Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated June 27, 2011 For use with Scholastic Achievement Manager version 2.0.2 or later Copyright 2011 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Inc. SCHOLASTIC, SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT MANAGER, READ 180, SYSTEM 44, FRACTION NATION, FASTT MATH, rskills, READABOUT, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc. Other company names, brand names, and product names are the property and/or trademarks of their respective owners.
Table of Contents The Scholastic Media Accelerator... 3 What Is the SMA?...3 SMA System Requirements...3 Does My Deployment Require SMA?...3 The SMA and Scholastic Hosting Services...3 Installing the SMA... 4 Welcome Screen...5 Password Screen...6 Abort Screen...7 Choose Install Folder...8 Port Configuration Screen...9 Server IP or Hostname Screen...10 Connection URL Screen: Local Installations...11 Connection URL Screen: Scholastic Hosting Installations...12 A Note for Districts Running SAM on Both Local and Hosted Installations...12 Pre-Installation Summary Screen...13 Installation Complete Screen...14 Managing the SMA... 15 Connecting the SMA to the SAM Server...16 Mapping an SMA...16 Managing SMAs in Hybrid Installations...18 Adding an SMA...19 Editing SMA Settings...20 Deleting an SMA...20 Clearing SAM From a Server...21 Uninstalling the SMA...21 The SMA Server Utility... 22 Launching the SMA Server Utility...22 The Server Utility Home Screen...23 The SMA Service Manager...24 Precaching...24 SAM Connectivity...24 Technical Support... 26 Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Table of Contents 2
The Scholastic Media Accelerator The Scholastic Media Accelerator (SMA) is an optional program that, depending on the school or district s deployment, will speed up media processing over the server and workstation connection. The SMA is installed on a separate server and controls all media for Enterprise Edition programs. What Is the SMA? The SMA is a cache server that provides a more direct link to the media in READ 180 Next Generation, READ 180 Enterprise Edition, System 44, and ReadAbout. By caching media files that students are using, the SMA will save time on uploads and allow users to access the media faster, even in lowbandwidth environments. SMA System Requirements The SMA requires a separate server with the following characteristics: Operating System: Windows 2003 or later; Macintosh OS X 10.5 or later Processor: Pentium 4 processor 2 GHz or higher; Intel-based Mac Memory: Minimum 2.0 GB of RAM Hard Drive: Minimum 25 GB available drive space Drive Speed: 7200 rpm drive recommended Network: 100 megabit, Gigabit ethernet recommended NOTE: The SMA currently does not run on Linux operating systems. The SMA Server cannot have SAM or any other Scholastic components installed on it. For customers that are repurposing a SAM Server to run the SMA, see page 21 for instructions on clearing SAM from a server. Does My Deployment Require SMA? The SMA is not required to run any Scholastic programs; however, the SMA may significantly improve media access times in low-bandwidth environments. Scholastic recommends that districts with low available bandwidth or with low bandwidth and high concurrent usage install the SMA. Districts wishing to move media traffic off of central servers should also consider installing the SMA. The SMA and Scholastic Hosting Services Starting with version 2.0, Scholastic Hosting will be compatible with SMA use. All districts hosting READ 180 Next Generation, READ 180 Enterprise Edition, System 44, or ReadAbout should install the SMA. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 The Scholastic Media Accelerator 3
Installing the SMA To install the SMA, insert the SMA Installation DVD into the DVD drive of the server where the SMA will live. Inserting the disc opens the installation screen. Click Install SMA on the installation screen to begin the installation process. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Installing the SMA 4
Welcome Screen Clicking Install SMA opens the Welcome Screen. Installation instructions appear in the right window, while the left side of the screen displays progress through the installation process. The following buttons appear throughout the process: Next: Click to continue the installation; Previous: Click to return to a previous screen; Cancel: Click to exit the installation process at any time. Click Next to continue installation. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Installing the SMA 5
Password Screen If installing on a Macintosh system, the Password Screen appears (installations on Windows servers skip this step and go right to the Choose Install Folder Screen). Enter the system administrator password. Click Next. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Installing the SMA 6
Abort Screen SMA will not install on the SAM Server. If the installation program detects the SAM Suite on the server, the installation is aborted. Click OK to abort the SMA installation. See Clearing SAM From A Server (page 21) for more information on making sure there are no traces of SAM on the server. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Installing the SMA 7
Choose Install Folder The system suggests the folder where the server folders and files will be installed. Click Choose to select a different folder. Click the Restore Default Folder button to return to the default selection after clicking Choose. Click Next to continue. The program configures the installer for the system and starts the SMA Server. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Installing the SMA 8
Port Configuration Screen The Port Configuration Screen appears next. The SMA installation program finds the proxy port that will allow the SMA Server to connect to the SAM Server. Scholastic recommends letting the installation program find and set ports. To change a port, enter the port number in the Proxy Listener Port field. The standard application server port number used for student and teacher workstations is 55880. Selecting this or any other port opens a window reminding installers that the port must be allowed to clear any firewall settings. Access your system s firewall program to confirm that this port may be used to communicate with the SAM Server. See the Scholastic Education Product Support website for more information on firewall settings with Scholastic products. Click Next to continue. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Installing the SMA 9
Server IP or Hostname Screen The SMA installation program system detects and displays the IP address of the server computer SMA will be installed on. The SMA and SAM will use this IP address to connect with each other. NOTE: The IP address shown below is an example; your SAM Server IP address will be different. Check to see that the server s IP address is correct as displayed. If it is not, enter the correct IP address. If the server has more than one NIC card, this screen will display multiple IPs. Choose the IP that the client workstations will use. The server IP and client IP must match. Click Next to continue installation. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Installing the SMA 10
Connection URL Screen: Local Installations If the SMA is connecting to a SAM Server installed locally at the district level, follow these steps (see page 12 for instructions for Scholastic Hosting customers). Enter the SAM Server URL (the IP address and the port) in the Connection URL field. The SAM Server URL may be found in the address bar of the browser window of the Educator Access Screen in SAM. Click Next to continue. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Installing the SMA 11
Connection URL Screen: Scholastic Hosting Installations If the SMA is connecting to a Scholastic Hosting SAM Server, enter the Scholastic Hosting URL in the Connection URL field. The Hosting URL is always http://cdn.education.scholastic.com. Click Next to continue. A Note for Districts Running SAM on Both Local and Hosted Installations Scholastic recommends that districts using both a local SAM Server and Scholastic Hosting Services use a different server computer for each installation, and install the SMA on each server, using the proper settings for local servers and Scholastic Hosting Services. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Installing the SMA 12
Pre-Installation Summary Screen This screen displays the installation summary prior to installing. To change the installation folder, click Previous to pass through the screens and return to the Choose Install Folder screen (page 8) and make the change. Click Next to pass through the screens and return to this screen. After reviewing and verifying all the information, click Install to continue. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Installing the SMA 13
Installation Complete Screen When the installation is complete, the system displays a screen summarizing important information about the server installation. Click the link to check the Scholastic Education Product Support website for updates, then click Done to close the SMA installation program. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Installing the SMA 14
Managing the SMA To manage the district SMA connections, click the Manage SMAs link on the Advanced Settings menu from the district s Profile Screen in SAM. This opens the Manage Scholastic Media Accelerators (SMAs) Screen. The first server listed in the SMA Screen is the SAM Server, where the media is housed. Do not remove this server from the list, or the connection to the program media will be lost. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Managing the SMA 15
Connecting the SMA to the SAM Server The SMA connects with the default SAM server when it is installed. This server should appear in the Manage SMAs Screen ( SAM Server Default ). Districts using Scholastic Hosting Services will not see a server on this screen. Mapping an SMA Mapping an SMA ensures that a school is always associated with a particular SMA Server (assuming the server is working). Administrators in districts with several SAM Servers may wish to map a school to an SMA Server to ensure that the school will always connect to that server if it is running. If the mapped SMA Server is not working, the workstation connects the school to another SMA Server or the SAM Server if no other SMA Servers are available. Districts using Scholastic Hosting Services do not need to map their SMA, since the SMA connects directly to their hosted SAM. The hosted server does not appear on the map screen. To map a school to a server: 1. Click the Map link next to the SMA Server to open the Mapping Screen. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Managing the SMA 16
2. Select the school to be mapped from the left column by clicking the check box next to the school. Select all the schools listed by clicking the check box at the top of the list. 3. Select the SMA Server that the school will be mapped to by clicking the radio button next to the server. An arrow button will appear. Click this arrow button. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Managing the SMA 17
4. Clicking the arrow button will show the school and mapped SMA Server in the Associations column. Click Save to save the mapped settings, or click Cancel to exit the Mapping Screen without saving any settings. Managing SMAs in Hybrid Installations Scholastic recommends that districts using both a local SAM Server and Scholastic Hosting Services (a hybrid installation) use a different server computer for each installation, and install the SMA on each server, using the proper settings for local servers and Scholastic Hosting Services. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Managing the SMA 18
Adding an SMA To add an additional SMA Server, click Add an SMA. This opens the Add an SMA Screen. Enter the server s name (e.g., Quincy School Server 2 ) and IP or server address. Click Test to see if the SMA can connect to the SAM Server. If the test is successful, click Save to save the SMA settings to the SMA Screen. If the test does not result in a successful connection, confirm the server settings and re-enter the information. If the test is still unsuccessful, contact Technical Support (page 26). To close the screen without saving any changes, click Close. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Managing the SMA 19
Editing SMA Settings To edit an SMA Server s settings, or name an already listed server (e.g., Quincy School 1 ), click the Edit link next to the SMA s name. This opens the Edit an SMA Screen. From this screen, modify the server s settings. Click Test to see if the SMA can connect to the SAM Server. If the test is successful, click Save to save the SMA settings to the SMA Screen. If the test does not result in a successful connection, re-enter the server settings and retest. To close the screen without saving any changes, click Close. Deleting an SMA To delete an SMA Server from the deployment, click the Delete link next to the SMA s name. A confirmation screen opens. To delete the SMA, click Yes from the confirmation screen. To close the confirmation screen and cancel the operation, click No. Do not delete the SAM Server Default from the list. This is the program media on the SAM Server. Deleting this entry from the screen will sever the connection to the program media on the SAM Server. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Managing the SMA 20
Clearing SAM From a Server Districts with local SAM Servers that are looking to repurpose a server to house the SMA must remove all traces of SAM from the server. To do this: 1. Follow the uninstall instructions in the SAM Server Uninstall folder. 2. Manually remove the SAMServer.properties file from the operating system. On a Windows-based server, this file is located in the Windows\System32 folder; on a Macintosh-based server, the file is located in the Libraries/Preferences folder. Once the SAM Server is uninstalled and the SAMServer.properties file is removed, the server is clear of SAM components and can be repurposed as an SMA Server. Uninstalling the SMA To uninstall the SMA software from a server: 1. Follow the uninstall instructions in the SMA Server Uninstall folder. 2. Manually remove the SAAServer.properties file from the operating system. On a Windows-based server, this file is located in the Windows\System32 folder; on a Macintosh-based server, the file is located in the Libraries/Preferences folder. Once the SMA Server is uninstalled and the SAAServer.properties file is removed, the server is clear of SMA components. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Managing the SMA 21
The SMA Server Utility The SMA Server Utility contains tools that allow administrators to customize and maintain an SMA installation. Use the SMA Server Utility to: Stop and start the SMA; Initiate and control precaching services Test and confirm connections to the SAM Servers. Launching the SMA Server Utility The SMA Server Utility must be run directly on the server computer. It cannot be used from a workstation. To launch the SMA Server Utility in Windows: 1. Open My Computer <install directory> ScholasticEE SMA Server util. 2. Double-click the SMA Server Utility.exe icon. To launch the SMA Server Utility using a Macintosh: 1. Open a Finder window. 2. Open <install directory> ScholasticEE SMA Server util. 3. Double-click the SMA Server Utility icon. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 The SMA Server Utility 22
The Server Utility Home Screen Clicking the SMA Server Utility icon opens the Server Utility Home Screen. To launch the Service Manager, click Scholastic Media Accelerator Manager. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 The SMA Server Utility 23
The SMA Service Manager The SMA Service Manager displays the status of the three services on the SMA Server: The Media Accelerator Service controls the SMA. Use it to turn the SMA on or off. The Precaching Service controls the precaching function of the SMA. The SAM Connection Service tests the connection of the SMA to the SAM Servers. Precaching Precaching optimizes the SMA functions by preloading media from the SAM Server into the SMA, allowing a more direct and faster connection to a greater amount of media. To launch the Precaching Service of the SMA: 1. Open the SMA Server Utility. 2. Click the Scholastic Media Accelerator Manager button to open the Service Manager. 3. Click the Initiate Precaching button on the Service Manager screen. The Server Utility will display the progress of the Precaching Service as it completes the task. Once the Precaching Service is launched and the initial precaching process is completed, the SMA will automatically precache media from the SAM Server whenever the SAM Server media is updated. SAM Connectivity The SAM Connectivity Service initiates and monitors the connection between the SAM Server or server and the SMA. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 The SMA Server Utility 24
If the connection between the SAM Server and SMA is lost, the SMA will display this status. To attempt to re-establish connection to the SAM Server, click the Test Connection button. If several attempts at connecting fail, contact Technical Support (page 26). If connection is lost while precaching, the Precaching Service will automatically resume the process once connection is re-established. If the connection cannot be made at the initial precache (after clicking the Initiate Precaching button), the SMA Server Utility will alert the user. Click the Test Connection button to attempt a reconnection, or contact Technical Support. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 The SMA Server Utility 25
Technical Support For questions or other support needs, visit the Scholastic Education Product Support website at www.scholastic.com/sam/productsupport. At the site, users will find program documentation, manuals, and guides, as well as Frequently Asked Questions and live chat support. For specific questions regarding the Scholastic program suite, contact customer service to speak to a representative for each EE program at: 1-800-283-5974 (all EE products) 1-800-927-0189 (other versions) For specific questions about using SAM with your Scholastic programs, click Help in the Quick Links along the top of any screen in SAM. Scholastic Media Accelerator Guide Updated 06.27.11 Technical Support 26