Cloud Administrator Console
Any modern web browser on Mac, Windows, etc. We test with Safari, Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge.
Launchpad Mac or Windows PC
Both Mac and Windows may be used for the client-side “Launchpad.” Macs running macOS 10.13 will benefit from Network Tethering and App Caching built into the operating system.
Mac
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Mac OS 11 Big Sur or higher | Mac OS 11 Big Sur or higher |
Starting Jan 2023, we support only 2 years of macOS versions |
||
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB+ |
| Drive Capacity | 20 GB | 20 GB+ |
| Drive Technology | Any* | Fusion Drive or SSD |
Windows
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | PC Intel Core-Series or equivalent | |
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
Starting Jan 2023, we support only 2 years of Windows versions |
||
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB+ |
| .Net version | 3.5 | 4.5+ |
| iTunes version | 12.5 (installed or via MSI installation) | 12.5+ |
| Drive Capacity | 20 GB | 20 GB+ |
| Drive Technology | Any* | SSD |
Important! Certain Windows PC USB chipsets limit how many devices can be recognized at once. This may be a limit of the physical hardware itself. Please test your model thoroughly before selecting a PC to be used as Launchpad, especially if connecting more than one USB smart hub.
* When provisioning many devices simultaneously, GroundControl’s performance will be greatly limited by a spinning hard drive. We strongly recommend solid state disks or flash drives in your PCs. Spinning disks may cause slowness, performance issues, and failures due to timing problems.
Network
GroundControl uses HTTPS (port 443) for all communication between the Launchpad and the Cloud Administrator Console. After initial registration, the Launchpad switches to Secure WebSockets (also port 443) for asynchronous bi-directional messaging.
Firewalls must support Secure WebSockets. A common firewall feature is to force close any sockets that remain open for a long period of time, but this will cause GroundControl to lose the client-server connection.
Additionally, Apple products on enterprise networks typically require specific hosts and ports to be open. Here is Apple’s documentation on the use of Apple products on enterprise networks.
| Source | Destination | Protocol | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launchpad | *.groundctl.com | HTTPS/443 and WSS/443 | Server communication |
| Launchpad | groundcontrol-prod.s3.amazonaws.com | HTTPS/443 | Asset downloads |
| Launchpad | albert.apple.com gs.apple.com appldnld.apple.com secure-appldnld.apple.com | HTTPS/443 | Apple device activation & IPSW downloads |
| Launchpad | *.bugsplatsoftware.com | HTTPS/443 | Crash reporting |
| Launchpad | Imprivata appliance | HTTPS/443 | Identify look up during Checkout (if used) |
| Device | groundctl.com | HTTPS/443 | Checkout (if used) |
| Device | Imprivata appliance | HTTPS/443 | Identify look up during Checkout (if used) |
| Device | *.push.apple.com | TCP Ports: 443, 80, 5223, 2197 | Checkout (if used) |
| groundctl.com 52.21.126.154 52.20.201.34 | Your MDM Server | HTTPS/443 | MDM API requests (if used) |
Proxy Support
GroundControl has limited support for proxies:
- Proxies must be configured in the Launchpad app during initial registration
- Only unauthenticated proxies are supported
- Authenticated proxies and PAC files are not supported
- System proxy settings are ignored
USB Hubs and Carts
USB hubs vary wildly in quality. GroundControl recommends a very limited number of hubs and carts from trusted manufacturers.
- Imprivata Bretford PowerSync Pro v2 and PowerSync Plus.
- Datamation UniDock, and U-Series Sync & Charge hubs and related carts. Datamation trays are not supported.
- Cambrionix ThunderSync.
Poor-quality electronics will display intermittent errors during restores and iOS updates.
We are working to expand this list as we work with additional manufacturers. Reach out to us if you would like our help to qualify (or disqualify!) hubs from other manufacturers.
Devices
GroundControl supports Apple iOS devices only. Only factory-reset devices are supported.
- Minimum iPhone 4S, iPad 2, iPod Touch 5
- The most recent 2 years of iOS updates