In general, it is advisable to update the workstation to the latest sets of Windows updates.  The easiest means to maintain these updates is simply to visit http://www.windowsupdate.com using Internet Explorer on the client workstation and follow the instructions there. 

In particular, in order to use a workstation to connect to the TSENTRY HMI system the workstation must have the following items installed:

1. Latest operating system service pack for the workstation

2. Microsoft .NET Framework v2.0

Operating system service packs are typically listed as high-priority recommended updates, and thus will be presented for installation by default.  The .NET Framework however is typically listed as an optional update, and therefore must be explicitly selected from the Windows Update web site:

1. Open http://www.windowsupdate.com

2. Once the Windows Update control has been installed, click on the

Custom button; the Windows Update control should then scan your system to look for available updates

1. Once the scan is complete, along the left-hand side of the screen should be a set of types of updates; choose Software, Optional

2. Select/check the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0

3. Click on

Review and install updates and following the remaining on-screen instructions

Alternatively, the .NET Framework 2.0 can be downloaded directly from Microsoft at the following address:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0856eacb-4362-4b0d-8edd-aab15c5e04f5&DisplayLang=en

The Tsentry Screen Explorer, also known as Texplore, can be installed on a client simply by executing the

(click Run when prompted).

Open

The latest installer is also available for download from the TSENTRY web site at http://www.tsentry.com.

Further documentation about the use of Texplore is currently in development.

The following must be completed to configure DCOM on a Windows 2000 client:

1. Start | Run | dcomcnfg | OK

2. Select Default Properties

3. Check Enable Distributed COM for this computer

4. Set Default Authentication Level to (None).   
   This selection turns off security on callbacks to your machine so that the server can write data.  Otherwise screens run from this machine will be able to connect to the server but data will never be returned to the screen.

5. Apply | OK to close dcomcnfg

The following must be completed to configure DCOM on a Windows XP or Windows 2003 client:

1. Start Component Services

   1. Open the Control Panel

   2. Click on Administrative Tools

   3. Click on Component Services

2. Set general DCOM properties:

   1. Expand Component Services under the Console Root folder

   2. Expand Computers

      1. Right-click on the My Computer icon mentioned above and choose Properties

      2. Choose the Default Properties tab

      3. Check Enable Distributed COM on this Computer

      4. Set Default Authentication Level to (None).  
         This selection turns off security on callbacks to your machine so that the server can write data.  Otherwise screens run from this machine will be able to connect to the server but data will never be returned to the screen.

      5. Set Default Impersonation Level to (Identify).

      6. Choose the COM Security tab

      7. Click on the Edit Limits… button under Access Permissions

      8. Add Everyone to the Group or user names box

      9. While Everyone is highlighted verify that both Allow Local Access and Allow Remote Access

      10. Click OK to close the Access Permissions window

      11. Click on the Edit Limits… button under Launch and Activation Permissions

      12. Add Everyone to the Group or user names box

      13. While Everyone is highlighted verify that both Allow Local Activation and Allow Remote Activation are checked (Allow Local Launch and Allow Remote Launch may or may not be checked; these permissions are not required for OPC)

      14. Click OK to close the Launch and Activation Permissions window

      15. OK to save and close the My Computer Properties

3. Close Component Services

4. The system must be restarted for these changes to take effect