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SMP_Central uses JavaScript, frames,
cookies and SSL security and will not operate normally
unless your web browser is correctly installed and set
up. Apart from frames, which are supported by all newer
browsers, these are all options which may be disabled
on your browser.
If you are receiving error messages regarding security
or server certificates or having problems with browser
functions, check the settings described below.
Browsers Supported
SMP_Central is intended to run on
Netscape Navigator 3.0 or later or Microsoft Internet
Explorer 3.0 or later. Versions of Internet Explorer
and Netscape earlier than Version 3.0 are not specifically
supported by SMP_Central and may have
some problems. Other browsers are not specifically supported.
Update browsers:
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Accessing the Settings
Internet Explorer 4.0
Go to the "View" menu and select "Internet
Options".
Netscape Communicator 4.6
Go to the "Edit:" menu and select "Preferences"
Netscape Navigator 3.0
Most settings are in the Options Menu > Network
Preferences. Security Settings are under Options >
Security Preferences
Other Browsers
Although SMP_Central package should
work with other browsers, they are not supported. Refer
to your browsers help file for instructions on setting
preferences. Note: refer also to the browser compatibility
page for Thawte site certificates here
to ensure your browser is compatible with the security
protocols used.
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Setting up the Cache
As the pages seen on the screen are generated on request
from a live database, the information displayed may
not be correct if cached (stored) versions of the page
are used which may be out of date. The cache settings
must ensure that the page is reloaded from the server
every time it is viewed.
Internet Explorer
In the "General" section of Internet Options,
click on the "Settings" button under "Temporary
Internet files". Ensure that under "Check
for newer versions of the stored page" the "Every
time you visit the page" option is checked.
Netscape 4.x
Under Edit > Preferences>Advanced >Cache ensure
that "Document is compared to document on network"
is set to "Always".
Netscape 3.x
In the Options menu choose "Network Preferences".
Select the "Cache" tab and for "Verify
Documents" select the "Every time" option.
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Enabling JavaScript
SMP_Central uses embedded JavaScript
to control presentation and also to format instructions
sent to the database requesting information. The package
will not work if JavaScript is disabled.
Internet Explorer
JavaScript is enabled by default in Internet Explorer.
If you are using Custom security settings, ensure that
Active Scripting is enabled, if you are not using Custom
settings this is not necessary.
Netscape 4.x
Under Edit > Preferences> Advanced, ensure that
"Enable JavaScript" is selected.
Netscape 3.x
In the Options menu choose "Network Preferences".
Select the "Languages" tab and ensure "Enable
JavaScript" is enabled.
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Enable Cookies
Cookies are small files which store information on
your computer to allow the browser to send information
tailored to the user. Some web pages use cookies to
store user preferences, such as which sections of an
online newspaper are most often read. In the case of
SMP_Central, cookies are only used
to identify the "session", which allows the
system to keep track of which user is requesting the
information. If cookies are disabled, you will receive
an error message when logging in.
Internet Explorer
Select the Advanced tab then scroll down to "Cookies".
Ensure that "Disable all cookie use" is NOT
checked. Either "Prompt before accepting cookies"(recommended)
or "Always accept cookies" is acceptable.
Netscape 4.x
Under Edit > Preferences>Advanced, ensure that
"Disable cookies" is NOT checked. Either "Accept
only cookies that get sent back to the originating server"
or "Accept all cookies" is acceptable. Select
"Warn before accepting Cookies" if you wish
to be advised that a site is sending cookies to your
computer.
Netscape 3.x
Cookies are always enabled.
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Security Settings and Site
Certificates
Class Management Package uses Secure Socket Layer security
for encryption of data transmitted over the internet
to prevent access by unauthorised readers. Our site
is "Self certified" - this means we generate
our own Site Certificate for encryption rather than
using a third party certificate. Third party certificates
are intended for verification of the identity of the
company running the web site, typically for electronic
commerce sites. SMP_Central only uses
the SSL certificate for encryption purposes and third
party verification is not necessary. For more general
information about SSL security and how it works, please
visit the Thawte
web site.
Internet Explorer
Select the Advanced tab then scroll down to "Security".
Ensure that SSL2.0 and SSL3.0 are both checked. The
first time you connect to the system you will be told
that the certificate is not trusted - this simply means
it is not from a recognised third party certifying authority.
Before proceeding, press "View Certificate"
then "Install Certificate" and use the default
values to step through the installation process. This
will ensure that the error message does not appear next
time you log in as Internet Explorer will now recognise
the ITC certificate as valid.
Netscape v4.0 and later
Under the Communicator menu, select "Tools"
then "Security Info" (or press CTRL-SHIFT-I).
In the Security window which appears, select "Navigator"
and ensure that both "Enable SSL (Secure Sockets
Layer) v2" and "Enable SSL (Secure Sockets
Layer) v3" are checked. You should not have to
alter the SSL configuration from the default settings.
The first time you connect to SMP_Central,
you will be told that Netscape does not recognise the
authority who signed the certificate as ITC is not one
of the standard Certifying Authorities. Step through
the small windows which appear and select "Accept
this certificate forever" when asked if you are
willing to accept the certificate for connecting to
this website.
Netscape 3.0
From the Options Menu select "Security Preferences".
Ensure that both "SSL v2" and "SSL v3"
are checked (selected) in the "General" section.
There is no need to change any of the other settings
from the default values. The first time you connect
to SMP_Central, you will be told that
Netscape does not recognise the authority who signed
the certificate as ITC is not one of the standard Certifying
Authorities. Step through the small windows which appear
and select "Accept this certificate forever"
when asked if you are willing to accept the certificate
for connecting to this website.
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