adjust the setup of the VM.

You can configure your virtual machines to use multiple virtual CPUs, based on the number of physical CPUs you have on your server. However, KCT NG spawns multiple clients and this can slow down the operation of KCT NG while the virtual machine waits for your physical processors to become free simultaneously.

For best results, you should ensure there is only one virtual CPU configured for each virtual machine.