How to Control Backstage from a Web Browser (Remote UI)

Last updated 27 July 2026

How to Control Backstage from a Web Browser (Remote UI)

Access and operate a Backstage server from any device with a web browser — no client software required. The Remote UI streams the full Backstage application interface to your browser over the network, letting you interact with the server as if you were sitting in front of it.

The Remote UI is part of the System Management web console built into every BX Series server. You connect directly to a specific server by its IP address — there is no central server list or portal.

[USER-ACTION-REQUIRED: Attach a screenshot of the System Management sign-in page here]

Before you start

  • The Backstage server is powered on and connected to your network.
  • You know the server's IP address (the hostname, e.g. B8-2025-DEMO, is shown on the sign-in page).
  • You have a valid username and password for the server's System Management console.
  • You are using a modern web browser (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox recommended).
  • Your browser and the server are on the same network, or the server's address is reachable from your location.

Steps

1. Open the sign-in page

Enter the video server's IP address in your browser's address bar. On Windows, the server also appears in the Network section of File Explorer — double-click it there to open the sign-in page directly.

You will see a sign-in page branded with the Brainsalt wordmark, a blue SYSTEM MANAGEMENT label, and the server's hostname in bold (e.g. B8-2025-DEMO).

The console is served over plain HTTP (not HTTPS), so your browser shows a security warning the first time you open the address. This is expected on a trusted local network — continue past the warning to reach the sign-in page.

2. Sign in

Enter your Username and Password, then click Sign in.

Usernames are case-sensitive. Admin and admin are treated as different accounts.

3. Review the System Management console

After signing in, you land on the Overview page of the System Management console — not the Backstage application directly. The top navigation bar shows all available tabs:

Overview · Remote UI · Display Configuration · IP Configuration · VNC · File Transfer · BMC · Settings · Access

The top-right corner shows your signed-in user and role (e.g. “ADMIN (Administrator)”), a Password link to change your password, and a Sign out link.

The Overview page displays server hardware health: BMC status, port status, CPU and memory usage, and host power controls. You can confirm the server is healthy before opening the live UI.

[USER-ACTION-REQUIRED: Attach a screenshot of the System Management Overview page here]

4. Open the Remote UI

Click Remote UI in the top navigation bar. The full Backstage application interface streams to your browser as a live, interactive session — it looks and behaves exactly like the local Backstage interface. Use your mouse and keyboard to operate Backstage as you would on a display connected to the server.

[USER-ACTION-REQUIRED: Attach a screenshot of the Remote UI tab showing the Backstage interface here]

5. Sign out when finished

Click Sign out in the top-right corner of the console. Sessions are not logged off on a timer, so always sign out when you are done — especially on a shared or public machine.

Options explained

Feature

Description

Details

Performance mode

Raises the stream frame rate for smoother interaction, at some image quality cost. Toggled from the icon group at the top-right of the Backstage toolbar inside the Remote UI.

30 / 60 fps

Drag-and-drop file upload

Drag a file from your local computer into the Remote UI session to upload it to the server.

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Clipboard sharing

Copy and paste text between your local machine and the remote Backstage session.

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Screenshot

Capture a screenshot of the current Backstage view. The image downloads through your browser.

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Session takeover

If another user signs in with the same username, the earlier session is handed off to the new connection. Only one session per user is active at a time.

Keyed by username

Overview page reference

The Overview tab (landing page after sign-in) is a server health dashboard. It is not covered in detail here, but these are the key panels:

Panel

Description

Details

BMC / management controller

Vendor info, firmware version, IPMI version, power state, product/board info, power-supply status, and sensor summaries (temperature, fans, voltages).

Has Auto-refresh checkbox and Open BMC details button

Port status

Network port connectivity overview.

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Resource usage

Current CPU percentage and memory used/total.

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Host power

IPMI chassis power controls.

Soft Shutdown, Power Off, Power Cycle, Hard Reset

Help

Server management actions.

(Re)Start Core Software, Stop Core Software, BMC Monitor Only, All Monitor Layout, Reset Monitor Config, Restart System (OS)

Power Off, Power Cycle, and Hard Reset cut power to the server immediately without a graceful shutdown. Use Soft Shutdown for a safe power-down, or Restart System (OS) for a clean reboot.

Common Mistakes

  • Sign-in fails with the correct password — Usernames are case-sensitive. Double-check capitalization. Admin is not the same as admin.

  • Cannot reach the sign-in page — Confirm the server is powered on and you are on the same network. Try pinging the server's IP address, and check that no firewall is blocking the connection. On first connection, remember to continue past the browser's HTTP security warning.

  • Remote UI tab shows nothing or a black screen — The Backstage core software may not be running. Go to the Overview tab and click (Re)Start Core Software in the Help panel.

  • Session disconnects unexpectedly — Another user may have signed in with the same username, triggering a session takeover. Use unique usernames per operator, or coordinate access.

  • Using Power Off instead of Soft Shutdown — Power Off cuts power immediately (like pulling the plug). Always use Soft Shutdown or Restart System (OS) for a graceful shutdown.

Tips

  • Bookmark each server's address in your browser for quick access — one bookmark per server.

  • Use Performance mode when you need responsive interaction (e.g. adjusting warp points or scrubbing the timeline). Switch it off when you need the highest image clarity for reviewing content.

  • Use drag-and-drop to upload media files directly into your Backstage session without needing separate file-transfer tools.

  • Check the Overview page before opening the Remote UI to confirm the server is healthy and Backstage is running.

  • The other console tabs (Display Configuration, IP Configuration, VNC, File Transfer, BMC, Settings, Access) handle server-level administration and are covered in separate articles.

How to Access the BMC KVM Console from Brainsalt Hub — Access the server's BMC management interface from the Brainsalt Hub desktop client.

How to Use the Performance Overview Window — Monitor server performance from within Backstage.

Your First Project — Get started with Backstage if you are new to the software.