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NCDesk

Technical Notes - Special Considerations

NCDesk and the Online Test of Computer Skills may present new and unique technical challenges to schools. Any issues that fall outside the current content categories of this site will be addressed here.

Cache and Cookies
The NCDesk application only stores NCDesk cookies and secure item data (including files) in memory while it is being used in test mode. Therefore, no network appliance (firewalls, proxy servers, etc.) should be set to attempt to cache any content while in transit between the client computer and the testing server. Attempting to cache this content will likely cause system errors and is a breach of test security.

Proxy Servers
Proxy servers cannot be set to cache the content of the test. The test is dynamic content targeted at specific users logged into the test. Proxy servers should be set to pass regular (port 80) and encrypted traffic (port 443) from everything on data.ncsu.edu.

Firewalls & Content Filters
Firewalls and content filters need to allow regular http (port 80) and encrypted https (port 443) from data.ncsu.edu

Pop-up Blockers
Due to the current design, pop-up ad blockers should not cause problems with NCDesk.

Traffic Shaping Technologies
Traffic shaping is a group of techniques designed to allow prioritization policies on the transmission of data over a network link. These technologies can be used to elevate the priority of traffic between data.ncsu.edu and student workstations during test administrations. Traffic shapers would need to be set to elevate the priority of all traffic to and from data.ncsu.edu.

Client Workstation User Permissions
Installation and operation of NCDesk may encounter difficulty if permissions of the user account are specialized or tightly managed. NCDesk should be tested for functionality in all user account login types that may be used for any administration.

Viruses and Worms
The potential exists that a new virus or worm may be released into the Internet during a period when online testing occurs. These pests exist largely to propagate themselves, and they do this by infecting computers and using their processing power to transmit themselves. This process may render the computer unusable, as well as the network by clogging it with attempts to attack other computers. It is imperative that client computers and servers be maintained with up to date virus protection and operating system patches.

Workstation Setup Preservatives (Deep Freeze, GoBack, Ghost, Clean Slate, etc.)
Administrative applications that assist preservation of system state may keep software installations and/or automatic updates from sticking (including NCDesk). System/lab administrators will have to manage this so that NCDesk will be available to students when needed for acclimation and testing sessions. All updates must be applied before a student can have a test administered using NCDesk.

WinFrame\MetaFrame\Remote Desktop
At this time we are unable to confirm if there are special considerations with regard to using remote windowing session technologies to access this test. Java runtime components and NCDesk would have to be installed and proven functional on the Application/Presentation Server for students to access this test using this type of technology. The Application/Presentation Server would need to be configured to pass TCP/IP on ports 80 and 443 (encrypted) to and from data.ncsu.edu and NOT cache content across client sessions.

VoIP
Voice over Internet Protocol is used to replace telephone service within an organization. VoIP can create high bandwidth utilization on existing networks. Without a separate network to handle VoIP, an actively used network could reach full utilization quickly. Therefore, VoIP would have to be managed heavily or its bandwidth profile restricted during online testing events in order to achieve acceptable client test session quality. VoIP typically uses 16-80 kbps per call, depending on the algorithm used to encode and compress the sound data into digital data and back

Linux
At this time we are not supporting the use of Linux workstations for this project. However, taking into consideration the technologies being used for development, it is possible that Linux could be used as a student environment for accessing this test sometime in the future.

This file was modified on Wednesday, August 29, 2007; at 1:36:41 PM