Technical requirements
The main components of Glow are:
- a national directory and authentication system
- a national virtual learning environment (VLE)
- collaborative software applications
- support services.
There are some minimum requirements to ensure that all of the components can operate on school and local authority computers. Some of these are outlined below.
Web browsers
HTML 4 compliant browsers will be the minimum requirement for accessing Glow. An online tool will be made available as part of the Glow package which will help to determine whether a computer has the right software versions and plug-ins.
Network client hardware
Computer specifications are driven by the need to support particular web browsers and other applications like Net Conferencing. The Glow supported browser version may detail its own specific minimum hardware/operating system requirements.
Firewalls
Some of the applications will require that specified ports must be open, on local authority, school and personal firewalls between the Glow datacentre and the network clients. Each local authority and home user will need to consider the need to reconfigure firewalls with recommendations made by the Glow programme team. All Glow services will be hosted in the datacentre on a specific range of IP addresses, so firewall rules will only be required for these addresses (see the Glow Firewall Requirements Document).
Additional software requirements
Some specific services will require additional browser plug-ins or software products to be installed at the client.
Network bandwidth
Real-time applications that feature video, audio or large file transfer or streaming will have implications regarding network load. Local authorities should consider these effects on the installed infrastructure when deciding to roll out a particular service or application.
Technical support
For technical helpdesk details, see our Help and support section.