Master Computer Preparation

ISL AlwaysOn will work in environments where computer cloning is performed, allowing access to cloned computers once they get online. For clones to work correctly (cloned computer appears in the list of available computers) the master computer has to be set up correctly before being cloned.

Standard Clone (perform on: Master Computer)

• Install ISL AlwaysOn on the Master computer
  • Grant access to the computer to all desired users and groups (specified users will have access to cloned computers)
  • Make all the necessary changes to the settings and configuration    
• Stop ISL AlwaysOn service
  • Windows: Open "Command Prompt" and type "net stop isl_always_on"
• Close any open ISL AlwaysOn windows and dialogues
• Delete the following registry key:
  • Windows 64bit: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn\uid
  • Windows: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn\uid 
• Create the following registry key (name: _ghost_, type: binary content, value: 01)
  • Windows 64bit:  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn\_ghost_
  • Windows: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn\uid\_ghost_
• Shut down the computer
  • Important: Do not turn on the master computer before you clone it, as new identifiers will be generated and you will have to perform the preparation steps again
• Clone the computer

VDI Clone (perform on: Master Computer)

• Install ISL AlwaysOn on the Master computer, use the plain installer without grant blob (https://server_address/download/ISLAlwaysOn)
  • Make all the necessary changes to the settings and configuration
• Stop ISL AlwaysOn service
  • Windows: Open "Command Prompt" and type "net stop isl_always_on"
• Close any open ISL AlwaysOn windows and dialogues
• Delete the following registry key (if present):
  • Windows 64bit: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn\uid
  • Windows: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn\uid 
• Create the following registry key (name: constant_uid, type: string content, value: true)
  • Windows 64bit:  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn\constant_uid
  • Windows: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn\constant_uid
• Create the following registry key (name: password, type: binary value, value: MD5 hash of the selected password)
  • Windows 64bit:  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn\password
  • Windows: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn\password
• Create the following registry key (name: 1, type: string content, value: URL decoded grant blob)
  • Windows 64bit:  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn\grant\1
  • Windows: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn\grant\1
• Shut down the computer
  • Important: Do not turn on the master computer before you clone it, as new identifiers will be generated and you will have to perform the preparation steps again
• Clone the computer

Registry file example (Windows 64bit):

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn]
"uid"=-
"constant_uid"="true"
"password"=<hex_md5>

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn\grant]
"1"="<URL_decoded_grant_blob>"

Fixing Cloned Computer with incorrect UID (perform on: Cloned Computer)

Most common issue that happens during cloning is that the master computer is not prepared according to the instructions above and the cloned computers end up with the same UID. ISL AlwaysOn is then unable to differentiate among different computers meaning you will not know which clone you connected to, once the session is established. 

Follow the steps below to generate new UID on the cloned computer:

• Stop ISL AlwaysOn service
  • Windows: Open "Command Prompt" and type "net stop isl_always_on"
• Close any open ISL AlwaysOn windows and dialogues
• Delete the following registry key:
  • Windows 64bit: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn\uid
  • Windows: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn\uid
• Create the following registry key (name: _ghost_, type: binary content, value: 01)
  • Windows 64bit:  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn\_ghost_
  • Windows: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn\uid\_ghost_
• Start ISL AlwaysOn service
  • Windows: Open "Command Prompt" and type "net start isl_always_on"

Once ISL AlwaysOn starts a new UID will be generated.

Note: You can use the following registry file which modifies the registry keys for you. This is useful if you have created a large number of cloned computers that you need to fix:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\ISL Online\ISL AlwaysOn]
"uid"=-
"_ghost_"="01"