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Connect the clinic's computers

Each computer joins the server once with a join code, then staff sign in with their own accounts.

Get a join code​

An admin can issue a code from any computer already joined, in Settings > Computers > Get a join code (give the computer a name, such as "Reception"). Or on the server:

sudo nalamdesk-server join-code --name "Reception"                    # .deb
docker compose exec nalamdesk nalamdesk-server join-code --name "Reception"   # Docker
nalamdesk-server join-code --name "Reception"                         # Windows, as administrator

A code works once, for 15 minutes (--minutes N for longer, up to a day). It also carries part of the server's certificate fingerprint, so the computer can tell it reached the right server. The server must have started once before it can issue codes.

Join with the NalamDesk app​

  1. Install the NalamDesk app on the computer, as for a single computer.
  2. On the welcome screen, under Your clinic or hospital runs a NalamDesk Server?, choose Connect this computer to it.
  3. Enter the Server address (for example nalamdesk.myclinic.in or 192.168.1.20:3000), the Join code and a Name for this computer.
  4. Click Connect. NalamDesk restarts and shows the sign-in screen.

The computer keeps no patient records, backups or keys. It stores only the server's address, its certificate and its own credential, sealed with the operating system's keychain. Printing still happens on the computer, and the app keeps updating itself. A computer that already holds a single-computer clinic cannot join; move that clinic onto the server first (see Backups and restore).

To take a computer off the server, choose Disconnect this computer on the sign-in screen. It restarts as a fresh install.

Join with a web browser​

Open https://<server address> in Chrome, Edge or Firefox. The first time, the sign-in page asks for a join code; after that the browser signs in like the app. Each browser tab has its own session.

When the server cannot be reached​

Joined computers do not work offline. If the server is unreachable, a banner says so and NalamDesk reconnects by itself as soon as it can. If the server and the computer are on different versions, the banner says which one needs to be upgraded.

See and remove computers​

Settings > Computers lists every joined computer with when it joined and when it was last seen. Remove signs it out at once and stops it from connecting again. Use it for a lost, stolen or retired computer. On the server, nalamdesk-server devices list and nalamdesk-server devices revoke <id> do the same.

What admins can do from any computer​

Signed in as an admin on a joined computer, you can manage users, facilities, catalogs, Cloud pairing and ABDM, see backup health and the list of server backups, and run a backup now. Restoring a backup is done on the server itself (see Backups and restore).