July 2004

VIPlet V4 evolution

The new version V4.1.0 for VIPlet V4 brings two major improvements:

• Support of the Java™ Web Start architecture
• An easy to use FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

As well as the support of the VIP7800 protocol which was in restriction in the version 4.0.

Java Web Start technology is a technology used for deploying applications based on the Java 2 platform. It allows a user to launch and manage applications on any platform, from anywhere on the Web.

Java Web Start provides the best of both worlds:

• The ease of deployment and use of HTML,
• The power and flexibility of an application.

It eliminates complex operations like configuration or setup.

Using Java Web Start guarantees that the user is always running the latest version of his application and that he has a performant "one-click" activation of the application.

The figure below, from the java.sun.com site, shows how Java Web Start works (e.g. the Draw application):

The yellow arrow shows a typical user experience: a single click on a link launches the Java-technology-based application, which may never have been present previously on the local workstation.

What really happens?

1 - The user clicks on the link, the browser invokes Java Web Start technology.

2 - Java Web Start technology checks if all the resources needed for the application are already downloaded. If the resources are not present or an update is available, the resources are downloaded.

3 - If the resources are present, with the most recent version, the application is launched immediately.

Using Java Web Start Software

Java Web Start allows execution of Java-technology-based applications directly from the Web. An application can be launched in three different ways:

• From a Web browser by clicking on a link.
• From Java Web Start's built-in Application Manager, which tracks recently used applications and provides quick access to your favorite applications.
• From desktop icons or the Start Menu (Microsoft Windows only).

When he downloads the applet, the user is given the choice to run VIPlet as an applet or to launch VIPlet using the Java Web Start technology.

If he chooses to launch VIPlet using Java Web Start, this will install VIPlet as a Java Web Start application in the Java Web Start Application Manager and an icon may be created on the desktop.

VIPlet can now be launched either from the desktop icon or from the Java Web Start Application Manager.

Launching modes:

Launching VIPlet from the Java Web Start Application Manager…

… or launching VIPlet from the VIPlet icon (displayed below),

will result in starting VIPlet independently of any browser.

This could solve problems that may occur when VIPlet is running under control of a Web browser (e.g. when the user closes the browser’s window).

Using Java Web Start technology, VIPlet can be quickly deployed with a single click over the network. Java Web Start ensures the most current version of VIPlet will be deployed.

II - VIPlet V4 File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

VIPlet V4.1.0 includes a new friendly and easy-to-use FTP. The administrator defines which users are able to use FTP.

If a user is authorized to use FTP, he will find an FTP button on his VIPlet connections window. He will then be able to configure, run and save his own configuration profiles locally or on the server where VIPlet is installed.

Launching & configuring FTP:

Screen available to the users after connect: