'Object reference' error in Inventory Beacon when configuring Data Source in Disconnected Mode

[#1]

Summary

After installing the Inventory Beacon to run in Disconnected Mode, you will receive an 'Object reference not set to an instance of an object' when attempting to add a new Data Source.

Symptoms

After installing the Inventory Beacon to run in Disconnected Mode, you will receive an 'Object reference not set to an instance of an object' when attempting to add a new Data Source:

************** Exception Text **************
System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at ManageSoft.Common.Presentation.MMC.ConnectionGridControl.GetAllServerNames()
at ManageSoft.Common.Presentation.MMC.ConnectionGridControl.DisplayNewSqlServerConnection()
at ManageSoft.Common.Presentation.MMC.ConnectionGridControl.newButton_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at DevExpress.XtraEditors.BaseButton.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at DevExpress.XtraEditors.DropDownButton.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at DevExpress.XtraEditors.BaseButton.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs e)
at DevExpress.XtraEditors.DropDownButton.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at DevExpress.Utils.Controls.ControlBase.WndProc(Message& m)
at DevExpress.XtraEditors.DropDownButton.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

Cause

This is caused by a bug in the Inventory Beacon software whereby a connection to FNMP must be configured before you can add a Data Source, even if the FNMP test connection fails.

Resolution

This has been filed as bug PA 79662 - Bug in IB when configuring Data Source in Disconnected Mode

Workaround

To workaroud this, the procedure should be as follows:

• Install the Inventory Beacon software (and any Patches/Service Packs)
• Manually copy the %ProgramData%\Flexera Software\Compliance\ImportProcedures\ from the FNMP Admin Server to the Inventory Beacon
• Open the Inventory Beacon application
• On the 'FlexNet Manager Platform' tab, make sure the 'Enable connections to FNMP' box is ticked
• Enter some connection details (URL, Username & Password), test the connection, and even if the connection fails, save the settings
• Un-tick the 'Enable connections to FNMP' box and again save the settings (to put the IB back in Disconnected Mode)
• Navigate to the 'Inventory Systems' tab
• You should now be able to add a new Data Source by clicking 'New'