Frequently Asked Questions

Before contacting AGSL, be sure to check out our Frequently Asked Questions. To save you time and effort, you will find answers to many commonly asked questions. If not, just call or email us. We’re happy to help.

Configuration

To run the Smart Client version of AG, Java version 1.6 (aka Java 6) is required. Note that Java is commonly used by several applications.

To run the Web Client version of AG-only, a web browser is required.

Network:

  • 100+ Mbit symmetric
  • Unlimited traffic/month

Security:

  • Daily backups
  • Optional SSL Certificate (128bit) - only if https is required
  • Virus Scanning

Database:

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 (or newer)

Other:

  • Java Runtime Environment 1.6+ (aka Java 6)
  • Depending on the size of files which will be stored, the total hard disk capacity can vary from 500GB (for storage of files mainly <50MB) to 1+TB (for storage of files mainly >50MB) for period of, at least, 10 years.
  • Depending on the size of files which will be stored, the total hard disk capacity can vary from 500GB (for storage of files mainly <50MB) to 1+TB (for storage of files mainly >50MB) for period of, at least, 10 years.
  • 2GHz+ Processor
  • 1GB+ RAM
  • Java Runtime Environment 1.6+ (aka Java 6)

Emailing

No, but when using the Web Client, Asset Guardian will automatically use the SMTP server configured to send email.

Asset Guardian is designed to work with Microsoft Outlook. However, if Outlook is not used, the Asset Guardian application server can be configured to use any SMTP server in order to send email.

Asset Guardian does not imort automatically import email from Lotus Notes as it does for Outlook. However, it is possible. Users simply export their email as text files and log these files in Asset Guardian as Correspondence. The records created will reflect the preview of the email, just as it does for Outlook email.

Miscellaneous

In addition to the Asset Guardian server license, MS SQL Server 2008 Express is included.

If you want to use a different database server - such as MS SQL Server Standard or above, Oracle or other -  licenses for these are not included and must be purchased separately.

It depends. The system is designed to facilitate quick application changes and simple forms customisations, which are normally completed in a matter of days.

The 'CAPTCHA' number is actually a picture of a random number that is generated every time you try to register.

This process prevents computers from generating false registrations to assetguardian.com, and keeps the site open for your use.

A CAPTCHA is a type of challenge-response test used in computing to ensure that the response is not generated by a computer.

You will receive an email from assetguardian.com within seconds after registering.

This email contains a link which, when clicked, takes you to a page within assetguardian.com. On reaching this page, another link is available which takes you back to the home page.

The reason this procedure is used is to verify that the email you provided during registration is valid and belongs to you. If you have provided an incorrect email address, you will not receive the email and therefore cannot complete the registration procedure.

Asset Guardian was developed using Servoy because it makes it possible to develop applications very quickly, which is important when creating customer solutions, customisations, implementations, and for fixing eventual bugs rapidly.

Servoy uses Java technology that allows solutions to be deployed and run on the most popular Operating Systems (e.g. Windows, Linux, and Mac). Java technology also provides connection facilities to all modern SQL-based databases, including Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, IBM DB/2, MySQL, PostgreSQL and Sybase.

Since June 2010, Servoy has been Open-Source which gives developers more opportunities to develop and import new modules and features.

Companies such as Apple, Symantec, Stanford University, Wells Fargo, Verizon and UCLA hospital depend on Servoy to manage and present data to their customers and employees by means of rich applications over LAN, WAN and Internet connections.

Networking

Asset Guardian does not limit the speed of data or file transfers. As a result, all transfers depend on the download speed of the client and, more importantly, the upload speed of the application server (and file server, if separate.)

Therefore, it the server internet speed is 100Mbit/s download/upload (standard server hosters speed) and the client download speed is 20Mbit/s, then the user will download the file at 20Mbit/s. In real time, it represents 4 seconds to download a 10MB file.

Only one port is required:

HTTP (port 8080 by default) or HTTPS (secured connections using SSL, port 443).

The HTTP port can be changed to any port number, including default HTTP port 80.

No. The Asset Guardian application server does not require Internet access if all users can access it through the company network (e.g. LAN, WAN or VPN).

Security

Yes, Active Directory for user accounts and passwords is integrated into Asset Guardian.

All passwords are stored encrypted in the database.

Asset Guardian provides two types of security:

Hardware security: 

Its architecture makes it possible to host data under a highly restricted network, while the application server is open to insecure networks, such as the Internet.

Software security:

The software has a full range of features in the solution that prevent intrusions. The solution code is not stored on the application server, but in the database. Any code sent to the client is compiled (i.e. unreadable). A login and password are required to access AG. Passwords are stored encrypted in the database, and never displayed decrypted.

To prevent against brute force attacks, a feature allows a set number of login attempts before the account is locked. Communications between clients and the application server can be encrypted using the SSL protocol.

It is critical to backup all SQL databases onto the file server, and then backup the file server. This should be done every day.

To save space and time, we recommend to carry out incremental backups during the week, followed by one full backup every week.

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is a cryptographic protocol that provides security for communications over networks such as the Internet. It encrypts the data sent between the clients and the server.

AG can combine it with a Public-Key Certificate, which essentially allows the client to check to ensure that he connects to the correct web server (AG application server) using a third-party Certificate Authority. This is called Server Authentication. Once the server authenticated, the encrypted communication can begin.