Access FH Web from a client computer

The first time a client computer accesses the FH Web server, web browser plug-ins that run on the client computer are automatically downloaded from the FH Web server and installed on the client computer. These applications run in conjunction with the Internet browser, or can be run as a native stand-alone Windows application. You can also choose to download and run a client-side application on Windows, Mac, and Linux client machines, to access FH Web without a web browser.

The URL to access FH Web from a client computer is http://FH Web server IP address or domain name/fhweb/index.html.

Note: The /fhweb portion of the address is not required if the FH Web directory is set as the default home directory. Information on setting the /fhweb sub-directory as the default directory is available in the Microsoft IIS documentation.

1. Send an email containing the following information to the staff who will be using FH Web.

   • The URL for FH Web, using either the FH Web server's IP address or the name of the domain the server resides in.

     Example: http://192.100.255.28/fhweb/index.html

   • (Internet Explorer) Information that their Internet browser security settings must allow or prompt to allow the downloading of ActiveX controls.

     Warning: The ActiveX plug-in installs automatically on the client computer at C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\. If the user at the client computer does not have Power User rights to this location, the ActiveX components will not install.

2. On a client computer, in an Internet browser, enter the URL for FH Web.

   The FH Web home page appears, displaying a list of logon options. Which option you select depends on the kind of browser you are using and your printing capabilities.

   

   Note: The Windows client can be downloaded by clicking Useful Links on this page, clicking FH Web Logon on the next page, and then clicking Windows Client on the following page.

3. Depending on your Internet browser and your printing ability, click one of the options to launch FH Web.

   The first time you access the FH Web server with Internet Explorer, across the top of the Web page, you are prompted to allow the download of an add-on component.

   

   If you have downloaded this component already, the Connect to FH Web Server dialog box appears.

   

4. (If prompted to install the plug-in) Do the following.

   1. Click the prompt message and then choose Install ActiveX Control.

      

      An installation dialog box appears.

      

   2. Click Install.

      When the installation completes, the Connect to FH Web Server dialog box appears.

5. In User name and Password, type your network username and password, and then click Logon.

   Note: FH Web allows users three invalid logon attempts before shutting down the logon process.

   The first time you log into FH Web, FH Enterprise launches, expands the database, creates settings, and more. A dialog box prompting you to log out and restart FH Enterprise appears.

   

6. (If you are prompted to log out and restart) Click OK, and then in a Web browser on the client computer, re-enter the URL for FH Web.

   The FH Web home page reappears, displaying the list of logon options.

7. Depending on your Internet browser and your printing ability, click one of the options to launch FH Web.

   FH Enterprise launches again, and prompts you for your FH username and password.

   

8. In User name and Password, type your FH username and password, and then click OK.

   The FH Enterprise user interface appears, exactly as it would if you were running it without FH Web, with no visible browser buttons.

   

   Note: The Windows task bar lists two browser sessions for FH Web: the FH Enterprise window, and a now-hidden browser window for the FH Web session.

   

   Warning: Closing the browser window that contains the FH Web session also ends FH Enterprise.

   When you access FH Web from a client with print services, FH Web loads all printers installed on the client computer and installed at the FH Web Server. If the client workstation includes printers that are not installed at the server, printing is not available on those printers until you change settings in the Connection Manager.

   Information on printer settings in the Connection Manager is available in the FIREHOUSE Software Web Edition Administrator's Guide, which can be accessed as online help at http://www.firehousesoftware.com/webhelp/FHWeb/Default.htm, or downloaded from http://www.firehousesoftware.com/pdf/FH_Web_Administrator_Guide.pdf.