Scenario: A
client's system is configured with a larger number of ports in order to
accomodate the various transmission needs that arise on the GEMS host computer,
primarily AccuVote-OS and AccuVote-TS direct and modem uploads. As
much as the initial functionality assignments are intended to be static, in the
real world - and from my experience - clients tend to change the tasks ports are
assigned to.
Direct and modem
transmission with the AccuVote-TS R6 requires that RAS be configured over the
corresponding ports, whereas AccuVote-OS transmission does not require RAS for
transmission. In a Windows NT environment, configuring and stopping RAS is
a relatively transparent affair.
In Windows 2000 and
XP, on the other hand, stopping RAS over a port requires accessing Windows
Administrative Tools, then Services, then stopping the Remote Access Connection
Manager. Should we be encouraging our clients to access Services on their
GEMS PCs in such a case? Do we tell clients that once they have started
RAS on a port, they are never to disable RAS? Or do we allow only company
staff to configure ports on GEMS PCs?
These scenarios
seems potentially troublesome, considering the amount of time I remember
spending over the years configuring clients' systems for
transmission.
Suggestions,
anyone?
Nel
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