Supported System Requirements for DRC CTB LAS Links Online Testing Effective August September 2017

Transcription

1 Supprted System Requirements fr DRC CTB LAS Links Online Testing Effective August September 2017 This dcument describes the current system requirements fr the DRC INSIGHT Online Testing System and Central Office Services (COS). These requirements cver the fllwing items: Hardware devices Accessries and peripherals Operating systems and levels Prcessr, disk space, and memry Screen size and reslutin DRC aggressively seeks ut, validates, and adpts new technlgy t ffer the best testing slutins t ur custmers while keeping pace with cnstantly changing and evlving technlgy standards. In general, DRC sftware applicatins ffer Best Effrt Supprt f new versins f an perating system within ne mnth f public availability f the new versin and Full Supprt within three mnths f public availability f the new versin, r by the next release date f the DRC applicatin, whichever duratin is greater. Current Update: August 2017 Next Update: Octber 2017 This dcument is updated regularly, usually three times a calendar year.

2 DRC INSIGHT and Central Office Services (COS) Supprted System Requirements Table f Cntents UPDATE: Supprt Starting and Ending... 2 DRC Device Supprt Plicy... 2 vs. Recmmended... 3 DRC INSIGHT Device Requirements fr LAS Links Online Testing... 3 Imprtant Ntes... 5 Additinal DRC INSIGHT Device Specificatins... 6 DRC Central Office Services (COS) Estimated Device Requirements fr LAS Links Online Testing... 7 DRC Sftware Supprt Plicy... 8 DRC INSIGHT Sftware Requirements: Supprted Operating System Levels and Supprt Timeline... 9 DRC Central Office Services (COS) Sftware Requirements Trademarks Page 1 August 1, 2017

3 UPDATE: Supprt Starting and Ending The fllwing is an verview f upcming changes t the hardware and sftware supprted fr DRC INSIGHT and/r Central Office Services (COS). Fr details, see the apprpriate sectin. Device Supprt Beginning Device Supprt Ending Device Supprt Ended Sftware Supprt Beginning Sftware Supprt Ending Sftware Supprt Ended DRC Device Supprt Plicy Typically, when a hardware vendr, such as Dell r Lenv, discntinues a hardware device, the sftware vendr that prvides the perating system supprt fr that device cntinues supprting the device fr a perid f time. Therefre, fr any device that DRC adds t its fully supprted device list, DRC will cntinue t supprt the device until the sftware vendr fficially discntinues supprt fr the device. Device Categries DRC s apprach is t test and certify ur sftware n the devices mst cmmnly used in the classrm. As a result f its testing, DRC grups devices int the three categries described in the table belw. Device Categry Fully Supprted Nt Suitable Fr Online Testing Descriptin DRC has evaluated and tested the device. It is suitable fr testing with DRC INSIGHT and/r Central Office Services (COS)*. DRC has evaluated and tested the device. Fr varius reasns, it is unacceptable fr testing with DRC INSIGHT and/r COS. Any device that des nt fit int the ther categries falls int this categry. DRC has neither evaluated nr tested the device it may r may nt be suitable fr testing with DRC INSIGHT and/r COS. Other Device manufacturers use different methds t implement tuch-enabled screens fr their devices, with the technlgy evlving ver time. DRC typically tests DRC INSIGHT with tuch devices made by the mst cmmn manufacturers fr educatinal settings. Generally speaking, DRC INSIGHT will perate effectively n similar tuch-screen mdels and DRC will prvide best effrt supprt fr these mdels. *Certain devices, such as ipad devices r Chrme devices, can be used fr DRC INSIGHT, but nt fr COS. Page 2 August 1, 2017

4 vs. Recmmended Thrughut this dcument, the level f requirements represents a lw cmpliance threshld. Districts r schls planning t test mre than a minimum number f students shuld exceed the minimum level f requirements. DRC advises using the Recmmended level r abve. DRC INSIGHT Device Requirements fr LAS Links Online Testing The tables that fllw indicate the current DRC INSIGHT device requirements, as well as devices that DRC fully supprts and devices that are knwn t be unsuitable fr nline testing. Fully Supprted Devices Prcessr Available Memry Unused Disk Space Screen Size Reslutin Windws Bth tuch-screen and nn-tuchscreen devices that meet the requirements in this table Intel 4th Generatin Cre i3 4005U (r AMD equivalent) Intel 5th Generatin Celern N3050 (r AMD equivalent) 2 GB RAM Recmmended 4 GB RAM 10 GB Recmmended 20 GB r mre x 768 Mac (OS and macos) and Linux Nn-tuch-screen devices nly Recmmended Intel 6th generatin prduct family r greater (r AMD equivalent) Chrme OS Bth tuch-screen and nn-tuchscreen devices that meet the requirements in this table Intel 4th Generatin Celern 2955U (r AMD equivalent) Recmmended Intel 6th generatin prduct family r greater (r AMD equivalent) 2 GB RAM r mre Recmmended 4 GB RAM r mre See the Imprtant Ntes that fllw the table Page 3 August 1, 2017

5 DRC INSIGHT Device Requirements fr LAS Links Online Testing (cnt.) Fully Supprted Devices Prcessr Available Memry Unused Disk Space Screen Size Reslutin Apple ios ipad 4 r newer ipad Air devices ipad Pr Devices: 9.7 and 12.9 Nte: ipad mini devices are nt supprted. 1 GB if n ther Apps are running and wireless netwrk cnnectivity is ptimized See the Imprtant Ntes that fllw the table 9.7 r greater 1024 x 768 Recmmended 2 GB See the Imprtant Ntes that fllw the table Page 4 August 1, 2017

6 Imprtant Ntes Tablet/Netbk/Chrmebk Devices Because tablet/netbk/chrmebk devices are nt easily cnfigurable fr memry and strage (disk space) upgrades, DRC recmmends that these devices be streamlined fr the DRC INSIGHT App when used fr testing. T achieve this gal, all applicatins and features that are unnecessary fr testing shuld be disabled, remved, r turned ff t ensure that the maximum amunt f device memry is available fr testing. This includes services such as Bluetth (unless a Bluetth keybard r muse is needed), GPS, and pwer saving mdes that reduce perfrmance t maximize battery life. DRC als recmmends rebting these devices befre testing. These activities help free available memry. Devices that lack sufficient memry during testing may experience issues. IPA Sftware Intelligent persnal assistant (IPA) sftware, such as Siri fr ios and macos, r Crtana fr Windws 10, shuld be disabled during testing fr the apprpriate devices. In sme cases, this functinality can be disabled autmatically using administratr cntrls such as Mbile Device Management (MDM) sftware. If IPA sftware is nt disabled, the testing site is respnsible fr ensuring the security and integrity f the test by actively mnitring that students are nt using this capability during the test. Chrme OS Supprt and Chrme Devices DRC will ffer the fllwing levels f supprt fr Chrme OS fr the testing seasn: Full Supprt fr the current stable channel level Best Effrt Supprt fr stable channel levels between level 58 and the current stable channel level End f Supprt (n supprt) fr stable channel levels belw 58 Based n these supprt levels, DRC recmmends replacing any Chrme devices that have reached, r will reach, End f Life (EOL) within the schl year. Fr reference, use the fllwing link t help determine the EOL f a specific Chrme device: Autmatic Operating System Updates and Other Backgrund Prcesses Operating system vendrs such as Ggle, Micrsft, and Apple are mving t a mdel where perating system updates ccur autmatically in the backgrund. Update prcesses running in the backgrund n testing devices cnsume CPU and memry, and can affect the testing experience audi playback may be chppy and Speaking test respnses may be distrted. T avid this situatin, verify that n backgrund prcesses are running n testing devices during testing. Als, if a testing device is set t accept perating system updates autmatically, verify that it has the mst current versin f the perating system befre the test sessin starts. Page 5 August 1, 2017

7 Additinal DRC INSIGHT Device Specificatins Supprted Accessries Muse English language keybard (internal and external, wired and wireless) Tuchpad Stylus fr tuch devices Other input devices as supprted fr accmmdatins (determined in cnjunctin with each state department f educatin) The input device must allw students t select and deselect; drag items; highlight text, bjects, and areas; enter letters, numbers, and symbls; use the Shift, Tab, Return, Delete, and Backspace keys. Other Smart Bard interfaces are nt supprted Headsets Headset with micrphne (see the link belw) Recmmendatins fr Headset Specificatins (hyperlink cming sn) Internet Cnnectivity Devices must be able t cnnect t the Internet using wired r wireless netwrks Wi-Fi Recmmendatins The maximum number f devices a Wireless Access Pint (WAP) can supprt varies depending n the manufacturer and mdel f the WAP device being used fr testing. DRC recmmends never exceeding 80% f the maximum capacity f the WAP specified by the manufacturer. Fr example, fr a WAP device with a maximum capacity f 20 cncurrently cnnected devices, DRC recmmends that n mre than 16 devices be cnnected cncurrently. If the number f cncurrently cnnected devices is expected t exceed this threshld, additinal WAPs shuld be implemented. Nte that all ther netwrking hardware must be able t accmmdate the maximum number f devices that culd ptentially be cnnected t the wireless netwrk cncurrently. If yu plan t test using a wireless netwrk, cmplete a wireless site survey t ensure that there is sufficient wireless cverage in testing areas. This survey shuld address cverage, and verify that students can take the test in the same area f the building at ne time (device density). The survey shuld accunt fr Internet bandwidth and ther traffic in the building at the time f testing, including LAN (wireless and wired) traffic, WAN traffic. Fr mre infrmatin, see the Site Technlgy Readiness Checklist fr Deplying LAS Links Online Assessments. (hyperlink cming sn) Pwer Supply Fr battery devices, a fully charged battery with a tw-hur life Recmmended Device cnnected t a plugged-in pwer supply Page 6 August 1, 2017

8 DRC Central Office Services (COS) Estimated Device Requirements fr LAS Links Online Testing The Central Office Services (COS) specificatin is currently being finalized, therefre the infrmatin belw is fr planning purpses nly. The fllwing table lists the supprted devices, number f cncurrent testers, prcessr, memry (RAM), LAN bandwidth, and available disk space requirements fr COS (64-bit). Nte that these requirements apply acrss all dmains f LAS Links testing. Test Central Office Services Supprted Devices Number f Cncurrent Testers Prcessr Available Memry Available LAN Bandwidth Available Disk Space All Dmains Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking 64-bit 64-bit Windws, Mac (OS and macos), Linux desktp and laptp devices x dual-cre i5 at 2.4 GHz r equivalent 2x dual-cre i5 at 2.4 GHz r equivalent 4x dual-cre i5 at 2.4 GHz r equivalent 2 GB RAM 50 Mb 4 GB RAM 100 Mb 8 GB RAM 200 Mb 20 GB r mre Imprtant Ntes The infrmatin in the table abve is nt finalized and shuld be used fr planning purpses nly. Central Office Services shuld nt be installed n mbile r tuch-screen devices. Central Office Services shuld be cnnected t the netwrk thrugh a wired cnnectin. Page 7 August 1, 2017

9 DRC Sftware Supprt Plicy When a sftware vendr, such as Micrsft r Apple, ends supprt fr an perating system (r level), they discntinue free security updates fr that sftware. This can present large and immediate security and supprt risks t the sftware s users. As a result, DRC strngly recmmends that all clients affected by the end f supprt prcess begin the transitin as sn as pssible t allw sufficient time fr the prcess. Supprt Timeline Best Effrt Supprt ccurs at bth ends f the sftware lifecycle. Phase 1: After DRC sftware testing begins and befre the sftware is fully supprted by DRC. DRC ffers Best Effrt Supprt fr any new versin f a supprted perating system (OS) prduct within 30 days f public availability f the OS prduct versin, r by the next planned cmmn r client-specific release date f the DRC applicatin, whichever duratin is greater. Phase 3: After the sftware is n lnger supprted by the vendr and befre the end f DRC supprt. Once the OS prduct versin has reached the end f vendr supprt, DRC ffers Best Effrt Supprt until the next planned cmmn r client-specific release date f the DRC applicatin, at which pint it is restricted frm use unless DRC chses t extend supprt. T accmplish the dual gals f minimizing security risks t DRC clients while making necessary sftware changes, DRC has established a multi-phase supprt timeline fr the transitin frm an unsupprted perating system r level t a supprted perating system r level. Nte: DRC assumes n respnsibility r liability fr sftware transitin prcesses at testing sites. Phases 1 and 3: Best Effrt Supprt The DRC Supprt team will help trublesht issues reprted cncerning the perating system r level and DRC sftware applicatins as best we can, but DRC cannt guarantee a reslutin. If a prblem is uncvered, DRC Supprt will reprt the issue t DRC Develpment. Again, we cannt guarantee a fix, sftware update, r reslutin timeline fr sftware fixes r updates. If DRC determines that an issue is related t a client s netwrk, hardware, r third party sftware, the client must btain supprt directly frm the sftware vendr r the hardware manufacturer. Phase 2: Fully Supprted When an OS prduct is n the DRC supprted prduct list, DRC perfrms applicatin testing fr all majr versins f the prduct publicly supprted by the prduct vendr and fr all minr versins f the prduct when DRC deems testing is necessary. Any new versin f a supprted OS prduct will be Fully Supprted by all DRC applicatins within 90 days f public availability f the versin f the OS prduct, r by the next planned cmmn r client-specific release date f the DRC applicatin, whichever duratin is greater. Phase 4: End f Supprt The next release f DRC sftware applicatins will nt wrk with the unsupprted perating system r level. It is restricted frm use. The table that fllws indicates the current supprted perating system levels fr DRC INSIGHT and COS. It als prvides a timeline fr changes in terms f the varius supprt phases. Page 8 August 1, 2017

10 DRC INSIGHT Sftware Requirements: Supprted Operating System Levels and Supprt Timeline Incming/Current Outging/Ending Operating System Level Phase 1: Best Effrt Supprt Phase 2: Fully Supprted Phase 3: Best Effrt Supprt Phase 4: End f Supprt Windws Windws 7, SP1 Windws 8.1 Windws 10, latest versin fr Current Branch (CB) and Current Branch fr Business (CBB) Windws Server 2008, R2 SP1 Windws Server 2012 Windws Server 2012, R2 Windws Server 2016 DRC recmmends using perating system levels that are Fully Supprted. When End f Supprt ccurs during a typical testing cycle, DRC will cntinue t prvide Best Effrt Supprt until the testing cycle ends. DRC recmmends that sites upgrade t a fully supprted level befre the testing cycle begins. indicates the current level f supprt. DRC currently supprts the Hme, Pr, Enterprise, and Educatin editins f Windws 10. We d NOT currently supprt the Windws 10 S cnfiguratin f Windws Pr. DRC fully supprts the mst recent versin f Windws 10 available fr the CB and CBB servicing ptins within 90 days f public availability f the new versin. DRC will ffer Best Effrt supprt fr previus versins f Windws 10 available fr the CB and CBB that Micrsft maintains supprt fr with servicing updates. Page 9 August 1, 2017

11 DRC INSIGHT Sftware Requirements: Supprted Operating System Levels and Supprt Timeline (cnt.) Operating System Mac (OS ) Nte: Mac server sftware is nt supprted. Linux Nte: Linux server sftware is nt supprted. Level OS 10.9 OS OS macos Ubuntu LTS versin, with 32- and 64-bit Gnme 3.4, Unity Shell Ubuntu 14.04, LTS versin, with 32- and 64-bit Gnme 3.4, Unity Shell Ubuntu 16.04, LTS versin, with 32- and 64-bit Gnme 3.4, Unity Shell Phase 1: Best Effrt Supprt Incming/Current Phase 2: Fully Supprted Phase 3: Best Effrt Supprt Outging/Ending Phase 4: End f Supprt April 2019 July 2019 ios 9.3.x 10.x (latest versin) Chrme Chrme OS recent stable channel DRC recmmends using perating system levels that are Fully Supprted. When end f supprt ccurs during a typical testing cycle, DRC will cntinue t prvide Best Effrt supprt until the testing cycle ends. DRC recmmends that sites upgrade t a fully supprted level befre the testing cycle begins. indicates the current level f supprt. DRC fully supprts the mst recent versin f ios 10 within 90 days f public availability f the new versin. DRC will ffer Best Effrt supprt fr previus versins f ios 10 fr which Apple maintains supprt. Page 10 August 1, 2017

12 DRC Central Office Services (COS) Sftware Requirements The DRC COS sftware requirements are the same as the DRC INSIGHT requirements with the exceptin that the COS sftware cannt be installed n an ios, Chrme, r Andrid device. The COS sftware will wrk with INSIGHT sftware installed n these devices. COS, which is 64-bit, runs n nn-tuch Windws desktp and laptp devices, nn-tuch Mac (OS and macos) desktp and laptp devices, and Linux desktp and laptp devices. Trademarks The fllwing are trademarks r registered trademarks f Micrsft Crpratin in the United States and/r ther cuntries: Internet Explrer Micrsft Micrsft Edge Windws Windws Vista Windws P Windws 7 Windws 8 Windws 10 Windws 10 S The fllwing are trademarks r registered trademarks f Apple Crpratin in the United States and/r ther cuntries: The fllwing are trademarks r registered trademarks f Ggle Crpratin in the United States and/r ther cuntries: Chrme Chrme OS Chrmebk Ggle Play Firefx is a trademark r registered trademark f Mzilla Crpratin in the United States and/r ther cuntries. Linux is a registered trademark f Linus Trvalds. Ubuntu and Cannical are registered trademarks f Cannical Ltd. Gnme is a trademark f the Gnme Fundatin. Apple ios* ipad Macintsh Mac OS and macos Safari *ios is a trademark r registered trademark f Cisc in the United States and ther cuntries and is used under license. Page 11 August 1, 2017