Hosted Connecting Steps –
Client Installation Instructions
Thank you for purchasing B Squared’s Hosted Connecting Steps System for Schools. Connecting Steps V4 currently requires you to install a client application on each computer used for accessing the software. We have created this guide to help you install the software.
To install Connecting Steps V4 client, you will need the following information;
• Public IP address or DNS name • Port number
These are supplied in your welcome email along with the System Administrators log in details. There is a Home Install Guide in a word document on our website for you to download and add the DNS Name, port and MSI Version, to help members of staff install the software at home.
Standalone or Home Computer
The client software is installed locally on the computer, specifying the location of the server on install. The software is then launched and connects to the database on the internet.
Network
The software can be installed on a school network, the Connecting Steps Client is installed onto a central computer/server; client machines access the software via a share and connect to the database on the internet. The software does not require a server, if the school only has a peer to peer network (shared internet access), a computer can have Connecting Steps software installed and that machine will host the client software for all the other machines. Sharing out the client application from a central computer makes it easier to update.
P a g e 2 B Squared Installation Instructions Revised: March 2012 The installation instructions for each situation are included in this document; we have also included
additional information on installing Connecting Steps on a CC3/CC4 network.
Stand Alone and Home Computer Page 3
Network Page 4
CC3 / CC4 Server Installation Page 6
If you have any questions on installing or using Connecting Steps, more information is available on our website or you can call us on 0845 4660 161 or email us at [email protected]
Stand Alone or Home Computer
Installation
If you want to install Connecting Steps on one computer just for yourself to use or for a few people to use on one machine, then it is the Stand Alone Installation that you need.
Download client the correct client from
www.connectingsteps.co.uk/downloadclient
Click Run when prompted to do so1. The installation box will appear for Connecting Steps. Please read all screens carefully before clicking next. The default installation folder is generally suitable for most users but you may wish to change it to another local path if you have a shared folder already setup you wish to use.
2. You will now need to select how the client will communicates with the server. Select HTTPS and then enter the port number and DNS name.
3. Click Close to finish the install
P a g e 4 B Squared Installation Instructions Revised: March 2012
Server Installation
A server installation of Connecting Steps is the same as the stand alone installation, but the software is shared out so that the client computers can access the software.
Install
Download client the correct client from
www.connectingsteps.co.uk/downloadclient
Click Run when prompted to do so1. The installation box will appear for Connecting Steps. Please read all screens carefully before clicking next. The default installation folder is generally suitable for most users but you may wish to change it to another local path if you have a shared folder already setup you wish to use.
2. You will now need to select how the client will communicates with the server. Select HTTPS and then enter the port number and DNS name.
3. Click Close to finish the install
You have now installed the client on your computer, to start the software go to Start > Programs > B Squared and then Connecting Steps V4 client and log on with your user ID and password.
Share
If you are not using an existing share you now need to share out the folder containing the software so that client computers can access the software. Use a generic share name like B Squared rather than the name provided. This makes upgrading easier and clearer in the future.
C:\Program Files\B Squared\B Squared Connecting Steps Client V4.x.x or
C:\Program Files(x86)\B Squared B Squared Connecting Steps Client V4.x.x on 64 bit operating systems
By default everyone is given access to the shared folder and the files, this is fine in most situations as the software itself is protected by User IDs and passwords.
Network Client Installation
We recommend that all B Squared software is shared out from a central server and not installed locally on clients. This makes maintaining and updating the software easier. Shortcuts to
applications need to be distributed either using logon scripts, group policy or using other management utilities. CC3/CC4 will be able to use the shortcut bank to distribute shortcuts to specified users.
If the school has both domain and non domain clients, you need to ensure the Share and File Permissions allow everyone to access the share/files. By default File Permissions only allow
P a g e 6 B Squared Installation Instructions Revised: March 2012
CC3 / CC4 Installation
RM’s Community Connect (CC) software adds as an additional layer of security and control on a server for the client computers. Installing Connecting Steps on the server is the same as a normal server. There are a few additional steps for setting up shares for the CC3/CC4 clients. There is no need to create any packages; the software is shared out from the server.
By default the Connecting Steps software is installed in the Program Files folder, this cannot be accessed from CC3/CC4 clients due to the additional security. The Apps drive already has its own share, so there is no need to create any additional shares or modify any file permissions.
