Project Engine Server Readme

 

 

Installing a Java Runtime Environment

 

Since Project Engine is implemented in Java you need to make sure you have a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed. We strongly recommend installing Java Runtime Environment 1.4 or newer since some older versions have proven troublesome. Download one from java.sun.com at:

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/download.html

 

In some cases the .jar extension has not been properly registered by the Java installation program. Then use the second (2) shortcut in the Start menu that uses the form:

“JAVA_HOME\bin\javaw.exe” -jar “path to ProjectEngine\ProjectEngineClient.jar”

 

Note that the second shortcut requires that the Java Runtime Environment have been installed and that the computer was restarted before Project Engine was installed!

 

 

How to install and run the Project Engine Server

 

  1. Start Project Engine Server from the Start menu. Click on the Properties icon to bring up the Server Properties Dialog. The Server could also be set up to run automatically from the Autostart folder or as a Windows Service.
  2. If you have received a license key it should be copied to the License Key field (license_key in the server.properties file). Project Engine Server installs with a default license key for one user.
  3. Project Engine uses port 1234 as default. Change this setting if needed. Project Engine may use any port, even port 80 (HTTP). Make sure you use the same number on the client side. If you intend to have clients that can access the server from outside a firewall you need to open up a hole for the port used by the server.
  4. Select OK to save the new settings. Restart Project Engine Server.

 

The Project Engine Server documentation contains more details about the settings in the server.properties file.

 

 

Note about firewalls

 

If you are behind a firewall you may experience problems when trying to access a computer outside the firewall. This can be solved in one of three ways:

 

  1. Open up a port in the firewall for Project Engine to use.
  2. Set up Project Engine Client and Server to use port 80.
  3. Set up Project Engine for proxy tunnelling (see the Project Engine documentation how to do this).

 

 

Upgrading the server

 

New versions of both the server and the client are available on the Project Engine home page at all times.  It is recommended to upgrade both the server and client at the same time. Using different versions of client and server might result in unexpected results, usually that some functionality is unavailable.

 

To upgrade an existing server installation with a new version, follow the steps below:

 

  1. Make sure the server is not running. If the server is installed as a service it should first be stopped from the Control Panel of Windows. On version 2004 and newer the server can be stopped from the Start menu. The computer needs to be restarted after stopping the service.
  2. Make a backup of the xml directory (that contains the data). The xml directory can be found under the installation directory of Project Engine Server. This step is optional but recommended.
  3. Start the installation program of the new server version.
  4. On the “Select Destination Directory” screen, make sure the path points to the directory where the old Project Engine Server installation was installed. This directory should be selected by default.
  5. Accept the default settings on all other screens.

 

 

Revision History for Project Engine Server

 

Version 2004:10 – 19 aug 2004

* Improved the replacing of parent title and parent goal.
* New todo service able to display a simple task list for XHTML mobile phones.



Version 2004:9 – 2 aug 2004

* Email notification for newly delivered tasks.
* Link back to task from email notification.
* Attachments included in email notification.

 

Version 2004:8 – 21 jul 2004

* Improved GANTT chart.
* Add time intervals off work for any user.
* GANTT chart now visible from web interface.
* Possible to change task status from details view in web interface.

 

Version 2004:7 – 13 jun 2004

* Send email when assigned a new task or task changed.
* Gantt Chart based on priority and expiration date.
* Server does not wait for a user before a save/backup – more efficient.
* Server Web Services documented.

 

Version 2004:6 – 3 jun 2004

* Possible to make new instances of templates easier.
* Show unassigned tasks from Task List.
* [parentGoal] and [parentTitle] tags in goal description.
* New template suitable for a manual test process.

 

Version 2004:5 – 15 mar 2004

* Fixed problem with foreign characters in attachment filename.
* New language: Portuguese.
* Fixed problem with viewing office files in web interface (almost).
* Attachments can be added from the web interface.

 

Version 2004:4 – 7 mar 2004

* Performance optimisations.
* Fixed bugs regarding attachments and importing large xml files.

 

Version 2004:3 – 23 feb 2004

* Version control for attachments.
* View attachments in Internet Explorer.
* Fixed problems with synchronizing and templates.
* View attachments in web interface.

 

Version 2004:2 – 3 feb 2004

* Microsoft Project Import.
* Improved scheduling and possible to deliver a task on a specified time.
* Fixed bug when resetting the password for a user.

* Client and Server now use the same installation program.

* Shows an error dialog in case of problems with license key.

 

 

Version 2004 – 6 jan 2004

* Entirely rewritten client/server communication protocol.
* A new improved and very user friendly Web Interface.
* A new Mobile Phone Client, even easier to use than before.
* A Web Service Tester for direct access to the server.
* Customisable login page for the Web Interface
* Improved installation

* Possible to match workers and sub-workers in all reports.

* Workload report does not spread workload on weekends.

* Add days off work for any user.

* Customisable visible columns in task lists.

 

 

Version 3.1.3 – 4 nov 2003

* New Report: Gantt chart

* Possible to define the ideal workweek in the Users Dialog.

* Work remaining and work done can be specified with two decimals.

* Fixed bug when entering & in the Task title.

 

 

Version 3.1.2 – 27 sep 2003

* Folders and Folder Templates are replaced by automatic folder behaviour.

* Task List and Estimation Summary Report are now indented (title field)

* Bug fixed when importing an XML file when connected to server.

 

 

Version 3.1.1 – 18 sep 2003

* Assigned by visible in the browser task details.

* HTML headers also generated for security mode 0 (no encryption).

* Close button for started and completed task in browser.

* Bug fixed when updating a unit.

* Administrators are allowed to update any task.

* Clear password function.

 

 

Version 3.1 – 31 aug 2003

* Flow log to one file each weekday.

 

 

Version 3.0.13 – 25 aug 2003

* Browser interface for basic operations. No web server required.

* Updated documentation for browser interface.

 

 

Version 3.0.12

* Improved installation, adds two shortcuts in case the first does not work.

* Will create daily backups for one week if the property create_backup is set to yes.

 

 

Version 3.0.11

* Improved installation, now able to install to Autostart folder or as a Windows Service.

 

 

Version 3.0.10

* The delivered to field is now updated when retrieving the task tree.

 

 

Version 3.0.9

* Support for moving tasks in the task tree (moveTask command).

 

 

Version 3.0.8

* Improved performance of Project Engine Encryption.

 

 

Version 3.0.7

* Improved user authorization including three new user types (Restricted, Normal and Administrator).

* Support for real attachments.