Hosting BarScan on a Server for Internet Access

Hosting BarScan on a public access or third party server where users access BarScan over the internet requires several additional items to consider in installation, operation and administration.  This is not an all-inclusive list.

Recommended Remote Setup

When setting up BarScan for cloud servers, there are two methods that our customers have used. When setting up a BarScan cloud server, BarScan recommends using remote desktop services whenever possible.

1.) The most familiar method but the slowest is setting up a server in the cloud and accessing it by means of a shared UNC over a VPN (virtual private network). This is the closest to the standard in-house network setup. Here, the standard network server is replaced with a cloud server and the company network is replaced by a VPN through the internet. All data flows through the VPN. The effect to the user is that it is slower than a direct connection to a local server. Both the cloud server and the connection to the cloud server are slower than their internal versions. The most direct method to increase performance is to get a faster VPN connection since this is the slowest part of the implementation.

2.) The more complex but faster method is setting up a cloud server that can run multiple remote sessions accessed by workstation software such as Remote Desktop. In this case, BarScan performance is much faster since BarScan data is kept internal to the cloud server and the only data moving between the cloud server and the workstation are screen images, reports and handheld uploads. When personnel are running a session of BarScan, they are actually running the session on the server rather than on their workstation. Although the initial setup is more difficult, the ongoing productivity improvements are generally worth it.

Installation

When making decisions about the installation of BarScan, it is important to remember that the installation of BarScan requires a server installation plus access by handheld devices from one or more remote locations.  If the BarScan Smart Client product is also to be installed, it has additional requirements and MUST reside on the same server as the standard BarScan installation.

The public access or party server, whether physical or virtual, must meet the published minimum requirements as published on the BarScan web site as well as any revised instructions that may have been published for whatever products are to be installed.

Operation

The access method to BarScan screens must be determined.  This is not a complete list, but customers have used Microsoft Azure Cloud, Amazon Cloud, Google Cloud, Citrix XenApp, XenDesktop, GoToMeeting, Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (formerly Terminal Services), Remote Desktop, and TeamViewer.

Some have also used Virtual Private Networks (VPN) to extend their private network through the internet to the hosting server. In all of these cases it has been the customer’s responsibility to setup and maintain these access methods.  BarScan, Inc. does not provide support for nor make recommendations on these products.  BarScan, Inc.’s supports is limited to our software.

In general, VPNs have been less costly to install but do not perform as well; the remote applications have yielded the best performance when there are requirements for multiple simultaneous users but they are the most expensive.  If no more than one user is needed at a time, products such as Microsoft’s Azure Cloud and Microsoft Remote Desktop have provided satisfactory access and performance.

Additional Considerations

The following are some of the items to consider when installing BarScan for remote access over and above the standard installation items:

1. BarScan requires that every user have modify privileges on the hosting server within the BarScan application folder and all subfolders as well as the same for the folder within which the data being accessed lies.  If users logging in to the server are sharing an account then that account must have these privileges.  If the BarScan Smart Client is also to be installed then both the data, the BarScan installation and the BarScan Smart Client must all be on the same server.

2. The setup instructions related to the handhelds still apply.  The handheld needs to be able to access the server over TCPIP using port 10200.

For a VPN, all routers between the User’s PC and the server need to forward activity on this port all the way to the server. For other products there is generally the option of redirecting IP activity over this port through the session directly to the Server.  However, if this option is not available or not selected, then the 3rd part server will have the same issue, i.e., it must keep this port open to the internet so that the handheld device can connect with it directly.  This is generally considered a security risk so remote session redirection is the preferred access method.

Additionally, the issue also applies from the User’s side. Port 10200 must be open, not blocked, and their routers must forward BarScan activity on this port out to the internet.  If direct communication between the handheld device and the 3rd party server is required, then it is recommended that a fixed IP address be used so that the handheld operator will not have to manually enter a new IP address each time an upload is performed.  This is suggested not only because the handheld operator will have to update the IP address every time an upload is performed, but they may not be able to determine the IP address to upload to.  BarScan in the PC session will query the server for its IP address and report it on the Handheld upload screen.  However, this address may not be useful when uploading over the internet. If the server has multiple addresses, for example, one local and one for internet access, the reported IP address may not necessarily be the one that a user can use of the internet.

3. BarScan uses Microsoft coding as its application environment and it has an unusual screen update protocol. Some older versions of the Citrix products do not work well with BarScan.  The most recent product versions are recommended, and should be tested prior to implementation, for satisfactory performance.

4. If the BarScan Smart Client is used, then all BarScan products and data must be installed on the same server.  This means that the 3rd part server must be able to host both the access software (such as the Citrix products) and host the BarScan internet accessible website.  Please see the installation instructions for the BarScan Smart Client requirements.