TG Web. Technical FAQ

Transcription

1 TG Web Technical FAQ

2 About this FAQ We encourage you to contact us if. You can't find the information you're looking for. You would like to discuss your specific testing requirements in more detail. You have questions regarding our customization services. You would like to schedule a call or an online demo You'll find our contact information here. System Requirements Q: Where can I find technical information? A: System Requirements are located on the TG Web page. System Architecture Browser Q: What browsers is TG Web compatible with? A: All releases of IE, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera released since Database Q: I understand that TG_W stores tests and test data in a sql database. Do I need a sql database installed on my servers? A: Yes. TG_W requires the use of a sql database. TG_W supports MSSQL, MySQL and Oracle Database: MS SQL Q: We are in the process of migrating from SQL 2005 to SQL Will TG support SQL 2008? A: Yes, TG will work with any SQL Server 2000 and up. TG Admin Clients and Concurrency Q: How many TG admin clients are included with my purchase? A: As many as you wish - we don't charge extra for TG admin clients. Instead, our pricing is based on the number of user licenses purchased. The recommended number of user licenses will vary based on the size of your audience and testing policies: if everyone needs to test on the same day and time, your user license requirements will be higher. If you can schedule your test takers over the course the day, week or month, you can get by with a lower concurrency level. For the budget conscious, we recommend testing smaller groups: you can control when tests are published and which audience group has access to your tests. In addition, date/time-shifting of test takers and test events can all be managed through TG. Concurrency is defined as any combination of administrative-level users and test takers, logged in to your TG testing system, at any given point in time. You can also install multiple TG admin clients at no additional charge.

3 Application Q: What language is TG_W written in? A: The TG administrative client is written in Visual Basic v6.0. The web client is a Java app that runs in a J2EE container (such as Tomcat, WebLogic, JBoss, WebSphere). TG Reports is also a VB application which includes a run-time version of Crystal Reports v8.5. Some reports are generated as RTF files which can be exported and used with any word processor. Source Code and API Q: Is the source code available for customization, or is there an API available? A: The source code is not available for customization. However, we can provide the TG data map and data schema. Customers can use this information to generate sql queries against the data, export test data for importing into another application, etc. We also provide customization services. Configuration Requirements Q: We will be using Windows Server What are the minimum configuration requirements in terms of RAM and hard drive? A: Most of the current off-the-shelf servers provide more than adequate RAM and hard drive space. We recommend a minimum of 2 to 4 GB of RAM. Hard drive space - at least 20 GB. Q: Can the application run on a VMWare environment and can it run on Windows or Linux? A: TG Web can run in any environment that supports Java - so it will work on Windows or Linux and in a VMWare environment. Similarly, TG Web requires a SQL compliant database, so if a cross-platform database like MySQL or Oracle is used, then it can run on Windows or Linux--if SQL Server is chosen, then Windows. Test Generator, the administrative client is installed and operates under Windows. Q: We are installing an ID Card System on the Windows Server that TG is installed on. The vendor needs to install certain services on the IIS server. Will these services interfere with TG? A: It depends on the scope of changes. TG can run behind IIS where the IIS server proxies the requests to Tomcat through a reverse proxy redirection. If that part is left untouched as it relates to the website that TG runs under in IIS, then it will work just fine. Q: We will be using SQL Server 2005, what are the hard drive size requirements? A: See answer above -- you'll find additional answers here:

4 Tomcat Q: What is the minimum required version of Tomcat? Also will you be providing Tomcat at the application server? A: The minimum required version: 4.1. We provide an installer but you are welcome to download it from the Tomcat website. Note: You must also use Java 1.5 or 1.6. Q: We have a dedicated server running under a MS Windows Server environment using IIS 6.0 and SQL Server Express 5.0. We understand that TG Web requires Tomcat in order to run the web Tester. Are there any potential problems involved in running Windows Server and Tomcat Server on the same box? A: TG Web runs on any J2EE application server including but not limited to Tomcat. By default Tomcat will run on port 8080 but can be configured differently, and will not conflict with IIS in any way. You can either go to to access the app or go to and set up a rule in IIS to forward the request via a reverse proxy (natively in IIS) to Tomcat. This is a very common set up for us and does not pose any conflict on either side. Q: Do you have to install Jakarta-Tomcat or can I use IIS6 from Windows. A: TG Web is a java based application. It needs a J2EE container like Tomcat, JBoss, WebSphere, etc. IIS can proxy requests to TG Web, but the TG Web application itself must live inside a container such as Tomcat. So no, IIS by itself isn't enough and a J2EE container like Tomcat must be installed. By default, Tomcat runs on port 8080 but can be configured differently--it should not interfere with the default ports that IIS uses. Q: Should Tomcat be installed before TG Admin Client? A: Tomcat is just for TG Web. It does not depend on TG Admin Client. Q: Is there anything I need to change when installing Tomcat, or can I just use the defaults? A: The only thing you have to check is "Install NT Service". Q: Should Microsoft's Desktop Experience be installed and the TG Admin Client on the TG Web Application Server itself? A: It's only for a machine that has TG Admin installed on it. Q: Does Microsoft's Desktop Experience need to be installed before TG Admin Client or can it be installed after? A: MDE can be installed before or after TG Admin, but TG Admin will not launch without it. Q: Do I need to uninstall TG2e_TestGen-r2.4.16_Installer before installing Microsoft's Desktop Experience and then reinstall TG2e_TestGen-r2.4.16_Installer? A: No need to uninstall - Desktop Experience can be installed at any time. Q: Do we need a web server in addition to Tomcat? A: You just need Tomcat.

5 Q: Do we need ANY other web server either on the computer that Tomcat is on or in front of it on another server? A: If you want to put a load balancer in front of it or proxy requests through IIS, that's up to you. Having Tomcat by itself will work as well. Q: Does it matter if we use a 64 bit version or a 32 bit version of the database drivers (Oracle Client, MySQL ODBC drivers, etc)? A: The database drivers need to be 32-bit for it to work with TG Admin. Configuring Tomcat Server to proxy connections through IIS Q: How do we configure Tomcat Server to proxy connections through IIS? A: Download and install these extentions: 0) Click on the server itself in IIS (not the site, but the top level server). Click Application Request Routing Cache. Click Server Proxy Settings on the right hand side. Make sure Enable Proxy is checked. Click Apply. 1) Click on the website in IIS 2) click URL Rewrite 3) click Add Rule(s) 4) Click blank rule 5) for name, put in TG Tester 6) match url -> requested URL = Matches the pattern 7) Using = Regular Expressions 8) Pattern = tester/(.*) 9) ignore case is checked 10) Action type = rewrite 11) rewrite url = 12) append query string should be checked 13) stop processing of subsequent rules should be checked 14) Click Apply then Back to Rules 15) The Tester URL should be available under the "/tester/" URI under your IIS site. So if your IIS site is set up to serve requests for then TG Web would be available at (note the trailing /) If you need additional assistance, please support@testshop.com Q: How can i configure the Tomcat Server for HTTPS? A: If you're proxying the connections through IIS, then the certificate would just need to be installed at the IIS level (which is easier to install). If you want to do it in Tomcat directly, the steps are documented at this URL:

6 SSL and Active Directory Authentication Q: What is required in order for us to implement SSL and Active Directory authentication? A: Note: SSL and AD are two separate entities and are only spoken of here/together in response to the question. Tomcat can be set up for SSL - or you may wish to leave Tomcat as is and use IIS to proxy the requests and set up SSL in IIS. For active directory, we have a plug-in for authentication, but the user must exist in the TG database as well for authorization. We have a sync script that we provide as a sample for synchronizing users between AD and TG (you can choose to get all users...users within specific OU, etc). Q: How does the <USERNAME> value get populated in the following statement (is it taken from the session or is it prompted for? <LDAP://server:3268/OU=users,DC=testshop,DC=com>;(&(sAMAccountName=<USERNAME>));adspath;s ubtree I was under the impression that an AD group would be needed, but apparently this is not the case? As explained to me, it appears you're anticipating that a "generic" Service Account would need to be set up for the bind-username/password, and this would connect to the LDAP. It's unclear to me where the credentials (username/password) of the user logging in would come from (is it prompted for when logging into the TG app?) and how those credentials are tested (what are they being tested against?). To sum this up: How does authentication for TG2 'Admin' (and TG2 'Tester' from the Admin client) and 'Tester' from the URL supposed to work with TGAUTH applied? A: <USERNAME> is the username typed into the login form. You will still get a login form after the AD plugin is installed - the only difference is that the username/password typed in will be authenticated against AD instead of TG itself. Note that the user must also exist in the TG database and be assigned to class(es), so not just anyone from AD can log into TG. We have utilities to help you synchronize users between AD and TG if you want all AD users to log into TG. TG itself connects to AD using an AD account set up just for TG. The purpose of this is to connect to AD first and ensure that the <USERNAME> user exists. If it does, TG disconnects and attempts to connect using <USERNAME>'s credentials. Its purpose is basically to ensure that TG only attempts to authenticate users that exist in AD. TG/Tester Windows and Web both connect to AD after the plug in is applied, so the process will be the same in both of those cases.

7 Q: Is there any distinction between TG2 Tester (from the Admin client) and Tester from the URL? A: TG Admin is a Windows only app. Tester comes in Windows or Web. All three connect to the same database and serve off of the same content. TG Admin includes TG Tester, but TG Tester is a separate installer for computers that will be used to take tests. Tester Web is the same thing as Tester Windows in terms of logic - except Tester Web lets you take tests over the web without any client software installed. TGAuth makes configuration changes directly in the database, so all three apps (TG Admin, Tester Windows, and Tester Web) will connect to AD if they detect that TGAuth parameters have been applied. Architectural Diagram Q: Do you have an architectural diagram for TG Web. A: Yes. Architectural diagram can be found here. System Requirements can be found under the TG Web page. Self-hosting Management Q: If we host TG Web, is the installation managed manually (by us) or remotely (by you)? A: Manually by you: we provide an TG Web installation that includes download links for the installer files as well as installation instructions. TG Admin clients are installed manually and the web app (Tester) involves a one-time install on the server. We also provide tech support via and phone and WebEx support sessions as necessary. Remote installation (by us) can be requested. This would require your permission for remote access. Please note: there is a setup fee charged. The amount will vary based on the day/time the setup is performed, the complexity of the setup and priority assigned to the request. Hardware Partitioning Q: Is hardware partitioning required to accommodate the database and application server layers. A: No, no special requirements Concurrency Performance Testing Q: Do you have any recommendations involving performance testing for 100 concurrent users? How do you suggest we execute performance testing for 100 concurrent users? How about using LoadRunner? A: Regarding LoadRunner, or similar services, we don't recommend any particular service - use whichever performance service/testing you wish. We suggest creating a script that logs in as a user and takes a test. Though you may want to tweak the Tomcat parameters to take advantage of additional RAM on the box -- we can address this when the time comes -- and you will need 100 different users in the database since a person can only be logged into one test at a time.

8 Application/DB Level Monitoring Q: What kind of monitoring would be done at the Application/DB level? A: No special tools needed. Product Upgrades and Impact on Infrastructure Q: Do you foresee any future product upgrades that might impact our proposed Infrastructure? A: None that we foresee at the present time. As with any technology, we expect change and we do our best to anticipate these changes in order to minimize their impact on your TG testing system. Our development efforts are ongoing and will - at some future date - involve the introduction of both minor and major revisions in our products and services. We inform customers about these changes through our newsletter, blasts and support requests Q: Our infrastructure is defined by our company's (technology) roadmap. As we upgrade this infrastructure, will TG Web's behavior remain consistent with these changes? A: All TG 2.4.## versions have the same platform requirements. Yes, TG_W's behavior will remain consistent with these changes. Test Generator Deployment Q: What's your recommended solution for deployment? A: IF you will be supporting a large number of users across the entire organization, and assuming your IT folks are on-board with supporting a testing solution in your operations center: TG Web (intranet) hosted by you, on your servers The web Tester application and the db can reside on the same box or on different servers You might want to consider a dedicated box with dual processors and 2 gigs per processor - any OTS server these days would contain enough HD space (.5 to 1 terabyte is more than sufficient). If you plan on having more than 500 concurrent users, we would recommend load-balancing the system across multiple servers (each additional box support up to 500 (additional) users. Q: What security features does TG Web offer? A: There are various features, best reviewed in an online demo. You ll find a summary of some of these features here. Test Generator Test Data Q: If we host our TG Web account on your servers, can we perform a quick export of the data? A: Yes, you/we can perform a database dump of entire DB. Within the TG admin client, or through a sql query, you can export:. All user profiles. Tests as TG.mdb files. Test questions into.csv,.txt or.xls files. Question bank data

9 You can also:. Perform a global export of all summary test data into.csv,.txt or.xls files. Preview, print and export test data from any of TG's 19 report types. Compose and run sql queries to export whatever test data you wish Note: creating and running sql queries should only be performed by individuals who a) have received a copy of TG data schema/map, and b) are technically competent to script such queries. Customization If you wish to export a data set that is not defined in any of the above examples, we offer fee-based, customization services. To receive a quote, please provide us with a written specification and/or contact us for a free consultation. Identity Federation Q: Does the product/system support any type of identity federation? A: We can provide Liberty/SAML integration if needed...though currently we have a custom XML call that adds and enrolls new users. Off-shore Data Storage Q: Do you store any data off-shore? A: No. Hosting and data storage is done in the U.S. IF you wish, you can set up and host your TG Web account wherever you wish. SQL Licensing Q: We are a Microsoft Gold partner and do not need SQL licenses, but I am assuming these are included in the cost structure for the outright purchase. Is it possible to remove the SQL licenses from the cost of the software? A: You don't need a SQL Server license for each user that will use the TG Web testing system because TG users aren't really SQL Server users. There are two general classes of users: test authors/administrators and test takers. In order for either of these classes to communicate with the database, they must have a user profile that exists with the database. These user profiles can be created manually, imported from TG-friendly.csv, or.xls file or synched into TG Web's database through our AD/LDAP plugin. Test authors/administrators use a Windows Test Generator admin client. This client is installed on the computer of anyone who will be accessing the testing database as a test author/administrator. When any of these uses log in to TG, they are creating their own, separate connection to the database. Test takers (aka: employees, students, trainees, customers) log in to take a test using the web Tester. Test takers do not have credentials that would allow them to log in to a TG admin client.

10 Test authors/administrators and test takers make up your community of registered users. How many of these users can log into the testing system at any given point in time is defined by the number of concurrent user licenses you purchase. For example, if you have a community of 500 registered users and you purchase TG Web (50), you would be able to have up to 50 members of your community log in to either take a test (through web Tester) or log in to the TG admin client to perform test authoring or other administrative tasks. If all of the concurrent user licenses are in use at a particular point in time and the 51st person tried to log in they would get a message telling them the system is busy and to try back later. Note: This message can be customized. We have 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, 250 (and up) concurrent user packages. You can start at any of the concurrency levels you wish and then upgrade if/when you need to add more concurrent users. For example, if you started with a 10 concurrent-user package and you wanted to upgrade to 25 concurrent users, you would pay the difference between your original (TG Web 10) package price and the cost of TG Web 25. Please keep in mind when you're determining SQL Server concurrency licenses, your entire community of registered users does not (each) require a concurrency license, it's more a function of who is logged in to what at any given point in time. Data Map Q: Do you have a data map/schema available? A: Yes. Customers are eligible to receive a copy of our data map/schema upon request. This information is provided to the customer's IT/technical team. This information can be useful in assisting customer in integrating third-party apps with their TG_W accounts. Technical staff can also create sql queries and scripts in order to export test data not found in TG Reports.