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 update

o Keep central settings central and offer personal or functional settings local

o 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 GUI1. 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

LandscapeAleph server File

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

LandscapeAleph 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

LandscapeAleph 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?