Network

Wide Area Network (WAN) Issues  .....
BRIEF:  If you are using a Wide Area Network (WAN) see the additional information located in Service Consulting section.
 

Creating a Backup Strategy  .....
BRIEF:  Your data is important and valuable to the functioning of your practice.  This document may help you formalize a backup strategy to protect your information and minimize down time.

Using the AI Backup Utility  .....
BRIEF:  This documents explains how to configure and use the AI Backup Utility as a frequent and periodic supplement to your normal backup process.  This utility uses the Advantage Open File access capabilities to backup/copy open files while AI is in use without dramatically impacting users.

Selecting a Network Card For Your Notebook Computer  .....
BRIEF:  More and more of our clients are buying notebook computers for use in their practices, and they are being hooked up to their networks for constant or occasional use as a network workstation.  A network interface card (NIC) is required for this, just like for desktop workstations, but the options are different.  The jack used for connecting to the network cable is the main difference between the brands of cards, and some are sturdier than others. 
This document discusses the four basic network connection alternatives.  We don’t discuss using a docking station or port replicator.

Animal Intelligence Network Configuration Guide and Checklist  .....
BRIEF:  At Animal Intelligence Software, Inc. we strive to simplify the process of setting up the network environment for our clients.  However, our client/server database has unique requirements and our own research has shown us over time that every client ends up with a certain minimum configuration.  This guide outlines a typical AI network configuration.  The guide indicates those items which are required with ¹ and those which are strongly recommended with ².
This Guide provides detailed instructions for a Microsoft Windows NT Server based network; for Novell NetWare you may need to modify the configuration.
Note that this checklist is a minimum installation list.  Your network may require more or less configuration.

Installing Animal Intelligence and its Database  .....
BRIEF:  Animal Intelligence (AI), Animal Intelligence Software, Inc’s flagship Windows application, and the Advantage Database Server (ADS) by Extended Systems, Inc. are easy to install, but require that certain procedures are followed to ensure the best operation.  This document describes these steps, from network protocol considerations through final installation of the tested data files on the database server.  We recommend that you read this document in its entirety before you begin the installation procedure.
This document is intended for use by experienced network personnel. 

These instructions are written assuming that Microsoft Windows NT or 2000 is employed as the network operating system.  We make no specific recommendation of one network operating system over another; ADS runs equally well under either Windows NT, 2000, or NetWare.  If Novell NetWare is used, you will have to adjust the procedures slightly.  The target workstation platform for AI is Microsoft Windows 95 or 98 although it works equally well on Windows2000 Professional.

Synchronizing Workstation Time With Server Time  .....
BRIEF:  Many of the entries made in Animal Intelligence™ are time sensitive, so it is important that all workstations on your network show the same time.  It is easy to set the time on each workstation on your network to the server’s time; this document tells you how.
Since every network is different, and different schemes for managing the users on a network are appropriate for different situations, these instructions do not provide detailed implementation instructions.  If you do not know how to perform the tasks described, consult your network vendor for help.

pcANYWHERE Internet Use Through a Firewall  .....
BRIEF:  pcANYWHERE offers the ability to communicate via the Internet, but some clients have DSL or other router-based Internet solutions that implement firewalls for security. This document describes the method of accessing a pcANYWHERE host that sits behind a firewall.

Installing Animal Intelligence for Use by Multiple Practices on One Workstation  .....
BRIEF:  Animal Intelligence™ is designed to run against a single database.  However, some clinics have more than one business in a single location, and wish to run separate databases for each business.  This whitepaper discusses the issues involved and describes how to accomplish this goal.

Voice Recognition and Animal Intelligence  .....
BRIEF:  Voice recognition software is a viable alternative to typing and is gaining in popularity as the technology improves.  This document covers the basics of voice recognition software and how it relates to Animal Intelligence (AI).