Technical Configuration Requirements and Guidelines

 

Use the following technical configuration requirements and guidelines to prepare your computers and network to administer exams. This information applies to computers running all components of the testing system: LSCP (cache proxy), administrative station and testing workstations unless stated otherwise.

 

You may require assistance from the local technical staff at your test center to implement these computer and network configurations. Contact the helpdesk/technical support for any questions or concerns regarding the information below.

 

1. Computer Requirements: 

 

STN/IT sites: Refer to the CTAS Facility Requirements posted on the ETS CTAS website (https://www.ets.org/ctas/requirements) and the CLEP sites can refer to the Test Delivery Requirements document posted on the College Board website for the hardware, software, and connectivity specifications. Hosting the LSCP does not require a computer running a server operating system. The operating system should reside on and boot from the computer's local hard disk. Virtual machines and thin clients are not supported.

 

2. Administrative Privileges: Administrative privileges are required to install and operate Unify software on each computer. User Account Control must be set to NEVER NOTIFY on the testing computers.

 

3. Windows User Account/Login: The Unify applications are launched via desktop shortcuts. These shortcuts are specific to the user's Windows profile. If a different Windows account is used, the Unify shortcuts will not appear on the desktop. To create shortcuts for a different user, launch the Unify application from the Start menu.

 

4. Desktop Firewalls: We strongly recommend that desktop security firewalls (Internet Security Suites or Windows built-in firewalls) should be disabled or configured to allow unrestricted network communication between computers running the Administrative Station, LSCP, and Testing Workstation applications.

 

5.    Internet Browser: The test delivery system does not require a specific browser to start the applications. You need the browser to either download the software components from the Unify download page for installation OR log on to the TC Portal (eLearning, PTCA test center staff management and password assistance portal).

 

6.    Add the following Unify applications to the whitelist of the virus scan suite applications, network/desktop firewalls or other security configurations such that the applications are not blocked:

 

admlauncher.exe

admLauncherHelper.exe

admLauncherMain.exe

admLauncherMainUpdater.exe

bin.exe

catalina.bat

etschrome.exe

jar.exe

java.exe

javaw.exe

jre.exe

lscpLauncher.exe

lscpLauncherMain.exe

lscpLauncherMainUpdater.exe

setclasspath.bat

startup.bat

UnifyAdminInstaller.exe

UnifyCPInstaller_PROD.exe

UnifyVToolInstaller_PROD.exe

UnifyWksInstaller.exe

vtoolexe.exe

vtoolLauncher.exe

vtoolLauncherMain.exe

vtoolLauncherMainUpdater.exe

wkslauncher.exe

wksLauncherHelper.exe

wksLauncherMain.exe

wksLauncherMainUpdater.exe

wkswinproc.exe

 

7.       Other Desktop Security Configurations: Desktop security systems, such as Deep Freeze and similar products, control which software can permanently reside on the computer hard drive by erasing a software installation after a system reboot or at a scheduled time. DISABLE such security configurations on the LSCP computer. Not disabling such security configurations will result in loss of candidate test responses. In addition, disable such configurations on all testing workstations prior to the test delivery.

 

8.       Local Area Network (LAN) and Internet Connectivity: All test delivery computers MUST reside on the same subnet of the LAN with NO blocking of any TCP ports. Use network switches (do not use hubs) that support 100 Mbps or higher on the LAN. All computers must be connected to the internet via a broadband internet connection with a minimum download speed of 4Mbps and upload speed of 1Mbps.

 

9.       Wi-Fi is permitted for testing workstation communications provided Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2) encryption is used. Cache proxy and Admin station must use wired connections.

 

10.   LAN-WAN Separation: If your Local Area Network (LAN) is configured in a way that LAN connectivity is interrupted when you lose Internet connectivity, you should consider alternative devices or configurations to prevent this by isolating the LAN device (network switch) from Wide Area Network device (Internet router) for your testing facility or lab. Isolating the LAN device will allow you to continue to deliver tests that are already launched in the event the Internet connectivity is lost. However, a new test launch or a restart will require Internet connectivity to be restored.

 

11.   Network Firewalls: Test centers that access the Internet via firewalls or proxy servers should ensure:

a.    TCP ports 443 and 80 are open.

b.    ETS.ORG must be added as a trusted domain to allow file download/upload without content filtering.

Note: Do not use a fixed IP address in place of ets.org for trusted sites.

c.    Download of files with extension types of EXE, JAR, JNLP, XML, and DLL must be allowed.

 

12.   LSCP Computer IP Address: Configure the LSCP computer either by assigning it a fixed IP address or by configuring your DHCP Server(s) such that the lease renewal process assigns it the same IP address as it had prior to renewal. DO NOT run desktop security applications such as ESET or Kaspersky in a way that would result in masking the cache proxy IP address as it will prohibit network communication between administrative stations, LSCP, and testing workstations.

 

13.   Multiple LSCP Configurations: All test delivery computers that are launched for a unique test center ID or site code and reside on the same subnet must be located near each other because they are part of one test delivery system. If the physical locations are different, then each delivery system must reside on a different subnet in order to use the same test center ID (site ID).

 

14.   Windows System Locale and keyboard settings: The Windows system locale (language for non-Unicode programs) must be set to English (United States) on all test delivery computers. If it is set to any other language, the workstation will display an error message when attempting to launch the test. Also ensure that English (United States) is set as default app language with US English keyboard.

 

15.   Non-U.S. English Computer Names: DO NOT use non-U.S. English characters for computer names.

 

16.   Configure Power Options: All test delivery computers' Power Schemes should be configured so that the hard disk and monitor stays ON and the systems do not go into hibernation or standby mode during the test delivery.

 

17.   Configure Desktop Screen Savers: All test delivery computers' Desktop Screen Savers should be disabled.

 

18.   Configure Instant Messenger Services, such as MSN Messenger or similar applications, in such a way that they do not run automatically at the time of startup or login to Windows. Running these applications may not allow you to launch iBT on the testing computers.

 

19.   Video Display Colors: iBT software requires the display adapter to be set for 32-bit colors.

 

20.   Wide Screen Monitors: Wide screen monitors must support an aspect ratio of 4:3.

 

21.   Headsets and Audio Test for STN/IT sites: Always use iBT certified headsets to ensure good quality audio response recording. While preparing test stations, run the Verification Tool Audio Recording and Playback test and ensure the audio playback quality is good.

 

22.   Unify Software Installers: Required installers are available at https://unifyinfo.ets.org/ (or https://ibtprod.ets.org/ibt/unifyinfo.jsp). Reboot the computer after the installation is complete.

 

23.   Microsoft .NET requirement: Microsoft dot NET version 4.0 or higher must be installed on all testing computers. You can download and install version 4.6.1 from the Unify software installer's link.

 

24.   Screen Magnification Software: Install ZoomText software from the following link: https://unifyinfo.ets.org/to test candidates who have been authorized to use the screen magnification and/or modifiable colors (color switching) accommodations. No other version of ZoomText is supported within the Unify test delivery system.

 

25.   Positioning LSCP and Administrative Station: The administrative station should be located near the testing workstations, preferably inside the testing room near the entrance or just outside the entrance. This allows for good flow when staff are checking-in test takers at the admin station and escorting them to their assigned testing stations. It is acceptable for the LSCP to be located in another room, but it should be nearby so the Test Center Administrator can access it easily.

 

26.   Hardware or Software Changes: Whenever a testing computer's hardware or software is changed or upgraded, you are required to run the "Round Trips" demo test on one at least one testing workstation and "Quick Launches" on the remaining workstations at least a day before your next test administration date to verify that everything is working as expected after changes are applied.

 

Revised on November 15, 2023