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Chapter 2: Coalesce Deployment
2.8 Set Up Displays Near You
“Display Discovery” refers to the ability for a client device on the network to “discover” what displays are available for
connection, the display security setting, and if the display is in use. Although discovery may require some initial configuration, it
provides users with an intuitive and simple method of connecting to displays as they move throughout the enterprise.
2.8.1 No Discovery
Even with no discovery method configured, users can still connect to Coalesce displays on the network by entering the display’s IP
address into the connect screen of the client device.
Recommended for:
Networks that do not allow UDP broadcast. Users can open clients in their web browser by typing the IP address shown on the
screen. Without discovery enabled, users will be required to enter an IP address each time to connect.
How to Setup:
1. Make sure UDP broadcast is disabled by accessing the Coalesce configuration panel. To do so, browse to the Coalesce unit's IP
address when connected to the same network as the Coalesce and select “configure” in the bottom left corner of the screen.
The configuration panel settings can also be accessed from the Coalesce display by using a USB mouse connected to the
Coalesce and clicking the Coalesce icon in the bottom right corner of the display interface, then “System” and “Configure.”
2. On the Display tab, under the Naming and Discovery heading, uncheck the box labeled “Broadcast display name on the
network.”
3. Ensure the “Host IP Address” option is selected so users will see the display’s IP address on the display in the room in order to
connect (or you must provide users with the display’s IP address in some other way to enable connection).
2.8.2 The Black Box Recommended Method: Coalesce Directory Service (CDS)
Coalesce Directory Service (CDS) is a lightweight network application for display discovery, enabling client devices on the network
to “see” the Coalesce displays available for connection. CDS provides users the easiest method for display discovery and requires
only a simple, one-time setup on the network side. If the CDS IP address is set on your displays, when users launch their client
from a browser window, that client will also have the CDS address set. This means that once a user gets a client on your network,
they will now be able to see a list of all displays on the network for connection.
Recommended for:
Networks that do not allow UDP broadcast and networks that include switches or multiple subnets. Users enter the CDS IP
address one time only and subsequent use of the client will show all displays available for connection.
How to Setup:
1. Download the Coalesce Directory Service (CDS) software from the Black Box website: www.blackbox.com.
2. Install CDS on a Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 9, or Windows 10 machine—or a VM—on the same network as your
Coalesce units.
NOTE: CDS can serve Coalesce units on multiple/different subnets where necessary routes exist to all subnets for CDS traffic.
3. To point the Coalesce units to the CDS, first access the configuration panel for your Coalesce units by browsing to the Coalesce
units' IP addresses and selecting “configure.” The configuration panel settings can also be accessed from the Coalesce display
interface by clicking the Coalesce icon in the bottom right corner.
4. On the Display tab, under the Naming and Discovery heading, enter the IP address of the CDS computer in the field labeled
“Primary CDS host.”
5. If your network includes multiple subnets, open port 53200 and 53201 between them for discovery among the subnets.
6. USERS: Instruct users to enter the CDS IP address in the settings menu of the Coalesce app on their client devices. The CDS IP
address can be found under the Network tab > Naming and Discovery in the Coalesce unit's configuration panel.
