NOTE: As previously outlined via recent release information, FAQs, and postings to SCT-owned listserves, enriching SCT functionality and/or updating technology may (or may not) affect your current Oracle license. We would like to reiterate that if you elect to apply our latest technology, such as Workflow or self-service modules, and are presently under Oracle’s Concurrent User metric, you should understand that this may impact your current user limitations, which may constitute a migration of your Oracle programs.

To determine the setting of the concurrent connections in your configuration:

• In Oracle 9iAS, the httpd.conf parameter for concurrent connections is MaxClients.
• In Solaris, the value defaults to 150. It may vary by OS.
• For OAS, the Network section "Maximum#ofConnections" defaults to 338.

1. What is the financial impact of an Oracle migration?


In accordance with Oracle’s current policy, you are presently eligible to receive credits to apply to the current processor-based metric that could equate to a zero cost, a nominal cost, or quite frankly, a significant cost to migrate depending on your site’s licensed Concurrent User count and current hardware configuration. There are tremendous benefits to migrating your Oracle license to the current processor-based metric. The obvious benefit is eliminating the need to monitor users, as well as additional functionality, features, and/or products. You should contact your Account Manager to facilitate an assessment of your license and potential cost (if any) of your migration.

2. What are the overall hardware and software requirements for SCT Banner 6.0 client machines?


The requirements for client PC machines are the same as for Banner 5.x since Banner 6.0 is still using Oracle Developer 6i.

Hardware requirements

Suggested for Banner 6.0 Internet native (web enabled) (based on information on the Microsoft web site for the various operating systems): Windows 98: http://www.microsoft.com/Windows98/usingwindows/setuptips.asp Computer processor: 486/66MHz
CPU memory: 64 MB RAM. (More memory generally improves responsiveness.) Windows NT: http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstation/ProductInformation/productoverview/systemrequirements/ Computer processor: Pentium or faster processor
CPU memory: 64 MB recommended minimum. (More memory generally improves responsiveness.) Windows 2000: http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/professional/evaluation/sysreqs/ Computer processor: 133 MHz or higher Pentium-compatible
CPU memory: 64 MB recommended minimum. (More memory generally improves responsiveness.) Minimum for running Banner 6.0 on client/server: Windows 98: Pentium or higher*
CPU memory: 96 MB RAM (More memory generally improves responsiveness.) Windows NT and Windows 2000: Pentium or higher*
CPU memory: 128 MB RAM (More memory generally improves responsiveness.) *Minimum for clients using Workflow, Workflow business analysts, and Oracle forms developers. Suggested for running Banner 6.0 on client/server: Windows 98:

Pentium II or higher **
CPU memory: 128 MB RAM

Windows NT and Windows 2000:

Pentium II or higher **
CPU memory: 256 MB RAM

**A Pentium II 400 MHz or higher preferred for Workflow business analysts and Oracle forms developers.

Software requirements Refer to the following FAQs for the latest software versions supported:
• Oracle RDBMS: OS/Oracle RDBMS Versions FAQ# 2554
• Oracle application server: Oracle Web Application Server Versions FAQ# 2228
• Oracle Forms6i version: Oracle Forms Versions FAQ# 3603
Web browsers for Banner 6.0 Internet native Banner forms (INB): Internet Explorer 5.x, 6.x
Netscape 4.x, 6.2 Web browsers for Banner 6.0 Self-Service (Web For) products: SCT supports Internet Explorer and Netscape versions 4.0 and higher.

The following versions are recommended:

Internet Explorer 6.0
Netscape 6.2
Internet Explorer for the Mac 5.1
3. What are the technical requirements for Banner 6.0?


Banner 6.0 requires a minimum of Oracle 9i, Release 2 database. It still uses Oracle Developer 6i (Forms and Reports 6i) and also uses Oracle 9iAS Release 1.

Banner 6.0 requires a minimum of Oracle Developer 6i, Patch 13. This necessitates a regeneration of all forms and reports upon install.

4. Is Oracle 9i (database) required for SCT Banner 6.0?


Yes. As stated above, a minimum of Oracle 9i, Release 2 is required for the 6.0 release in May 2003.

5. We use Macs in my organization. What must I do to use SCT Banner 6.0?


As a Mac user, you have several options:

Windows emulation:

• Virtual PC (Connectix) - Allows the Windows operating system to be installed on a Mac. Windows applications perform on the Mac as if they were running on a PC.
• Soft Windows 95/98 (Insignia) - Similar to above.
Application server:
• Citrix MetaFrame with Terminal Server on NT - Oracle/Banner software resides and executes on a shared NT server machine. The Mac user accesses the server through a small CITRIX application installed on the Mac machine. The client application connects to the server, and the user sees a Windows desktop on the monitor. Windows runs on the server and presents the Banner interface as if it were running on a PC. This configuration can run on a Mac 68000 or Mac PowerPC with as little as 8MB of memory. Note that Oracle considers Windows Terminal Server, with or without MetaFrame, to be a terminal emulator, and will not address any issues found in a terminal emulator unless the problem can be recreated in the base product.
• Internet native Banner Java client with Oracle Developer server - The Mac user accesses the server through a Java applet downloaded into the Internet Explorer 5.0 browser. A special shared version of Developer interacts with the Java applet to present the Banner screens on the monitor. Although similar to a Windows interface, this configuration does not look or behave identically. This approach requires a Mac PowerPC chip and at least 32 MB of memory to execute the Java applet. This approach is the one favored by Oracle, as part of its overall move towards web-based applications.
For more information, see the following FAQ: Special Banner webforms Macintosh configuration issues, changed 02/11/2002 FAQ# 4206
6. Regarding the migration path, do I need to upgrade from 4.X to 5.0 and then to 6.0? Or can I go from 4.x directly to 6.0?


As is the case with any major SCT Banner upgrade, you must upgrade to the next major release (SCT Banner 5.0) first. You can then upgrade directly to the next major release (SCT Banner 6.0). It is not necessary to install all interim 5.x releases before migrating to release 6.0.

Performing the 5.0 upgrade followed immediately by the 6.0 upgrade has some benefits, such as one user implementation and training period instead of two, a single integration of local modifications, and a single generate/compile of all code objects.

Specifically, the following migration path is required for the products you have licensed:

1. Upgrade all SCT Banner baseline products to 5.0.
2. Upgrade all SCT Banner baseline products to 6.0 (all other interim 5.x releases are included in 6.0).
3. Upgrade all SCT Self-Service products to 5.0.
4. Upgrade all SCT Self-Service products to 6.0.
The CD for SCT Banner 6.0 includes both the Financial Aid 6.0 and 6.1 releases. The Financial Aid 6.0 release is the equivalent of the 5.6.2 release (regulatory updates through Early Decision October 2002). The 6.1 release includes the remaining regulatory updates (delivered through the 5.9 release plus enhancements to support OLR and Expanded Credit Hour and GPA).
7. Can I mix products from the Banner 5.x release with products from the Banner 6.0 release?


No. To use the functionality in SCT Banner 6.0, you must upgrade all products at the same time.

8. Which operating systems are supported as a web forms server to deploy Internet native Banner 6.0?

Updated 5/16!

Internet Native Banner can be deployed on web servers running Windows (NT, 2000), Solaris, or AIX. HP-UX is now also supported as a platform for the Web Server to deploy Internet Native Banner 5 and 6.

(The configuration tested at SCT was HPUX 11.11, Oracle 9iAS 1.0.2.2, Developer6i 6.0.8.22.1 (Patch 13)). HP-UX is also supported to deploy SCT Workflow 3.0.

The testing of Tru-64 INB is underway and the testing of Linux INB will begin shortly.

9. Will Banner 6.0 still support both client/server and Internet native modes?


Yes. Banner 6.0 continues to support both client/server and Internet native modes. However, if you haven’t already done so, SCT strongly recommends that you start planning to migrate to Internet native Banner at your earliest convenience.

10. What are the advantages of Internet native Banner over client/server mode?


Internet native Banner has the following advantages over client/server mode:

• Oracle’s stated future direction
• Better performance
• More stable
• Less resources required on client PC
• Ease of maintenance
• Good feedback from clients who have implemented Internet native Banner
11. Is there a new user interface with SCT Banner 6.0? What does it involve?


The user interface for SCT Banner 6.0 did not change in look and feel from the Banner 5.0 release except for the main menu. The features of the new menu include:

• Area at top for institutional graphic
• Simplified toolbar with new icons
• Search button to help you find what you’re looking for
• Product links line with SCT Banner products
• Single pane design
• Oracle tree structure
• Ability to expand and collapse menus as needed
• Display limited to objects for which the user has security access
• Site map
• With user preference, ability to display or suppress 7-character object mnemonics
• User preference for default startup menu
• Personal menus now called "My Banner"
12. What enhancements are included in Banner 6.0?


For details about product specific enhancements, refer to the SCT Banner Product Calendar and the Banner 6.0 Release Overview document. Both documents are available on the SCT ActionWeb.

13. What documentation is available for Banner 6.0?


The 6.0 software release includes upgrade guides and release guides for the various components of SCT Banner.

In addition, 6.0 user guides, handbooks, technical documentation, Object:Access reporting guides, implementation guides, release guides, and upgrade guides will be available on the ActionWeb on the dates listed in the following table.

A Banner Bookshelf CD is also delivered to all clients twice a year. The next CD will contain 5.x and 6.x documentation. An SCT-provided password limits your access to documentation for the products that your site licenses.

Banner 6.0 documentation will be available as follows:
 

Release guides	March/April 2003	Posted on ActionWeb (drafts)
	May 19, 2003	Posted on ActionWeb (final documents)
	May 30, 2003	Delivered with release
	Sept. 2003	Delivered on Bookshelf CD
Upgrade guides	May 30, 2003	Delivered with release
	May 30 2003	Posted on ActionWeb
User guides Handbooks Implementation Guides Installation Guides Technical Reference Manuals Object:Access Reporting Guides	July 30, 2003	Posted on ActionWeb
	Sept. 2003	Delivered on Bookshelf CD

*Note: "User guide" is the new name for Banner user manuals and self-service implementation guides.

14. What version of Oracle iPayment does SCT support?


We presently support only Oracle Applications 11i version 11.5.7. Clients should contact their Oracle sales consultant to obtain this version of the product.

15. I am a current user of Banner Financial Aid. If I upgrade to the SCT Banner Financial Aid 6.0 release, will I remain compliant with the most current regulatory requirements?


The CD for SCT Banner 6.0 includes both the Financial Aid 6.0 and 6.1 releases. The Financial Aid 6.0 release is equivalent to the 5.6.2 release (regulatory updates through Early Decision October 2002). The 6.1 release includes the remaining regulatory updates (delivered through the 5.9 release plus enhancements to support OLR and Expanded Credit Hour and GPA). So, you need to install both the 6.0 and 6.1 releases of SCT Banner Financial Aid to remain compliant.

16. Does SCT support EPOS interfacing with PCCharge?


No, SCT is currently working with EPOS to support this configuration.

17. What browsers do the SCT Banner Self-Service products support?

New 5/16!

SCT supports the following browsers:

• Internet Explorer 5.x and higher
• Netscape versions 4.x and higher

 
The following versions are recommended:
• Internet Explorer 6.0
• Netscape 6.2
• Internet Explorer for the Mac 5.1
18. What are the known Netscape 4.x browser issues with SCT Banner Self-Service?

New 5/16!
• The Required Indicator "*" does not stay next to the label consistently
• The HR tag does not take the color specified in the style sheet for Netscape browsers
• Not consistent with fonts as given in the style sheet
• Table border displays double lines

Confidential Business Information

This documentation is proprietary information of SCT and is not to be copied, reproduced, lent or disposed of, nor used for any purpose other than that for which it is specifically provided without the written permission of SCT.

Prepared By: SCT
4 Country View Road
Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355
United States of America

© 2003, Systems & Computer Technology Corporation. All rights reserved. The unauthorized possession, use, reproduction, distribution, display or disclosure of this material or the information contained herein is prohibited.

In preparing and providing this publication, SCT is not rendering legal, accounting, or other similar professional services. SCT makes no claims that an institution's use of this publication or the software for which it is provided will insure compliance with applicable federal or state laws, rules, or regulations. Each organization should seek legal, accounting and other similar professional services from competent providers of the organization's own choosing.

"SCT," the SCT logo, "Banner" and the Banner logo are trademarks of SCT. Third party hardware and software product names and trademarks are owned by their respective third party owners/providers, and SCT makes no claim to such names or trademarks.