How To Enable Automatic Logon

Technical Note 2117

Last Reviewed 5-Mar-2008
Applies To
NetMotion Mobility Client, version 3.5 and higher
Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows CE
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Summary

NetMotion Mobility Client supports automated user account logon ("auto logon") when the operating system is properly configured for this feature. This technical note explains how to enable this feature.

Background

Microsoft desktop operating systems support automatic user logon when the system is started. This may be appropriate for network environments where devices are physically secured and user authentication is accomplished by other means. For more information and cautions about using automatic logons, please see http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q310/5/84.ASP.

NetMotion Mobility Client uses the automated logon credentials instead of prompting the user. In this configuration, Mobility data encryption security is retained.

Configuring Windows 2000 or XP for Auto Logon

Note: Automatic logon must be enabled by editing the registry. The Mobility XE client will not recognize automatic logon when it is enabled using the Windows Users and Passwords/User Accounts control panel.

To configure automatic logon for Windows 2000/XP and the NetMotion Mobility XE Client:

1. Log into the account that you wish to enable for automatic logon. If you have created a new account, you must log into the account at least once.

2. Run the Windows Registry Editor (RegEdit.exe or RegEdt32.exe) and open the following subkey:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

3. Create and/or edit the following string (REG_SZ) value names with the appropriate values as described below.

   DefaultUserName: account user name
   DefaultPassword: account password
   DefaultDomainName: account domain, or Mobility server machine name (if not using domains)
   AutoAdminLogon: set this value to 1

When you make these changes and restart the system, Windows 2000/XP and NetMotion Mobility will both log on automatically.

Configuring Windows CE for Auto Logon

There are two options for enabling Mobility auto logon for Windows CE/Pocket PC devices. Both methods apply to NetMotion Mobility Client for Windows CE, version 5.01 and higher.

Method 1: Enter auto logon credentials in the registry

Use this method when you want to preconfigure a device with the auto logon settings. You can do this by either editing the registry, or using an INI file to install the Mobility client:

• Use a registry editor to manually enter auto logon settings (for a list of editors for Windows CE, see Technical Note 2115 for a recommendation and note of caution):

  1. Open the following subkey:

     HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\NetMotion\Mobility Client

  2. Create the values detailed in step 3 (above) for Configuring Windows 2000 or XP for Auto Logon.

• Use an INI file when installing the Mobility Client. For more information on using an INI file, see "Customizing Mobility Client Installation on Windows CE" in the System Administrator Guide, or locate Nmceoptions.ini on your product CD (comments in the file explain how to modify the default settings).

Method 2: Allow users to cache passwords

Use this method when a user connects to the Mobility server using his own credentials and you want to allow him the option to save his password on the device.

Instructions:

1. Display the advanced client settings (here's how).

2. Change the following setting, depending on your version of Mobility:

   • 5.01 Mobility server: set Security allow saved credentials to "1"

   • Mobility XE server (6.00 and higher): turn on Authentication—Allow saved passwords for CE devices

Related Information

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