ALEPH Networked GUI Scenarios for now and the future Theo Engelman Senior ICT consultant Utrecht University Library (Netherlands)

ALEPHNetworked GUIScenarios for now and the future

Theo EngelmanSenior ICT consultantUtrecht University Library (Netherlands)

Outline

• Changes in the ICT landscape

• Networked GUI; why and how

• Key elements in details

• Adding new elements & techniqueso Sambao Terminal Servero Webservices

• Conclusions

• Questions and discussion

But first..............

Changes in the ICT landscape

• Outsourcing Aleph client workstations to;o Central ICT in Universityo Commercial partner

• Outsourcing Aleph server to;o Central ICT in University or consortiumo Ex Libris cloud

• More partners involved means security issues"we can't use the GUI unless we are connected to the network via an Ethernet cable; our wireless blocks the port we need." (Aleph500-Discuss-L Thursday, July 25, 2013)

• BYOD (bring your own device) GYDD (get your devices donated)Recently we received a donation of Apple devices. Ex Libris has advised that the ALEPH client could be used on these with the help of a Windows emulator such as Wine. Could mac users share their experiences and advice on running ALEPH on mac e.g. the best/most popular windows emulation to use, setup & configuration and ‘gotchas’. (Aleph500-Discuss-L Monday, June

10, 2013)

Networked GUI; why

• Easy to deploy

• Cost efficient to maintain and updateo Keep central settings central and offer personal or

functional settings localo No need for Version check on client

• Facilitates using test and production server using only one client installation

• Enables roaming use of client by profileo Although Ex Libris advises profiles should be stored

on client device this is not necessary

• Facilitates server based computingo BYOD and GYDD

Key elements networked GUI

1. File Server 2. Profile.dat

3. Client files

4. Profile files

● File serving: just a shared folder on a server!

● Is installation really necessary?○ No, even installing the main network on

any windows PC and then copying the file tree to any file server suffices

● The file server is the CENTRAL installation, serving the executables and default settings for ALL clients○ only clients that need different settings

should have supplemental settings in their profiles

● Profile.dat is the essential file on the file server, determining where the profiles reside

● The GUI is a Windows application !!!!○ Installation on a windows device

(PC) is mandatory○ The GUI runs on the client

device, so the system files (*.dll, *.ocx, fonts etc.) should reside there (folders depend on 32/64 bits)

○ No executables on the client device, only shortcuts to the file server

○ Peripherals attached to the client device■ Keyboard devices like

● Barcode readers● RFID readers

■ Printers (preferably avoid, use networked printers!)

4. Profiles● Used for personal and functional profiles

○ Settings other than or additional to defaults■ Printer settings (slips, receipts etc.)■ Email settings (sender address for replies)■ StationID: %profile\alephcom\tab\stationid.dat

● Statistics in transaction tables, also for ARC● Transport between sublibraries,determining when home

configured on Alephserver/AXX_1/XXX50/tab/tab_attr_sublibrary

■ Save defaults buttons in Items and ACQ■ All other client settings like colors that normally are

not changed by staff but can be

● Stored on:○ Personal: network (home directory or windows profile)○ Functional: networked share for all staff users

Networked GUI; how• Choose the file server to use

• Install the main network based GUI on server

• Prepare the file Profile.dat on servero Decide where the profiles should be storedo Decide how functional profiles should be usedo Prepare the functional profiles settings

• Prepare the network based client setupo net500.exe o net500.ini having path to file server installation

• Run the network based client setup on cliento can be silent, no need for user actions

• Done

Landscape

Aleph serverFile Servers

Client PC

Profiles functional Profiles personal

Adding new elements & techniquesSAMBA for file server

● SMB (Samba) offers file server to Windows● Aleph server renowned for robustness● Running file server on Aleph server, less

TCO○ If Aleph server is single point of failure, why not

Aleph network file server?○ Install SMB-deamon on Aleph server○ Configure users and access rights○ Copy Aleph main network file tree to Samba share○ Point Aleph client shortcuts to Samba share○ Trash your Windows file servers

Landscape

Aleph server

Client PC

Profiles personal

+ File Server

+ Profiles functional

Adding new elements & techniquesTerminal server traditional

Why● Making Aleph available from home● Preparing for thin client workstations

How● Run the network based client setup on a Windows

Terminal Server (2003 that time)○ 32-bits and 64-bits

● Configure users and access rights

Can replace PC’s or be an add on for PC’s

Landscape

Aleph server

GUI on Client PC

Profiles personal

+ File Server

+ Profiles functional

GUI on Terminal Server

Adding new elements & techniquesTerminal server web services

● Making Aleph available via browser

● Preparing for:○ BYOD (bring your own device) ○ GYDD (get your devices donated)○ Outsourcing Aleph client hosting to;

■ Central ICT in University■ Commercial partner■ Ex Libris cloud

○ Outsourcing Aleph server hosting to;■ Central ICT in University or consortium■ Ex Libris cloud

● Facilitates Aleph GUI deployment for customers without any ICT-department

Landscape in cloud

● Aleph Server

○ File Server possible

● Terminal Server

○ Network based GUI

○ File Server possible

● Profiles functional

● Profiles personal

And now..............

Conclusions

● Networked GUI has many scenarios● All scenarios lower TCO● Aleph server can act as file server (Samba)● Terminal server can host network based client● Ex Libris should certify GUI for Windows server

2008R2 and 2012 (64-bits)● Terminal server web offers GUI to BYOD/GYDD● Terminal server facilitates GUI in Cloud● Cloud can host Aleph terminal server● Should Ex Libris offer Aleph server combined

with Aleph terminal server in their cloud?