Remote Installation Guide
Use this guide to install the Magnus Box backup app on many client devices through your RMM, without touching each machine. There are three ways to install silently. We recommend them in this order:
| Method | Credentials on device? | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Remote registration (lobby mode) | None | Most deployments |
| Installation token | Single-use token | Scripted per-device installs |
| Username/password | Plaintext in command | Legacy automation only |
Note: Replace https://YOUR-PORTAL-URL/ in the commands below with your Web Portal address. File names, paths and labels may show your own branding if you've white-labeled the app.
Method 1: Remote registration (lobby mode)
Install silently with the /LOBBY switch, then assign each device to a user from the Web Portal. No user passwords ever reach the device.
Download and install in one line (PowerShell):
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "https://YOUR-PORTAL-URL/dl/2" -OutFile "C:\install.exe"; Start-Process -FilePath "C:\install.exe" -ArgumentList "/S", "/LOBBY" -Wait
Command Prompt: install.exe /S /LOBBY
After the install, the device shows up with the status Unregistered on the Devices page of the Web Portal. Click Register on its row to assign it to a user. See Manage devices from the Devices page.
Notes:
- The lobby connection doesn't survive a restart of the backup app, so register devices soon after you deploy.
- To turn on remote registration for a device that already has the app, or to rejoin the lobby after a restart, run:
cd "C:\Program Files\Magnus Box"
backup-tool.exe login join-lobby https://YOUR-PORTAL-URL/
Method 2: Installation token (no password)
Create a single-use installation token with the AdminCreateInstallToken API call (see API Reference), then run:
install.exe /S /TOKEN=installtoken
This registers the device directly to the user without exposing the password in the command line.
Method 3: Username and password
install.exe /S /CONFIGURE=user:password
The username and password show up in plain text in your RMM's command history, so use method 1 or 2 where you can. If the login details were mistyped, enter them again with:
cd "C:\Program Files\Magnus Box"; echo "USER`nPASSWORD" | .\backup-tool.exe login prompt
This is PowerShell. Keep the `n between the username and the password.
Optional installer switches
/SHORTCUT=disable: don't create desktop or Start menu shortcuts/TRAYICON=disable: don't show the tray icon/SERVER="https://YOUR-PORTAL-URL/": set the Web Portal address the app logs in to/ISLOCALSYSTEM=yes: run thebackup.delegateservice as Local System
Windows .msi for Group Policy
The Download backup agent page also offers a Windows .msi package (64-bit Windows only). Use it if you deploy software with Group Policy (GPO). The installer switches above are for the .exe. If you need help with MSI command-line options, email support@magnusbox.com.
RMM deployment script (Windows)
$dlPath = "C:\TEMP"
$serverURL = "https://YOUR-PORTAL-URL"
if (-not (Test-Path $dlPath)) { mkdir $dlPath }
Set-Location $dlPath
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "$($serverURL)/dl/2" -OutFile install.exe
Start-Process -Wait .\install.exe -ArgumentList "/S /LOBBY /SERVER='$($serverURL)/'"
Remove-Item -Path ".\install.exe"
macOS remote deployment
Download the macOS package from the Download backup agent page (x86_64 for Intel Macs, Apple silicon for M-series Macs) and push it with your RMM or MDM. Then install it and join the lobby with a script like this:
#!/bin/bash
SERVERURL=https://YOUR-PORTAL-URL
BRANDNAME="Magnus Box"
PKG=/private/tmp/install.pkg # the package your RMM copied to the Mac
sudo /usr/sbin/installer -allowUntrusted -pkg "$PKG" -target /
"/Applications/$BRANDNAME.app/Contents/MacOS/backup-tool" login join-lobby "$SERVERURL/"
rm "$PKG"
Then register the Mac from the Devices page as in method 1. Macs also need Full Disk Access, which a silent install can't grant. Push a PPPC profile from your MDM to grant it. See Full Disk Access (macOS Installation).
Notes for white-labeled deployments
All paths, file names and download addresses follow your branding and Web Portal address. If you're not sure of the install path on a client device, check your branding settings or email support@magnusbox.com.