In an environment where the ClickView Player for Mac OS X needs to be deployed, it is not desirable to have every end-user enter the DNS name or IP address of an institution's ClickView Publisher (Master) in order to connect to it.

This article outlines two methods of setting the ClickView Publisher Name/IP address on a network of computers running the ClickView Player for Mac OS X without requiring the intervention of end-users.

Using a DNS entry to direct the ClickView Player to ClickView Server [Recommended]

Upon initial startup, the ClickView Player for Mac OS X will search for a ClickView Server with a DNS name of "ClickView." In the event that a ClickView Server with this name cannot be found, users will need to manually enter the name or IP address of the ClickView Server when prompted.

By creating a DNS record with a name of "ClickView" and directing it to your ClickView Server, the Player will automatically connect to your institution's ClickView Server, removing the need for users to set this manually.

NOTE: To perform the following, access to your institution's DNS server will be required.

Step 1 - Accessing the DNS Manager

Within the Server Manager on the DNS server, run the DNS Manager via the Tools menu.

Step 2 - Locating your institution's DNS zone

Once the DNS Manager is running, navigate to the forward lookup zone for your institution. In the example below, the forward lookup zone is 'windoge.enterpises'.

Step 3 - Creating the DNS entry

Under your institution's lookup zone, right-click and select "New Alias (CNAME)..." to open the New Record window.

Within the New Record window, the following information will be required:

Alias name

The DNS name that you would like to redirect. In this field, enter "ClickView" as the value.

Fully qualified domain name for target host

The DNS name of the host that is running the ClickView Publisher. In the example below, the ClickView Server is hosted on "SERVER-01.windoge.enterprises."

Click OK to create the record. With the record created, all machines attempting to connect to "ClickView" will now be directed to your institution's ClickView Publisher.

Setting the ClickView Publisher (Master) IP Address using a Property List (.plist) file

WARNING: Editing property list files incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems that may require you to reinstall OS X to correct them. Apple does not guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of property list files can be solved. Edit these files at your own risk.

Step 1 - Downloading the .plist file

You can download the clickview.player.server.plist file by clicking here.

Step 2 - Editing the .plist file

Once the file has been downloaded, open it using a text editor. The file should contain the following:

Select the text in the area marked by <string> and </string> as shown below and replace it with the DNS name or IP address of your ClickView Publisher.

In the example below, the name of the ClickView Publisher is "CV-SERVER."

Once this change has been made, save and close the file.

Step 3 - Applying the .plist file

On the instance of Mac OS X that the Player has been deployed on, open a new Finder window.

Navigate to the System Preferences directory. In most instances, it will be found under "Macintosh HD > Library > Preferences," as shown below.

Move the newly edited clickview.player.server.plist file into this directory. If this file already exists within the directory, replace it.

NOTE: Administrative privileges will be required to make changes to this directory.

Once the .plist file has been successfully copied, the computer will need to be restarted for the changes to take effect.