Install Problem

Citrix/Terminal Services - Need help with Network Install

Installing Mortgage Brain in a Citrix/Terminal Services Environment:

In the below instructions it explains installing Mortgage Brain on a Citrix Network but the instructions also apply for Terminal Services.

When installing Mortgage Brain in a Citrix Environment the install instructions are the same as if you were installing Mortgage Brain on a standard network the only difference is where the Server and Workstation installs are done.

Obviously whatever is installed on the Citrix Server is what will be shared out to the Citrix workstations so we suggested you don’t do the server install of Mortgage Brain here, otherwise it would mean all the workstations having copies of the Mortgage Brain server install.

So what we suggest instead is that the Server install of Mortgage Brain is done on another server which doesn’t have Citrix on it like a File Server. This is then treated like the server install of Mortgage Brain and the below server instructions are followed. Then on the Citrix Server a workstation install of the software is done again by following the Workstation install instructions below.

This means when you share out or publish Mortgage Brain to the Citrix workstations they will be getting a Workstation copy of Mortgage Brain which is a better way of the software running.

Installing Mortgage Brain on a Citrix network can be done using the below instructions but when it comes to sharing or publishing the program this is something which your IT person should know how to do and which we cant really support.

INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS

In order to network the Broker suite of products we would recommend a LAN speed of at least 100mbs. Although the product will work on lower bandwidths (e.g. 10mbs) response times are unlikely to meet client requirements.

Wide area and remote access VPNs are unlikely to deliver the bandwidth we require and are not recommended.

Wireless network limitations and operating features means they are unlikely to be suitable for Broker.

Hardware requirements
Server
We would recommend using a dedicated Server.

The minimum (tested) specification for the Server is a single 2.4GHz CPU with 512mb ram and 20GB hard disk. Preference is for 1GB RAM as recommended by Microsoft. Network adapter should be capable of running at 100mbs. Server operating system should be Windows 2000 Server, Windows XP Pro or better.

On a small network (3-5 users) a dedicated Windows XP Pro (Server) PC will be suitable. Specification for the PC is identical to the preceding paragraph. Fault tolerance, monitoring potential and resilience are traditionally lower on a PC and these may influence the choice of Server platform.

Internet Explorer minimum version is IE5.5 SP2. Adobe Reader should be the latest compatible version.

Network Clients
Minimum specification for network PCs should be Intel Pentium IV equivalent or faster, 256MB Ram, 6 GB Hard disk. Network adapter should be capable of running at 100mbs. Recommended operating systems are Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

Internet Explorer recommended version is IE6. Adobe Reader should be version 5.x or later.

General
The Server will need access to the internet in order to run updates. Broadband at 512kbps is our preferred medium. Any firewalls must allow access on port 80 for updates and port 443 for Datawarehouse uploads (if applicable).

PREPARATIONS

The Server should be built and configured with the operating system, Internet Explorer and Adobe Reader. Windows updates should be applied in line with Microsoft recommendations. Backup routines should be instigated and tested. Event logs should be checked and should be ‘clean’.

PCs should be built and configured with the operating system, Internet Explorer and Adobe Reader. Windows updates should be applied in line with Microsoft recommendations. Event logs should be checked and should be ‘clean’.

Network connectivity between Server and PCs should be established, tested and proved.

If any Broker version has previously been installed on either the Server or the PCs, then we can assist you in determining whether it is best to update or remove them. If the decision is to remove previous versions, then we can advise on the most appropriate removal method; the objectives being file removal and registry cleanup. Full backups should be taken before commencing any upgrade or removal activity.

INSTALLATION STEPS

Installation steps are listed below and should be completed in the order in which they appear.

On the Server

• Make a full backup of the Server before starting the installation (this is best practice).
• Create a folder called ‘mbrain’ or name of your choosing (folder name must not contain spaces).
• Share the ‘mbrain’ folder.
• Allow all users full access to the ‘mbrain’ share.
• Map the ‘M:’ (letter of your choosing) drive on the Server to the ‘mbrain’ share. Please note you should use the same drive letter on each client PC.
• Insert the Broker software CD.
• Select ‘Next’ on the Welcome screen.
• Accept the License agreement.
• Select ‘Perform Server Installation’
• Select ‘Next’ then set the destination drive to ‘M:’ (the drive letter you previously mapped to the mbrain share).
• Select ‘Next’ then elect to make a backup of the existing installation if required.
• Select ‘Next’ to start the installation.
• Register the product by calling our Service Desk on 0870-888-0200 and requesting that a new NETWORK installation is REGISTERED and PUT ONLINE. The Service desk will talk you through this process.

On each PC

• Map the ‘M:’ (must be the same letter as that used on the Server) drive to the ‘mbrain’ share on the Server.
• Insert the Broker software CD.
• Select ‘Next’ on the Welcome screen.
• Accept the License agreement.
• Select ‘Configure Workstation to allow access to existing installation’.
• Select ‘Next’ then set the destination drive to ‘M:’ (the drive letter you previously mapped to the mbrain share).
• Select ‘Next’ then elect to make a backup of the existing installation if required.
• Select ‘Next’ to start the installation.

On the Server

• Run broker: updating and maintenance, to download the latest rate, scheme and program enhancements.
• Setup Client Database Consultant details.