AgentP working and installation modes

In this topic, you will learn about the three working modes and the two installation modes of AgentP.

AgentP working modes

AgentP can work in three different modes:

  • Single-user mode: This mode is primarily for computers that are meant for a single user, such as personal laptops. Every new user that logs in to the computer must onboard AgentP manually.

    This is the default running mode if at least one of the following conditions is true:

    • The device uses an operating system other than Windows.
    • Portnox Cloud is integrated with an authentication repository other than Microsoft Azure (Entra ID) or Active Directory.
    • Your tenant was created before March 18, 2024 and you did not request it to be upgraded.

  • Multi-user mode: In this mode, AgentP recognizes the identity of the user who is currently logged in to the computer, and authenticates that user with the network. If the user logs out and another user logs in, AgentP identifies the newly logged in user.

    This is the default running mode if all of the following conditions are true:

    • The device uses Windows 10 or later.
    • Portnox Cloud is integrated with Microsoft Azure (Entra ID) or Active Directory as the authentication repository.
    • Your tenant was created after March 18, 2024 or created earlier and upgraded.

  • Kiosk mode: In this mode, AgentP does not identify any users, but identifies the device only. This mode is for computers such as kiosks.

    You must manually activate the kiosk mode.

    This can be the running mode if all of the following conditions are true:

    • The device uses Windows 10 or later.
    • Portnox Cloud is integrated with Microsoft Azure (Entra ID) or Active Directory as the authentication repository.
    • You manually activated the kiosk mode.

To learn more about these modes and how they use certificates, see the following topic: AgentP and certificates.

AgentP installation modes

AgentP can be installed in two different modes:

  • Interactive mode: In this mode, AgentP shows the onboarding screen, where the user has to manually select the correct repository and use single sign-on to onboard, or enter their user credentials.

  • Unattended mode: In this mode, AgentP does not show the onboarding screen or shows it briefly for information purposes. The user is automatically onboarded on the basis of their Azure (Entra ID) or Active Directory account. This mode is not available for other repositories.

To learn how to install AgentP in unattended mode, see the following topic: Onboard Windows devices with AgentP in unattended or kiosk mode.