CFAL-NetCIL Local
Network Installation Guide
Applies to: CFAL
Version 5.2, NetCIL Desktop 1.2, NetCIL Desktop Manager, NetCIL Desktop IRLog
Updated: 12/21/2011
The following instructions will help to ensure that your
computer systems and network are compatible with the CFAL-NetCIL Database
system. Prior to installation of
CFAL-NetCIL, and before scheduling on-site training for your staff, please
ensure that the steps described in this document are completed. Doing so will minimize the chances that
problems will affect CFAL-NetCIL operation and limit the effectiveness of
on-site training sessions.
Operating System
Requirements
CFAL-NetCIL will run on any of the Windows operating system
versions that are currently supported by
Microsoft. If you operate a network in
your office, it is recommended that you not
use “Home” editions of Microsoft Windows.
“Home” editions are only capable of five simultaneous connections to a
database, and they have other networking restrictions that limit their utility
in a business environment. Upgrades to
professional versions of all Microsoft products are available to non-profits at
very reasonable rates from:
Ensure that all Windows updates (except for
language packs), not just high-priority updates, are installed on all
workstations and servers where CFAL-NetCIL will be run. To do so, select “Start… All
Programs… Windows Update” menu or, for older Windows versions, use
Microsoft Internet Explorer to download updates from the following website:
http://www.update.microsoft.com
Select “Custom” or “Optional” updates as indicated. “Express” and “Automatic” updates will only
install security-related patches.
“Custom” and “Optional” updates often contain improvements to Microsoft
Office and database-related software.
Microsoft Update Website
Windows 7 Update Menu
Application Software
Requirements
At least one licensed copy of Microsoft Access 2000, XP,
2003, 2007, or 2010 is needed in order to manage a
CFAL database. CFAL
version 5.2 and NetCIL Desktop Client 1.2 only support Office 2007 and the
32-bit version of Office 2010. If you
have installed the 64-bit version of Office 2010, please contact ed2c customer
support. NetCIL does not require
that Access be installed. It’s recommended
that all workstations that will run CFAL have the full version of Access
installed; licenses for Access are also available from:
If you are unable to install Access on all workstations,
download and install the run-time version of Access 2010 from the Microsoft Office
support website:
Note that there are separate files for the 32-bit and 64-bit
versions of Office 2010; be sure to select the 32-bit version. All of the files are quite large, and may
take a considerable amount of time to download.
Network Environment
CFAL-NetCIL can run stand-alone on a single computer, or on
almost any network. There are four
components to the database system as illustrated in the following graphic:
All data will reside in the CFAL Access File Server. Almost all users will require the CFAL Access
Client to be installed on their workstations in order
to enter and read data. Exceptions are
“front desk” personnel who normally handle telephone and walk-in
referrals. NetCIL IRLog is designed to handle those tasks. Supervisory personnel will need NetCIL
Manager in order to perform database configuration functions and to run agency
reports.
In a multi-user environment, the CFAL Access File Server must
be located on a network share to which all database users have access. On a client-server network, the obvious
choice is to create a shared folder on the server. In a peer-to-peer network, create a share on
the most capable workstation, which will be used as a
de facto “server.” Hard drive speed and
memory capacity are the most important factors to consider when selecting a workstation
to host the database.
The client-side components CFAL Client, NetCIL IRLog, and
NetCIL Manager are normally installed on each
workstation as required. If “satellite”
offices need to remotely access data from a main
office, a server network is needed in the main office, with high-speed internet
connections available at both ends. In
such cases, all four components should be installed on
your main office server, and users should access the applications via Remote
Desktop connections. Windows Server
editions allow two simultaneous connections via Remote Desktop; additional
licenses may also be purchased from:
CFAL-NetCIL applications are also fully compatible with
Microsoft Live Mesh, a free service that is now available in Beta release from:
https://www.mesh.com/Welcome/default.aspx
Virtual Private Networking (VPN) connections are not needed in order to use Remote Desktop or Live Mesh, but
performance will not be affected if VPN is used. Important note: It is
not advisable to run CFAL-NetCIL with a connection across VPN to a file server,
nor is it practical to run client-side software across a VPN with CFAL-NetCIL,
as the performance of such schemes is unacceptably slow. For remote access, use either Remote Desktop
or install both client and server on one side of a VPN connection, and access
them from the other.
The following instructions are intended
for use on Windows XP Professional, Vista Professional, Windows 7 Professional,
and Windows Server 2003 or 2008 operating systems. Licensed users are eligible for remote
installation assistance. Refer to the
last page of this document for instructions.
Installation Procedure
Before beginning installation, ensure that all of the steps
described previously in this document have been accomplished.
For new offices, ed2c provides a “starter” installation
package at:
http://netcil.com/downloads/installpackage.zip
Individual components are also available from the ed2c
website (free registration is required):
If you wish to install components individually, download the
“CFAL File Server 2000” installation program from the “Access 2000 Users”
section of the CFAL downloads page. Keep
in mind that the file server installation should be run
only once. If you decide to download
components separately, it’s recommended that you install
a file server into a shared directory called “CFAL Database”. By default, the “CFAL File Server 2000”
installation program will install to the directory C:\CFAL Database.
If you download the full installation package, unzip its
contents and place them in the location that you intend to share. The installation zip file contains a folder
called “CFAL Database,” a default file server called “CFAL File Server.mdb” in
Access 2000 format, and subfolders that contain installation files,
documentation, and templates for CFAL mail-merge functions. On a stand-alone workstation, it’s recommended that you place the folder “CFAL Database”
in C:\. In a networked environment, it’s recommended that you place the folder in the root of
the selected network drive. Regardless
of the download methods, drive or network share chosen, the resulting directory
structure should resemble the following graphic:
For proper file management, it’s
recommended that you enable file extensions for known file types as indicated
below (Tools…Folder Options). When there
is an open connection to an Access database, (“.mdb” file extension) an
accompanying record-locking file (“.ldb” extension) is created, and it’s helpful to be able to distinguish between the two.
Important note: The file “CFAL File Server.mdb” or “CFAL File Server.accdb”
will contain all of your operational data.
Be sure to include the file in any backup scheme that you employ. Licensed users also have the option of
transmitting an encrypted copy of their data to ed2c for offsite backup.
Once created, set permissions on the
folder “CFAL Database” (or its equivalent) to allow network file sharing.
If a server is used, it’s recommended that you
create a “CFAL Users” group. Grant “Modify,” “Read and Execute,” “List Folder Contents,”
“Read,” and “Write” privileges to the group, and then assign users to the
group. The following graphics illustrate
the steps required:
After file sharing and permissions have been set on the
database folder, run the CFAL Client Setup program “cfalclientsetup2k.exe” on
any workstation that is connected to your network. For client-side installations, it’s recommended that all users be granted “Administrator”
rights on their local workstations.
Without such privileges, they will be unable to install updates to the
CFAL-NetCIL software. If such a scheme
is not advisable, you must enable sharing on the folder:
C:\Program Files\CFAL Client
or
C:\Program Files (x86)\CFAL Client
If you chose to install CFAL Client to an alternate
directory, you may still need to enable sharing in order to ensure that CFAL
runs correctly. The following graphic
illustrates the required configuration:
Important note: Do not enable “Local
sharing and security.” Doing so may cause CFAL Client to be
opened in read-only mode, in which case it will not run correctly. Granting administrator rights on local
workstations will eliminate this problem.
After installation, allow CFAL Client to open. When CFAL runs for the first time on the
workstation, a “File Open” dialog box will appear, requesting the location of
the file server that you installed previously.
If you have installed a file server to C:\CFAL Database on the current
workstation, CFAL will automatically connect to it. During the initial connection process, you
may see the following message appear:
Once CFAL has successfully connected, file server path
information will be stored in the workstation’s registry. All CFAL-NetCIL applications will then “know”
where your data is located. When CFAL
runs, you may be prompted to enter a username and
password. A new CFAL installation will
be equipped with an “Administrator” account and a blank password. Select values as appropriate, and verify that
the CFAL main screen opens correctly.
The path to the location of the file server should be visible in the
lower right corner of the main screen as indicated in the following graphic:
Security warning messages issued by Office versions 2003,
2007, and 2010 may be suppressed by setting custom
security levels. For more information,
see the document “Using CFAL-NetCIL with Office” that is available on the ed2c
website at:
The CFAL Client installation process should be repeated on every workstation that needs access to database information. Possible exceptions are “front desk” personnel who may only handle telephone and walk-in referrals. In such cases, install NetCIL IRLog as described below.
At least one workstation must have NetCIL Manager
installed. Manager should
only be installed on the workstations of supervisory and other trusted
personnel. Go to the NetCIL website at
the following link:
Select the link “NetCIL Manager Setup Package,” and “Run”
when prompted. If using Mozilla Firefox
or Google Chrome, select “Save” and double-click the installation file when the
download manager dialog box indicates that it is
ready. It’s
recommended that you accept all defaults during the installation process. If CFAL has been previously
installed, NetCIL Manager should automatically connect to your CFAL File
Server. If it cannot, you will be prompted for the location when the application
starts.
After NetCIL Manager opens, select “File…Check for Updates”
as indicated in the following graphic.
If updates
are available, an “Update” link will appear as indicated below.
Click the “Update” link.
If you are a licensed user, current setup files will
be downloaded to a “Setup” subfolder where your file server
resides. The files should then be
available for use in updating all workstations on your network.
For workstations where NetCIL IRLog should
be installed, run the installation file “IRLogSetup.exe” from the setup
folder, or directly from the NetCIL website:
Depending on your security settings, it may not be possible
for you to design new queries within the compiled version of CFAL. To create your own custom front-end
application, download the following zip file:
http://netcil.com/downloads/link.zip
Unzip the file to any location. – Inside is an Access
application called “CFAL Client Link 2K.mdb”.
This file is an “open” Access database that can be
customized with your own forms, reports, queries, and software. You must have CFAL installed on your computer
in order to use this file. When it is first opened, it will refresh its table links and connect
to your operation CFAL file server. This
process will only run once, unless you move the location of your data.
Once the link file is properly connected, you will be able to
create and modify queries as you wish, and they will never be
overwritten, even if you install a new version of CFAL Client.
Workstations that run Access 2007 (full or runtime) will have
the file “CFAL Client.accde” installed.
This format is new for Office 2007, and is not compatible with prior
versions of Access. If your entire
office uses Access 2007, you may wish to update your CFAL File Server to the
2007 format as well. To perform the
conversion, contact ed2c technical support.
More information is available on the CFAL-NetCIL Online Help
website:
Installation Assistance
Licensed users are eligible to receive remote installation
assistance. Contact ed2c toll-free at
(888) 678-0683, and initiate a remote session by following
this link:
http://netcil.com/downloads/Remote.exe
If Internet Explorer is your default web browser, you will
have to select “Run” or “Open” twice. If
you use Mozilla Firefox, select “Save” and then double-click the file
“Remote.exe” when the “Downloads” window appears. Select “Run” if prompted. If using Google Chrome, select “Save” in the lower
left corner of the browser window, click the
“Remote.exe” icon, and select “Run” when prompted.
When the remote session begins, you will be
prompted for a session number that will be provided to you by our staff.