Application Software and RM Connect

1. Application Software andRM Connect

2. HOME My Work Assessment Conferencing School Intranet Topic Areas Email Applications Internet Resources Multimedia Resources Learning Systems Subject Specific Resources RM Learning Environment

3. 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”

4. 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

5. 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

6. What is RM Connect? • A Client - Server network • Windows NT Server • Windows 95 & 98 clients • RM Management Tools

7. 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

8. Flavours of RM Connect • RM Connect • RM Primary Network • RM Window Box Connect • RM Connect Foundation

9. RM Connect - A Demonstration • RM Connect Users • Desktops • Topics • Workstation security • Network Administration • RM Connect Customer Training

10. Networked Application Environment • What is the environment in which an application will be run? • Drive mappings • Local drive • Remote drives

11. 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’

12. Let’s Look at a Package

13. 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

14. 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

15. Building a Package • Provide package details • Scan the workstation • Install the application • Configure the application • Scan the workstation • Test the package • Allocate to workstations

16. Application Configuration • Create appropriate shortcuts • Set application preferences • Set default file locations • Remove ‘dangerous’ files

17. How are Packages Allocated? • Select the package to allocate • Select the destination workstations • Look at the PkgCtrl folder • PkgCtrl\Installed • PkgCtrl\Required

18. User Files for Applications • The user registry • User files • Copydsk2.exe and appdata • The \appdata folder structure

19. Workstation Configuration • How to handle autoexec.bat

20. Workstation File Handling • Wininit.ini • Fileops.lst

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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