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UltraKey IP-based Learning Management |
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by TopTenReviews. | | | |
| | Last Updated: April 2011 | |
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| | In 2005, Bytes of Learning released the first ever IP-based learning management system for instructional software. This page addresses the most common questions about this technology: | |
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| | How it Works | |
| | System Requirements | |
| | No Users Have Access to the Data | |
| | Benefits of IP-based Learning Management | |
| | Unique Features of the UltraKey 5.0 Data Server Software | |
| | How all-Mac Schools Use Windows Server Software | |
| | How Novell Schools Use Windows Server Software | |
| | How Home Users Login to School Records
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| | Firewall Port Must be Opened | |
| | Testing the Server Software Before You Buy | |
| | Purchasing the Server Software | |
| | Getting More Information and Assistance | |
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| | | | How it Works | |
| | | | The UltraKey Data Server Software operates a service in the background of any Windows server or computer. The service exchanges data with all copies of the UltraKey instructional program (client) running on Windows and Mac computers within the enterprise. | |
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| | | | Communication between the service and the UltraKey clients consists of data packets transmitted using Internet Protocol (IP). IP is the same format anti-virus programs use to communicate virus definitions, and email programs use to transmit emails. | |
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| | | | IP communication is extremely efficient. For one class of students using UltraKey for one hour, data flow is estimated at 1MB to 5MB for the whole class, which is less than one graphical web page download for one user. Many customers have used the UltraKey Data Server software for years without anyneed for attention. | |
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| | | | In older software technology, the instructional software keeps central records using a shared space on a network server. In its day, this approach worked well but the method has become impractical in today's security-conscious environments. The use of shared network spaces also limits the learning management to local networks. Today, one installation of the UltraKey Data Server software can serve an entire school district. | |
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| | | | System Requirements | |
| | | | The UltraKey Data Server software may be installed on any Windows PC or server running Windows 2000, Server 2000, Server 2003, XP, Server 2008, Vista or Windows 7. The data server software operates as a background service and may co-locate with other services and applications on the same PC. | |
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| | | | Even an older PC will easily serve a school's needs. It only needs to have a fixed IP address so clients can locate it as needed. | |
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| | | | For district-wide service, the data server software should be installed on a current server with the usual high-speed access that district-level servers have. The server software easily co-locates with other services. About 100 MB of data space is required per school. | |
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| | | | Note: The UltraKey Data Server runs very nicely within a Parallels environment on a Macintosh. Read more about serving Mac environments below. | |
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| | | | No Users Have Access to the Data
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| | | | With IP-based learning management, the client communicates with the server software, which in turn does all the storage and retrieval of data. Users never access the server, which is why no user requires permission and total security is guaranteed. | |
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| | | | Benefits of IP-based Learning Management | |
| | | | Prior to implementing the new IP-based learning management system, more than 95% of all technical help calls coming to Bytes of Learning resulted from permission problems on networks. | |
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| | | | Today, most help calls arise from customers wanting to know how to better use the UltraKey software, more than they do with any technical problems. The whole nature of instructional software application changes with IP-based learning management. | |
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| | | | Other Benefits: | |
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| | | • | Network permission problems and security threats are eliminated. | |
| | | • | One implementation can serve all schools in the District | |
| | | • | Maintenance and support costs are nearly zero. | |
| | | • | Teachers control everything for their schools and classess using the UltraKey client. | |
| | | • | Class interruptions are minimized, and classroom teachers can fix most of their own problems. | |
| | | • | Teachers can manage their classes from home the same way they do at school. | |
| | | • | At the district's discretion, students who have copies of UltraKey at home, may be monitored and managed while they learn at home. | |
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| | | | Unique Features of the UltraKey Data Server Software | |
| | | | Bytes of Learning researched and developed the UltraKey server software to handle thousands of student users and teacher users simultaneously with no noticeable slowdown. Extensive error handling intelligence makes the service extremely reliable. | |
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| | | | To ensure privacy, the UltraKey server software encrypts all communication so sensitive student information cannot be intercepted. Passwords are never transmitted from the server to the client programs, ensuring they remain secure along with the integrity of the data system. | |
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| | | | To minimize the need for central support, all the management functions including enrollment, are contained in the client software. So teachers can easily meet their own needs without central assistance. | |
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| | | | How all-Mac Schools Use Windows Server Software | |
| | | | Mac users choose UltraKey in the first place because the client is always supported on the latest Mac OS X platforms including Snow Leopard. Here is how all-Mac schools and districts are utilizing the Windows-based server software: | |
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| | | • | Most all-Mac districts have at least one Windows server in the district already performing some task. These districts have installed the UltraKey Data Server software, easily serving every all-Mac school. | |
| | | • | Some all-Mac schools have implemented the server software on a Windows partition running on a Macintosh using Parallels or Boot Camp. | |
| | | • | Some Mac Schools have located an unused PC and hooked it up to the local network. | |
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| | | | Bytes of Learning will offer web-based data management service when UltraKey 6 is released. | |
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| | | | How Novell Schools Use Windows Server Software | |
| | | | The UltraKey Data Server software cannot operate on a Novell server because it is a service that requires Windows functions. However, the server software can operate on any workstation or PC connected to a Novell network. | |
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| | | | The only requirement is that the server software must be on a computer that has a static IP address. The UltraKey client copies can operate on any Novel workstation regardless of whether it has a fixed IP address or not. | |
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| | | | Districts that have Novell-based systems in their schools, install the UltraKey Data Server software on a Windows server at their central office. The one installation serves all the schools in the District, whether they use Novel, Windows, Linux or Macintosh networks. | |
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| | | | How Home Users Login to School Records
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| | | | To allow secure communication from outside the school, the host manager or teacher creates a connection key file using the UltraKey client. This encrypted file is distributed to home users. | |
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| | | | When home users double-click the connection key file, UltraKey starts and decrypts the key for internal use. Then UltraKey communicates with the data server software using the home Internet connection. | |
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| | | | Connection keys do not permit management access unless the manager enables it. | |
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| | | | Students must purchase the UltraKey software for home use. Bytes of Learning also provides laptop licensing that lets copies of UltraKey be used on and off campus. | |
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| | | | If the school or district does not want home-to-school connections, they just don't use this capability and do not distribute a connection key. However, districts should know that allowing home logins presents no security risk whatsoever. | |
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| | | | Firewall Port Must be Opened | |
| | | | In order for any computer to communicate at all, certain firewall ports are always open. For instance port 80 is open for email communication | |
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| | | | The phrase 'open a port' is best understood as an enabling of communication to occur. It does not mean opening a door through which an uninvited person can intrude. | |
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| | | | UltraKey communicates through port 5976. Whenever an UltraKey client copy cannot locate the UltraKey Data Server installation, the most likely cause is that a firewall stands between them and port 5976 is not open. | |
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| | | | Testing the Server Software Before You Buy | |
| | | | A server software trial license is included with every UltraKey school trial. Schools are welcome to install and test the UltraKey Data Server software to whatever extent they need. For multiple schools, districts are invited to contact us for a server key that permits multiple-school use. | |
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| | | | Setting up the data server software is easy as long as you read the instructions as they are presented by the installer software. Bytes of Learning provides free technical support to help customers set up the software. Support is provided after purchase free of charge. | |
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| | | | Purchasing the Server Software | |
| | | | The UltraKey Data Server software and license are provided with every Network IP edition of UltraKey. | |
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| | | | If you own UltraKey 4.0 or a Standalone Plus edition of UltraKey 5.0, contact our customer service department to request an upgrade quote. Please provide details about your current license so we can better assist you. | |
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| | | | Getting More Information and Assistance | |
| | | | Feel free to contact us and discuss your particular situation in more detail. | |
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| | | | If you have a software selection team or you need to satisfy the concerns of several departments in the school or district, we are pleased to arrange an Internet conference with all your colleagues at a mutually acceptable time. | |
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