Installation of Test Pilot's web server component requires that the server first have a Java Virtual Machine installed. We strongly recommend that you use a Java VM from Sun Microsystems. It is available free for downloading from:

http://www.javasoft.com/

2. Java Servlet Runner

Once Sun's Java VM is installed on the server, the web service software must support running Java programs under the server's control. The software for performing this task is called a Java servlet runner. This is typically implemented using a third party plug-in for the web service software.

We recommend the use of New Atlanta Communications' ServletExec as our preferred Java servlet runner. It is quite easy to install and the company's technical support is first rate. We typically include a trial version of ServletExec in our distribution. This version can be simply upgraded to the full version with the purchase of a serial number. We offer a discount for ServletExec when it is purchased along with Test Pilot.

We recommend that you carefully read and follow the installation procedures as outlined in ServletExec's manual. If you have any questions, the folks at New Atlanta Communications are ready and very helpful.

To verify that you have installed the servlet runner properly, attempt to access one of the bundled servlets that are typically included. ServletExec includes a servlet called DateServlet. Access the following URL replacing server.edu with your server's name:

http://server.edu/servlet/DateServlet/

You should receive a web page with the current date and time on it.

3. Test Pilot

Once you have successfully installed a Sun Java VM and a Java servlet runner, a Servlets folder will have been typically created for you. It is in this folder where Java servlets such as Test Pilot's web server component are installed. To install Test Pilot, copy the TestPilot2.jar file from the distribution files into the Servlets folder.

There are two accompanying Java class libraries contining the instructions necessary to have Test Pilot send electronic mail. These files, mail.jar and activation.jar must be installed in order for Test Pilot to function. To install them, copy them to a directory located in the CLASSPATH of the installed Java VM on your server.

To verify that you have it installed properly, access the following URL replacing server.edu with your server's name:

http://server.edu/servlet/TestPilot2/

You should receive a Test Pilot login screen. If not, please note that some Java Servlet Runners require that you uncompress the TestPilot2.jar file into its constituent classs files prior to use.

4. Configuring the Servlet

Java servlet runners have a number of options that allow you to specify configuration information.

Init Parameters

For Test Pilot, you'll need to tell it your timezone and your e-mail server. Failure to tell it your timezone will result in all times being recorded in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) format. Failure to tell it your mail server will result in Test Pilot not being able to e-mail scores to assessment participants.

Configuring ServletExec with these parameters is accomplished as follows. If you are using another Java servlet runner, consult their manual to see how they accomplish these steps.

1. Access ServletExec's administrative options with the following URL replacing server.edu with your server's name:
   
   http://server.edu/servlet/admin/
   
   
2. Click on the Configure link.
   
   
3. Enter a configuration as shown below. Please note that CASE matters; upper and lower case characters should be entered exactly.
   
   Replace IET with your timezome.
   (IET is the timezone for Indiana Eastern Time, EST would be Eastern Standard Time, etc.)
   
   Replace mail.server.edu with your Internet SMTP server.
   (this is typically what is after the @ in your Internet e-mail address)

Servlet Aliases

To ensure that your server will direct URL's accessing Test Pilot documents to the Test Pilot servlet, you must create servlet aliases for the extensions used by Test Pilot. That is, if a user accesses a file ending in .tp2, you want the Test Pilot servlet to handle that request. To have the server do so, you need to specify that all requests for files ending in .tp2 should be handled by Test Pilot. An important side effect of using aliases is to secure the files from prying eyes. Any attempt to access the files will be handed off to Test Pilot which protects the files according to your security selections.

Create servlet aliases with ServletExec as follows. If you are using another Java servlet runner, consult their manual to see how they accomplish these steps.

1. Access ServletExec's administrative options with the following URL replacing server.edu with your server's name:
   
   http://server.edu/servlet/admin/
   
   
2. Click on the Aliases link.
   
   
3. Enter an alias for files ending in .tp2 and .tpj as shown below. Please note that CASE matters; upper and lower case characters should be entered exactly as shown below: