CommuniCoach - Technology Requirements
Introduction
There are two versions of CommuniCoach. This page describes both versions, the advantages of each version, and the computer requirements needed to run each version. This technology description is geared toward an audience with a strong technical background. If you don't have a lot of experience with computer technology or have additional questions, please give us a call at 630-955-0033 and we can answer any questions you may have.
Requirements for CommuniCoach® for Local Area Networks
CommuniCoach for Local Area Networks is a client-server application. The server will host the evaluation database where all the text and data associated with evaluations are stored. No CommuniCoach software runs on the server, just the database. The server must be Windows 2000 Server or above.
A database management system called MSDE (Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine) is provided with CommuniCoach and can be loaded onto the server to support between 20 to 30 concurrent users. If more concurrent users are expected, then we recommend that the CommuniCoach database be loaded onto Microsoft’s SQL Server (2000 or above) which must be purchased separately from Microsoft. The database transaction load is very light for CommuniCoach so a Pentium 3 processor with 512meg of memory and 20 gig of disk space is more than adequate to support the database.
Videos can be stored anywhere on the network that can be accessed by all users of CommuniCoach. Some institutions store the videos on the same server that hosts the CommuniCoach database but this is not required. The videos are not stored in the database itself. Each evaluation refers to the file name of the associated video which, again, can be stored in a location accessible by all users of CommuniCoach.
CommuniCoach supports any video format that can be viewed by Windows Media Player. We have found that Microsoft’s Windows Media Video format (.WMV) is an excellent format for CommuniCoach since it provides good quality with a small amount of disk required. Typically WMV files will take 2 to 3 meg of disk space per minute of video. While we recommend WMV format, CommuniCoach supports AVI, MPEG, and any other format support by Windows Media Player. Regardless of the video format, the institution must ensure that there is a location identified to store the videos and that adequate disk space is available at that location.
Instructors and student will use client computers to access CommuniCoach. The software must be installed on any computer that will be used by CommuniCoach users. Institutions have successfully used deployment tools such as ZENworks to automatically distribute CommuniCoach to computers where it will be needed.
The minimum requirements for client computers are as follows:
- Windows 2000 or XP
- Windows Media Player 8 or above
- Sound card
- Pentium 3
- 256 MB memory
- Monitor set at 1024x768 or above
- High-speed network connectionNo CommuniCoach data is stored on the client computer.
Requirements for CommuniCoach® for The Web
CommuniCoach for the Web is a web-server based application that is accessed through Microsoft-based internet tools.
A web-server is required to host CommuniCoach and should have the following configuration:
- Minimum 550 MHz or faster processor (recommend 2.0 GHz)
- Minimum 256 MB RAM (recommend 512 MB)
- Hard Drive space requirements will vary depending on usage
- Windows Server 2003 Standard, Enterprise, or Datacenter Edition with IIS and Windows Media Services
- Very fast network connection to handle multiple videos streaming simultaneouslyA database management system called MSDE (Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine) is provided with CommuniCoach and can be loaded onto the server to support between 20 to 30 concurrent users. If more concurrent users are expected, then we recommend that the CommuniCoach database be loaded onto Microsoft’s SQL Server (2000 or above) which must be purchased separately from Microsoft.
Videos are uploaded by instructors and student onto the web-server using CommuniCoach. Some institutions store the videos on the same server that hosts the CommuniCoach database but this is not required. The videos are not stored in the database itself. Each evaluation refers to the file name of the uploaded video which is known to CommuniCoach.
CommuniCoach supports any video format that can be viewed by Windows Media Player. We have found that Microsoft’s Windows Media Video format (.WMV) is an excellent format for CommuniCoach since it provides good quality with a small amount of disk required. Typically WMV files will take 2 to 3 meg of disk space per minute of video. While we recommend WMV format, CommuniCoach supports AVI, MPEG, and any other format support by Windows Media Player. Regardless of the video format, the institution must ensure that there is a location identified to store the videos and that adequate disk space is available at that location.
Instructors and student will use the Internet or an intranet to access CommuniCoach.
The minimum requirements for computers accessing CommuniCoach for the Web are as follows:
- Windows 2000 or XP
- Windows Media Player 8 or above
- Internet Explorer 6.0 or above
- Sound card
- Pentium 3
- 256 MB memory
- Monitor set at 1024x768 or above
- High-speed Internet connection (non-dialup)The Apple Mac and non-Microsoft browsers are not supported.
