1. OSIRIS Client Support Issues A workshop for the ITSS Conference 2002 Niall Hedderley, MIS

2. Objectives Background on OSIRIS Introduction to types of clients An overview of the client-side technical support issues.

3. History Current Central Finance System: Prophecy –Over 8 years old –Support issues: Client rarely used for other purposes Printing issues

4. OSIRIS: Background OSIRIS –Oxford Strategic Integrated Resource Information System OSIRIS Project –New technology –Additional capabilities –Re-working of operating practices

5. Server Side SunFire 4800 Database server Multiple SunFire 280R Application/front- end servers Off-site “hot spare” hardware

6. Types of Users Browser-based –Majority of users –Functions as (and beyond) Prophecy client Native Win32-based –Minority of users –Functions beyond existing facilities

7. Browser-Based Clients Browser versions: –Netscape 4.x –Internet Explorer 5.x Client platforms, recommended minimum: –PC: 300MHz / 128MB –Macintosh: 200MHz / 128 MB –Display capable of 1024 x 768 Java-based plug-in: Jinitiator

8. JInitiator Required for all browser access to OSIRIS Java-based browser plug-in –Provides the presentation layer –Java 2, JRE 1.3 –40 bit RC4 encryption of data in transit Versions for Win32 and Macintosh

9. Browser-Based Client Issues Java plug-in versions: –Will change over time –Need to match database versions Network install issues: –For speed, keep the plug-in local to the machine

10. Browser-Based Client Example

11. Win32 Clients Win32 Clients are not expected to be for all users –More powerful reporting tools –“desktop integration” tools Client Platforms, recommended minimum: –300 MHz / 128MB –Windows NT or 2000 –“50MB RAM available and 230 MB disk space available” –256MB suggested

12. Win32 Client Installation Install locations: Oracle Homes –Acts as a installation root for a group of applications –Holds both programs and configuration information

13. Win32 Client Configuration The TNSNAMES file Translates database names to access methods Applies to all applications in a Oracle Home Custom file: to be centrally supplied

14. Printing Majority of printing direct from browser or Win32 client Some specialist printing may require PostScript 3

15. Networking Bandwidth issues: –Browser-based clients: Low Presentation layer from plug-in –Native Win32 clients: Depending on demand

16. Routes to Help OSIRIS web pages (www.admin.ox.ac.uk/finance/osiris) OSIRIS helpdesk Mailing lists

17. Timescales OSIRIS expected “go-live”: February 2003 Conference Room Pilots: Spring/Summer 2002 IT Survey: Summer 2002

18. OSIRIS Client Support Issues A workshop for the ITSS Conference 2002 Niall Hedderley, MIS