Alaska Computerized Formative Assessments

Local Caching Server

Use the menu below to view a specific section or scroll down to view all the content.

LCS System Requirements:

  • Operating System: Windows 2000/NT/XP/2003, Mac OSX 10.2, Linux, NetWare having 1.4.2 JVM (NetWare 6.0 with SP4 or later and NetWare 6.5 with SP1 or later)
  • Processor: 1.2 GHz
  • Memory: 512 MB (Available to LCS)
  • Disk Space: Minimum 512 MB of free space available in CAL LCS installation folder.
  • Full Permissions to create or write to any files in the CAL LCS installation folder.
  • Internet Connectivity

CAL LCS Installation instructions: back to top

  • Download the CAL LCS installer.
  • Install the CAL Local Caching Server
    • For Windows, Mac OSX and Linux, run the installer.
    • For NetWare, please go to NetWare Instructions.

CAL LCS Configuration: back to top

LCS Preferences utility provides an easy-to-use interface to configure various options available with Local Caching Server.

Locate and Open the Preferences software utility available within the CAL LCS software package:

  • In Windows 2000/NT/XP, you can access Preferences utility from Start -> Programs -> Alaska Assessments LCS -> Preferences
  • In Mac OSX, you can access Preferences utility from / Applications / Alaska Assessments LCS / Preferences
  • In Linux, you can access Preferences utility from LCS_Installation_Folder / Preferences
  • In NetWare, you can access Preferences utility from SYS:\ AlaskaAssessmentsLCS \ Preferences.NCF

Configure the http port to be used by CAL LCS:

CAL LCS by default runs on port 8100. You can configure CAL Local server to run on a different port by specifying the port number using the Preferences utility. Open the "LCS Port Configuration" tab and enter the port number.

Configure LCS to use a proxy server:

You can configure LCS to use the proxy server in your school.

  • Check the "HTTP Proxy" box.
  • Enter the http proxy host and proxy port in the Set Preferences utility
  • If you use a different proxy server for SSL communication,
    • Select the "Secure Proxy (HTTPS)" box.
    • Fill in the corresponding proxy host and proxy port
  • Close the preferences.
  • Check whether you are able to start the CAL LCS application with the new settings.

Disable the Automatic Software Update:

Automatic Update feature in the LCS tracks and installs any software updates without any manual intervention. This feature is currently available only for Windows and Mac systems. You may disable this feature using the "Auto Update" tab.

Running CAL Local Caching Server: back to top

  • In Windows, start the LCS using
    Start -> Programs -> Alaska Assessments LCS -> LCS
  • In Mac OSX, start the LCS using
    / Applications / Alaska Assessments LCS / LCS
  • In Linux, start the LCS using
    LCS_Installation_Folder / LCS
  • For Netware, please read NetWare instructions.
In the CAL LCS application window you can see two tabs "Status" and "Number Of Active Users".
  • The "Status" tab displays the IP and Port on which CAL LCS is running.
  • The "Number Of Active Users" tab displays a plot that helps you monitor the number of students currently taking the Alaska Computerized Formative Assessments.

You can check whether LCS is running using a browser from a local system in your school. Open a browser and type the following URL: http://LCS_IP:LCS_PORT/test . For example, if the LCS is running on IP = 129.237.1.1 and port = 8100, then URL will be http://129.237.1.1:8100/test . In the browser you should see the message "Local Server is up and running".

Configure CAL test delivery engine to use CAL LCS:
back to top

You need to configure CAL test delivery engine to use CAL LCS by specifying the IP address and port on which CAL LCS is running. This can be done using the Preferences utility available within the CAL test delivery engine software package. Locate and open Preferences utility available within the CAL test delivery engine software package.

  • In Windows 2000/NT/XP,you can access Preferences utility from Start -> Programs -> Alaska Assessments LCS -> Preferences.
  • In Mac OSX, you can access Preferences utility from / Applications / Alaska Assessments LCS / Preferences

In the Preferences utility,

  • Open the "Local Caching Server" tab.
  • Check the "Enable Local Caching Server" box.
  • Enter the IP address and port on which CAL LCS is running in your school.
  • Save the changes and your client is ready to use the Local Caching Server.

Using CAL LCS and CAL test delivery engine to administer CAL tests:
back to top

Once you have successfully installed and configured CAL LCS and the CAL test delivery engine, students can take the Alaska Computerized formative Assessments as they normally do by launching the CAL Client icon on their desktop and entering their login information. Each end client will automatically check the CAL LCS for the test needed, if the test is not there, it will be downloaded from the CAL central server and cached in the CAL LCS.

Before students can download tests from the Local Caching Server, you need to start the CAL LCS application in your server from the shortcut created in the desktop. Check the instructions on how to run CAL LCS.