12. Network operations, multi-user features

The advantage of using the program in a network is that each user can share a common database, any patient's card can be accessed from multiple terminals and each user receives immediate notice of changes in patient data.

For a LAN operation, the program must be installed on the server only. The program can be started on every terminal, but ECG recording and use of the upgrade options can only be performed on computers having an ECG device connected.

The parameters set in the Setup menu item refer to all individual workstations on the network. A user can have his/her own setup by starting the program with the /I parameter. For example, two doctors are using the program, which is installed on a server. One prefers long recordings, with standard-leads, while the other needs 8 sec recordings in Cabrera lead configuration and with tremor filter turned off. They do not need to change the setup every time, instead they start the program with their own ini-file (dr_smith.ini and dr_taylor.ini respectively), given as the /I parameter (without the .ini extension):

wincrx32.exe /Idr_smith and wincrx32.exe /Idr_taylor

This way the program always loads the appropriate settings. This also works if they are using the program on the same computer.

In case the workstations on a network use a shared program installation, the workstations can start the program with the following parameter, resulting the automatic the use of different settings on each computer:

wincrx32.exe /Iauto

Enabling the options is limited to those terminals where the hardware unit has been installed. The 'Network' option and other desired options must be installed for each terminal. From the terminals in which there is no hardware unit, all system functions can be accessed except the function relating to making an ECG recording.

The LAN operation also has its own limits: only one user can access a patient's card at a time, and a patient card cannot be deleted or archived when more than one user has access to the database.

12.1 Security settings for the database

For the different users of the program, permissions can be defined on the operations one can apply to the recordings. The rights for security groups/users of a database are stored with the database and are checked upon opening.

The database directory must be shared. (In this description the computer called \\CRXSERVER is used as an example) A dedicated share-name for the database is not a requirement, it can also be inside shared directory. (\\CRXSERVER\Shared\Crx and \\CRXSERVER\Crx are both applicable)

The file describing the rights is stored on the computer that contains the opened database by having a directory named CrxRights on that computer, that is shared using the same name (\\CRXSERVER\CrxRights).

The CrxRights directory should be only readable (but must be readable) for all users, so only authorized modification is allowed on the rights. Those groups/users are allowed to modify who have read/write access to CrxRights directory on the containing computer. For Administrators full access is recommended.

Top be able to use the security features with a database, the file-system of the database server is required to support read/write access control for groups and users on files and directories. This is on Windows NT networks using NTFS file-systems. For the clients, NT based operating system is also a requirement to use the secured database with the defined rights.

The password protected shared-folder access on Windows 98SE and Millennium Edition is not supported! Secured databases can not be accessed from clients using these operating systems. However, as servers, shared databases on these systems are accessible remotely, as in previous versions, only the security features can not be defined for them.

Using the security features, requires the shared CrxRights directory to be present. The system Administrator needs to create it with the proper rights of access. On Windows XP Professional systems, defining rights for shared folders is possible if "Use simple file sharing" is turned off. (in My Computer/Tools/Folder options/View/ window)

After this, setting the rights is possible in the program in the list of Setup/Security groups. In case a second database (card file) is also opened, the setup is done on the database that has the focus in the user interface of the program. Regarding a network database, only the user with write permission to the server's CrxRights directory can commit changes.

A database becomes secured if at least one user/group is listed on the menu in the Setup. Security features of the database are gone if all users/groups are deleted from that list.

Attention! If rights have been defined to a database and someone's user name or his group is not listed in Setup, and can not write the CrxRights directory for that database, that user is not allowed to use the database. If this database is given as the first one, the program will not start.