FlexTraining is the premier web-based training solution for building and ...
building and conducting online training classes of virtually any length or topic.
The FlexTraining Total E-Learning Solution
Management Guide Version 6.2
Copyright 1998 - 2011 National Training Systems, Inc.
FlexTraining Management Guide
Section 1: Getting Started Introduction FlexTraining is the premier web-based training solution for building and delivering online training over an intranet or the Internet. It is a complete framework for structuring, building and conducting online training classes of virtually any length or topic. The FlexTraining name originated from its high level of adaptability as it can be configured and customized in a variety of ways. FlexTraining is built on the concept of customer-defined training content. It provides a framework for constructing and administering online training classes of almost any type. Each course can have a userdefined number of Sections, Tests, Assignments and Course Guide chapters. Optional features include Instructors and Discussion Forums (Message Board and Chat). FlexTraining consists of two separate applications, both sharing a common database. Administrators and members of the training team utilize the Management Center environment to configure, construct and deliver the training program. Students access the Student Module environment to retrieve and complete their online training programs. Management Center: Set system configuration values, establish policies, approve enrollments, author training content, define courses, tests, and assignments, build course guide(s), schedule classes, define dynamic messages, assign instructors, run reports and monitor classes. Student Module: Register for a class, sign into a class, view course content, navigate through (or download) the course guide, access assignments, complete a class, take online test(s), track student progress, make entries in a personal Course Notebook or jump to a Discussion Forum. The Management Center and Student Module applications share student and class data, but each has its own separate URL address on the web server and its own separate security. The Systems Requirements section provides detailed instruction on installing both modules.
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System Requirements Server Requirements:
Microsoft IIS Server 5.0 or better.
Windows 2003 Server or newer.
.NET Framework version 4.0; download available here: o http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=9cfb2d51-5ff44491-b0e5-b386f32c0992&displaylang=en.
ASP.NET State Server active in the Services panel.
MS Access DBMS with ODBC Drivers or SQL Server using OLE Drivers. Recommendation: Complete software installation and test in MS Access prior to migrating to SQL Server.
Management and Student (Browser) Requirements:
Any modern web browser, at least Microsoft IE 5.0 for the Management Center.
Windows, Mac, or UNIX computer with Internet or Intranet.
Management Center is designed to work best with Internet Explorer.
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Installation and Launching the Software FlexTraining installation is very simple, consisting of three steps: 1. Install the software from the CD. 2. Perform manual server setup tasks. 3. Verify Installation. Step 1: Install software from CD At the web server machine, sign on as a member of the Administrators Group. Run the program Setup.exe on the FlexTraining Installation CD (if your CD ROM drive has the auto run capability, the setup program will start by itself). When prompted for a directory to install to, choose any directory on the server. It is a good idea to create and use a target directory such as “d:\FlexTraining6.2” or “e:\FlexTraining62.” You may decide to choose the directory called /InetPub/wwwroot on the web server. However, you may install the FlexTraining software on any drive and directory you wish. When the process is complete, you have completed Step 1. You may remove the Installation CD from the CD ROM drive. Step 2: Perform manual server setup tasks a. Set up folder level permissions The FlexTraining system utilizes the following security accounts on the server: IUSR_. IUSR. Network Service. ASPNET (if it exists). The Root Install directory (e.g. d:\FlexTraining62) should have Read/Execute access set to the accounts listed above. The /Database folder should have FULL (Read/write/Execute) access to the accounts listed above. The following folders should have FULL permissions to the accounts listed above: /FlexTraining/asp/content. /FlexTraining/asp/TempFiles. /FlexTrainingAdmin/TempFiles. /FlexTrainingAdmin/Instructor.
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b. Set up Virtual Directories For IIS 5: First, right click on your website and choose Properties. Click on the ASP.NET tab and make sure that ASP.NET version 4 is chosen from the list and save. If ASP.Net 4.0 is not available, install the .NET Framework 4.0 on your server (see Server Requirements above). There are 4 Virtual Directories that need to be created in your IIS Management Console. Virtual Directory Name (alias)
Referenced Location
1
Any Name (suggest “FT”)
/FlexTraining/ASP
2
Must be “FlexTrainingAdmin”
/FlextrainingAdmin
3
Any Name (suggest “FTMB”)
/FTMB
4
Any Name (suggest “FTChat”)
/FTChat
Set up a Virtual Directory for the four applications. After creating the directories, right click on each and click on Properties. In the Properties panel, be sure to set “Read and Execute” permissions for each. Also, make sure the Default Document (under “Documents”) is set to “default.aspx” for the Management Center Module and the Student Module, and “default.asp” for the Message Board and Chat modules. For IIS 6 or 7: The following four Virtual Directories must be created in your IIS Management Console: Virtual Directory Name (alias)
Referenced Location
1
Any Name (suggest “FT”)
/FlexTraining/ASP
2
Must be “FlexTrainingAdmin”
/FlextrainingAdmin
3
Any Name (suggest “FTMB”)
/FTMB
4
Any Name (suggest “FTChat”)
/FTChat
Set up a Virtual Directory for the four applications. Once you have created the directories, left click on each and choose the ASP Panel.
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In the Properties panel, be sure to set “Read and Execute” permissions for each. Also, make sure the Default Document (under “Documents”) is set to “default.aspx” for the Management Center Module and the Student Module, and “default.asp” for the Message Board and Chat modules. c. ASP-based uploading steps Note: If you are using Windows 2003 Server (IIS5), you will need to change the metabase for ASPMaxRequestEntityAllowed entry. The default value is approximately 200k, but you can set it to the maximum size necessary for your environment. If you fail to do this step, any upload over 200k will appear to have uploaded, but the file will not appear (Windows discards the upload transaction without any type of warning). If you are using Windows 2008 Server (IIS 6 or 7), you can set this property in IIS directly by clicking on the site, choosing the ASP Panel and expanding Limits Properties. Change the “Maximum Requesting Entity Body Limit” from 204000 to something larger. d. Set up your Web.Config file Database Connection Strings 1. Open the files /FlexTrainingAdmin/Web.Config and /FlexTraining/asp/Web.Config using a text editor such as FrontPage or Notepad. 2. Find the Entry For Database Connection String. 3. If using Access, modify the path to match
