Planning the Installation

While MAPS can be installed on a server that is also running other software, this is not recommended.  Throughout this guide, “Application server” is defined as the server on which your enterprise application runs, and the “MAPS server” as the server on which MAPS runs.

System Requirements

Please review the MAPS Suite Hardware and Software Requirements and verify that your system meets or exceeds these specifications.

Server Security

Firewall Configuration

Evisions recommends that MAPS be installed and configured behind firewalls on a secure, private network. Clients who install MAPS in other arrangements can introduce security vulnerabilities.  The preferred configuration would have MAPS sharing a secure private network with your data sources and your email and LDAP servers.

Public vs. Private Networks

Public and private networks both use TCP/IP for communications.  However, a private network differs from a public network in that access to a private network is tightly controlled.  Firewalls are used to ensure only selected computers (and users) may access a private network.

Evisions recommends that MAPS be installed behind appropriate firewalls.  While all communication to users is protected with encryption, communication between MAPS and other servers may not be.

Required Ports

Ports 8080 and 27467 must be opened through the firewall(s) to all users to access the software via the Internet (or other unsecured, public networks).  MAPS also communicates with the FormFusion mapplet through port 27468, which must be opened to use FormFusion.  Since the MAPS server software and FormFusion mapplet reside on the same computer, opening the port through a firewall may not be required (but the port must be opened).

HTTP Secure (HTTPS)

MAPS supports using HTTPS with SSL security certificates to establish secure communications between the server and your users.  While the Evisions application clients communicate with the server using AES encryption, the eLauncher and the Argos Web Viewer run in a web browser using the HTTP protocol.  If you will be using the Argos Web Viewer, you must acquire an SSL certificate and then configure HTTPS on the server where MAPS is installed (and optionally on the load balancer for clustered installations) to ensure secure communication between MAPS and users running the Argos Web Viewer.

The Evisions Support Site

http://support.evisions.com contains a variety of valuable resources:

• HelpDesk to report technical issues or request assistance
• Training links to recorded online training
• Support resources, for documentation, release notes, and upgrade information
• Software downloads, including the MAPS software
• Forum, where clients share information about Evisions’ products

Installation Types

MAPS can be installed in two different configurations depending on your institution's needs:

• Standalone installations install MAPS on a single server with local SQLite databases created during the MAPS installation. This is a good choice for environments with a small or moderate number of users, test environments, and other situations where a high degree of redundancy is not required. If your institution uses IntelleCheck or FormFusion, these products can only be used on standalone MAPS servers. Note that standalone installations do not support the use of a load balancer.
• Clustered installations use three or more MAPS servers behind a load balancer, with a separately-installed PostgreSQL database shared by all MAPS servers. Institutions that have many users or run a large number of Argos reports may choose a clustered installation to improve performance, stability, and reliability in high-demand environments. At this time, Argos is the only Evisions product that is supported in a clustered environment, so if you also use FormFusion and IntelleCheck you will need a separate standalone MAPS server for these products.
  

Clustering is an optional feature that can be added to your MAPS license. If you are interested in this option but are not yet licensed for it, please contact your Evisions account representative for more information. Clustering is required in order to use a load balancer.

Considerations for Installing the 64-bit Version of MAPS

MAPS 6.5 contains an update for 64-bit MAPS server technology. Supporting MAPS in a 64-bit environment provides improved memory for handling a larger number of requests that are sent and processed by the service.

• 64-bit MAPS Service and Config support 64-bit database drivers and printers.
• Applications clients (Argos, FormFusion, IntelleCheck) continue to be 32-bit.

Evisions provides installation and setup files for both 32-bit and 64-bit installations.

• For new installations, Evisions recommends installing the 64-bit version.
• If you already have a 32-bit version of MAPS installed, you should install the 64-bit MAPS files on a new server, and then migrate the data from your existing MAPS server to the new one. See Updating to 64-bit MAPS for more information.
• If you already have an earlier 32-bit version of MAPS installed and do not want to migrate to a new server at this time, update your existing server to the new 32-bit version of MAPS 6.5.