iCare Knowledge Base

In a LAN environment, each computer is either a server or a workstation. Their functions and some notes are given below.

iCare Server

One computer is designated as the iCare Server to run the network. This is the computer on which the Database folder, Resources folder, Reports folder and secondary program files reside. All other computers running iCare will look at the iCare Server for these files and will share them.

iCare Workstations

When iCare is installed on multiple computers, all the computers other than the iCare Server are referred as workstations.

On a LAN there should be only one iCare Server. The data you enter on a workstation will be visible from all the other computers. You can install iCare on the workstations, as shown in the section Installing iCare (see page 47).

Mapping the Database File

The text file DCMS_DB.loc located in the DCMS9003\Resources folder holds the path or the address of the shared files. For example, if the iCare Server is mapped on your computer as the Z: drive, then the iCare_DB.loc file should only have one line reading Z:\DCMS9003.

—          The mapped drive designator, like Z: in the above example, could be different for each iCare Workstation. Another way to set the mapping is to insert the following line in the file DCMS_DB.loc: \\servername\dcms9003

Functions that Require Special Setup when Running iCare on LAN

The following functions can be run on either the iCare Server or the workstations:

§         Day Ending Process

§         Connection to the Data Terminals

§         Connection to the Swipe Card Readers

§         Connection to the Cash Drawers

§         Connection to the Door Openers

Setup of these functions is explained below.

Day Ending Process in a LAN Environment

For most sites, it is necessary that the iCare Day Ending Process be completed on a regular basis. The Day Ending Process can be set to run on the iCare Server or any of the iCare Workstations.

If your iCare Server is a Novell Server or a computer, which is not able to run MS Windows programs, then the Day Ending Process should be executed on an iCare Workstation.

iCare automatically shuts down on all the computers at the selected Day Ending time. See the section, Managing the Day Ending Process (page 89).

—          Make sure that the system clocks on all the computers are about the same, i.e., the clocks are all within a couple of minutes of each other.

In the Day Ending Process, iCare completes several tasks:

§         Attendance compilation

§         Running of automated billing

§         Accounting reconciliation

§         Database backup and repair routine

—          To check if your system is completing these tasks properly, see the section on Checking if the Day Ending Process is Running Correctly (page 90).

Setting the Day Ending Process on a iCare Server or Workstation

The Day Ending Process can be run on any computer on the network. However, it can be run on only one computer.

On the computer where you want to run the Automated Day Ending Process do the following:

1.       Go to the System Configuration menu. Select System HW Setup. The Hardware Setup form will open.

2.       Go to the Day Ending tab.

3.       Check the radio button titled “Do Day Ending on this Computer”.

After the Day Ending Process finishes, iCare will restart on all computers where it was shut down automatically before the Day Ending time.

Installing Hardware (Data Terminals, Swipe Card Readers, Cash Drawer and Door Opener) in a LAN Environment

iCare allows the installation of hardware on any computer in its network.

On each computer where hardware is installed follow the instruction given in chapter on Hardware Installation.

LAN Problems

Whether it is run on a Peer-To-Peer or a Client-Server network, iCare is sensitive to LAN network problems and faulty cabling. When running iCare, record-locking files are created, and if any network connection is broken, the record-locking files are not closed properly. This can leave errors in the database files. Normally, the Day Ending Process, which includes a repair database routine, is able to repair such errors. However, if an error occurs and the Day Ending tasks are not completed, call Customer Support at Orgamation.