Supprted System Requirements Effective February June 2018 This dcument describes the current system requirements fr the DRC INSIGHT Online Learning System, including student-testing devices, the Testing Site Manager (TSM), 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 Certain testing accmmdatins 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 a supprted 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: January 25, 2018 Next Update: Early Summer 2018 This dcument is updated regularly, usually three times a calendar year.
Table f Cntents DRC INSIGHT Supprted System Requirements UPDATE: Supprt Starting and Ending... 1 vs.... 1 DRC Device Supprt Plicy... 2 DRC INSIGHT Testing Device Requirements... 3 Imprtant Ntes... 5 Additinal DRC INSIGHT Device Specificatins... 6 DRC TSM Device Requirements... 7 DRC Sftware Supprt Plicy... 9 DRC INSIGHT Sftware: Supprted Operating System Levels and Supprt Timeline... 10 ios Release Strategy Nte... 12 DRC TSM Sftware Requirements... 13 Trademarks... 13
UPDATE: Supprt Starting and Ending The fllwing is a quick verview f upcming changes t the hardware and sftware supprted fr DRC INSIGHT and the Testing Site Manager (TSM). Fr details, see the apprpriate sectin. Device Supprt Beginning DRC n lnger lists specific supprted devices fr Windws and Chrme OS. DRC will supprt devices (including tuch-screen devices) that meet the minimum system requirements. Device Supprt Ending ipad 4th Generatin (July 2018)* *The device is nt capable f running ios 11.x r newer releases. Apple ended supprt fr ios 10.x in September f 2017. DRC Supprt fr ios 10.x ends in July f 2018, resulting in the end f supprt fr this device. Device Supprt Ended NA Sftware Supprt Beginning ios 11.x macos 10.13 Sftware Supprt Ending Mac OS 10.10 (July 2018) ios 10.3.x (July 2018) Sftware Supprt Ended NA vs. Thrughut this dcument, the level f requirements represents a lw cmpliance threshld. DRC advises using the level r abve. The level is required fr testing with accmmdatins such as Text T Speech (TTS) and Vide Sign Language (VSL). Page 1 January 25, 2018
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, the TSM, and COS service devices.* DRC has evaluated and tested the device. Fr varius reasns, it is unacceptable fr testing with DRC INSIGHT, and/r the TSM, and/r COS service devices. 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 the TSM, and/r COS service devices. 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 the TSM sftware r COS service devices. IMPORTANT Sites that tested nline using DRC INSIGHT in 2016 2017 with satisfactry results shuld be able t use the same testing devices in the 2017 2018 schl year, assuming that these devices and their perating systems are still supprted by DRC (fr example, ipad 2 and ipad 3 devices are n lnger supprted). Fr mre infrmatin, see DRC INSIGHT Device Requirements. Assumptins The site s DRC INSIGHT sftware is up t date N ther changes, such as perating system updates, have taken place t the device Critical variables, such as the available netwrk bandwidth and netwrk cnfiguratin, have nt changed since the last testing cycle The site is nt planning t test using unsupprted perating systems r devices Sites that did nt test nline using DRC INSIGHT in 2016 2017, r that are examining their current testing cnfiguratins, can use the specificatins in the fllwing tables as a guideline fr future cnsideratins and equipment purchases related t nline testing. Page 2 January 25, 2018
DRC INSIGHT Testing Device Requirements The tables that fllw indicate the current DRC INSIGHT testing device requirements, as well as the testing devices that DRC fully supprts and the 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-tuch-screen 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 4 GB RAM 10 GB 20 GB r mre 9.5 1024 x 768 Intel 6th generatin prduct family r greater (r AMD equivalent) Mac (OS and macos) and Linux Nn-tuch-screen devices nly Chrme OS Bth tuch-screen and nn-tuch-screen devices that meet the requirements in this table Intel 4th Generatin Celern 2955U (r AMD equivalent) Intel 6th generatin prduct family r greater (r AMD equivalent) 2 GB RAM r mre 4 GB RAM r mre NA See the Imprtant Ntes that fllw the table Apple ios ipad 4 r newer ipad Air devices ipad Pr Devices: 9.7 and 12.9 Nte: ipad mini devices are nt supprted. NA NA See the Imprtant Ntes that fllw the table NA See the Imprtant Ntes that fllw the table 9.7 r greater Page 3 January 25, 2018
DRC INSIGHT Testing Device Requirements (cnt.) Fully Supprted Devices Prcessr Available Memry Unused Disk Space Screen Size Reslutin Andrid ASUS Transfrmer Pad TF103CE (als knwn as the K010E) Dell Venue 10, mdel 5050 Ggle Pixel C NA NA See the Imprtant Ntes that fllw the table NA See the Imprtant Ntes that fllw the table 10 Page 4 January 25, 2018
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 remved, turned ff, r disabled 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 ffers the fllwing levels f supprt fr Chrme OS fr the 2017 2018 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 2017-2018 schl year. Fr reference, use the fllwing link t help determine the EOL f a specific Chrme device: https://supprt.ggle.cm/chrme/a/answer/6220366 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 DRC-supprted versin f the perating system befre the test sessin starts. Page 5 January 25, 2018
Additinal DRC INSIGHT Device Specificatins Supprted Accessries Muse English language keybard (internal and external, wired and wireless) Tuchpad Headphnes Micrphne Earphnes Earbuds 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 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 and WAN traffic. Pwer Supply Fr battery devices, a fully charged battery with a tw-hur life Accmmdatins Device cnnected t a plugged-in pwer supply A TSM is required fr Text-T-Speech (TTS) and Vide Sign Language (VSL), which have increased TSM memry and disk space requirements (see DRC TSM Device Requirements) Page 6 January 25, 2018
DRC TSM Device Requirements IMPORTANT Sites that tested nline using the Testing Site Manager (TSM) in 2016 2017 with satisfactry results shuld be able t use the same TSM hardware in the 2017 2018 schl year, assuming that the TSM devices and their perating systems are still supprted by DRC (see the Imprtant Ntes belw and the DRC INSIGHT Device Requirements). Assumptins The site s DRC INSIGHT and TSM sftware is up t date N ther changes, such as perating system updates, have taken place t the TSM device Critical variables, such as the number f testers (cncurrent and therwise), available netwrk bandwidth and netwrk cnfiguratin have nt changed since the last testing cycle The site is nt planning t test using unsupprted perating systems r devices Sites that did nt test nline using the Testing Site Manager (TSM) in 2016 2017, r that are examining their current testing cnfiguratins, can use the specificatins in the table n the fllwing page as a guideline fr bth future cnsideratins and equipment purchases related t the TSM. Imprtant Ntes The TSM sftware shuld nt be installed n an ios, Chrme, r Andrid device, r any mbile r tuch-screen devices. The TSM device shuld be cnnected t the netwrk thrugh a wired cnnectin. A TSM cnfigured fr respnse caching can handle fewer cncurrent testers when respnse caching is active. Page 7 January 25, 2018
DRC TSM Device Requirements (cnt.) The fllwing table describes the prcessr, available memry (RAM), available LAN bandwidth, and available disk space requirements fr the 32-bit TSM and the 64-bit TSM based n the number f testers testing cncurrently. The level is required fr testing with accmmdatins such as TTS and VSL because f the size f vide and audi files. TSM Versin 32-bit TSM 64-bit TSM Supprted Devices 32-bit Windws and Linux desktp and laptp devices 64-bit Windws, Mac (OS and macos), and Linux desktp and laptp devices Number f Cncurrent Testers 1 25 26 150 1 25 26 150 Prcessr Dual-cre i3 at 2.4 GHz r equivalent Dual-cre i5 at 2.4 GHz r equivalent 2x dual-cre i5 at 2.4 GHz r equivalent 2x dual-cre i5 at 2.4 GHz r equivalent Dual-cre i3 at 2.4 GHz r equivalent Dual-cre i5 at 2.4 GHz r equivalent 2x dual-cre i5 at 2.4 GHz r equivalent 2x dual-cre i5 at 2.4 GHz r equivalent Available Memry 2 GB RAM 4 GB RAM Audi Accmmdatins 4 GB RAM 2 GB RAM 4 GB RAM Audi Accmmdatins 4 GB RAM Available LAN Bandwidth 50 Mb 100 Mb Available Disk Space 10 GB 20 GB r mre Audi Accmmdatins 20 GB r mre 50 Mb 10 GB 100 Mb 151 500 4x dual-cre i5 at 2.4 GHz r equivalent 8 GB RAM 200 Mb 20 GB r mre Audi Accmmdatins 20 GB r mre Page 8 January 25, 2018
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 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. 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. 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 publically 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. If a prblem is uncvered, DRC Supprt will reprt the issue t DRC The table that fllws indicates the current supprted perating system Develpment. Again, we cannt guarantee a fix, sftware update, r reslutin levels fr DRC INSIGHT. It als prvides a timeline fr changes in terms f timeline fr sftware fixes r updates. If DRC determines that an issue is the varius supprt phases. 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. Page 9 January 25, 2018
DRC INSIGHT Sftware: Supprted Operating System Levels and Supprt Timeline Operating System Level Phase 1: Best Effrt Supprt Incming/Current Phase 2: Fully Supprted (1) Windws Windws 7, SP1 (3) Windws 8.1 Windws 10 Semi-Annual Channel servicing ptins (4) Windws Server 2008, R2 SP1 Windws Server 2012 Windws Server 2012, R2 (5) Phase 3: Best Effrt Supprt Outging/Ending Phase 4: End f Supprt (2) Windws Server 2016 (1) DRC recmmends using perating system levels that are Fully Supprted. (2) 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. (3) indicates the current level f supprt. (4) 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. (5) DRC fully supprts the mst recent versin f Windws 10 available fr the Semi-Annual Channel 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 Semi-Annual Channel servicing ptins that Micrsft maintains supprt fr with servicing updates. Fr details, see the Micrsft Windws 10 versin supprt website. Page 10 January 25, 2018
DRC INSIGHT Sftware: Supprted Operating System Levels and Supprt Timeline (cnt.) Operating System Mac (OS and macos) Level Phase 1: Best Effrt Supprt Incming/Current Phase 2: Fully Supprted (1) Phase 3: Best Effrt Supprt Outging/Ending Phase 4: End f Supprt (2) OS 10.10 (3) July 2018 Nte: Mac server sftware is nt supprted. OS 10.11 macos 10.12 macos 10.13 (4) Linux Nte: Linux server sftware is nt supprted. 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 Ubuntu 18.04, LTS versin, with 32- and 64-bit Gnme 3.4, Unity Shell April 2018 (anticipated) April 2019 July 2019 July 2018 (anticipated) ios 10.3.x July 2018 11.x latest versin (5) Chrme Chrme OS recent stable channel Andrid 5.x, 6.x, 7.x, 8.x (1) DRC recmmends using perating system levels that are Fully Supprted. (2) 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. (3) indicates the current level f supprt. (4) The macos 10.13 sftware is currently Fully Supprted fr testing devices. T use a TSM with macos 10.13, yu must use the URL https://lcalhst:8443 t access the TSM. (5) See the ios Release Strategy Nte that fllws. Page 11 January 25, 2018
ios Release Strategy Nte The ios release strategy prvides bth majr and minr release versins. Majr release versins are indicated by the number t the left f the decimal pint. Fr example, release 11.x and release 12.x are majr release versins. Minr release versins are indicated by the number t the right f the decimal pint. Fr example, release 11.1 and release 11.2 are minr release versins f majr release versin 11. DRC supprts bth types f release versins. DRC fully supprts the mst recent majr release versin f ios within 90 days f public availability f the new versin. During the 90 days f testing/verificatin, DRC prvides Best Effrt Supprt f the new majr release versin. DRC prvides Best Effrt Supprt fr minr release versins f ios as sn as they are made available t the public and will fully supprt these versins as sn as DRC cmpletes testing/verificatin. DRC will attempt t fully supprt minr release versins within 30 days f their release. Nte: DRC will ffer Best Effrt Supprt fr any previus versins f ios fr which Apple maintains supprt. Page 12 January 25, 2018
DRC TSM Sftware Requirements The DRC TSM sftware requirements are the same as the DRC INSIGHT sftware requirements with the exceptin that the TSM sftware cannt be installed n an ios, Chrme, r Andrid device. The TSM sftware will wrk with INSIGHT sftware installed n these devices. The 32-bit versin f the TSM runs n nn-tuch Windws desktp and laptp devices, and Linux desktp and laptp devices. The 64-bit versins f the TSM 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: Apple ios* ipad Macintsh Mac OS and macos Safari The fllwing are trademarks r registered trademarks f Ggle Crpratin in the United States and/r ther cuntries: Andrid 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. *ios is a trademark r registered trademark f Cisc in the United States and ther cuntries and is used under license. Page 13 January 25, 2018