QRG – CONSOLE 8 IMPORT/EXPORT UPDATE UTILITY
Guide Summary
This guide covers the
Console 8 Import/Export
Update Utility, which first
debuted in version 8.3.5
(June 2015). This feature is available to any global
Certiport Authorized Testing Center (CATC) that wishes to
employ the time-saving benefits of the utility.
This new feature frees a CATC from downloading and
installing large content updates from the internet on each
individual testing computer: a process that could be so
bandwidth and/or time restrictive as to not be a viable
option. (Our LAN Solution is also available, which offers
the same benefits but uses a network-based method.)
With the Import/Export utility, CATCs would only have to
download and install the combined current updates for
Console 8 to a single computer. After that, the content
would be exported to a location of your choice, and then
imported to every other testing computer in a fraction of
the time it would take via your internet connection.
Import Clients: These will be the rest of your testing
computers, and due to the new Import/Export Utility they
will no longer need to download all the Program Updates
from the internet on an individual basis. Instead, they will
receive the exam content from the file that will be created
by the Export Server via this Utility. In order to receive said
export file, all Import Client computers will still need to be
upgraded to at least version 8.3.5 to begin.
3.
Checkmark the box for Console under System
Updates. This is the only item you will need to mark
in order to bring you up to the latest version of the
software, and it is the only step required on the
Import Clients. (For the Export Server see step 4.)
4.
On the Export Server only: In addition to applying the
System Updates from the previous steps, check all
Program Updates that apply to your CATC as well
(e.g. Microsoft Office Specialist, IC3, etc.) and
perform the download and install. (This step can be
performed at the same time as the System Updates.)
NOTE: If you have not yet installed and configured the Console 8
software for the first time, please familiarize yourself with the
Console 8 Install & Setup guide before exploring this feature.
Updating Console 8: Although the utility was first
introduced in 8.3.5, mandatory updates to Console have
since been released. The best practice for first time users
of the feature will be to ensure that all the latest System
Updates* have been performed on all testing computers,
and that all applicable Program Updates have been
performed on the designated Export Server. *See FAQ 3.
1.
Double-click the Console 8 icon on the desktop and
log in to Console 8 as an Organization Administrator
(Org Admin) or Organization Member (Org Member).
Setup & Preparation
In order to begin, all computers involved in the operation
(server or client) must have the base Console 8 software
installed, and be updated to at least version 8.3.5 or
higher. You will need to set up the following:
Export Server: This is the computer that you will designate
as the primary source for creating the export files. It will
not only need to be at least version 8.3.5, but it will also
need all applicable Program Updates to be downloaded as
well. It does not have to be any different than an Import
Client as far as the computer hardware, or Windows
Operating System goes, it simply acts as a server because
it will be the only one downloading and exporting the
content. (It can still be used to deliver the exams as well.)
PRODUCT TRAINING – FEBRUARY 2016
2.
Click on the Updates button. The bar across the
bottom indicates you have updates pending. A red
bar indicates that required
updates are present, a green
bar indicates that only optional
updates are pending.
Depending on your last update,
you could have any number of
potential combinations
pending.
NOTE: Depending on the programs selected the cumulative size of
the download files could vary. If for any reason you cannot
complete the download due to bandwidth related limitations,
please contact us to arrange for the purchase of a pre-loaded
media device to be sent to your CATC.
Using the Import/Export Utility
To prepare the file that will be created and then used to
update the Import Clients, begin by logging in to the
Console 8 software on the Export Server. Ensure that you
have an adequately sized external storage device such as a
thumb drive ready (recommended 4GB minimum).
QRG – CONSOLE 8 IMPORT/EXPORT UPDATE UTILITY
Exporting the Update File:
1.
2.
3.
On the Export Server, Double-click the Console 8 icon
on the desktop and log in to Console 8 as an Org
Admin or Org Member.
Click on the Updates button.
In left-hand margin, click on Export Updates.
5.
Once you have selected the destination, click OK to
create the file. A single compressed export file will be
created called “SoftwareUpdate - ENU.zip”.
NOTE: The language of the export file is identified by the last 3
characters of the file name (which in these examples is ENU for
English). When importing (next section), the language of the file
must match the installed language of the Console 8 software.
TIP: Depending on the final size of the generated export file, you
could also burn the file to a CD or DVD-ROM to use for distribution
to the Import Clients.
Future Updates & FAQ
We are continually working to improve Console 8 by
expanding it with additional exams, features, and
supported languages. As these updates are released it will
be necessary to repeat the Import/Export process outlined
in this document on all applicable testing computers as
this new content becomes available. As such, please note
the following as we continue to move forward:
1.
Importing the Update File:
1.
4.
Specify the location of where you would like to
create the export file. This could be on the local hard
drive, an external hard drive, a USB thumb drive, or
even a network location (as long as the selected
location has enough free space to accommodate the
size of the generated file).
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
NOTE: Writing/reading the export file to/from external media or a
network location could be a permission or policy above and
beyond your current configuration required for Console 8. Please
consult your Network Administrator if you experience issues.
PRODUCT TRAINING – FEBRUARY 2016
7.
8.
On the Import Client, Double-click the Console 8 icon
on the desktop and log in to Console 8 as an Org
Admin or Org Member.
Click the Updates button.
In the left-hand margin, click on Import Updates.
Select the location where the “SoftwareUpdate –
ENU.zip” export file is located, highlight it and click
Open. The Console 8 software will import the file and
extract the contents to the local Certiport folder.
When successful, click the arrow and you will be
returned to the Updates screen.
At this point you will still need to checkmark the
imported Program Updates in order to install them.
Ensure you select the same ones that were chosen to
create the export file – then click the arrow to install.
(If you select programs not included in the file it will
attempt to download them via the internet.)
The installing of the updates will begin automatically.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the
process.
Repeat the process on your remaining Import Clients.
2.
3.
You must delete the previous “SoftwareUpdate ENU.zip” file from your target location before writing
a new export file.
If using an external storage device, it’s possible that
the size of combined future updates may eventually
eclipse the amount of space you currently have
allocated for the export file. If you cannot meet the
4GB recommended minimum capacity at this time,
you must routinely monitor the file size so that
appropriate accommodations can take place.
Although version 8.3.5 cannot be passed along using
this utility (because it contains said utility), you will be
able to import/export subsequent version releases
(System Updates) of the Console 8 software, in
addition to Program Updates, as long as all Import
Clients and the Export Server are already at least
version 8.3.5.
Contact Information
Certiport Support: 888.999.9830
[email protected]
Technical Support: 888.999.9830
Escalations to Technical Support are facilitated via
Customer Service
[email protected]
Support Outside the US:
[email protected]