Technology Requirements for Online Testing
Training Module
Copyright © 2014 American Institutes for Research. All rights reserved.
Site Readiness Network Requirements Hardware and Software Requirements Secure Browser Installation Network Diagnostics and Configuration
Topics
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By the end of this presentation, you should be able to: Understand your role and responsibilities Prepare for online tests at your school Install the secure browser Troubleshoot technical problems during the tests.
Objectives
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• Logins and passwords• Minimum system requirements• Secure browser• Determining system readiness/network
capacity• Troubleshooting technical issues
Technology Coordinator Tasks
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Network Connection:• A stable, high-speed (wired or wireless) network and
internet connection are required for the test. • The response time for each test depends on your
network’s bandwidth, number of students simultaneously testing, size of test content, proxy server (if used), and other factors.
Network Requirements
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Network Configuration:• Session timeouts on proxy servers and other devices should be set to
values greater than the average scheduled testing time. For example, if test sessions are scheduled for 60 minutes, consider session timeouts of 65–70 minutes.
• Web proxy servers must be configured to NOT cache data received from servers.
• For any device that performs traffic shaping, packet prioritization, or quality of service, the IP addresses to be used for testing should be given a high priority to ensure the best performance.
Network Requirements
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Whitelisting:
Content filters, firewalls, and proxy servers should be configured to allow the URLs for the servers being used.
Network Requirements
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Performance Factors:• Bandwidth• Number of students simultaneously testing• Wireless networking configuration• Secure browser
Network Requirements
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Bandwidth:• At least 20Kbps bandwidth per student being tested• Affected by both Local Area Network (LAN) traffic and
internet traffic from the router• LAN should always be analyzed to determine potential
traffic bottlenecks
Network Performance
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Number of students simultaneously testing:• Network performance may slow when large numbers of
students are testing at one time. • Multiply the number of students being tested by 20Kbps to
get an estimate of bandwidth needed, and compare that estimate with the network speed test.
• Perform network analyses at different times to ensure adequate capacity.
Network Diagnostics Tool
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Wireless Network Configuration:Wireless traffic must use encryption.• Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2) • Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
Wireless access points have limits on total bandwidth and number of simultaneous devices in use.
Network Performance
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System RequirementsComputers
Operating SystemMinimum Requirements for Current
ComputersRecommended Minimum
Requirements for New Purchases
WindowsXP (service Pack 3), Vista, 7, 8.0, 8.1
Server 2003 and 2008
Pentium 4 or newer processor that supports SSE2512 MB of RAM
200 MB of hard drive spaceMinimum screen resolution 1024x768
Pentium 4 or newer processor that supports SSE2
2 GB+ RAM80 GB+ hard drive
Mac OS X10.4–10.9
Intel x86 or PowerPC G4 or G5 processor512 MB RAM
200 MB free hard drive spaceMinimum screen resolution 1024x768
Pentium 4 or newer processor2+ GB RAM
80+ GB hard drive
LinuxFedora 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
openSUSE 13.1Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.5
Ubuntu (LTS) 10.04, 12.04, 14.04
Pentium II or AMD K6-III 233 MHz processor64 MB RAM
52 MB hard driveMinimum screen resolution 1024x768
Pentium 4 or newer processor2 GB RAM
80 GB hard drive
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Appropriate Monitor Display• Monitor settings may need to be adjusted if test items with
shaded images are very light or cannot be seen. • The larger the monitor, the more “real estate” students will
have.• Resolution: 1024 x 768 or better
System Requirements
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Supported Mobile Devices
Operating System
Supported Tablets Browsers for TA Sites Browsers for Student Sites
Windows 8.0 and 8.1 (Not RT)
Surface ProAsus TransformerDell Venue
Internet Explorer 10-11 Windows Secure Browser 7.2
Android 4.0.4 to 4.4 Google Nexus 10 Motorola Xoom Motorola XyboardSamsung Galaxy Note (10.1)Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1)
Native browser
Google Chrome 31-39
Android SecureBrowser
(AIR Secure Test Mobile Secure browser)
Chrome OS v31 to v39
Chromebook Google Chrome 31-39 AIR Secure Test Kiosk Application
iOS 6.0 to 8.1 iPad 2iPad 3Fourth-generation (Retina Display)iPad Air
Safari 6-8 iPad Secure Browser
(AIR Secure Test mobile Secure Browser)
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Tablets must have at least a 10” screen. iPads with a 9.5” display are acceptable
A minimum screen resolution of 1024x768 is required for all testing devices
An external keyboard is required
Students may also use a mouse with their devices
Supported Mobile Devices
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For iOS tablets running versions earlier than 7.0, Guided Access must be enabled.
For iOS tablets running version 7.0 or later, either Guided Access or Autonomous Single App Mode must be enabled.
ASAM requires use of Mobile Device Management (MDM).
iOS Tablet Requirements
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The following steps should be taken when computers on a Terminal Services network setup have a shared or generic login account and multiple users need to use that same account when logging into Terminal Services
Create a batch file that runs the logon script for the secure browser
Create a shortcut on the desktop of each client machine
Thin Client
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The following steps should be taken to install the secure browser on a network that uses Ncomputing virtual desktops.
Create a batch file that runs the logon script for the secure browser
Create a shortcut on the desktop of each client machine.
Ncomputing
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• The secure browser prevents students from accessing other computer or internet applications and copying test information during testing.
• Practice and training tests can be accessed with either the secure browser or with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer 10 and 11, or most native tablet web browsers.
Secure Browser
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• The Student Testing Site requires the use of a secure browser.
• The correct secure browser for each operating system must be downloaded and installed on all computers that will be used for student testing.
Secure Browser
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Secure Browser
Computer/Device Secure Browser Location
Windows, Mac, and Linux computers
Wa.portal.airast.org
Android tablets Play Store
iPad tablets App Store
Google Chromebooks Chrome Web Store
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Installation Method:• Download the secure browser from your portal and install
it.• Download and save the secure browser onto a media
device (such as a flash drive), and copy and install the files on each computer.
• Download and save the secure browser to a network folder, and then copy and install the files on each computer.
Secure Browser Installation
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MSI file type enables deployment using a number of tools:• Active Directory Group Policy• Microsoft SMS• Microsoft SCCM• Microsoft WSUS• Windows NT Batch
Secure Browser InstallationWindows
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MacDMG file type enables deployment using Apple Remote Desktop. Munki Filewave
LinuxTAR file type enables deployment using a number of tools including the following: Shell scripts Puppet
Secure Browser InstallationMac and Linux
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AndroidThe secure browser can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.
iPadsThe secure browser can be downloaded from the App store.
Secure Browser InstallationTablets
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• Chromebooks app is available at the Chrome Web Store
• Installation varies for managed and non-managed Chromebooks
Secure Browser InstallationChromebooks
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Secure browsers attempt to auto-detect the settings for your network’s web proxy server.
The following proxy values are supported:
0–Direct connection, no proxy1–Manual proxy configuration2–Proxy auto-configuration (PAC)4–Auto-detect proxy settings5–System proxy settings (this is the default)
Proxy Settings
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• Configure internet browsers on Test Administrator devices to allow pop-ups from your testing websites.
Pop-Ups
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Mac 10.7 and Above• Spaces, Launchpad, and Fast User
Switching must be disabledMicrosoft Windows• Fast User Switching must be disabled
Secure Browser Configuration
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• Voice technology must be available and functioning for students who require this accommodation.
• For Windows and Mac operating systems, default voice packs are generally pre-installed.
• Linux users may need to install a Text-to-Speech package if one was not installed with the operating system.
• Headphones are required for test items being read aloud with the text-to-speech feature
Text-to-Speech
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If your testing location uses remote desktop monitoring software to monitor the computers that will be used for testing, you should disable the monitoring software on these computers during test times to guarantee adequate security. The particular steps you need to take vary, depending on the monitoring software you are using and the operating system of the testing computer.
Note: If it is not feasible to disable your monitoring software, you must ensure that any staff members who can use the monitoring software refrain from using it during testing periods.
Desktop Monitoring
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Further InformationWashington Help Desk
American Institutes for ResearchTel 1.844.560.7366
For questions regarding state policy decisions and protocol, please contact OSPI at [email protected]
Thank You!
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