MAWi Standalone - Quick Installation Guide - Utilizing Mini PCs or NUCs for your digital signage and Kiosks

MAWi Standalone - Quick Installation Guide - Utilizing Mini PCs or NUCs for your digital signage and Kiosks

MAWi Standalone - Quick Installation Guide


Introduction

MAWi Standalone is great for places with one or more TVs that want to show 4K content with dedicated audio and interactive features. Just connect a mini Windows PC to the TV, install the MAWi Agent software, and start it up.

To set it up:

1. Begin with the 'MAWi Server', which acts as the system's control center.
2. Next, add 'MAWi Agents' to the Mini PCs that are linked to the screens you wish to manage.


    




Notes

Please note


1. To download the MAWi installer click here


2. System specs for the Mini PC:
Intel Celeron or Atom or a similar AMD processor
4GB RAM
64GB Hard drive
Wired or wireless LAN connectivity

 


What to select when you begin installing MAWi:





For MAWi Standalone it's recommended to install the MAWi Server on a virtual machine or a PC that is located in a central location, and the MAWi Agent on the Mini PCs.

- Choose "Install MAWi Server only" when installing the server part of MAWi on a virtual machine or a physical PC.

- Choose "Install MAWi Agent only" when installing the agent on a Mini PC.

 

MAWi Agent installation guide


Notes
For the standalone installation, there is no need to install any additional drivers. Please the checkboxes unticked.
 
    


Use HTTPs Connection 
If you select to use this option, please read the information in this guide.

Additional components
By default, the MAWi Agent will be installed with the additional components:
 – VLC Media Player v3
– PowerPoint Viewer

Location name
You can name the agent according to its actual physical location or leave it blank and it will be name 'Untitled'.


Notes
You have the option to specify the location's name during installation or adjust it later in the MAWi Agent settings or in the Admin panel of MAWi > Manage System panel.


Enter here the IP address or hostname of your MAWi Server and leave the port number on 60668.




Once the installation is completed, you will see this Login screen:

Use your username and password credentials that you set while installing the MAWi Server to login the Agent.


Supported operating systems
Windows® 10/11 32 or 64bit, Server 2012/16/19/22
MAWi Agent can run on a PC or a virtual machine (VM) that is connected to one or more monitors.
The monitors can be connected directly or via a multi-display video card, LAN-based zero clients, Android-based devices, Thin Clients, or USB to HDMI adapters. 

Network
Gigabit Ethernet network is recommended for the connection between the MAWi Player and host PC. 
MAWi Agent Connects over the default port no. 60668 to MAWi Server. This port number can be changed.

CPU and RAM
Click here to see the  System Requirements



MAWi Server Installation Guide 


MAWi Server runs an IIS Web app and a database that is running over MS SQL Server.


Database

When selecting to install MAWi Server, it will check if the MS SQL Server is installed on the machine.

By default it will install the database on a LocalDB platform but if you untick this option, it will download and install the SQL Server 2019 Express version.

You can also select to install on a remote DB Server. Read more here



Use HTTPS
You can enable the connection to the MAWi Management console and MAWi agent over a secured SSL link. 

In the next step you will have to enter the username and password for the initial setup of the system:



Once the installation is completed, you will see the following page:




Supported operating systems

Windows® 10/11 64bit PRO or Enterprise, Server 2012 R2, Server 2016, Server 2019, Server 2022

The MAWi Server can be installed on a PC or a VM and can also reside on the same machine with MAWi Agent.

CPU

Intel Dual Core or AMD with similar capabilities. Core i5 of the latest generation is recommended.

If used on a virtual machine, assign at least 2 vCores.
Click here to see the System Hardware Guide

Network

Gigabit Ethernet network is recommended.

Communication with the server-side is done over port 60668

Communication with the client-side is done over port 60669

Those ports can be changed. 

Static IP is recommended.


Others

1. During the installation process, the installer will download the following components from the Internet:

– .NET Framework 3.5

– SQL Server 2022 Express or SQL LocalDB 2019

– Node JS v22

– IIS Express 10 or using the built-in IIS Server (In server based operating systems)

– Web Platform plugin

– Rewrite URL for IIS

–  Visual C++ Redistributable (32 and 64bit)

Offline installation

In case you wish to install the above components manually please read this guide.

2. In case you’ve installed MAWi Server on Windows 10/11 OS, IIS Express is also installed and running in the background at all times.

Notes
You need to make sure that this icon is running in your taskbar:

 




Connecting the Mini PCs to the MAWi Server host - Installation guide



MAWi Standalone uses standard Windows-based PCs as the endpoints that connect to the screens.

 

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of setting up and configuring your Mini PC to connect to the MAWi platform.


Step 1: Initial system requirement


Follow the steps in this guide:


Step 2: Setup your system

Once you have done the initial steps, the system is ready and connected to the MAWi server.
You should be able to control your screen and view it from the MAWi management console.

 


Now your system is ready. Please check our knowledge base on how to use the system.