Multiple-Role Setup

TaxWise Setup for Computers Used in More Than One Role Revised January 2010

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Roles Computers Play

   TaxWise Online (TWO) web browser TaxWise Desktop   Stand-alone – to Prepare, and/or Transmit Networked  TaxWise Server  Client Workstation Print Server 2

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A Single Multi-Role Computer Can Play ALL of these Roles:

 A TaxWise Server at its home site(s)  A client/server network Workstation  Attaches to other servers on different days  A Stand-alone Return Preparer  A TWO web browser at any TWO site  A print server 3

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Why Multi-Role Computers?

    For efficient use of available equipment For accuracy and consistency of setups For interoperability  Any computer can be used anywhere in the District (except that there can be only one transmitter for an EFIN) For adaptability  People get sick or go on vacation  Computers break down 4

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TW08/09 Multi-Drive Problem

   TaxWise design change for 2008/2009 Requires \TWTech\setup.exe to be run from a given drive letter to properly launched from that drive letter .

 If not run, TW08/09 may not launch or can use the wrong database Two mitigation approaches introduced:   CCH ‘ODBC’ Solution Dynamic drive letter mapping -TWMapTools

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Multi-Role Setup Options

  Fixed drive letter mappings used the CCH ‘ODBC’ file. Each of TaxWise installation is given its own drive letter. With Dynamic drive letter mapping, uses TWMapTools. Only one drive letter (P:) is used for all Roles. What P: means is switched.

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Fixed Drive Letter Mappings

  The solutions for resolving the Multi Role problem using fixed drive letters was introduced in mid-2009 by CCH with an ODBC file that is placed in the UTS08 folder on a computer.

For 2009 we were advised that the OBDC solution will not be released.

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Fixed Drive Letter Mappings

  On Stand-alone or Server  TW08 on local hard drive launches from   C: for IRS depot computers P: TrueCrypt Volume for all others  TW08 on a Removable Drive launches from P: (Traveller) On a workstation, each server’s share is mapped to a unique network drive  Z:, J:, K:, L:, M:, etc. 8

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TW08 Multi-Drive Problem ‘ODBC’ Solution

   Originally on the Post Season Release CD for TaxWise 2008, improved Version 1.1.0.0 on AARP Tax-Aide Extranet  x:\installs\AARP\tww08odbc.exe

Copy this file into all \UTS08\ folders Change all shortcuts that launch TaxWise to execute tww08 odbc .exe instead of tww08.exe.

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TW08 Multi-Drive Problem ‘ODBC’ Solution

   Run \UTS08\TWTech\setup.exe for each drive letter that will ever be used, ending with the drive containing the local installation of TaxWise.

Now the database on the launch drive will be used.

If selected Drive is not present, TWTech\Setup.exe will automatically run 10

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Multi-Drive Problem ‘ODBC’ Solution

NOTE: Some antivirus programs may identify the ‘ODBC file’ as containing a ‘Trojan horse virus,’ due to the nature of how this program operates.

The files do not contain a virus, and are safe to use.

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Dynamic Drive Letter Mapping using TaxWise MapTools

   Always launches TaxWise from drive P: Switches what drive P: means for each role     TrueCrypt Volume on the local hard drive TrueCrypt volume on a USB drive Local hard drive (C:\) for IRS depot computers Network drive mapped to a TaxWise server’s share on a client workstation Avoids re-running \TWTech\setup when changing roles

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TaxWise Mapping Tools

    TWMapTools can be used to switch the meaning of drive P: Available on the Technology page of the AARP Tax-Aide ExtraNet Provides desktop shortcuts and batch files  Run TaxWise Locally – mounted as P:   Run TaxWise from a Server - mounted as P: Disable TaxWise – Dismounts and/or Disconnects P: Tax-Aide TrueCrypt Start/Stop shortcuts can still be used

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TaxWise Mapping Tools

 The current version dated 12-16-2009 of TWMapTools is fully comparable with TaxWise 2009, TrueCrypt 6.3 and Windows 7 14

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FL1 Clone Tools

    TW Make Icons Multiple Separate EFINs without XMIT codes (XMIT codes are also supported) Version 8 Stand-alone, no client/server Version 10  Client/server or stand-alone Works with fixed or dynamic drive mappings and TWMapTools  ODBC souutions are not supported  Read the Version 10 User Guide!

A description of this tool is posted on the Technology page of the AARP Tax-Aide ExtraNet.

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Multiple-Role Setup

Questions ???

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