ESPA Developers Meeting - 3rd August 1999 Application Software and RM Connect.
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Transcript of 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
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
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”
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
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
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
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
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
What is RM Connect?
A Client - Server network
Windows NT Server
Windows 95 & 98 clients
RM Management Tools
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
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
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
Flavours of RM Connect
RM Connect
RM Primary Network
RM Window Box Connect
RM Connect Foundation
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
RM Connect - A Demonstration
RM Connect Users
Desktops
Topics
Workstation security
Network Administration
RM Connect Customer Training
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
Networked Application Environment
What is the environment in which an application will be run?
Drive mappingsLocal drive Remote drives
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
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’
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
Let’s Look at a Package
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
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
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
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
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
Building a Package
Provide package details
Scan the workstation
Install the application
Configure the application
Scan the workstation
Test the package
Allocate to workstations
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
Application Configuration
Create appropriate shortcuts
Set application preferences
Set default file locations
Remove ‘dangerous’ files
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
How are Packages Allocated?
Select the package to allocate
Select the destination workstations
Look at the PkgCtrl folderPkgCtrl\InstalledPkgCtrl\Required
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
User Files for Applications
The user registry
User files
Copydsk2.exe and appdata
The \appdata folder structure
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
Workstation Configuration
How to handle autoexec.bat
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
Workstation File Handling
Wininit.ini
Fileops.lst
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
Installing Microsoft Excel 2000
Scan the workstation
Install the application
Run and configure Microsoft Excel 2000
Scan the workstation
Test the package
Allocate the package
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
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
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
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
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
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
ESPA Developer’s Meeting - 3rd August 1999
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