Configure laptops for remote office deployment without domain join

draft · accounts-and-access domain-joinlogmeinvpn

Generated by docuprocessor (prompt article/v3) · 2026-04-22 11:10

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thread_id: spaces/AAAA05BdS6s/threads/e0QZqVen4Tk · 27 msgs · first 2024-09-18 · participants: Tech ATech B

Tech A 2024-09-18 19:45

Hey guys, I received this email from Brian. They need to setup 3 laptops. I see that the email from phil says User Account assigned, should I add this laptops to the domain then? Or just create a local user with the same name and password?

image/png image.png

This is an email (not technical equipment imagery) containing a laptop setup checklist for Dell Refurbished Order **#U1237464**, dated September 3, 2024. The email lists standard software configurations including **Windows with PDS-Admin01/Pds@10901$**, **Office 2019 Pro Plus (10 license keys)**, **Kofax PDS Pro Stnd ($75/user perpetual)**, and **WatchGuard VPN**. A highlighted section specifies DHT-assigned tasks including **LogMeIn, User Account, DHT Admin account, VPN Credentials (WS1, WS2, DC1), VPN testing on Verizon Hotspot, and RDP setup to TSVR2 & TS in Colo**.

Tech B 2024-09-18 20:04

we do not join laptops to the domian unless its a LT that is being used as a stationary PC.

Tech B 2024-09-18 20:04

every PC has to have DHT local admin account

Tech A 2024-09-18 20:05

Got it, I know but I was asking because I saw an older email from Phil asking to add the laptop to the "workgroup" pdsmgmt, not sure if he was referring to the domain

image/png image.png

The image shows a text-based instruction document outlining laptop setup requirements. Key items visible include email aliases (ClaudiaV@pdsmgmt.com forwarded to ommonsey@pdsmgmt.com, AstrisV@pdsmgmt.com forwarded to omvalleystream@pdsmgmt.com), LogMeIn tracking labels "PDS HQ Claudis-LT" and "PDS HQ Astris-LT," and a six-step checklist requiring PDSMGMT workgroup configuration, Windows Updates (Install ALL), Java AutoUpdate, and Google Chrome installation. Several terms are highlighted in yellow: "install," "setup," "laptop setups," "setups," "Setup," "PDS" (×2), "Install" (×2).

Tech B 2024-09-18 20:06

Phil talks TOO MUCH, 50% of what he says doe snot make any sense

Tech B 2024-09-18 20:06

we would need to know who is going to be using which laptop and name them accordingly, as well as install Logmein on them

Tech A 2024-09-18 20:06

Yeah I already have that

Tech A 2024-09-18 20:07

Good then, thanks!

Tech B 2024-09-18 20:07

then we would need to setup VPN accounts etc.

Tech B 2024-09-18 20:07

also, I would like these types of requests to be used as training for our newly joined techs

Tech B 2024-09-18 20:07

how far are you with this?

Tech A 2024-09-18 20:08

just installed LMI

Tech B 2024-09-18 20:08

on all 3?

Tech A 2024-09-18 20:08

On 2 computers - 3rd one they need to tell me where it will go and who will use it

Tech B 2024-09-18 20:09

ok. Plz have them keep these LTs turned on and let us know once you are done with LMI. I will have someone else work on this

Tech A 2024-09-18 20:21

This 2 are ready to go, LMI is installed, I'm still waiting for the other one

image/png image.png

The screen displays two entries in a list interface, both labeled **PDS** and assigned to **[Default Group]**. The first entry reads **AVE U - OM01** with identifier **AVEU-OM01**; the second reads **KINGSTON - KING-OM01** with identifier **KING-OM01**. Both entries appear highlighted in yellow/green text against a white background, with the **OM01** suffix portion emphasized in a darker color.

Tech A 2024-09-18 20:22

(Default group should be changed)

Tech B 2024-09-18 20:22

Thank you. FYI, we usually give LTs names of the person that use it

Tech B 2024-09-18 20:23

see Valley Stream

Tech A 2024-09-18 20:26

PDS AVEU - OM1 Elaine will use it PDS KINGSTON - OM01 Missy will use it

Tech A 2024-09-18 20:26

Yeah I was not sure because of this 🫤

image/png image.png

The image shows a computer management console listing PDS-prefixed computer assets with their health status, status icons, computer names, and hostnames. Health indicators include red circles with exclamation marks (critical), yellow triangles with exclamation marks (warning), and green checkmarks (healthy). Three entries are highlighted with red boxes: **ALB-LAPTOP1**, **JESS LT**, and **WENDY LT**, all showing gray monitor icons (indicating offline/inactive status) and red critical health indicators, with hostnames **ALB-LAPTOP1**, **JESS-LT**, and **Wendy-LT** respectively — notably lacking the `.pdsmgmt.local` domain suffix present on other entries.

Tech B 2024-09-18 20:27

Jess - is Jessica -Albany's OM Wendy is Wendy, Albany's AOM 🙂

Tech A 2024-09-18 20:27

Yeah but there's one that's ALB-laptop

Tech A 2024-09-18 20:27

alb laptop is laptop? x)

Tech A 2024-09-18 20:28

but yeah anyways, will know for the next time

Tech B 2024-09-18 20:28

ALB-LAPTOP was setup by me as a temp because Brian didnot know who would use it and as you can see, it never went to anyone

Tech B 2024-09-19 13:56

@Ali Morales can you please call Brian @ PDS HQ and ask him to turn on the laptops prepared for Ave U and Kingston? Once you see them online, please login to both of them via Logmein (you can ask Josue which credentials to use), then call me so I can show you how to set it up

---
title: "Configure laptops for remote office deployment without domain join"
category: accounts-and-access
tags: ["domain-join", "logmein", "vpn"]
source_thread_id: "spaces/AAAA05BdS6s/threads/e0QZqVen4Tk"
source_space: "spaces/AAAA05BdS6s"
generated_at: "2026-04-22T11:10:42"
participants: ["Tech A", "Tech B"]
---

# Configure laptops for remote office deployment without domain join

## Problem
Confusion arose during laptop setup for remote offices regarding whether laptops should be joined to the PDSMGMT domain or configured as workgroup machines. An older email referenced adding laptops to "workgroup pdsmgmt" which created uncertainty about domain membership requirements. Three Dell refurbished laptops needed configuration for deployment to Ave U and Kingston offices, with standard software including Office 2019 Pro Plus, Kofax PDS Pro, WatchGuard VPN, and LogMeIn remote access.

## Resolution
1. Do not join laptops to the domain unless the laptop will be used as a stationary PC
2. Configure laptops as workgroup machines with local user accounts
3. Create DHT local admin account on every laptop
4. Install LogMeIn with descriptive naming convention using the person's name who will use the laptop (e.g., "PDS AVEU - [User Name]" instead of generic location-based names)
5. Move LogMeIn entries from Default Group to appropriate organizational groups
6. Configure VPN accounts and credentials for remote access
7. Set up RDP connections to required servers (TSVR2 and TS in Colo)
8. Test VPN connectivity using Verizon Hotspot before deployment
9. Ensure laptops remain powered on during remote configuration process

## References
- Source discussion: `spaces/AAAA05BdS6s/threads/e0QZqVen4Tk`
- Attachments:
  - ![image.png](../attachments/e0QZqVen4Tk.Gk8pCjGOins/image.png) — The image shows a text-based instruction document outlining laptop setup requirements. Key items visible include email aliases (ClaudiaV@pdsmgmt.com forwarded to ommonsey@pdsmgmt.com, AstrisV@pdsmgmt.com forwarded to omvalleystream@pdsmgmt.com), LogMeIn tracking labels "PDS HQ Claudis-LT" and "PDS HQ Astris-LT," and a six-step checklist requiring PDSMGMT workgroup configuration, Windows Updates (Install ALL), Java AutoUpdate, and Google Chrome installation. Several terms are highlighted in yellow: "install," "setup," "laptop setups," "setups," "Setup," "PDS" (×2), "Install" (×2).
  - ![image.png](../attachments/e0QZqVen4Tk.e0QZqVen4Tk/image.png) — This is an email (not technical equipment imagery) containing a laptop setup checklist for Dell Refurbished Order **#U1237464**, dated September 3, 2024. The email lists standard software configurations including **Windows with PDS-Admin01/Pds@10901$**, **Office 2019 Pro Plus (10 license keys)**, **Kofax PDS Pro Stnd ($75/user perpetual)**, and **WatchGuard VPN**. A highlighted section specifies DHT-assigned tasks including **LogMeIn, User Account, DHT Admin account, VPN Credentials (WS1, WS2, DC1), VPN testing on Verizon Hotspot, and RDP setup to TSVR2 & TS in Colo**.
  - ![image.png](../attachments/e0QZqVen4Tk.mdrANrRkCjw/image.png) — The image shows a computer management console listing PDS-prefixed computer assets with their health status, status icons, computer names, and hostnames. Health indicators include red circles with exclamation marks (critical), yellow triangles with exclamation marks (warning), and green checkmarks (healthy). Three entries are highlighted with red boxes: **ALB-LAPTOP1**, **JESS LT**, and **WENDY LT**, all showing gray monitor icons (indicating offline/inactive status) and red critical health indicators, with hostnames **ALB-LAPTOP1**, **JESS-LT**, and **Wendy-LT** respectively — notably lacking the `.pdsmgmt.local` domain suffix present on other entries.
  - ![image.png](../attachments/e0QZqVen4Tk.w-FchmW2Yac/image.png) — The screen displays two entries in a list interface, both labeled **PDS** and assigned to **[Default Group]**. The first entry reads **AVE U - OM01** with identifier **AVEU-OM01**; the second reads **KINGSTON - KING-OM01** with identifier **KING-OM01**. Both entries appear highlighted in yellow/green text against a white background, with the **OM01** suffix portion emphasized in a darker color.

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