Download ppt - ESPA Developers Meeting - 3rd August 1999 Application Software and RM Connect

ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999

Application Software and

RM Connect

RM Learning Environment

AssessmentAssessment

EmailEmail

Internet Internet ResourceResource

ss Learning Learning SystemsSystems

School IntranetSchool IntranetConferencingConferencing

HOMEHOME

ApplicationsApplications

MultimediMultimedia a

ResourcesResourcesSubject Subject Specific Specific

ResourcesResources

My WorkMy Work

Topic AreasTopic Areas


RM Connect

Used by 40% of secondary schools and growing number of

primary schools

Over 100,000 stations and around 1,500,000 daily users

Designed to meet the specific needs of schools

Driven by education community demands

Extensive consultation with teachers and IT co-ordinators

In-school trials and feedback to refine IT delivery

Meeting the challenges for ICT in “Improving Standards”


RM Connect Integrated network solution based on delivery of software and

services Software to help with IT management Installation service Network manager training service Support service

Maximum value from the first day

Integration of applications, multimedia, internet and intranet

Designed and tested for high usage peaks and aggressive users

Many RM Connect networks are managed by a part-time teacher


Why RM Connect?

Educational networks - why are they different? User mobility Network Manager User accounts Simultaneous Logon Repeated Logon Managing user accounts User Attitude Application installation Application numbers


What is RM Connect?

A Client - Server network

Windows NT Server

Windows 95 & 98 clients

RM Management Tools


What are RM Management Tools?

A set of tools to make it easier to manage and use networks – particularly in an educational environment

User, station, desktop, printer and topic management

Application distribution and installation

Application usage auditing

Unattended workstation build

Workstation security


Flavours of RM Connect

RM Connect

RM Primary Network

RM Window Box Connect

RM Connect Foundation


RM Connect - A Demonstration

RM Connect Users

Desktops

Topics

Workstation security

Network Administration

RM Connect Customer Training


Networked Application Environment

What is the environment in which an application will be run?

Drive mappingsLocal drive Remote drives


RM Application Wizard

What can RM Application Wizard do? Facilitates application installation Can be used to change workstation system settings and to

customize installed applications RM Application Wizard provides a set of tools

It does the following: Scans the workstation hard drive Makes copies of key files Scans the workstation registry Creates a ‘package’


Let’s Look at a Package


Package Build Procedure

Pre Installation Preparation

Select a workstation

Pre-installation system scans

Install and configure the application

Post-installation system scans

Allocate the package


How to Prepare

What do we need to do first? (Backup your server(s)) (Create a Windows startup disk)

Choose an appropriate workstation Re build the workstation Choose a user Allocate sufficient time Understand the application to be installed


Building a Package

Provide package details

Scan the workstation

Install the application

Configure the application


Test the package

Allocate to workstations


Application Configuration

Create appropriate shortcuts

Set application preferences

Set default file locations

Remove ‘dangerous’ files


How are Packages Allocated?

Select the package to allocate

Select the destination workstations

Look at the PkgCtrl folderPkgCtrl\InstalledPkgCtrl\Required


User Files for Applications

The user registry

User files

Copydsk2.exe and appdata

The \appdata folder structure


Workstation Configuration

How to handle autoexec.bat


Workstation File Handling

Wininit.ini

Fileops.lst


Installing Microsoft Excel 2000


Install the application

Run and configure Microsoft Excel 2000


Test the package

Allocate the package


What to look for

Local registration

Full / Customize install

Browse capability

Folder creation / Win 9x naming conventions

Optionally install additional components

Identify other programs that are running

Provide a progress bar and cancel capability

Look at the package


Generic Installation Problems - I

Location of executables - P:

Location of data files - virtual CD-ROM

Multiple users

User writeable files - custom.dic

User settings - .ini files hold history or scores

Security considerations - RM File Protector

Security - Restriction Policies - user can’t see drives

.INI Files - may need manual update


Generic Installation Problems - II

Display resolution - errors at different resolutions

Display resolution - windows do not resize

Application configuration - cannot make changes

Application configuration - app needs to be run

Permissions - PUBLIC share is Read Only

Dependencies / conflict with other apps

NTFS compression

CD-ROM mastering


Generic Installation Problems - III

Engine for setup - VB6

Key files - Autoexec.bat, Config.sys

Registry incorrectly used - HKCU vs HKLM

Registry holds <username>

OS dependencies - Win95 950, Win 98 1998

Application updates - to server only

Internet access - modem / ISDN / Leased Line

.INI files that aren’t - system.ini / text files