Installing CTI Navigator on a Local Network

CTI Navigator can be installed on a local area network server or on a local peer-to-peer network where one computer is designated as the "master" (Master/Server). The data and program on the local server or master computer can then be kept up-to-date and its networked workstations do not need to update individually. Networked workstations can use both the program and data on the local server or master computer. 

Note that network installation is not recommended for less than 10 computers on the network. An alternative for offices with less than 10 PCs is to install both the CTI Navigator program and all MLS data on one computer, but install only the program on the other computers. When only the program is installed, it automatically gets MLS data as needed over the Internet. This avoids needing to update local MLS data. The one machine in the office that does have local data should be updated regularly so it can serve as a local resource if at any time the Internet or MLS servers are not available. Windows can be scheduled to run CTI's update manager automatically on this machine (see related article). 

The basic steps to install CTI Navigator on a network are as follows.

Master PC or Server Machine

1.    Install both the program (Setup.exe) and all MLS Data (Data.exe) the same as for a standalone PC.

2.    Go to Start > Programs > CTI Navigator > Right-click on UpdateManager > select Properties > click at end of Target box > press the right arrow key and add  /Server/Tray/Monitor   so the path in this box reads "C:\Program Files\CTI Navigator\CTIUpdateManager.exe” /Server/Tray/Monitor. [Include a space between exe" /Server... See footnote 1 for a description of the switches.] > click OK. Click on the CTI icon on the desktop. This will add a CTI Update Manager icon to the system tray at the bottom of the screen.

Note 1: To update on the local Master/Server, always select the CTIUpdateManager icon in the System Tray rather than one of the update icons inside the program [see footnote 2].

3.    Go to Start > Programs > CTI Navigator > Right-click on UpdateManager > select Copy.

4.    Go to Start > Programs > Right-click on Startup > Select Open > Select Paste.

5.    Recommended option: Windows Explorer > Program Files > CTI Navigator > Right click > Select Sharing:

o  Select "Share As" > Change Share Name to CTINAV (no spaces)

o  Select "Access Type" > Full

Note 2: Using a Shared directory helps avoid potential problems when network mapped drives are changed or the local Master/Server is unavailable when a workstation is turned on.

Workstation

Mobile workstations (such as laptop/notebook computers) that may sometimes need to run standalone (away from the network) should be installed as standalone (i.e., do not install laptop/notebook computers as NavNet). Other workstations should be installed as follows.

1.    If previously installed CTI Navigator as standalone:

¨      Go to Control Panel > Remove Programs > CTI Navigator

¨      Delete all files that begin with CTI

¨      Leave (do not delete) all "shared" files in the Windows System directory.

Note 3: You cannot just change the setup of an existing installation to LAN. You must uninstall the standalone version on stationary workstations to unregister CTI's private DLL/OCX files on the local machine. Otherwise, the workstation will continue to use its original program DLL/OCX components and will not be able to use components that get updated on the Master/Server.

2.    Go to Start > Run > NavNet.

Note 4: If NavNet.exe is not on the installation CD, it can be downloaded from www.ctimls.com/Downloads/{YourMLS}NavNet.exe 

Note 5: NavNet installs shared components in the local Windows\System32, but only installs pointers to the program and data on the Master/Server (i.e., it does not install the data or the program on the local workstation).

3.    We recommend you use Browse and set the path to shared CTINAV on Master/Server rather than to a network mapped drive. (See note 2 in the previous section regarding mapping, and note 6 below regarding path format and potential error message.)

4.    If NavNet runs minimized, right-click on the CTI Navigator icon > select Properties > click on Find Target button> set to CTI Navigator.exe on the Master/server machine.

Sometimes the workstation may need to be registered to use the program on the server. If needed, use Windows Explorer on the workstation to go back through Network Neighborhood to the "shared" drive on the server and select C:\Program Files\CTI Navigator. Double click on the CTI{YourMLS}MenuData.dll file in this directory to register it (see related article for details if needed).

If double-clicking on a dynamic link library (dll) file brings up an "Open With" screen: verify a check mark is in the "Always Use" box on the lower left of the screen > click the "Other" button on the lower right of the screen > progressively select directories and change the "Look-in" box on the next screen as follows - in Windows 98, ME, or XP change to C:\Windows\System32\regsvr32.exe {or in WindowsNT or 2000 change to C:\WinNT\System32\regsvr32.exe}> click the OK button. A message should appear indicating the registration succeeded. This should register the workstation to use the program stored on the server. Each workstation must be registered on the server as a valid user of the shared program. Exit Windows Explorer when complete. 

Note 6: When adding a new client/workstation on a local area network to run CTI Navigator, be sure to run setup.exe from inside the NavNet folder (not the regular setup) on an installation CD or download and run {YourMLS}NavNet.exe. The Setup path on the login screen must include the full path to the local server (i.e., be fully qualified) and the path must end with a back slash (\). If using a mapped drive instead of a shared folder on the local server, the mapped drive path must point to either \Program Files\CTI Navigator or to \CTI Navigator. The mapped drive cannot point directly to your MLS city directory under CTI Navigator. An incorrect path can cause a login error, "The Workgroup information file is missing or opened exclusively by another user" (see related article).

Footnote 1. "Server" switch changes the update manager to provide for update requests from workstations and to pass shared component changes in the Windows\System through to workstations. "Tray" switch adds an icon to the System Tray on the Master/Server to run the server version of Update Manager. "Monitor" switch turns on the option in the server update manager to automatically monitor for update requests from workstations. 

Footnote 2. Using the standard (not server version) update manager on the local Master/Server will update data and the program normally on the Master/server. However, the standard update manager will not pass the occasional changes in shared Windows\System components through to workstations to keep them up-to-date.

Footnote 3: Where instructions refer to {YourMLScode}, substitute CTI's 3-letter code for your local MLS. This code can be determined by opening the CTI Navigator login screen > click the Setup button > your MLS code is the first 3 letters in the Internet Server Address box.

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