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Network Installation Tips

Last Revised March 26, 2012

Background: Most GEOSYSTEM for Windows users are now network connected; we're finding, however, that many are still installing their GEOSYSTEM programs on each computer's local hard drive. This document covers some reasons why we recommend that GEOSYSTEM software be installed on a shared network drive and lists some potential problems which may be encountered. Please note that we are not network consultants: please contact a network or IT specialist if you need further information.

Did you know: All GEOSYSTEM programs are site licensed? GEOSYSTEM programs may be installed onto a network without the hassle of a license server. The software may be accessed simultaneously by any or every computer at your site. (Wide-area access, however, is prohibited.)

Reasons why you should install your GEOSYSTEM programs onto a shared network drive:

  • Easier updating: Occasionally we post program updates to this page. If you have your GEOSYSTEM package installed onto the local hard drive of multiple computers you will have to install the update onto each computer; if you have a single, shared GEOSYSTEM program directory on a network drive, you have just one copy to update.

Reasons why you might want to keep your programs on a computer's local hard drive:

  • Slow networks: We've run into a few clients experiencing unaccountably long delays when opening GEOSYSTEM software packages from a network drive (likely due to network virus scanner delays).
  • Unreliable networks: If your network hardware or software is not reasonably new and of good quality, you may experience problems when running GEOSYSTEM programs over a network.

Network installation considerations:

  • Check our Windows Server Configuration sheet

  • Access control: All users must have read, write and delete access to the network subdirectory where the software is to be installed. This requirement also applies to any subdirectories underneath the program's subdirectory.

  • Installing the software: If you have already installed your GEOSYSTEM for Windows software onto a local hard disk, you can move that installation to your network drive. Simply start the Windows Explorer program, right-click on the folder where you've installed your GEOSYSTEM package (it's usually C:\PROGRAM FILES\GEOSYS or C:\PROGRAM FILES (x86)\GEOSYS) and select "Copy". Navigate to the network drive and subdirectory where the software is to be placed, right-click and select "Paste".

    One note: if you've moved the QC-Concrete database to a directory other than the program directory, make sure to move it to a shared network directory as well. When the program is first run, the user will be asked to show the program the directory where the database was placed.

  • Desktop shortcut: After installing the software onto a network server, take a moment to create a desktop shortcut on each computer which will be using the programs. Directions for doing this are given here.

  • Delete the original: After you're satisfied that the software is working correctly over the network, please take a moment to delete the local directories where the software was originally installed. This is an important step: a small but annoying percentage of our tech. support calls come from people who have multiple installations of their GEOSYSTEM packages and have become confused as to which copy is current.