Difference between revisions of "Installation"

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='''Prerequisites before installing INSIGHT=
+
='''Prerequisites before installing INSIGHT'''=
  
You will need to install Insight onto a Web Server with Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) and Microsoft.Net Framework 4.0 installed, and the SIMS workstation framework. The local CONNECT.INI file in %Program Files%\SIMS\SIMS .net additionally must not be a 'redirect' type - it must be an 'end-point' type, explicitly specifying the server instance and database name. <br> <br>
+
==Hardware Requirements==
  
==IIS7 / IIS7.5==
+
Insight must be installed on an IIS server. The minimum hardware requirements for the server are:
 +
*2 Cores (2.5GHz)
 +
*4GB RAM <br> <br>
 +
 
 +
The higher recommended specifications are:
 +
*4 Cores (2.5GHz)
 +
*16GB RAM <br> <br>
 +
 
 +
==Software Requirements==
 +
 
 +
The server hosting Insight must have the following:
 +
*Windows Server 2008 R2 Web Edition (or above)
 +
*IIS7 (or above)
 +
*Microsoft.Net Framework 4.6.2
 +
*SIMS Workstation Components <br>
 +
''NOTE: It is important that on the IIS server the order of installation is Windows -> Webserver software -> .net software'' <br> <br>
 +
 
 +
===IIS7 / IIS7.5===
  
 
Web Server
 
Web Server
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::: IIS 6 Metabase Compatibility
 
::: IIS 6 Metabase Compatibility
  
NOTE: It is important that on the IIS server the order of installation is Windows -> Webserver software -> .net software <br> <br>
 
  
==IIS8 (Server2012)==
+
 
 +
===IIS8 (Server 2012 and 2016)===
  
 
1. On the '''Start''' page, click the '''Server Manager''' tile, and then click '''OK'''. <br>
 
1. On the '''Start''' page, click the '''Server Manager''' tile, and then click '''OK'''. <br>
Line 34: Line 51:
 
4. On the '''Select installation type''' page, select '''Role-based or feature-based installation''', and click '''Next'''. <br>
 
4. On the '''Select installation type''' page, select '''Role-based or feature-based installation''', and click '''Next'''. <br>
 
5. On the '''Select destination server''' page, select '''Select a server from the server pool''', select your server, and click '''Next'''. <br>
 
5. On the '''Select destination server''' page, select '''Select a server from the server pool''', select your server, and click '''Next'''. <br>
6. On the '''Select server roles''' page, select '''Web Server (IIS)''', and click '''Next'''. <br>
+
6. On the '''Select server roles''' page, expand '''Web Server (IIS)''', then Web Server . <br>
7. On the '''Select features''' page, click '''Next'''. <br>
+
7. Expand the '''Application Development''' node, and then select '''ASP.NET 4.5'''. <br>
8. On the '''Web Server Role (IIS)''' page, click '''Next'''. <br>
 
9. On the '''Select role services''' page, note the preselected role services that are installed by default, expand the '''Application Development''' node, and then select '''ASP.NET 4.5'''. (If you installed '''.NET 3.5''', select '''ASP.NET 3.5''' also.) <br>
 
10. On the '''Summary of Features to Install''' page, confirm your selections, and then click '''Install'''. <br>
 
11. In the '''Add features that are required for ASP.NET 4.5?''' box, click '''Add Features'''. <br>
 
 
:The following additional features are added:
 
:The following additional features are added:
 
:'''.NET Extensibility 4.5 '''
 
:'''.NET Extensibility 4.5 '''
 
:'''ISAPI Extensions '''
 
:'''ISAPI Extensions '''
 
:'''ISAPI Filters '''
 
:'''ISAPI Filters '''
:'''.NET Extensibility 3.5 (If ASP.NET 3.5 was selected)''' <br>
+
8. Click '''Next''', then on the ''Select features'' page, click '''Next''' again. <br>
12. Click '''Next'''. <br>
+
9. On the '''Confirm installation selections''' page, click '''Install'''. <br>
13. On the '''Confirm installation selections''' page, click '''Install'''. <br>
+
10. On the '''Installation progress''' page, confirm that your installation of the Web Server (IIS) role and required role services completed successfully, and then click '''Close'''. <br>
14. On the '''Installation progress''' page, confirm that your installation of the Web Server (IIS) role and required role services completed successfully, and then click '''Close'''. <br>
+
11. To verify that IIS installed successfully type the following into a web browser: '''<nowiki>http://localhost</nowiki>''' <br> <br>
15. To verify that IIS installed successfully type the following into a web browser: '''<nowiki>http://localhost</nowiki>''' <br> <br>
+
 
 +
==Other Requirements==
 +
 
 +
===Connect.ini file===
 +
 
 +
The local CONNECT.INI file in %Program Files%\SIMS\SIMS .net additionally must not be a 'redirect' type - it must be an 'end-point' type, explicitly specifying the server instance and database name. <br> <br>
 +
 
 +
===PARS===
 +
 
 +
If you are also installing PARS, or migrating PARS and Insight to new servers, you should install PARS first. For information about installing PARS, see '''<span class="plainlinks">[http://www.tascsoftware.co.uk/wiki/PARS_Connect/index.php?title=Service_pack the installation page]</span>''' on the PARS Connect wiki. <br> <br>
  
==SIMS accounts==
+
===SSL certificate===
  
Approximately five SIMS accounts are required by Insight to access data in the SIMS database. Each account needs to have a username and password but does not need specific permissions. The username and password of each account need to be entered during installation. If the passwords for these accounts are changed, the credentials entered in the Insight service controller will need to be changed also. Therefore using accounts for which the passwords do not change will require the least amount of maintenance. <br> <br>
+
To encrypt traffic between the server and client and to enable https for Insight, an SSL certificate will be required. This can be purchased in advance of installing Insight (the URL that will be used for Insight and the name of the server that Insight will be installed on will be required). <br> <br>
  
='''Installing INSIGHT=
+
An SSL certificate is not required when installing Insight initially and can be acquired after installation. <br> <br>
  
==Downloading the service pack==
+
To associate the certificate with the site, first follow the instructions from your certificate provider both to apply for and receive the certificate. <br> <br>
 +
 
 +
Once you have acquired an SSL certificate, the Insight traffic can be encrypted by following these steps: <br>
 +
* Open IIS Manager. Under the Sites folder, select the Insight site
 +
* On the Actions panel, click the '''Bindings''' option in the Edit Site section
 +
* A Site Bindings window will open. Click the '''Add''' button
 +
* Another window will open to Add Site Bindings. Set the Type to https and the SSL certificate to your certificate. The port over which traffic is secured is usually 443
 +
''If port 443 is already in use, you can enter the host name of your Insight site so that port 443 can be shared. The host name is the Insight URL that is used outside of the school, without any page extensions or https prefix e.g. Insight.MySchool.co.uk'' <br> <br>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===The SIMS Agent process===
 +
 
 +
Once you are sure your site is securely available externally, you may have to update your SIMS Agent service configuration.
 +
 
 +
Insight runs a service called SIMSAgent to collect data from the SIMS database and store it in the Insight database. It is important for this service to run correctly so that the data in Insight is correct. <br> <br>
 +
 
 +
By default the agent will try to use a "localhost" address to contact the web site.  Depending on your web site SSL and proxy setup this may no longer be allowed, and so the service may need to be informed of the updated address.
 +
 
 +
Use a text editor such as Notepad to open the following file C:\inetpub\wwwroot\INSIGHT\bin\SIMSAgent.exe.config <br>
 +
There is a "hub" setting that shows a URL that the service will use to access Insight.
 +
 
 +
Make sure that the URL specified can be reached using a browser on the server.  If not it is unlikely to be the correct address, but it might also be that proxy reconfiguration is required.<br>
 +
 
 +
If connecting to the specified address is only possible via a proxy, please ensure that your proxy details are correctly configured within the simsagent.exe.config file, ensuring that the proxy address is given as a valid URI and any credentials are accurately given. <br>
 +
<br>
 +
If you have had to make changes to the configuration then use services.msc to restart the InsightSIMSAgent process with the new settings. <br> <br>
 +
 
 +
===SIMS user===
 +
 
 +
A single SIMS user account is required by Insight to access the SIMS database. The username and password of each account need to be entered during installation. If the passwords for these accounts are changed, the credentials entered in the Insight service controller will need to be changed also. Therefore using accounts for which the passwords do not change will require the least amount of maintenance. <br> <br>
 +
 
 +
The SIMS user account must have all of the permissions on the '''Class teacher''' and '''Curriculum Manager''' templates as well as the following permissions: <br> <br>
 +
 
 +
'''Group manager > User defined''' <br>
 +
View (All) <br>
 +
Edit (All) <br> <br>
 +
 
 +
'''Students > Attendance''' <br>
 +
View (All) <br> <br>
 +
 
 +
'''Students > Registration''' <br>
 +
View (All) <br> <br>
 +
 
 +
'''Students > Student Exam Results''' <br>
 +
View (All) <br> <br>
 +
 
 +
'''Students > Timetable and Academic Classes''' <br>
 +
View (All) <br> <br>
 +
 
 +
'''School Management > Home School''' <br>
 +
View (All) <br> <br>
 +
 
 +
'''Admissions > Admissions - Common Data''' <br>
 +
View (All) <br> <br>
 +
 
 +
='''Installing INSIGHT'''=
 +
 
 +
==Downloading the Service Pack==
  
 
Service packs for Insight are available via the TASC Software website, www.tascsoftware.co.uk. An account is needed to access the website. Accounts can be created by our support team who are available on 01902 824281. <br> <br>
 
Service packs for Insight are available via the TASC Software website, www.tascsoftware.co.uk. An account is needed to access the website. Accounts can be created by our support team who are available on 01902 824281. <br> <br>
Line 62: Line 141:
 
The downloads button at the top of the page is used to access service packs for various products. The Insight service packs are used to installed and/or update Insight. <br> <br>
 
The downloads button at the top of the page is used to access service packs for various products. The Insight service packs are used to installed and/or update Insight. <br> <br>
  
==Running the service pack==
+
==Running the Service Pack==
  
 
The service pack should be run on the IIS server that is going to host Insight. If all prerequisites have been met the Service Controller window will open. There are a number of nodes on the left hand side. <br> <br>
 
The service pack should be run on the IIS server that is going to host Insight. If all prerequisites have been met the Service Controller window will open. There are a number of nodes on the left hand side. <br> <br>
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The application is added to a site by selecting the site then clicking the plus button above the Application section. <br> <br>
 
The application is added to a site by selecting the site then clicking the plus button above the Application section. <br> <br>
  
[[Image:sc_web_site2.jpg]]
+
[[Image:sc_web_site3.jpg]] <br> <br>
 
 
===SIMS===
 
 
 
This tab is used to enter the details for the SIMS accounts that Insight uses to access the SIMS database (as mentioned in the prerequisites section above). It is advised to add multiple SIMS accounts for load-balancing during peak usage times. Five SIMS accounts will usually suffice. <br> <br>
 
  
 
===Commit===
 
===Commit===
  
*Then, click on the '''Commit''' node. You will have options to:
+
At the top of the window there is a section for SIMS account details. The details of the SIMS account mentioned in Prerequisites should be entered here. The Scale field is the number of concurrent connections that can be established to the SQL server using that SIMS user. The default, 10, is a good setting for most schools. Increasing this number will open more access points during peak times but will also increase the strain on the SQL server. <br> <br>
:*Enable a link to [http://217.198.106.69/web/products/pars/pars.aspx| PARS], if in use.
 
''' If you enable the PARS-Link option, as is displayed in the screenshot below, more options will appear <br>
 
Shared SIMS Database option should be ticked only if you are certain that your PARS database is shared with SIMS (most "new" PARS/INSIGHT schools will not want to tick this option) <br>
 
If you have a separate PARS database, you will need to specify the server instance, database name and SA account details  for your PARS database in the options provided. <br>
 
 
 
You will then be able to commit your selections to the application by clicking the Begin button.  This same process will need to be performed each time an Insight service pack is downloaded, to apply the changes to the web server.
 
 
 
  
[[Image:sc_application21.png]]
+
There is a '''PARS link''' option which must be selected if [http://www.tascsoftware.co.uk/software-titles/pars-connect| PARS] is going to be used at school. When this option is selected, Insight will also need to be given a URL to access PARS. <br> <br>
  
 +
*'''Please Note''' <br>
 +
This PARS Link option requires that you have PARS AUTOMATION installed and running in order to be enabled successfully.
  
Following a commit process, a browser window is opened, on the server, to the default starting page of Insight. The first attempt to load Insight following one of these processes can take up to one minute, where it will appear not much is happening, but you should soon see a login page. You will come back to this later and login.
+
<br><br>
 +
[[Image:sc_application3.jpg]] <br> <br>
  
 +
The settings can then be applied to the web server by clicking the '''Begin''' button. Once the process has finished running, the server's default web browser will open and attempt to access the Insight website. <br> <br>
  
Within the ''Services'' node is a pair of Windows services supporting the main application.  The ''Keep alive'' and ''SIMS updater'' nodes allow you to install and  configure these Windows services.
+
===Keep Alive service===
 
 
==Keep Alive service==  
 
  
 
The Keep Alive service "prods" the web site to keep the application loaded in memory on the web server. To use this feature, click on the ''Install'' button, and then, when the service is installed, click on the ''Start'' button.   
 
The Keep Alive service "prods" the web site to keep the application loaded in memory on the web server. To use this feature, click on the ''Install'' button, and then, when the service is installed, click on the ''Start'' button.   
Line 111: Line 181:
 
[[Image:Sc_keepalive2.jpg]]
 
[[Image:Sc_keepalive2.jpg]]
  
==SIMS Update service==
 
 
This SIMS updater service is there to watch the central SIMS file server for SIMS updates. IF you are using SOLUS3 this service should not be necessary.  Because of this requirement to read information from a remote file server, this service must use a network account rather than a local system account.  As part of the installation, you will be prompted for a username in the format ''DOMAIN\username'' and a password.  To use this service effectively it is important that your %windir%\sims.ini file is accurate, having the correct UNC path specified for SIMSSetupsDirectory.
 
 
[[Image:Sc_simsupdater2.jpg]]
 
 
 
 
==Test Log-in==
 
==Test Log-in==
 
   
 
   
On the browser window which was displayed earlier use the username and password, received by email, to login.
+
Once the service pack has finished running Insight will open in a browser. The default log in details after installation are:
 +
* Username: admin
 +
* Password: password <br> <br>
  
*If the default starting page of Insight does not open it may be because the software referred to in the NOTE at the top of this page has not been installed in the correct order. Fix this as follows:
+
If the default starting page of Insight does not open it may be because the software referred to in the NOTE at the top of this page has not been installed in the correct order. This can often be fixed by re-installing the .NET framework: <br> <br>
Go to start -> run and in the Open field box enter %windir%\microsoft.net\framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet_regiis -i
 
  
Click Ok (this will re-install the .net software for you)
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Go to: '''Start''' > '''Run''' <br>
 +
In the '''Open field''' box enter %windir%\microsoft.net\framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet_regiis -i <br>
 +
Click '''OK''' <br> <br>
  
*If this is your first log on, you will most likely be taken to a ''''No license found'''' page. This screen will prompt you to retrieve a licence. There are two options:
+
==Insight Configuration==
'''Method 1''' (Preferred option)
 
Click on the ‘here’ link to attempt this.  If proxy authentication is required, enter your proxy details into the boxes provided and click the "Update" button.  Retry until a licence can be obtained. 
 
  
'''Method 2'''
+
Some technical configuration can be done immediately after installing Insight. Preferences are set once, and are used identically by all users of the system. Preferences are accessed in Insight via:
In extreme circumstances, you can also collect a licence key manually. Click on the 'this' link to collect your licence key (a new window will open); in this new window click on Copy to Clipboard.  Back in the Unlicensed - Windows Internet Explorer window paste the key in the box under method 2 and click submit. 
+
'''Manage''' > '''[[Preferences]]''' <br> <br>
  
*You can close the browser window once you can log in completely.
+
The preferences page is broken down into sections. The following sections can be configured immediately without any further knowledge of Insight. <br> <br>
  
 +
===Email===
  
 +
Insight needs the school's SMTP server details if it is going to send emails. Emails are sent from Insight for a variety of reasons such as sending passwords to parents and notifying staff of user activities. <br> <br>
  
==Insight Configuration==
+
===Proxy===
  
'''Preferences'''
+
This section must be completed in order for Insight to check its licence details with our servers. If the proxy is incorrect, Insight will stop working when the licence needs to be renewed. <br> <br>
  
[[Preferences]] are set once, and are used identically by all users of the system. The preferences you will want to concentrate on at this stage are:
+
Entering DEFAULT for the proxy name will use standard Internet Options. <br> <br>
  
'Email settings'
+
If the school has specific proxy settings then those will need to be entered instead. The proxy should be entered in the form 10.0.0.1:8090. <br> <br>
Insight should be able to email out from your network in order to, for example, remind users of their
 
passwords.  To do this it needs information about your SMTP server. You can also set up an address
 
specifically to ‘collect’ replies to outgoing emails.  Some SMTP servers will require that the Reply to
 
address of an outgoing email actually exists, so you may have to create either and address or an alias
 
to handle this.  
 
Some SMTP servers will need a username and password to authorise before they will send outgoing
 
email and you can enter these here too. Similarly, other complicated arrangements can be handled
 
by modifying the Port used, and whether the server requires encryption. Please go to Preferences -> Email to add these settings.
 
  
'Proxy'
+
===SMS===
You may have had to modify your proxy details in order to download a licence key.  If so the settings are displayed here.  If not, you should enter any necessary proxy details.
 
Entering DEFAULT for the proxy name will use standard Internet Options
 
from Windows.  Otherwise, enter the proxy in the form 10.0.0.1:8090.  If your proxy requires
 
authentication, enter the username and password below, and if the authentication is based on
 
domain credentials, enter this here also. Please go to Preferences -> Proxy to add these settings.
 
  
'SMS'
+
Insight can be used to send SMS messages. The SMS messages are sent via TextAnywhere, a third party provider. Enter the TextAnywhere account details into the SMS section to enable Insight to send SMS messages. <br> <br>
Insight can use the TextAnywhere SMS gateway or teachers2parents API to send text messages. If you already have an
 
account with TextAnywhere or teachers2parents, enter the authorisation information here.  The two providers offer different services.  If you are using TextAnywhere and want replies to outgoing SMS messages to be collected by an email address, enter that address in the ‘Email address for SMS replies’ field. You will also be able to specify a fixed originator string. Please go to Preferences -> SMS to add these settings.
 
 
 
*Once Insight has been fully installed, it will next need to be configured. <br> <br>
 
  
 
==Configuring External Route==
 
==Configuring External Route==
  
When you are happy that your users and preferences are configured, you will need to ensure that a route is configured from outside to the Insight IIS server.  Although the details will change according to the environment your Insight server operates in, the principle remains the same.  Your school will have a static IP address that it presents to the Internet, and you will have to forward requests to this address, on the port chosen for Insight when installing, to the internal network address of the Insight server on the same port, for example:
+
When you are happy that your users and preferences are configured, you will need to ensure that a route is configured from outside to the Insight IIS server.  Although the details will change according to the environment your Insight server operates in, the principle remains the same.  Your school will have a static IP address that it presents to the Internet, and you will have to forward requests to this address, on the port chosen for Insight when installing, to the internal network address of the Insight server on the same port, for example: <br> <br>
 
 
Assuming your schools external IP address is 21.22.23.24, and your Insight server's internal network address is 192.168.1.12, and that Insight is installed to listen on TCP port 1590, the forwarding rule would be '''21.22.23.24:1590''' is to be forwarded to '''192.168.0.12:1590'''.
 
 
 
This rule would normally be configured either at the school's main incoming router, or you may have to put in a change request to your LA to have this facility enabled - again, details will vary according to circumstance.
 
  
When you know the external address you will be using, you can either embed this in your schools main web site as a link, or distribute it as is.
+
Assuming your schools external IP address is '''62.63.64.65''', and your Insight server's internal network address '''is 10.0.0.20''', and that Insight is installed to listen on TCP port 1590, the forwarding rule would be '''62.63.64.65:1590''' is to be forwarded to '''10.0.0.20:1234'''. <br> <br>
  
As a final note, it is strongly suggested that you install and use an SSL certificate on the Insight server, and also that it is not a self-signed certificate, unless you will be also using the server as a root certificate authenticator.
+
This rule would normally be configured either at the school's main incoming router, or you may have to put in a change request to your LA to have this facility enabled - again, details will vary according to circumstance. <br> <br>
  
Although not authoritative, the example below may help you to with this stage.
+
When you know the external address you will be using, you can either embed this in your schools main web site as a link, or distribute it as is. <br> <br>
  
 +
As a final note, it is strongly suggested that you install and use an SSL certificate on the Insight server, and also that it is not a self-signed certificate, unless you will be also using the server as a root certificate authenticator. <br> <br>
  
[[Image:Drawing1.png]]
+
Although not authoritative, the example below may help you to with this stage. <br> <br>
  
''Where schools are linked via a Grid for Learning Network managed by their Local Authority slightly different procedures may be required. In this case talk to TASC and to your Local Authority Technical Officers.''
+
<div>[[Image:network_topology.jpg|1000px]]</div>
  
 
[[Category:Technical]]
 
[[Category:Technical]]

Latest revision as of 09:58, 29 November 2019

Prerequisites before installing INSIGHT

Hardware Requirements

Insight must be installed on an IIS server. The minimum hardware requirements for the server are:

  • 2 Cores (2.5GHz)
  • 4GB RAM

The higher recommended specifications are:

  • 4 Cores (2.5GHz)
  • 16GB RAM

Software Requirements

The server hosting Insight must have the following:

  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Web Edition (or above)
  • IIS7 (or above)
  • Microsoft.Net Framework 4.6.2
  • SIMS Workstation Components

NOTE: It is important that on the IIS server the order of installation is Windows -> Webserver software -> .net software

IIS7 / IIS7.5

Web Server

Common HTTP Features
Static Content
Default Document
HTTP Errors
HTTP Redirection
Application Development
ASP .NET
.Net Extensibility
ASP
ISAPI Extensions
ISAPI Filters
Security
Windows Authentication
Management Tools
IIS Management Console
IIS Management Scripts and Tools
IIS 6 Management Compatibility
IIS 6 Metabase Compatibility


IIS8 (Server 2012 and 2016)

1. On the Start page, click the Server Manager tile, and then click OK.
2. In Server Manager, select Dashboard, and click Add roles and features.
3. In the Add Roles and Features Wizard, on the Before you begin page, click Next.
4. On the Select installation type page, select Role-based or feature-based installation, and click Next.
5. On the Select destination server page, select Select a server from the server pool, select your server, and click Next.
6. On the Select server roles page, expand Web Server (IIS), then Web Server .
7. Expand the Application Development node, and then select ASP.NET 4.5.

The following additional features are added:
.NET Extensibility 4.5
ISAPI Extensions
ISAPI Filters

8. Click Next, then on the Select features page, click Next again.
9. On the Confirm installation selections page, click Install.
10. On the Installation progress page, confirm that your installation of the Web Server (IIS) role and required role services completed successfully, and then click Close.
11. To verify that IIS installed successfully type the following into a web browser: http://localhost

Other Requirements

Connect.ini file

The local CONNECT.INI file in %Program Files%\SIMS\SIMS .net additionally must not be a 'redirect' type - it must be an 'end-point' type, explicitly specifying the server instance and database name.

PARS

If you are also installing PARS, or migrating PARS and Insight to new servers, you should install PARS first. For information about installing PARS, see the installation page on the PARS Connect wiki.

SSL certificate

To encrypt traffic between the server and client and to enable https for Insight, an SSL certificate will be required. This can be purchased in advance of installing Insight (the URL that will be used for Insight and the name of the server that Insight will be installed on will be required).

An SSL certificate is not required when installing Insight initially and can be acquired after installation.

To associate the certificate with the site, first follow the instructions from your certificate provider both to apply for and receive the certificate.

Once you have acquired an SSL certificate, the Insight traffic can be encrypted by following these steps:

  • Open IIS Manager. Under the Sites folder, select the Insight site
  • On the Actions panel, click the Bindings option in the Edit Site section
  • A Site Bindings window will open. Click the Add button
  • Another window will open to Add Site Bindings. Set the Type to https and the SSL certificate to your certificate. The port over which traffic is secured is usually 443

If port 443 is already in use, you can enter the host name of your Insight site so that port 443 can be shared. The host name is the Insight URL that is used outside of the school, without any page extensions or https prefix e.g. Insight.MySchool.co.uk


The SIMS Agent process

Once you are sure your site is securely available externally, you may have to update your SIMS Agent service configuration.

Insight runs a service called SIMSAgent to collect data from the SIMS database and store it in the Insight database. It is important for this service to run correctly so that the data in Insight is correct.

By default the agent will try to use a "localhost" address to contact the web site. Depending on your web site SSL and proxy setup this may no longer be allowed, and so the service may need to be informed of the updated address.

Use a text editor such as Notepad to open the following file C:\inetpub\wwwroot\INSIGHT\bin\SIMSAgent.exe.config
There is a "hub" setting that shows a URL that the service will use to access Insight.

Make sure that the URL specified can be reached using a browser on the server. If not it is unlikely to be the correct address, but it might also be that proxy reconfiguration is required.

If connecting to the specified address is only possible via a proxy, please ensure that your proxy details are correctly configured within the simsagent.exe.config file, ensuring that the proxy address is given as a valid URI and any credentials are accurately given.

If you have had to make changes to the configuration then use services.msc to restart the InsightSIMSAgent process with the new settings.

SIMS user

A single SIMS user account is required by Insight to access the SIMS database. The username and password of each account need to be entered during installation. If the passwords for these accounts are changed, the credentials entered in the Insight service controller will need to be changed also. Therefore using accounts for which the passwords do not change will require the least amount of maintenance.

The SIMS user account must have all of the permissions on the Class teacher and Curriculum Manager templates as well as the following permissions:

Group manager > User defined
View (All)
Edit (All)

Students > Attendance
View (All)

Students > Registration
View (All)

Students > Student Exam Results
View (All)

Students > Timetable and Academic Classes
View (All)

School Management > Home School
View (All)

Admissions > Admissions - Common Data
View (All)

Installing INSIGHT

Downloading the Service Pack

Service packs for Insight are available via the TASC Software website, www.tascsoftware.co.uk. An account is needed to access the website. Accounts can be created by our support team who are available on 01902 824281.

The downloads button at the top of the page is used to access service packs for various products. The Insight service packs are used to installed and/or update Insight.

Running the Service Pack

The service pack should be run on the IIS server that is going to host Insight. If all prerequisites have been met the Service Controller window will open. There are a number of nodes on the left hand side.

Data tier

The service pack may require you to enter the SA username and password for the SQL instance that hosts SIMS. The Data tier tab will also need to have the location of the connect.ini file for the SIMS installation on the IIS server (the server that Insight is being installed onto).

If there is a tick next to the Data tier tab, on the left of the service pack window, then the information for that tab is correct.

Application tier

The Insight application needs to be added to a site in IIS. This action is handled on the Application tier tab of the service pack.

The existing sites from IIS will be listed. The Insight application can be added to one of these sites, or a new site can be created. New sites can be created using the plus button above the list of sites. New sites require a name, port number and physical location on the IIS server (typically C:\inetpub\wwwroot\INSIGHT). An SSL certificate can also be added here.

The application is added to a site by selecting the site then clicking the plus button above the Application section.

Sc web site3.jpg

Commit

At the top of the window there is a section for SIMS account details. The details of the SIMS account mentioned in Prerequisites should be entered here. The Scale field is the number of concurrent connections that can be established to the SQL server using that SIMS user. The default, 10, is a good setting for most schools. Increasing this number will open more access points during peak times but will also increase the strain on the SQL server.

There is a PARS link option which must be selected if PARS is going to be used at school. When this option is selected, Insight will also need to be given a URL to access PARS.

  • Please Note

This PARS Link option requires that you have PARS AUTOMATION installed and running in order to be enabled successfully.



Sc application3.jpg

The settings can then be applied to the web server by clicking the Begin button. Once the process has finished running, the server's default web browser will open and attempt to access the Insight website.

Keep Alive service

The Keep Alive service "prods" the web site to keep the application loaded in memory on the web server. To use this feature, click on the Install button, and then, when the service is installed, click on the Start button.

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Test Log-in

Once the service pack has finished running Insight will open in a browser. The default log in details after installation are:

  • Username: admin
  • Password: password

If the default starting page of Insight does not open it may be because the software referred to in the NOTE at the top of this page has not been installed in the correct order. This can often be fixed by re-installing the .NET framework:

Go to: Start > Run
In the Open field box enter %windir%\microsoft.net\framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet_regiis -i
Click OK

Insight Configuration

Some technical configuration can be done immediately after installing Insight. Preferences are set once, and are used identically by all users of the system. Preferences are accessed in Insight via: Manage > Preferences

The preferences page is broken down into sections. The following sections can be configured immediately without any further knowledge of Insight.

Email

Insight needs the school's SMTP server details if it is going to send emails. Emails are sent from Insight for a variety of reasons such as sending passwords to parents and notifying staff of user activities.

Proxy

This section must be completed in order for Insight to check its licence details with our servers. If the proxy is incorrect, Insight will stop working when the licence needs to be renewed.

Entering DEFAULT for the proxy name will use standard Internet Options.

If the school has specific proxy settings then those will need to be entered instead. The proxy should be entered in the form 10.0.0.1:8090.

SMS

Insight can be used to send SMS messages. The SMS messages are sent via TextAnywhere, a third party provider. Enter the TextAnywhere account details into the SMS section to enable Insight to send SMS messages.

Configuring External Route

When you are happy that your users and preferences are configured, you will need to ensure that a route is configured from outside to the Insight IIS server. Although the details will change according to the environment your Insight server operates in, the principle remains the same. Your school will have a static IP address that it presents to the Internet, and you will have to forward requests to this address, on the port chosen for Insight when installing, to the internal network address of the Insight server on the same port, for example:

Assuming your schools external IP address is 62.63.64.65, and your Insight server's internal network address is 10.0.0.20, and that Insight is installed to listen on TCP port 1590, the forwarding rule would be 62.63.64.65:1590 is to be forwarded to 10.0.0.20:1234.

This rule would normally be configured either at the school's main incoming router, or you may have to put in a change request to your LA to have this facility enabled - again, details will vary according to circumstance.

When you know the external address you will be using, you can either embed this in your schools main web site as a link, or distribute it as is.

As a final note, it is strongly suggested that you install and use an SSL certificate on the Insight server, and also that it is not a self-signed certificate, unless you will be also using the server as a root certificate authenticator.

Although not authoritative, the example below may help you to with this stage.

Network topology.jpg