Networking AcornPipe:
Basic
Networking Information:
See FAQs below this section:
Any AcornPipe software package can be
used on multiple machines in the same office.
To get your office started with AcornPipe:
1/ You will need to purchase an AcornPipe Software package,
which includes a program CD, training CD, and USB key.
2/ Install the AcornPipe program (but not the AcornClients folder) on each workstation. It is suggested you use the latest version from the Complete Program Downloads page if it is newer than the one on your program CD.
3/ Install the AcornClients folder on a server which is accessible from all the workstations.
4/ Decide where you plan to plug in the AcornPipe USB key. Many users find it convenient not to have the key on the file server, as this avoids having to reboot the server if you need to update the driver. However, remember that the key will not work while its host computer is turned off. DO NOT PLUG IN THE USB KEY YET.
5/ Run the Sentinel Protection Installer on the computer that is to host the USB key. As a precaution, reboot that computer so as to ensure that the driver is active. LEAVE THE KEY UNPLUGGED FOR NOW.
6/ Once the computer has finished rebooting,
plug in the USB key and wait several seconds to allow Windows to
recognize the key and assign it the correct driver.
7/ On one of the workstations, run AcornPipe.
It may take several seconds to find the key the first time. Select
File/Set Clients Folder and navigate to the AcornClients folder on
the server.
Repeat this on each workstation in turn.
Acorn Pipe searches for the key on the local subnet. However, machines on a different subnet can still use the key provided the path to the key server is provided in Servername.txt, located in the user's Application Data/AcornPipe folder. Note that Servername.txt is normally blank. The easiest way to enter the correct path is to go to a workstation which has already found the key, usually because it is on the same subnet as the key. Select File/Always use key on.... Exit AcornPipe. Copy ServerName.txt from this workstation to the one that is on a different subnet from the key.
Installing the Sentinel Key Driver:
The key driver normally needs to be installed
just on the machine that hosts the key. However, we understand that
sometimes the key driver needs to be installed on the workstations
as well.
The install for the SafeNet sentinel device will determine any
changes required to the firewall, and may ask your permission to
make a firewall exception to allow AcornPipe to find the key. You
need to allow this in order for the key to do its job.
**See the Frequently Asked Questions, regarding networking AcornPipe
below.
FAQs about
networking AcornPipe:
Q.
Will I need to move the USB port Sentinel key to a server that is
accessible to all clients?
A.
Not necessarily. As long as the computer which has the key attached
is part of the network, and as long as this computer is on almost
all the time, the sentinel can stay right there. The other computers
should have the program installed then try finding the key. The
firewall/permissions etc., may have to be set to open to allow the
terminals to find the key.
There is a file in the C:\Program Files\AcornPipe named Server
Name.txt which can be edited with notepad. If you put the IP address
for the computer port where the key is found, into the top line,
then the program should find the key.
Sometimes on some networks, the ‘key driver’ needs to be installed
to each terminal on the server; on other systems this is not
necessary. If you prefer the key be on the server, the program
should be able to find it there as well, as long as they have the
right permissions, etc.
Q. How can I determine the IP address of this computer?
A.
Not sure how to find the IP address of this computer? – Try
accessing one of these websites online:
http://www.find-ip-address.org/
or
www.ipchicken.com
or
http://www.showmyip.com/ . These sites will
display the IP address of your computer. There are others as
well that can be found by searching online. OR Open a PDF File,
which will help you to find the IP address of your computer
-
Click Here.
Q.
Will I need to install the key driver only on that server and give
it a restart?
A. That should work too. However every system is a little bit different, some networks have idiosyncrasies, so you may need to refer to Question 1’s answer.
Q.
Will we need to un-install the Sentinel Key/driver from the current
stand alone machine?
A.
Not necessarily – The Sentinel Key and driver usually works pretty
seamlessly.
Q.
Will I need to install the Acorn Pipe Program Only on the remaining
workstations?
A.
Install the complete program, then COPY the AcornClients folder to
the server. This leaves the program somewhere to default back to, if
the server is down. Now set the program at the main program menu to
read the AcornClients folder on the server. Do this by using ‘File’
– ‘Set Clients Folder’. Double click to the server drive, then click
the AcornClients folder on this drive, to set the path.
The program then asks: Do you want driveletter/AcornClients
as your data folder. The answer will be yes.
Do this on each terminal so that each is using the driveletter/AcornClients
as a data folder.
***AcornPipe always looks for the word AcornClients. Although the AcornClients folder can be renamed, it should always have the words AcornClients, even if you rename for example ‘AcornClients-Jake’ or ‘AcornClients-Holly’ etc.
Q.
Will I need to move the Working files from the C:\AcornClients
folder (or a portion of it, from the current stand alone machine, to
an accessible share on the server?
A.
Copying this folder works better than moving the folder, because the
program then has somewhere to default back to, if the server is
down. See previous answers.
Q.
Will we need to create a ServerName.txt file with the IP address of
the Key Server in it on the first line, and copy it into the
C:\Program Files\AcornPipe folder on all eight workstations.
A.
This Servername.txt file should be in AcornPipe already. This is
really a good way to find the key, because in the past we have had
incidents where someone had a key of their own, and when docked to
the network, other users were finding and using his key. His drawing
files were disappearing and it took some creative guesswork and
research to find the problem.
Q.
Will I need to tell the Acorn Pipe Program where the Working Files
are now located, so that they are all working from the same file
set?
A.
Set the path at the main AcornPipe program window, by using ‘File’ –
‘Set Clients Folder’. Double click to the server drive, then click
the AcornClients folder.
The program then asks: Do you want driveletter/AcornClients
as your data folder. The answer will be yes. Do this on each
terminal so that each is using the driveletter/AcornClients
as a data folder.
Q. Once this is done, can the local C:\AcornClients folder be removed from each workstation?
A.
Yes, but if the server has been down, you would need to reset the
path by editing the file
C:\Program Files\AcornStart.txt and on the top line make sure the
folder names are reading the correct path.
For example the top line of my AcornStart.txt file reads:
ClientsFullPath=C:\AcornClients
Which is correct on my system.
After your program finds the folder on the network, check to see
what this top line reads and make a note of it. Then if you have a
problem you can edit the line to read: ClientsFullPath=X:\AcornClients
Or other drive letter and path.
Q. To start off we will allow all users to modify Specifications, Edit Materials & Create DBF files, so I would imagine that I wouldn’t need to modify anything with respect to rights within the Acorn Pipe program?
A. That is correct, however at some point you may decide to monitor which stations can create new specs or which terminals can enter received materials etc, and this can be done by altering the permissions in the program, and perhaps setting a password to protect your settings.
***I
have the only computer and key settings that can undo passwords, to
allow a reset of them.
Donna Mackey
dmackey@acornpipe.com
Q.
Once I have one working workstation with the servername.txt and the
file path set to access the working files, can I then overwrite the
C:\Program Files\AcornPipe folder on the remaining seven default
installations to replicate the program settings?
A.
Yes, this file is terminal specific, so each terminal can be set to
read the same drive, or some can be set to read their own drives,
but you should be able to copy these settings to other terminals
without incident. It might be a good idea to keep a backup copy of
this file, once the settings are all to your liking.
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