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iTRAC 2.0: Explaining and
Changing Network Modes
Version
iTRAC v2.0 or greater
NOTE: To determine the iTRAC
version, first start the AES program (e.g. techcenter21, LifeCenter21,
etc.) at any workstation. On the Main Menu, double-click the “21” in the
upper right corner. This displays a status window. The first two digits on
line one (Build number) provides the iTRAC version.
Overview
There are three network modes (Mode A, B and C).
Each mode is described below.
Mode A – Open Share (Least Secure)
In this mode, iTRAC uses
an open share for the AES Network folder. The AES Network folder is where
student and teacher data is stored.
Advantage
- The iTRAC Management Software, which requires
access to the AES Network folder, can be run from any station in the lab
without having to worry about who is logged onto the computer (e.g. a teacher
or student).
Disadvantage
– There is an open share on the school’s network any teacher or student using
the Lab can browse to and access.
Note –
All iTRAC v1.2 or earlier labs use Mode A. Labs
that are upgraded from v1.2 or earlier to v2.0 are Mode A by default.
Mode B – Restricted Share (More Secure)
In this mode, iTRAC uses
a restricted share for the AES Network folder. The restricted share should
only allow teachers access to the folder.
Advantage
– Unlike Mode A, the AES Network folder is NOT an open share to all users. It
is restricted to the teachers, which means only teachers can browse to and
access the AES Network folder. An additional advantage is that the iTRAC Management Software, which requires access to the
AES Network folder, can run from any station in the lab as long as the
teacher is logged onto the computer. If a student is logged-on, an error is
displayed when the iTRAC Management Software is
run.
Disadvantage
– There still is a share (albeit restricted) on the school’s network.
Mode C – No Share (Most Secure)
This mode is the most secure – but it is also the
least convenient. In this mode, the
AES Network folder is not shared. All data transferred to the AES Network
folder is handled by the AES Relay.
Advantage
– There is no share on the school’s network.
Disadvantage
– The iTRAC Management Software, which requires
access to the AES Network folder, can only be run from the Relay station.
Note –
All iTRAC 2.0 or later labs use Mode C as the
default setting.
Prerequisites for Changing Modes
The following has to be accomplished before
switching between modes:
1.
The iTRAC lab
must have version 2.0 (or greater) loaded on the Relay station, Teacher
station and all workstations.
2.
The lab must be operating properly. The
best way to verify the lab is operating correctly is to have students use the
lab. A quick alternative method is to run the Real Time Monitor and log on to
each station.
Procedure
Change from Mode A to Mode B:
Change Share on the AES Network Folder
1. At
the Relay station, stop the AES Relay, by clicking on the AES Relay icon  in the Task Bar tray. In the AES Relay window, click Stop Relay and then Yes.
2.
Change the share for the AES Network folder
(e.g. TC21NET) from an open share to a restricted share. The restricted share
should only allow teachers using the lab and administrators full
control/access of the folder.
Change the Mode on the Relay Station
3.
At the Relay station, run the Network Installation Software in the Toolbox. Follow all on-screen
instructions.
VERY IMPORTANT: On
the AES Network Folder window,
choose the Select a shared folder on
the network option, click Browse
and then locate the restricted shared AES Network folder under the Entire
Network area. After locating the folder, click OK and Next to
continue.
4.
Go to the Lab Management station (or
Teacher station) if different from the Relay station.
5.
Start the iTRAC
Management software and open the Real Time Monitor.
At Each Station
6.
At each workstation and Lab Management
station (if it is not the Relay station), run the Network Installation Software in the Toolbox. Follow all on-screen instructions.
7.
At each station, start the AES program
(e.g. techcenter21, LifeCenter21, etc.). Verify the station appears on the
Real Time Monitor.
Change from Mode A/B to Mode C:
In order to run in Mode C, the AES Relay and AES Network folder have to be on the
same computer. This computer is called the Relay station. The iTRAC Management software can only be run from the Relay
station in Mode C.
Move the AES Network Folder
1. At
the Relay Station, stop the AES Relay, by clicking on the AES Relay icon in the Task Bar tray. In the AES Relay window, click Stop Relay and then Yes.
2.
If the current AES Network folder is
located on another computer (not the Relay station), then you must move it to
the Relay station using the following method:
§
Copy the current AES Network folder (e.g.
TC21NET) to the Relay station.
§
Delete the original AES Network folder. Make
sure you do not delete the folder on the Relay Station
3.
If needed, remove any share on the AES
Network folder at the Relay station.
Change the Mode on the Relay Station
4.
At the Relay station, run the Network Installation Software in the Toolbox. Follow all on-screen
instructions.
VERY IMPORTANT: On
the AES Network Folder window,
choose the Select a folder on the
local computer option, click Browse
and then locate the AES Network folder. After locating the folder, click OK and Next to continue.
5.
Start the iTRAC
Management software and open the Real Time Monitor.
At Each Station
6.
At each workstation, run the Network Installation Software in the Toolbox. Follow all on-screen
instructions.
7.
At each station, start the AES program (e.g.
techcenter21, LifeCenter21, etc.). Verify the station appears on the Real
Time Monitor.
Change from Mode C to Mode A/B:
Setup the AES Network Folder
1. At
the Relay Station, stop the AES Relay, by clicking on the AES Relay icon in the Task Bar tray. In the AES Relay window, click Stop Relay and then Yes.
2.
If the new AES Network folder is going to
be located on another computer (not on the Relay station), then you must do
the following steps:
§
Copy the AES Network folder (e.g. TC21NET) from
the Relay station to the other computer.
§
Delete the AES Network folder on the Relay
station.
3.
Setup the proper file sharing on the AES
Network folder based on the Mode you are switching to:
Mode A
§
Create an open share on the AES Network
folder. The open share should have full control/access for all teachers and
students using the lab.
§
Setup the folder/file protection (e.g. via
NTFS) on the AES Network folder to full control for the teachers and
students.
Mode B
§
Create an open share on the AES Network folder.
The open share should have full control/access for all teachers using the
lab.
§
Setup the folder/file protection (e.g. via
NTFS) on the AES Network folder to full control for the teachers.
Change the Mode on the Relay Station
4.
At the Relay station, run the Network Installation Software in the Toolbox. Follow all on-screen
instructions.
VERY IMPORTANT:
On the AES Network Folder window,
choose the Select a shared folder on
the network option, click Browse
and then locate the restricted share AES Network folder under the Entire
Network area. After locating the folder, click OK and Next to
continue.
5.
Go to the Lab Management station (or
Teacher station if different from the Relay station).
6.
Start the iTRAC
Management software and open the Real Time Monitor.
At Each Station
7.
At each workstation and the Teacher
station (if not the Relay station), run the Network Installation Software in the Toolbox. Follow all on-screen instructions.
At each station, start the AES
program (e.g. techcenter21, LifeCenter21, etc.). Verify the station appears
on the Real Time Monitor.
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