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All of the MICROAREA applications have been developed with client/server technology which requires certain services to be configured on your PC. To facilitate this task and avoid the presence of technical personnel for installations, we have designed a wizard that is used by all of our applications. Following the steps that the installer suggests, the program is able to be up and running within minutes.
The application is designed for network use. However, the program can be used on a stand-alone machine.
Another important function is the possibility to access your server from a remote computer. This allows a connection between various geographical locations, remote access from home and the ability to give clients access to the desired information. This process is extremely simple and only requires a few instructions from our technical support department.
THE FOLLOWING TECHNICAL INFORMATION IS NOT NECESSARY FOR INSTALLATION OF THE SOFTWARE. IT IS MEANT AS A REFERENCE FOR THOSE USERS WHO DESIRE TO KNOW IN GREATER DETAIL HOW THE PROCESS OF INSTALLATION WORKS.
All of the MICROAREA applications have been developed with client/server technology which requires certain services to be configured on your PC. To facilitate this task and avoid the presence of technical personnel for installations, we have designed a wizard that is used by all of our applications. Following the steps that the installer suggests, the program is able to be up and running within minutes.
The application is designed for network use. However, the program can be used on a stand-alone machine.
Another important function is the possibility to access your server from a remote computer. This allows a connection between various geographical locations, remote access from home and the ability to give clients access to the desired information. This process is extremely simple and only requires a few instructions from our technical support department.
THE FOLLOWING TECHNICAL INFORMATION IS NOT NECESSARY FOR INSTALLATION OF THE SOFTWARE. IT IS MEANT AS A REFERENCE FOR THOSE USERS WHO DESIRE TO KNOW IN GREATER DETAIL HOW THE PROCESS OF INSTALLATION WORKS.
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| Rules about the Protection of Information
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WHAT ABOUT INFORMATION PROTECTION?
In a business environment there is, without a doubt, confidential information that must be protected. The levels of security that the program establishes depends on the type of user, guaranteeing the user total control. For instance: you are able to determine broader levels of access and security for the head of the law firm while limiting access for others. Each user has access to the parts of the program that allow him/her to perform their routine duties
WHAT ABOUT INFORMATION PROTECTION?
In a business environment there is, without a doubt, confidential information that must be protected. The levels of security that the program establishes depends on the type of user, guaranteeing the user total control. For instance: you are able to determine broader levels of access and security for the head of the law firm while limiting access for others. Each user has access to the parts of the program that allow him/her to perform their routine duties
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Do I need a dedicated server?
The common structure in a small local network is to have one machine that acts as a Server and others that connect to it as clients.
It is not necessary to have one computer dedicated exclusively to performing the tasks of the server. Any of the computers in your office (the most powerful, if possible) is able to carry out these duties while being used in the work place at the same time. Although it is possible that if your office handles large volumes of information you will need a dedicated machine to run the services of Microsoft SQL. This all depends on the hardware installed in your office and the recommendations of your service information provider.
Today it is normal to have a shared internet connection and computers connected through a local network system. Although this may appear not to pose a great risk, this set up subjects your data to continuous attacks and allows the entrance of ¨spam¨and viruses. If the design of your network is such it is advisable that you dedicate one computer to handle firewalls, set up database services, anti-virus programs, etc.
More details about networks
Below are some terms which you can familiarize yourself with to understand how your local network works.
IP:
Internet Protocol. Used both by the origin and the destination for the communication of information through the local network or Internet.
IP ADDRESS
This is a number that identifies a computer within a network that uses IP protocol. Do not confuse this number with the MAC address. The MAC address is the number assigned to the network card of the computer itself. It comes imposed by the manufacturer of the card, while the IP address can change. You will have both types of IP addresses.
• Local or private IP address
• Public IP: this can be dynamic or static
LOCAL OR PRIVATE IP ADDRESS
The local IP address is the one that corresponds to the local network of your house or office. It is used to access other computers installed in your local network.
REMOTE OR PUBLIC IP ADDRESS
Your IP address can be either fixed or dynamic, according to which contract you have with your ISP.
Dynamic and static IP addresses.
The dynamic IP address is the most common for users that are connected to the Internet from their home. Normally this address will change on reconnect.
Static IP addresses are used by internet sites that by nature need to be permanently connected (web servers, public FTP, email servers, etc). This address will not change with time, it will remain static.
The information services of the SQL SERVER are accessible from the internet through port 1433, so if you have a static IP address, you will be able to access information from your house or connect geographically separate offices.
Do I need a dedicated server?
The common structure in a small local network is to have one machine that acts as a Server and others that connect to it as clients.
It is not necessary to have one computer dedicated exclusively to performing the tasks of the server. Any of the computers in your office (the most powerful, if possible) is able to carry out these duties while being used in the work place at the same time. Although it is possible that if your office handles large volumes of information you will need a dedicated machine to run the services of Microsoft SQL. This all depends on the hardware installed in your office and the recommendations of your service information provider.
Today it is normal to have a shared internet connection and computers connected through a local network system. Although this may appear not to pose a great risk, this set up subjects your data to continuous attacks and allows the entrance of ¨spam¨and viruses. If the design of your network is such it is advisable that you dedicate one computer to handle firewalls, set up database services, anti-virus programs, etc.
More details about networks
Below are some terms which you can familiarize yourself with to understand how your local network works.
IP:
Internet Protocol. Used both by the origin and the destination for the communication of information through the local network or Internet.
IP ADDRESS
This is a number that identifies a computer within a network that uses IP protocol. Do not confuse this number with the MAC address. The MAC address is the number assigned to the network card of the computer itself. It comes imposed by the manufacturer of the card, while the IP address can change. You will have both types of IP addresses.
• Local or private IP address
• Public IP: this can be dynamic or static
LOCAL OR PRIVATE IP ADDRESS
The local IP address is the one that corresponds to the local network of your house or office. It is used to access other computers installed in your local network.
REMOTE OR PUBLIC IP ADDRESS
Your IP address can be either fixed or dynamic, according to which contract you have with your ISP.
Dynamic and static IP addresses.
The dynamic IP address is the most common for users that are connected to the Internet from their home. Normally this address will change on reconnect.
Static IP addresses are used by internet sites that by nature need to be permanently connected (web servers, public FTP, email servers, etc). This address will not change with time, it will remain static.
The information services of the SQL SERVER are accessible from the internet through port 1433, so if you have a static IP address, you will be able to access information from your house or connect geographically separate offices.
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| Which operating systems are supported?
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The software from MICRO AREA works in client mode in any Microsoft Windows based operating system. However at least, one of the computers must be able to support services in server mode if you are using the program on a stand alone machine, it will have to meet the requirements of server mode. The product will not work on operating systems based on Unix, Mac or any other non-Windows based system. Use of emulators or virtual machines will not guarantee correct operation.
In any installation, we will need one machine that acts as the server, activating the services of data access and containing the information of the program. The client machines will be those that access the server to request information. A computer that works as a stand alone machine must be powerful enough to support server and client operations.
Below is a list of the supported operating systems:
Windows 7
Windows 2008 Server
Windows Vista
Windows Xp
Windows 2000
The software from MICRO AREA works in client mode in any Microsoft Windows based operating system. However at least, one of the computers must be able to support services in server mode if you are using the program on a stand alone machine, it will have to meet the requirements of server mode. The product will not work on operating systems based on Unix, Mac or any other non-Windows based system. Use of emulators or virtual machines will not guarantee correct operation.
In any installation, we will need one machine that acts as the server, activating the services of data access and containing the information of the program. The client machines will be those that access the server to request information. A computer that works as a stand alone machine must be powerful enough to support server and client operations.
Below is a list of the supported operating systems:
Windows 7
Windows 2008 Server
Windows Vista
Windows Xp
Windows 2000
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 Before beginning the installation of the program, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the terminology that will help you with the installation process.
¨Mono-Console” or “Multi-Console”?
“Mono-Console” refers to having the software installed on one stand alone machine, where information cannot be accessed on other machines.
“Multi-Console” installation refers to an installation where several different computers can access the information contained on one computer, known as the server
Servers and clients.
So that the program is able to manage the information of the office, we automatically install a service on your computer that is called MS SQL Server. This ¨service¨ is an automatic task that is continually carried out on the computer and that is entrusted with receiving requests for information from other computers.
If we carry out both the mono-console and the multi-console installation, we need this service to be active so that the computer where we have installed the service (the machine that will contain the information) is designated as the server. The rest of the computers connected to the local network and to the server itself are the work station ¨clients¨, given that they send information requests to the server and the server returns the information to them.
Before beginning the installation of the program, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the terminology that will help you with the installation process.
¨Mono-Console” or “Multi-Console”?
“Mono-Console” refers to having the software installed on one stand alone machine, where information cannot be accessed on other machines.
“Multi-Console” installation refers to an installation where several different computers can access the information contained on one computer, known as the server
Servers and clients.
So that the program is able to manage the information of the office, we automatically install a service on your computer that is called MS SQL Server. This ¨service¨ is an automatic task that is continually carried out on the computer and that is entrusted with receiving requests for information from other computers.
If we carry out both the mono-console and the multi-console installation, we need this service to be active so that the computer where we have installed the service (the machine that will contain the information) is designated as the server. The rest of the computers connected to the local network and to the server itself are the work station ¨clients¨, given that they send information requests to the server and the server returns the information to them.
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| Advantages of Client/Server Technology
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To document this section, we present the following example:
Imagine for a moment that in your work office there is one person entrusted with knowing all of the telephone numbers that you need to do your job. This person writes down these numbers in ten bound books. All of the information contained in these volumes is recorded on the computer. We refer to this as a ¨database¨ and the person charged with storing and facilitating the information about the telephone numbers is referred to as the ¨Server.
Each one of the people who work in your office needs to make use of this information. They ask or send requests to the server every time that they need a phone number or they have to perform a modification.
With the traditional method of accessing data, you (the client) would ask your colleague (the server) for the telephone number of Mr X. Your colleague would immediately cross the hallway of your office, put the ten heavy volumes on the table, and you would look for the phone number you needed yourself. However, using client/server technology a task can be assigned to your colleague (the server), and the server can do it for you. If you need to know Mr. X´s phone number you send a request to your colleague (server) who listens to the request, searches for the information in the ten volumes of the telephone directory (the database), and the only information which is returned is the information you need: the telephone number. All this without you needing to cross the hallway carrying the ten heavy volumes of information.
The interchange of information among different computers is known as a Local Area Network.
Networks
Therefore, if you and your fellow colleagues would like to share information, they will need to have a local area network (LAN) installed by means of a cable or by means of wireless technology (WLAN). In this case, during installation of the software, you will have to choose a computer on which the installation will be carried out in Server mode. The rest of the computers from which you desire to access the information carry out the installation in client mode.
If your office computers are interconnected and there are several colleagues that desire to use the program, but they do not want to share the information, you will have to carry out an installation in Server mode in each one of the computers of the lawyers that expect to use the application.
As was mentioned before, in the case of using the program on only one machine, it is necessary to activate the client and server duties simultaneously so that the installation will be in Server mode.
To document this section, we present the following example:
Imagine for a moment that in your work office there is one person entrusted with knowing all of the telephone numbers that you need to do your job. This person writes down these numbers in ten bound books. All of the information contained in these volumes is recorded on the computer. We refer to this as a ¨database¨ and the person charged with storing and facilitating the information about the telephone numbers is referred to as the ¨Server.
Each one of the people who work in your office needs to make use of this information. They ask or send requests to the server every time that they need a phone number or they have to perform a modification.
With the traditional method of accessing data, you (the client) would ask your colleague (the server) for the telephone number of Mr X. Your colleague would immediately cross the hallway of your office, put the ten heavy volumes on the table, and you would look for the phone number you needed yourself. However, using client/server technology a task can be assigned to your colleague (the server), and the server can do it for you. If you need to know Mr. X´s phone number you send a request to your colleague (server) who listens to the request, searches for the information in the ten volumes of the telephone directory (the database), and the only information which is returned is the information you need: the telephone number. All this without you needing to cross the hallway carrying the ten heavy volumes of information.
The interchange of information among different computers is known as a Local Area Network.
Networks
Therefore, if you and your fellow colleagues would like to share information, they will need to have a local area network (LAN) installed by means of a cable or by means of wireless technology (WLAN). In this case, during installation of the software, you will have to choose a computer on which the installation will be carried out in Server mode. The rest of the computers from which you desire to access the information carry out the installation in client mode.
If your office computers are interconnected and there are several colleagues that desire to use the program, but they do not want to share the information, you will have to carry out an installation in Server mode in each one of the computers of the lawyers that expect to use the application.
As was mentioned before, in the case of using the program on only one machine, it is necessary to activate the client and server duties simultaneously so that the installation will be in Server mode.
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