Network Questions

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Will SkillCheck run on a network?

Yes, SkillCheck will run on most networks.  The information below covers general requirements and technical issues.

Overview
SkillCheck's testing software has been designed to work on a number of different Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN) configurations.

This section provides information on the network configurations on which SkillCheck has been tested and officially supports. It also provides guidelines for evaluating whether or not SkillCheck should work on your network if you are using a LAN or WAN configuration other than the ones listed as officially supported by SkillCheck.

Architectural Overview

Client / Server Model
The network version of SkillCheck Professional is configured as a fat- client/ thin-server application. In a standard LAN-based network installation, virtually all application data processing takes place on the client, while the server acts as a simple file storage location and data repository. SkillCheck Professional can also be deployed over a WAN, either in this mode or via a thin-client/fat-server model (see the following pages for further information).

Database Configuration
Data transfer and storage are accomplished via ODBC/Microsoft Jet in conjunction with the Access 97 database driver and files (MDB). System state information, as well as score records are stored in two serverside databases. SkillCheck software does not currently support other database types.

General Installation Procedure
A standard network installation consists of one administrator's workstation, one or more testing workstations, and a file server on which the SkillCheck system is stored that is accessible from all workstations. Installation is performed by first installing SkillCheck onto the server from a workstation that will be used to administer the SkillCheck system (the Administrator's PC). After initial installation, a network connection/configuration application on the file server (NetSetup.exe) is run from the desktop of each workstation that will be used for testing.

NetSetup performs the following tasks: ODBC driver installation/update, desktop icon creation, and registry initialization. If necessary, NetSetup's tasks can be automated by a network administrator for batch installation.

This installation procedure must be adapted somewhat to fit the needs of thin-client platforms such as Windows 2000 Advanced Server and/or Citrix MetaFrame, but the same basic installation tasks identified above must be performed.

LAN Support

The network version of SkillCheck Professional is designed to run on a traditional client-server LAN-based network.

Supported Client Platforms
SkillCheck testing software is fully tested and supported on the following client platforms:

• Windows 2000
• Windows XP  Professional
• Windows 2003
• Windows Vista

Supported Server Platforms
SkillCheck testing software is fully tested and supported on the following server platforms:

• Novell 3.x or higher
• Windows NT 4.0 service pack 4 or higher
• Windows 2000
• Windows 2003

Supported Protocols
SkillCheck testing software fully supports the following network protocols:

• NetBEUI
• TCP/ IP
• IPX/ SPX/ NetBIOS

Recommended Hardware
SkillCheck recommends the following minimum* and optimal* hardware configurations:

Machine Role	Processor	RAM
Client (minimum)	Pentium 566MHz	512 MB
Client (optimal)	Pentium 8000MHz	1 Gb
Server (minimum)	Pentium 1.2 GHz	1 Gb
Server (optimal)	Pentium 2.4GHz	2 GB

* Due to the wide variety and possible configurations of PCs and servers, it is not possible to guarantee that every PC/ server will perform adequately, even if they meet these minimum or optimal configurations. In all cases, the end user is responsible for supply, maintenance and performance of hardware.

WAN Support

SkillCheck Deployment Modes
As already noted above, SkillCheck can be deployed in two modes:

1. Standard LAN-based mode, or "clientside", where data processing occurs on the client desktop and the server is used for file and data storage only. A clientside-deployed WAN has higher bandwidth requirements for both client and server but will function acceptably with longer latency periods.


2. Thin-client mode, or "serverside", where the server performs all processing and serves screen refreshes to the client. An optimized serverside-deployed WAN has a considerably lower bandwidth requirement for the client but also requires a much lower latency period for acceptable user interaction.

Running SkillCheck on your WAN-based network
While there are too many variables involved to fully test or guarantee functionality on every conceivable WAN-based network architecture, SkillCheck offers conditional support for WANs that meet the basic criteria described on the tables below.

Local support for WAN installations is not provided, but is available via telephone at a cost of $US90.00 per incident (subject to alteration without notice - credit card required) from the US offices of SkillCheck Inc.

WAN Support Requirements - Connectivity

Network Model	Max. Latency	Min. Bandwidth	Optimal Bandwidth
Clientside Example: Windows NT based network via VPN	500 ms	512 kbps (via T1, DSL, cable, satellite)	1.44 mbps or higher (T1 or better)
Serverside (non-optimized) Example: Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server	125 ms	512 kbps (via DSL, T1, cable)	1.44 mbps or higher (T1 or better)
Serverside (optimized) Example: Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server and Citrix MetaFrame 1.8	125 ms	Clientside: 28.8 kbps Serverside: 28.8 kbps x max # concurrent clients	Clientside: 56 kbps or higher Serverside: 56 kbps x max # concurrent clients or higher.

WAN Support Requirements - Platform Support

Network Model	Server Platforms	Client Platforms	Comments
Clientside	•  Must be listed as supported for standard LAN deployment	•  Must be listed as supported for standard LAN deployment	•  Standard network installation instructions should be carefully followed
Serverside (non-optimized)	•  Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server •  Windows 2000 Advanced Server	•  Must be supported for connectivity via the server platform	•  MDAC 2.1 or later must be installed on the server prior to SkillCheck installation. If later than MDAC 2.1, Microsoft Jet must also be installed separately. •  All users must access SkillCheck through the user account from which it was originally installed, or NetSetup must be run on each user account that will access SkillCheck.
Serverside (optimized)	•  Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server/ Citrix MetaFrame 1.8 •  Windows 2000/ Citrix MetaFrame 2000	•  Must be deployable by Citrix. Acceptable permutations include Nfuse, ICA Program Manager, and embedded applets	•  MDAC 2.1 or later must be installed on the server prior to SkillCheck installation. If later than MDAC 2.1, Microsoft Jet must also be installed separately. •  The ICA protocol must be configured so that all users access SkillCheck through the account from which it was originally installed, or NetSetup must be run on each user account that will access SkillCheck. •  Anonymous ICA connection is not supported. •  Audio content delivery is not supported.