home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Monster Media 1994 #2
/
Monster Media No. 2 (Monster Media)(1994).ISO
/
lan
/
count_50.zip
/
COUNT!.TXT
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-07-01
|
36KB
|
779 lines
COUNT! v5.0
May 1994
Network Administrators Guide
This document is intended for Network Administrators and
assumes the audience is familiar with MS Windows v3.0 or
above, MS DOS v3.3 or above, and basic network
management principals.
Table Of Contents
What is COUNT!........................................1
Using COUNT!..........................................2
Installing COUNT!.....................................2
Setting Up Applications to Run Under COUNT!...........3
Controlling Access to Applications....................4
Multiple Instance Management..........................4
Scrubbing License Files...............................5
LogFiles..............................................6
Registering COUNT!....................................7
Transferring a License to COUNT!......................7
Appendix A: Applications Installation and License
Metering Problems....................................8
Appendix B: Using COUNT! Without Stub Files...........9
Appendix C: How COUNT!.ini Controls the Launching of
Applications........................................10
Appendix D: Installing Non-Network Software Versions.11
Appendix E: User Messages............................12
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY
THIS SOFTWARE AND MANUAL ARE SOLD "AS IS" AND WITHOUT
WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. THE USER MUST
ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING THE PROGRAM. ANY LIABILITY
OF THE SELLER WILL BE LIMITED EXCLUSIVELY TO PRODUCT
REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF PURCHASE PRICE.
Product Support:
COUNT! is written and copyrighted by:
Ed Derzawiec
6 Sweet Fern Rd
Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
Feel free to send any product related questions or suggestions
for future program enhancements to this address.
Ed Derzawiec is a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the
shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to
resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by
contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The
ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with
an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for
members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545
Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA, FAX 616-788-2765 or
send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman
70007,3536.
_______
____|__ | (R)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
Note to Upgraders...
Version 5.0 of COUNT! is completely backwards compatible with
prior versions. Applications set up to run under earlier
versions of COUNT! will work identically under this release.
And, licenses granted for prior versions are transferable to
v5.0
This version offers broader options for installing
applications that you can take advantage of. Specifically,
the use of "Stub" files can greatly simplify application
installation.
The new CountAdm utility handles all COUNT!.ini management and
provides a GUI interface to License and Log files for
monitoring applications use.
COUNT! v5.0
Network Administrators Guide
Page 1
What is COUNT!
COUNT! is an MS Windows utility that enables you to abide to "simultaneous
use" licenses in a network environment. This type of license allows you to
provide applications to a user community without buying a license for each
potential user. The result is typically an 80% to 90% reduction in the
cost of the application.
Simultaneous use licenses:
Unlike mainframe programs that base the fee on the number of potential
users of a product, personal computer software licenses are often based
on the number of people using a program at any given time. If the
network provides a dozen applications to 50 users, it is probable that
five to ten licenses for each application will be sufficient to meet the
needs of the 50 users without purchasing 50 licenses of each.
Most major suppliers of personal computer software base their license on
simultaneous use. However, many of these (Microsoft for example)
provide no means for maintaining the license. Should you wind up in
court, you are required to provide evidence that adequate precautions
were taken to ensure that the simultaneous use license was not violated.
What does COUNT! Do:
COUNT! launches programs in an MS windows environment and keeps track of
the number of users. It will enable you to enforce simultaneous use
licenses. It also provides features to make many programs that function
poorly in a network environment behave better. Finally COUNT! provides
the network administrator detailed analysis on the use of licenses so
that an appropriate number can be economically purchased to support user
needs.
COUNT! enables a user to access an application as easily as if it were
installed on his local hard disk. To do this, it will if necessary:
Establish a network connection
Modify the current DOS directory
Check for license availability
Execute the program
Free the network license when the program terminates
Disconnect the network connection
Supported Network Environments:
COUNT! runs on Windows client PCs, not servers. License management is
achieved through a shared file service. It will therefore work in any
network environment. COUNT! has been successfully tested under Novell
Netware, Banyon Vines, Digital Pathworks, Microsoft LanManager, Windows
for Workgroups, and several other Network OS's
COUNT! v5.0
Network Administrators Guide
Page 2
Using COUNT!
An end user needs no special knowledge to use COUNT! He simply launches
applications normally through Windows. A license dialog box appears
informing him the license is being shared. If no more licenses are
available, the dialog box will inform him of that and provide a list of
current users.
Setting up applications to run under COUNT! is also straight forward. A
network administrator installs the application on the network using the
vendor's instructions. You then use the COUNT! Administration utility
(CountAdm), to replace the application's .EXE file with a "Stub" file which
runs the program under COUNT!
In addition to installing Stub Files, the CountAdm utility provides a
convenient means of monitoring applications usage. You can easily examine
the current users and usage history of each application running under
COUNT!.
Installing COUNT!
The setup program is used to copy all necessary files to a network file
server. It will also create a Count Administrator group on your Windows
desktop if you wish. The CountAdm program can then be run to set up
applications to run under COUNT!
Before running the Setup program, determine where you would like to install
the various components of COUNT!. COUNT! and associated program and
configuration files should be placed in an area where the Network
administrator has READ/WRITE access and all users have READ access. License
or Log Files need to be placed in an area where all users have READ/WRITE
access. While COUNT! can launch applications without this common
READ/WRITE user access, its features will be quite limited.
To run the setup program...
Make a network connection to the file service you would like to
install the program to.
Run COUNT!'s Setup program under Windows. (i.e., from File Manager
select File-Run-A:Setup.exe)
COUNT! v5.0
Network Administrators Guide
Page 3
The following files are part of the COUNT! package. Setup will place these
in the COUNT! program Directory.
COUNT!.EXE Launches Applications, Meters usage.
COUNT!.INI Contains information to Launch Applications.
COUNT!.TXT This Documentation File
COUNTADM.EXE Provides Administrative services to Network
Administrators.
COUNTADM.HLP The Windows Help file for CountAdm
COUNTMGR.DLL Manages multiple instances of the same application
launched under COUNT!
SCRUB.EXE Removes inactive users from license files
STUB.EXE Replaces Application .EXE Files so they are launched
under COUNT!
SETUP.EXE Installs COUNT! on a Server.
Setting Up Applications to Run Under COUNT!
The easiest way to setup applications to run under COUNT! is to use "Stub"
files. Simply install the application according to the vendor's directions
on the server and each client. Then install a Stub file to launch the
application through COUNT!
CountAdm will automatically install stub files by replacing an applications
executable file (i.e. EXCEL.EXE) with a Stub file of the same name. The
original application file is renamed. The Stub file executes the main
COUNT! program which in turn executes the original application. This may
sound a bit "round about", but it is very efficient, and greatly simplifies
application installation.
To install Stub files with CountAdm, You will need Read/Write Access to the
network directory where the application has been installed. You will also
need Read/Write access to the Applications' .EXE file. Select Install-Add
Application Stub File from CountAdm's Main Menu. Specify the Application
exe file you want to create a stub file for (i.e. EXCEL.exe) and press OK.
CountAdm will create an entry for the Application in COUNT!.ini using the
name of the exe file (i.e. EXCEL). It will also rename the original exe
file by placing an "!" at the end (i.e. EXCEL!.exe) You can modify these
names by pressing the Advanced button and editing the defaults.
After creating the stub file, use CountAdm to change the settings in
COUNT!.ini to define the methods used to launch the application and control
license counts.
The stub file method has been successfully tested with numerous
applications. However, if you encounter problems, see Appendix A.
COUNT! also creates COUNT!.ini files in each application directory. These
are not the same as the one in the COUNT! program directory. Their job is
to help the Stub file communicate with the COUNT! program.
COUNT! v5.0
Network Administrators Guide
Page 4
Controlling Access to Applications
There are two ways to use COUNT! to enforce simultaneous use licenses. One
method is to put each application you want to control access to in a unique
network file service, and place a limit on the number of connections to
this service. COUNT! could then connect to the service before starting the
program, and disconnect when done. The server enforces the license
counting/metering.
In the second method, COUNT! uses a License file to monitor the number of
users. You set the Maximum number of users for each application via the
CountAdm Utility. Simply modify the Maximum users setting in the Set-up-
Applications Dialog. If a License file is specified under License/Log File
Setup for a given Application, COUNT will use this method to control
access.
You can also use both methods simultaneously. This provides maximum
security, friendlier user error messages, and more complete applications
use information.
If a License file is used, A DOS environment variable must exist prior to
entering Windows which provides a user name. The UserName must be unique
to each network node. It is typically assigned in a the Autoexec.Bat or
Network Startup File using the DOS SET command as follows:
"SET Name=UserName"
The default "Name" environment variable may be changed in the defaults
Dialog of CountAdm.
When using a License file, COUNT! checks the number of current users each
time someone attempts to run an application. If no licenses are available,
access is denied, and the list of license holders is displayed. Otherwise,
the application is launched and an entry is added to the License file
similar to the one below:
[MS Project]
John Doe=09:33:27 02/12/92
The timestamp is updated periodically, and is removed when the user exits
the application.
Multiple Instance Management
Windows enables a user to run multiple copies of an application
simultaneously as long as the application itself permits this. COUNT!
fully supports this feature and will only reserve a single network license
for each user workstation no matter how many instances of the program are
running. CountMgr.DLL manages this activity as necessary. Network
connections made when the first instance of an application is launched will
be maintained as long as at least one instance of the application is
active.
COUNT! v5.0
Network Administrators Guide
Page 5
Scrubbing License Files
License files require periodic maintenance to remove inactive licenses.
Licenses become inactive when applications are terminated abnormally, such
as rebooting the PC while the application is in use. When this occurs, the
license file entry for that user is not freed until that same user runs and
exits the application again.
A supplemental program, SCRUB.EXE, is supplied which automatically removes
inactive licenses. COUNT! will start SCRUB whenever a user is denied
access to an application for lack of an available license.
SCRUB works by examining the License file, waiting a specified time and
then reexamining it. If the license entries are not updated in that time,
they are assumed to be inactive and removed. By default SCRUB waits for
the UpdateLicense interval+1 minute. The extra minute allows for programs
which might take total control of the PC for some period of time. For
instance, If Excel takes several minutes to recalculate a spreadsheet, it
may not allow COUNT! to update the License File during that period.
(Windows 3.x is Not Pre-emptive.)
If you feel 1 minute is not sufficient, you can override this by specifying
a larger interval in CountAdm. An interval less than UpdateLicense + 1
minute will be ignored. A interval of 0 will disable Scrubbing for the
specified application.
When SCRUB is running, an Icon identifying the time remaining will be
displayed on the Windows Desktop.
As mentioned, COUNT! will automatically run SCRUB when a user is denied
access to an application due to lack of an available license. In addition,
a Network Administrator may want to periodically run SCRUB, perhaps placing
it in his/her Windows startup group. You can also run SCRUB from CountAdm.
If SCRUB is run without any parameters, it will scrub the License File of
all applications. You can also scrub an individual application by
including it as a parameter on SCRUB's command line. (i.e. "SCRUB
MS_Excel")
COUNT! v5.0
Network Administrators Guide
Page 6
LogFiles
LogFiles provide valuable information to the network administrator on how
licenses are being used for each application, and by whom. It is highly
recommended that you use LogFiles for each application to:
Keep track of the average time an application is used.
The typical number of licenses in use at any time.
The number of times a license has been denied.
The use by Individual.
Since these files can be rather large, it is recommended that a separate
file be used for each application.
While you can use Log Files without License Files, the log information will
be somewhat limited if you do so. Viewing information in License and Log
files can be accomplished using CountAdm.
COUNT! v5.0
Network Administrators Guide
Page 7
Registering COUNT!
COUNT! is copyrighted software and all rights are reserved by the author.
You are free to evaluate the product for 30 days to determine its
suitability to your needs. Use beyond 30 days requires registration.
Anyone with the conscience to use COUNT! will want to register it. A
license to COUNT! enables you copy and use the software on a single server
for up to 100 Users. The cost of the license is $79. If you would like to
register, please fill out the form on the last page of this manual.
In return, you will be sent a diskette with a registered version of the
software.
Transferring a License to COUNT!
Upon registering, you will receive a license number. To license the
software, you will need Read/Write access to the directory where COUNT!.EXE
is located. From Windows Program Manager, use "File Run" and place in the
command Line "Drive:\Path\COUNT!.EXE /L".
Alternatively, you can use the CountAdm menu function Install-Transfer
License.
You will prompted you for your company and server name. You are limited to
a total of 50 characters, so you may have to abbreviate. If the name
appears truncated in the main dialog box, you can reinstall the license.
COUNT! v5.0
Network Administrators Guide
Page 8
Appendix A:
Applications Installation and License Metering Problems
Should you encounter problems using the Stub files installed with the
CountAdm utility, the following information may be helpful.
First, some applications will not work properly if their .EXE file has been
renamed. If this occurs, you can try renaming all of the files in the
application directory with the same base name as the original application
to the base name of the renamed .EXE file. (i.e. rename MisApp.DLG to
MisApp!.DLG) If this fails, you may have to resort to using COUNT! without
stub files. (See Appendix B). If you need to uninstall a stub file, the
CountAdm utility will do this automatically.
There is another situation where COUNT! has difficulty metering
applications licenses. If a Windows application's primary (loading)
executable file terminates before the application does, COUNT! has no way
of knowing when the program ends. Only one major application to date has
been found which does this.. WordPerfect for Windows.
In the case of WordPerfect (v5.1) there is a way around this problem. The
program loading executable WPwin.exe file does some initialization work and
then Launches the Main executable WPwinFile.Exe. If you use CountAdm to
create a stub file for WPwinFile.exe rather than WPwin.exe, COUNT! can
meter licenses effectively.
COUNT! v5.0
Network Administrators Guide
Page 9
Appendix B:
Using COUNT! Without Stub Files
COUNT! runs applications defined in the COUNT!.ini file passed on its
command line. For instance, to launch Microsoft's Excel, the command line
could be "COUNT! MS_Excel". To launch Aldus' Persuasion, the command
line could be "COUNT! Persuasion". COUNT! then does everything necessary
to make appropriate network connections, start the application, and
enforce software licenses.
To use the command line, you will need to be familiar with the methods
Windows uses to launch applications. The most common method is for the
user to "double click" on an application icon in a Program Manager group.
The second is to use the file manager to launch an application with a
selected data file. A third is to launch the application using the
Program Manager's "Run command".
Supporting Applications Launched via a Program Manager Application Icon:
You will need to modify the vendor supplied installation procedure to
modify the icon's "properties" to use COUNT! to launch the program. The
application icon program line properties can be changed using the
following procedure:
In Program Manager, select the program icon by clicking on it once
with the mouse.
Select File-Properties, from the Program Manager's menu. A "Program
Item Properties" dialog box should appear.
Change the command line in the dialog box to launch the program
through COUNT! i.e. "COUNT!.exe MS_Excel".
You should also change the icon to the application's normal icon,
which is typically in the main .EXE file of the application. This is
also done from the "Program Item Properties" dialog box. Press the
"Change Icon" button and type in the file name containing the Icon
(i.e. E:\EXCEL\EXCEL.EXE)
The Program .EXE file may not be available to Windows if the network
drive is not currently connected. In this case you can substitute an
icon from PROGMAN.EXE or MORICONS.DLL. You could also use a 3rd
party utility to extract an icon from an application .EXE file, and
make the icon file available to Windows.
Supporting Applications Launched via File Manager:
You need to modify the "[extensions]" section of WIN.ini to associate
COUNT! with the extension of data files your program runs. Again, you
must supply a command line such as "XLT=COUNT!.exe MS_Excel ^.xlt".
Modifying Windows .INI files can be automated by using the Fix_INI!
program which can be found in the utilities subdirectory of the COUNT!
program disk
Supporting Applications Launched via Program Manager's Run Command:
The user would have to enter a correct COUNT! command Line in Program
Manager's "RUN" dialog box.
COUNT! v5.0
Network Administrators Guide
Page 10
Appendix C:
How COUNT!.ini Controls the Launching of Applications
The COUNT!.ini file controls what COUNT! does in launching an application.
COUNT!.ini is created and maintained with the CountAdm utility. However,
it can also be modified using any ASCII editor, such as notepad. It
consists of a number of applications "Sections" containing keywords
describing how to launch the application. Each section begins with the
ApplicationName in square brackets. You can use any ApplicationName you
like so long as it is less than 32 Characters. Keywords can be any of the
following:
ConnectDrive=Drive:,Network_Path,Password
(Only Windows 3.1 and above support this command. You can use
"Connect" to support Windows 3.0) The Password is optional.
However, the comma separator must be included. You can use "*" as
the Password and the User will be prompted to provide one. If The
Drive and Network service are already in use, this command is
ignored. Network Drives which are connected with this command are
Disconnected when the user exits the application unless
DisConnectDrive=No.
DisConnectDrive=Yes or No.
Connect=Network connection command (you would issue at a DOS prompt.)
The Connect and Disconnect KeyWords are provided to support Windows
3.0, or for Networks incompatible with Windows 3.1 network management
features.
Disconnect=Network disconnection command
StartDirectory=Starting directory.
This will override any directory specified in the property's of a
Program Manager Icon.
Execute=Program invocation command.
CountFile=R/W file (License file) which holds the current users for each
application.
LogFile=R/W file which tracks license use for the application.
MaxUsers=Number of users that can use the program simultaneously.
MaxTime=Number of minutes of program use before COUNT! reminds the user
to free the application license.
UpdateLicense=Number of minutes between updates of the License File.
The default is 5. A 0 inhibits updates.
SkipLicenseMessage=Yes or No. If, Yes, COUNT! bypasses its initial
dialog informing the user of the licensing activity and immediately
launches the application. The default is No.
All KeyWords other than Execute are optional.
COUNT! v5.0
Network Administrators Guide
Page 11
Appendix D:
Installing Non-Network Software Versions
Most software available today installs easily in network environments.
However, you will occasionally run into an application that does not offer
a network version, or one which will not install properly on your network.
In such situations, you can often install the software for network use with
the following procedure.
From a client PC, provide Write access to the Network drive you would like
the application installed upon, giving it the same DOS drive letter the
user will eventually see it as. You may also need to provide Write access
to the Windows directory on the server if Windows is being shared over the
network.
Install the software to a network drive using the vendor's instructions
with the following exceptions.
1) Copy the client's WIN.ini and System.Ini files as Win.OLD and
System.OLD. Also copy the Autoexec.Bat and Config.Sys files.
2) Make copies of the client's Windows and System Directory listings and
the server's Window system directory if appropriate
(i.e. DIR c:\Windows >Win.Dir).
3) Install the Software.
4) Compare the .INI files and directories to the original saved
versions. (i.e. FC Win.OLD Win.ini). Note any changes. Typically,
these changes are entries added to the [Extensions] section of
WIN.ini, applications sections added to WIN.ini, and perhaps a few
DLLs added or updated in the Windows System Directory. Many
applications change the Path variable in the Autoexec.Bat file. In
most cases, this change is not required.
5) Make these same changes on each client PC that will run the
application by copying or editing files. Fix_ini!.Com and Patch!.Com
are very useful utilities in automating this process. They can be
found in the utilities subdirectory of the COUNT! program disk
6) If the REG.DAT file in the windows directory on the client PC was
modified, some special attention is required. REG.DAT's primary
purpose is to support OLE and Drag/Drop capabilities. To provide
this, the application must be registered in REG.DAT of each client.
You cannot simply copy the revised REG.DAT file to each client. First
check the application directory for an Application.REG file. If it
exists, simply RUN it from Program Manager on each client PC. If the
application does not have a .REG file, you will need to examine how
the installation procedure modified the REG.DAT file (using
RegEdit.EXE) and manually make the changes on other clients.
COUNT! v5.0
Network Administrators Guide
Page 12
Appendix E:
User Messages
There are a few messages COUNT! passes to the user that a Network
Administrator needs to be aware of. These are covered below:
"All Licenses for this application are currently in use!" A user will
get this message when all licenses set by the MaxUsers parameter are in
use. They will also get a list box identifying users so they can try to
free up a license on their own.
"Please Exit AppName IMMEDIATELY! License VIOLATION!" Through an
Application error or user tampering, the license reserved for this user
in the License File has been erased. A user should Never get this
message. It should be looked into by the Network Administrator.
"You have exceeded the recommended time limit for this application and
are reminded to free this license when you are finished so that others
may use the program." A user will get this message if he uses the
program beyond the MaxTime variable.
The remaining messages should not normally be seen by a user, but may arise
in setting up applications to run under COUNT!
"Could Not Connect (to Drive)" A network Error caused by an incorrect
DOS drive or Network file service specification in COUNT!.ini, or
unidentifiable network connection problem.
"Drive In Use on Different Service" A failure to connect to the
requested network service in COUNT!.ini because the requested Drive is
already being used for a different network service. You should not set
up two network applications to share a DOS drive letter for different
file services.
"Could Not Execute" Execution of the application failed. Most often
this is caused by an error in COUNT!.ini or perhaps a DOS PATH Error.
"Could Not Find COUNT!.ini" COUNT!.ini is not in the same subdirectory
as COUNT!.EXE.
"Count Not Load CountMgr.DLL" CountMgr.DLL is not in the same
subdirectory as COUNT!.EXE.
"No Application Specified" No ApplicationName was specified on the
COUNT! Command Line.
"No Program to Execute in COUNT!.ini" No "Execute=" was included.
"Name Environment Variable Not Defined!" You MUST have a Name
Environment variable defined if you are using a License File.
COUNT! v5.0 User Registration Form (ASP)
NAME: ____________________________________
Company: ____________________________________
Street: ____________________________________
Town, State, Zip: ____________________________________
Please register me for (____) copies of COUNT!. Enclosed is $79.00 for
each copy (plus 6% Sales tax for Maine residents).
Preferred Media: 5.25"(360K) ____ 3.5" (720K) ____
Please make checks payable to:
Edward Derzawiec
6 Sweet Fern Road
Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
Signature: ____________________________________
In signing this form I agree:
1. Not to make copies of the registered software received for purposes
outside of my use on a single network server.
2. Not to modify the software without written consent of the author.
I welcome your comments on the merits or limitations of COUNT!, or
enhancements you would like to see added.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
To improve the testing of COUNT!, please answer the following:
Server Type:
Operating System: DOS ___, OS2 ___, VMS ___, UNIX ___
NT ____, Other _________________
Network OS: Novel ___, Vines ___, Pathworks ___, Other ________
Nodes:
PC/XT (8086/8088) ____, AT (286) ____, (386/486/+ CPU) ____
Display: Mono, ____, CGA, ____ EGA, ____ VGA, ____ Color ____
Windows Version ____
Applications COUNT! is Used For:
______________________________________________________________
=================================================================
Do not write below this line:
Serial number licensed to above user: ____________
