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Presentation Agenda

• Overview of the SAGE Online Systems • Network Preparation• Hardware and Software Requirements• Secure Browser Installation• Text-to-Speech

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SAGE Systems

• American Institutes for Research (AIR) based in Washington DC

• AIR systems are delivering tests in Delaware, Oregon, Minnesota, Ohio, Hawaii, over 20 Smarter Balanced states, and soon to be Michigan and Missouri

• All use the same basic systems that are configured for the individual client

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SAGE Help Desk• The SAGE Help Desk will be open Mondays–

Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MT (except holidays). During Utah’s summative testing windows the Help Desk will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. MT.

• SAGE Help Desk Contact Information – Toll-Free Phone Support: 1-855-570-7239 – E-mail Support: SAGEHelpDesk@air.org

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TIDE

Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE)• TIDE is responsible for:

– Student registration– Gathering of demographic data

• To be deployed: 10/1/13

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TDS• Test Delivery System (TDS)

– TA Interface - provides the interface through which test administrators establish and monitor testing sessions and authenticate student users.

– Student Testing Site - is the testing system as it appears to the student, on which students take tests. TDS delivers tests to students, records responses, and forwards data to downstream systems.

• To be deployed: February 2014

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Secure Browser

• A special build of the Mozilla (Firefox) browser that is modified to protect the security of the test and support certain accommodations.

• Available for download from the SAGE Portal• Includes a diagnostic tool

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Training Site

• Training Site–TA Training Site –Student/Guest Training Site

• Public access• Secure access

• To be deployed: December 2013

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ORS• Online Reporting System (ORS)

– provides a secure interface to assessment data and associated demographic information. It provides educators with a powerful tool to explore the data and turn them into actionable information.

– Test Management Center– Score Reports

• To be deployed: February 2014 – participation reports only

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SAGE Formative• integrates with the reporting system to provide resources

targeted to identified areas of weakness or to extend standards-aligned topics for students who are excelling.

• provides immediate access to standards-aligned professional development, lesson plans, and student activities.

• Both educators and students (and their parents) can access the system to obtain or use learning resources.

• To be Deployed – October 2013

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SAGE Portal

• Access to SAGE Systems and all things SAGE at:

http://ut.portal.airast.org

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SAGE User AccessClasses and students are loaded from LEA student information systems by UTREx

• Weekly or Daily (TBD) upload through January• Daily upload February through June

No manual addition of studentsIf a new student enters a school, their data must be in the local student information system, uploaded to UTREx, which uploads to TIDE

TIDE provides the users for SAGE Formative and Summative

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Network Preparation

Network and Internet Requirements • A stable, high-speed (wired or wireless)

Internet connection is required for online testing.

• The response time for each assessment depends on the reliability and speed of your school’s Internet network.

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Network Preparation

Network configuration settings should include the following:1. Content filters, firewalls, and proxy servers should be configured to

allow traffic on the protocols and to the servers listed on the following screen.

2. Session timeouts on proxy servers and other devices should be set to values greater than the average scheduled testing time. If testing sessions are scheduled for 60 minutes, consider session timeouts of 65–70 minutes. This will help limit network interruptions during testing.

3. Data cannot be cached. 4. If your client network uses any devices that perform traffic shaping,

packet prioritization or Quality of Service, the IP addresses to be provided should be given a high priority to guarantee the highest level of performance.

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Network Preparation

Allow traffic on the protocols and to the following servers:

SAGE Testing Sites Training Sites

https://ut.tds.airast.org https://utpt.tds.airast.org

IP Address: TBD IP Address: TBD

Port: 443/tcp (SSL) Port: 443/tcp (SSL)

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Network PreparationCommon Bottlenecks • Routing traffic to and from the Internet • Performance dependent on several factors:

– Bandwidth• Average test typically consumes less than 41kbps per student• During startup, the test can peak at 60kbps• After startup, usage drops to about 10kbps per student

– Total number of students simultaneously testing– Size of test content

• Science simulations consume more bandwidth than the average item

– Secure browser installation – Proxy server (if used)– Wireless networking system (if used)

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Network Preparation: Performance of the Test Delivery System

Bandwidth• Performance can be affected by:

– Internal network (LAN) traffic– Internet traffic from the router

• LAN should always be analyzed to determine potential traffic for bottlenecks:– Schools need to factor bandwidth requirements of testing.– Internal bandwidth is not typically a problem. Switches generally

operate between 100 megabits per second and 1,000 megabits per second.

– Most common bottleneck for Internet networks is the ISP’s router connection.

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Wireless Networking• Wireless Security

– Due to the sensitivity of test-related data, the use of WPA2/AES data encryption is highly recommended.

– Using encryption/decryption might slightly decrease overall network speed.

– A properly configured wireless network should provide adequate bandwidth for testing applications:

• 802.11n is the fastest and most recent IEEE wireless standard, with a throughput of up to 300 megabits per second.

• 802.11g has a theoretical throughput of up to 54 megabits per second.• 802.11b has a theoretical throughput of 11 megabits per second.

• Ratio of wireless systems to wireless access points (WAPs) of no more than 20:1.

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Wireless Networking: Networking Standards

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Hardware Requirements – Desktops and Laptops

Operating Systems Minimum Requirements for Current Computers

Recommended Minimum for New Purchases

WindowsXP (Service Pack 3 [SP3]),

Vista, 7, 8.0Pentium 233 MHz processor

128 MB RAM52 MB hard drive

1.3 GHz processor2 GB RAM

80 GB hard drive

Mac OS X10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8 Intel x86 or PowerPC G3, G4, or G5

processor128 MB RAM

200 MB hard drive

LinuxFedora Core 6+ (K12LTSP 4.2+)

Ubuntu 9–12Pentium II or AMD K6-III 233 MHz

processor64 MB RAM

52 MB hard drive

*Headphones are required for all students

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Hardware Requirements – Tablets Supported Android Tablets Supported iOS Tablets Supported Windows Tablets

Google Nexus 10Motorola Xoom

Motorola XyboardSamsung Note 10.1

Samsung Tab 2 (10.1)

iPad 2iPad 3

iPad 4 (Retina Display)

Microsoft Surface(At this time, a secure browser is not available for this tablet. Use

this device for non-secure testing or for SAGE Formative.)

*Keyboards are required for all touch screen devices*Headphones are required for all students

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Hardware Requirements – ChromebooksSupported Chromebooks

ChromeOS version 18 or higher

*Headphones are required for all students

Chromebooks may be used “as is,” provided they are running ChromeOS version 18 or higher. While they are intended for use with the student testing sites, they may be used for other sites as well.

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NComputing

NComputing and Terminal Services are supported on the following platforms: • NComputing is supported on computers running

Windows XP and Windows 7. • Terminal Services is supported on the Windows 2003

and 2008 servers.

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Secure Browser for Online TestingOperating Systems Supported OS Versions Supported Devices Secure Browser

Windows XP (SP3), Vista, 7, 8.0Server 2003, 2008

DesktopsLaptops

Windows Secure Browser 6.2

Mac OS X 10.5 (PowerPC) DesktopsLaptops

Mac Secure Browser 5.6

10.5 (Intel)10.6, 10.7, 10.8

DesktopsLaptops

Mac Secure Browser 6.2

Linux Fedora Core 6+ (K12LTSP 4.2+)

Ubuntu 9–12

DesktopsLaptops

Linux Secure Browser 6.2

Android 4.0–4.2 Supported tablets Mobile Secure Browser (AIRSecureTest app)

ChromeOS 18+ Chromebooks N/A (secure Google login)

iOS iOS 6.0–6.1 Supported tablets Mobile Secure Browser (AIRSecureTest app)

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Requirements for Non-Secure SAGE ComponentsSupported Operating Systems Supported

DevicesSupported Browsers TA Sites Student

Training TestSAGE Formative TIDE Online Reporting

System

Windows

XP (SP3) DesktopsLaptops

Chrome 18+ Firefox 3.6+ Internet Explorer 6 Internet Explorer 7 Internet Explorer 8

Vista DesktopsLaptops

Chrome 18+ Firefox 3.6+ Internet Explorer 7 Internet Explorer 8 Internet Explorer 9

7 DesktopsLaptops

Chrome 18+ Firefox 3.6+ Internet Explorer 8 Internet Explorer 9 Internet Explorer 10

8.0 DesktopsLaptops

Chrome 18+ Firefox 3.6+ Internet Explorer 10

8.0 Pro Microsoft Surface tablet

Internet Explorer 10

8.0 RT Internet Explorer 10

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Requirements for Non-Secure SAGE

Supported Operating Systems

Supported Devices

Supported Browsers TA Sites Student Training

Test

SAGE Formative

TIDE Online Reporting

System10.5 (PowerPC) Desktops

LaptopsFirefox 3.6 Safari 4.13 Safari 5

10.5 (Intel) DesktopsLaptops

Firefox 3.6+ Safari 4.13 Safari 5

10.6 DesktopsLaptops

Chrome 18+ Firefox 3.6+ Safari 4.13 Safari 5

10.7 DesktopsLaptops

Chrome 18+ Firefox 3.6+ Safari 5 Safari 6

10.8 DesktopsLaptops

Chrome 18+ Firefox 3.6+ Safari 6

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Requirements for Non-Secure SAGE Components

Supported Operating Systems

Supported Devices Supported Browsers

TA Sites Student Training

Test

SAGE Formative

TIDE Online Reporting

System

Fedora Core 6+ (K12LTSP 4.2+)

DesktopsLaptops

Chrome 18+ Firefox 3.6+

Ubuntu 9-12 DesktopsLaptops

Chrome 18+ Firefox 3.6+

Android

4.0.4–4.2 Supported tablets Chrome 18+

ChromeOS

18+ Chrome-books Chrome 18+(secure OS login)

Chrome 18+(non-secure login)

iOS

6.0–6.1 Supported Safari 6

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Network Diagnostic Tools

Microsoft Windows Specific

Mac OS X-Specific Multi-Platform

PRTG Traffic Grapher Network Utility.app Wireshark

NTttcp TCPdump

Pathping Ping, NSLookup, Netstat, TracerouteIperf

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Network Configuration

Port/Protocol Purpose

80/tcp HTTP (initial connection only)

443/tcp HTTPS (secure connection)

All communication with the Test Delivery System takes place over the following IP port/protocol combinations.

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Firewall, Content Filter, and Proxy Servers

IP Address URL Description

TBD http://ut.portal.airast.org SAGE portal/browser files

TBD TBD Common Login System

TBD TBD Training Site

TBD TBD Test Delivery System

TBD TBD Online Reporting System

TBD TBD Learning Point Navigator

You will need to ensure that the IP addresses to be provided are open for the online systems below. Note: If the client network utilizes any device that performs traffic shaping, packet prioritization, or Quality of Service, the IP addresses should be given a high level of priority in order to guarantee the highest level of performance.

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Certificate Revocation List

Schools should open their firewalls to allow the secure browser to check the certificate authenticity at VeriSign’s Certificate Revocation List (CRL) at http://crl.verisign.com/. Alternatively, schools can open their network to the IP addresses to be provided.

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Mobile Device Support for Test Administrator Sites

Supported Mobile OS Sample Handhelds Sample Tablets

Android 2.2 HTC Thunderbolt, LG Optimus, Motorola Droid X, Samsung Galaxy S n/a

Android 2.3 Sony Ericsson Xperia Play n/a

Android 3.0 and above n/a Motorola Xoom

iOS 3 and 4 iPhone 3G, iPhone 3Gs, iPod Touch iPad, iPad2

iOS 5 iPhone 3Gs, iPhone 4, iPhone 4s iPad, iPad 2, iPad 3

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Installing the Secure Browser – One-by-One

One-by-One (Manual) Installation• From each computer to be used for testing, access the Internet and

download and install the browser; OR• Download and save the browser onto a media device (such as a Flash

drive), and then copy and install the files onto each computer; OR• Download the browser and save it to a network folder and copy it

onto each computer.

Additional instructions are available on the SAGE portal if you need to install the secure browser on computers for which you do not have administration or installation rights.

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Installing the Secure Browser – Network Installation

There are several methods to deploy the AIR secure browser depending on your platform.

Windows Deployment Methods• For the Windows platform, AIR provides the secure browser in an MSI

package file. This file type enables deployment using a number of tools including:– Active Directory Group Policy– Microsoft SMS– Microsoft SCCM– Microsoft WSUS– Windows NT Batch

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Installing the Secure Browser - Macs

Mac OS X Deployment Methods • For the Mac OS X platform, AIR provides the secure browser

as a DMG package file. This file type enables deployment using:– Apple Remote Desktop– Munki (http://code.google.com/p/munki/)– Filewave (http://www.filewave.com/en/home)

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Installing the Secure Browser - Linux

Linux Deployment Methods• For the Linux platform, AIR provides the secure

browser in a generic TAR.bz2 package file. This file type enables deployment using a number of tools including:– Shell scripts– Puppet

http://projects.puppetlabs.com/projects/puppet

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Secure Browser

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Site Readiness: Diagnostics ToolsThe secure browser has a diagnostics tool available: • Text-to-Speech Diagnostic Tools• Network Diagnostic Tools

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Text-to-Speech

Text-to-Speech is no longer an accommodation but is an accessibility tool so it is available to all students on all tests• Text-to-speech technology requires that voice packs be pre-

installed on computers.• For Windows and Mac operating systems, default voice

packs are generally pre-installed.• For computers running Linux Fedora Core 6 (K12LTSP 4.2+) or

Ubuntu 9–12, voice packs may need to be downloaded and installed.

• Text-to-speech technology is available only through the secure browser.

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Windows XP, 7,8 and Vista Approved Voice Packs

Vendor Voice Pack Language

Windows Julie English

Windows Kate English

Windows Michael English

Windows Michelle English

Windows MSAnna English

Windows MSAnna English

Windows MSMary English

Windows MSMike English

Windows MSSam English

Windows Paul English

NeoSpeech™ (via TIDE) Julie English

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NeoSpeech™ Julie Voice Pack

“Voice Pack” Tab in TIDE

“Voice Pack” Page in TIDE

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Mac OS X Approved Voice Packs

Vendor Voice Pack Language Mac (pre-installed) Agnes English

Mac (pre-installed) Alex English

Mac (pre-installed) Bruce English

Mac (pre-installed) Callie English

Mac (pre-installed) David English

Mac (pre-installed) Fred English

Mac (pre-installed) Junior English

Mac (pre-installed) Kathy English

Mac (pre-installed) Princess English

Mac (pre-installed) Ralph English

Mac (pre-installed) Vicki English

Mac (pre-installed) Victoria English

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Linux Approved Voice Packs

Vendor Voice Pack Language

Festvox (commercial) kal_diphone       English

Festvox (commercial) ked_diphone     English

Festvox (commercial) cmu_us_awb_arctic_hts  English

Festvox (commercial) cmu_us_bdl_arctic_hts English

Festvox (commercial) cmu_us_jmk_arctic_hts   English

Festvox (commercial) cmu_us_slt_arctic_hts  English

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Additional Configuration Information

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Utah Assessment Items Are in Verdana FontWindows and Mac Users• The system will default to Verdana font.Linux Users• The End-User License Agreement restricts the direct inclusion of the Verdana font

in Linux distributions.• Please ensure that Verdana has been installed on all machines that will be used for

testing.– Fedora Core 6 users: Follow the steps in the “How to Install” section of this

website: http://corefonts.sourceforge.net/ . You will need to build an rpm package of the fonts prior to installing them.

– Ubuntu 9–12 users: In a terminal window, enter the following command to install the msttcorefonts package: “sudo apt-get install msttcorefonts.”

• For instructions on “authorizing” Verdana use with supported Linux OS, please refer to the Technical Specifications Manual for Online Testing document.

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SAGE Help Desk• The SAGE Help Desk will be open Mondays–

Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MT (except holidays). During Utah’s summative testing windows the Help Desk will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. MT.

• SAGE Help Desk Contact Information – Toll-Free Phone Support: 1-855-570-7239 – E-mail Support: SAGEHelpDesk@air.org

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