Networking is done using the TCP/IP protocol on a local area network (LAN). An existing network is required.

Server configuration

You will need to pick one computer as the server for the clients to connect to. It can be any computer on the network. This computer will need to be running all of the time — if it is not, the clients will not be able to log in.

After installing WatchDog on this computer, follow these steps to enable the WatchDog server:

1. In the left navigation bar of the WatchDog screen, click on Options.
2. Open the Networking tab.
3. Check the Use networking checkbox and select that This computer is a Server.
4. Press OK to save your settings.

To successfully configure a WatchDog client computer, you will need to find out the IP address of the WatchDog server. You can do so by following these steps:

1. On the WatchDog Server, click on the Start button and Run…
2. In the little window that comes up, type in cmd and press Enter
3. In the black window that comes up, type ipconfig and press Enter
4. Write down the IP address (e.g. 192.168.0.2)

Client configuration

The clients do not need to be configured anywhere except their network settings. All other options, users and settings will be pulled from the server on startup. Additionally, settings changes on any of the computers will be sent to all clients.

After installing WatchDog on a client computer, follow these steps to enable the WatchDog Networking:

1. In the left navigation bar of the WatchDog screen, click on Options.
2. Open the Networking tab.
3. Check the Use networking checkbox and select that This computer is a Client.
4. Enter the IP address of the computer you configured as WatchDog Server. (instructions on how to find out the IP address are above).
5. You should enter a ‘networking password’ in the Password field so that in the event that WatchDog server is unavailable, you as an administrator will still be able to access the computer. (The default networking password is watchdog)
6. Press OK to save your settings.

(Click on image to enlarge)

Firewall Configuration

In order for Networking to work, every computer running WatchDog as client has to be able to connect to the computer running WatchDog as server and vice versa. This cannot happen if a firewall is blocking the network communication.

Windows XP with latest security updates installed has firewall turned on by default and in order to use networking you will need to open port 1201 on all computers running WatchDog. You can do so by following these steps:

1. Open the Windows’ Control Panel (clicking on “Start” button and “Control Panel,” or “Start,” “Settings,” and “Control Panel”)
2. Open the Windows Firewall (double-clicking on “Windows Firewall,” or clicking on “Security Settings,” and “Windows Firewall”)
3. Make sure that if the Firewall is on, that the “Don’t allow exceptions” is NOT checked
   (Click on image to enlarge)
   
4. In the “Exceptions” tab, click on “Add Port”
5. Give the port some descriptive name (e.g. WatchDog Networking), enter port number 1201 of the TCP type and click “OK” to save settings in both screens.
   

Additional Information

Each user can only be logged in on one computer.

Whenever the client is disconnected, WatchDog tries to reconnect to the server. If it is unsuccessful, the user will have the option to close WatchDog (using the networking password) or try connecting again.

The server can support an unlimited amount of users.

You can see who all is logged in at any given time in this screen.