Browsing VTS Applications on the Web
What is VTS/IS?
VTS Internet Server (known as "VTS/IS") is a technology suite available in VTS that enables client PCs (known as "VICs") to remotely monitor VTS applications using a web browser.
What is a VIC?
An authorized client workstation can download an ActiveX control on demand from the VTS/IS using Internet protocol. This ActiveX component enables the client workstation to monitor VTS applications running on the VTS/IS via the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser.
When a VTS-licensed PC has VTS/IS and one or more VIC licenses installed, a remote client running Microsoft Internet Explorer can connect to that VTS/IS, download the ActiveX component, and view and/or control the VTS applications running on the VTS/IS.
Note: "ActiveX" is a technology suite developed by Microsoft. An ActiveX control is a software component that can be automatically downloaded, installed, and executed by Microsoft Internet Explorer. As Netscape does not currently support ActiveX controls, the use of Microsoft Internet Explorer on the VIC is recommended.
The ActiveX component provides a lightweight, server-push driven view of a VTS script application or the pages of a standard VTS application. Typically, this ActiveX control is downloaded to and launched on a VIC by directing Microsoft Internet Explorer to a URL (Uniform Resource Locator – or address) relative to the VTS/IS. Once the client has successfully connected to the VTS/IS, the ActiveX control is downloaded, and the client becomes a VIC.
Note: If the VTS/IS has a newer version of the ActiveX control than that installed on the VIC, the newer version will automatically be downloaded to the VIC and installed, simplifying software updates in a WAN (Wide Area Networked) environment.
Multi-Server Operation
When running a remote application, it is possible to set up the VTS/IS servers so that if the connection between the main server and its VTS Internet clients is lost, the clients will immediately be connected to the next designated server in the application. Also, as an option, if a connection can be re-established with the main server, the client can be configured to switch back automatically.
Newer VICs, capable of multi-server operation are able to work with older VTS Internet Servers which do not have the capability, and newer VTS/IS installations are capable of working with older VIC's which do not support multi-server operation.
What Can a VIC User Do?
When the ActiveX control has been downloaded to a VIC, the user can remotely:
• View a list of available VTS applications (as permitted by the VTS/IS)
• Run a script application
• View a running standard application (provided the user has a user account within the application)
• Perform control operations within a standard application
• Perform limited configuration operations (see note below) to a standard application, including:
Modifying the properties of an existing tag
Modifying options and pronunciation for the Alarm Dialer system
Working with security (e.g. change administrative settings; add, copy, delete, and modify user accounts; add new application privileges)
Note: The Tag Browser retains its position, shape, size, and any searching or filtering criteria over VIC connections on a per user, per realm basis.
What Can a VIC User Not Do?
VIC users cannot perform configuration operations such as drawing tags on the screen or modifying page structure.
Terminology Related to VTS/IS and VIC