1.       If you are using IE 8 on Windows Vista or Windows 7 OS you DO NOT need Windows administrator rights.

2.       If you are using Windows XP or non-IE 8 browser (for example IE 7 or IE 6) you need administrator rights to load the ActiveX. 

Alternatively, the system administrator could deploy the ActiveX manually instead of granting the user the access.  We provide the ActiveX as a .MSI file so that the system administrator can deploy that the same way they deploy Windows service packs.

The .msi file that would install the Appeon Xcelerator plug-in ActiveX control is included in the Appeon product.  It can be found in C:\inetpub\wwwroot\appeon\weblibrary_ax\support

Please note that even if you can install msi silently you still need to give it permission to be run in IE;  in other words, you cannot silently install the MSI file completely without enough permission.

You can find more information in the article "Appeon Web - MSI file silent installation"

1.       They must use Internet Explorer

2.       They must add the URL to the IE trusted site list

3.       They must be Administrator role on Windows OS (only for Windows XP – not required for newer versions of Windows, such as Windows 7)

- The ActiveX is a generic plug-in just like Flash.  It is installed to the IE browser and will appear under the Manage-addons section. 

- The HTML, JavaScript, and XML files will be cached in the client-side either under the user profile folder or the browser temporary internet files folder.  This is configurable in AEM, but by default it will be stored in the user profile folder.  In Windows 7 OS, the user profile folder is located: C:\Users\Account_Name\AppData\Roaming\appeon\

Appeon client side(ActiveX) will handle all the UI presentation, such as (window, menu, datawindow, other system controls). 

As far as where to cache the web application files, it could be configured in Client Storage Location in Appeon AEM Console | Application Properties | Client Settings | Your_Application_Name|.  Basically we provide three 1. Default User Profile Location 2. Browser Cache Folder 3. Customized Location  and you can choose the storage location according to your own needs.

The file downloading parts are handled on Web Server side; the front PB codes are handled on Client side, and the DB related codes (such as dw, e-sql) and the NVOs are handled on Application Server. 

Appeon ActiveX’s size is around 5.9 MB on 32bit machine and 9.26MB on 64bit machine.  

Other files (like html, JS file, dll/ocx, picture files, ini, etc.) will be downloaded to the client side, but the number and size of the these files really depend on the each application.  

If you want to know the size of your application once downloaded on the client machine, you can deploy it locally and run the application.

You will find the download files by default under C:\Users\<USERNAME>\AppData\Roaming\appeon\<APPLICATION_NAME>

The ini file will be stored by default with the IE cookies.

If the application that we want to migrate to web with Appeon use some local files, can they be put on the Appeon Server or do they must be send to the client side?

Depends on what kind of local files we are talking about: if it is just DLL/OCX, or INI or pictures, they can be configured  in the Appeon Developer as shown in the attached image, the file will be deployed to the server side and later automatically download to the client side.

• SQL file for Oracle database only works fine with Oracle 9i, 10g, and 11g databases.
• If a database server has multiple users, executing the SQL file under the login of one user will be effective for that user only. To make sure all users can use the DataWindow data-caching feature, you should use different logins to execute the SQL file.
• When you execute the SQL for a database server, the current login user of the server must have the right to execute stored procedures and create functions. 

Furthermore, if you use a third-party Web server as the Web server, you need to configure Web server for the DataWindow data-caching feature. For detailed instructions, refer to the Web Server Configuration Guide in Appeon Help. 

All the information above you can find in the Appeon Help | Appeon Server Configuration Guide for J2EE | AEM User Guide | Application Properties | DataWindow Data Cache chapter.

Besides the way to add the URL to the trusted sites to enable the MSI file, you can also select the appropriate zone and then click the Custom Level button to enable the following settings (they are enabled for the trusted sites by default): 

1. Download signed ActiveX controls. 

2. Run ActiveX controls and plug-Ins. 

3. Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting. 

4. Active scripting.

You can find the above information in the Appeon Help | Appeon Installation Guide | Post-Installation Configuration Tasks | Configuration for client machine chapter.

You can also take a look at this documentation:  http://appeon.novalys.net/appeon-powerbuilder-web-development-documentation/appeon-features-help/install_appeon_active_x_control.htm

Please note that even if you can install msi silently you still need to give it permission to be run in IE;  in other words, you cannot silently install the MSI file completely without enough permission.

Application Server Does Not Start

This is NOT an Appeon Product Issue and is NOT covered by Technical Support. 

Web Browser Does Not Start

This is NOT an Appeon Product Issue and is NOT covered by Technical Support. 

Browser Plugin Does Not Load

Ensure the following before contacting Appeon:

• Supported Windows OS and Web browser version are being used.
• The URL is added to the Internet Explorer trusted sites list and the security for the zone is set to medium or lower.
• The URL used to launch the application ends in index.htm NOT application.htm (even though after accessing from index.htm it automatically redirects to application.htm).
• If it still fails, restart the computer, disable the anti-virus program and try again.
• If it still fails, disable UAC (Use Account Control), restart the computer so the change takes effect, and try again. 

Please note that these steps will resolve 99% of the issues, and the remaining 1% are still always configuration issues preventing the browser plugin from loading properly.

HTTP 404 Error

If you get an HTTP 404 error this is NOT an Appeon Product Issue and is NOT covered by Technical Support. 

We suggest you try the following:

• Verify that the Web and application server are running properly. 
• Verify there is network connectivity between the Windows PC and the server.
• Verify that a non-Appeon Web page can be loaded.  For example, if the Appeon Web URL is www.domain.com/myapp/index.htm then verify that www.domain.com/index.htm brings up the index.htm page on the Web root of the Web server.
• Verify that the appropriate folder and HTML pages exist on the Web server.  For example, if the Appeon Web URL is www.domain.com/myapp/index.htm then on the Web root of the Web server there should be a folder called “myapp” that contains the file index.htm.

Cannot Login/Run the Application

Ensure the following before contacting Appeon:

• That the Web and application server are running properly.
• That AEM can be loaded and there are no license errors.  For example, go to www.domain.com/AEM and you should see the AEM login screen.  If you do not see the AEM login screen either Appeon Server has not been installed or the Web and application server are not running properly.
• Login to AEM and ping the connection cache that is used by the application you cannot login/run.  It MUST ping successfully.

Cannot Ping Connection Cache

If the connection cache does not ping this is NOT an Appeon Product Issue and is NOT covered by Technical Support.  

Usually, this is caused by incorrect username/password or other incorrect information supplied in the connection cache.  Alternatively, the next most common reason is the database is stopped.  Please work with your server and database administrator to resolve this issue.

Web Browser Crashes

Ensure the following before contacting Appeon:

• That all Windows updates have been applied.
• That anti-virus scan shows no viruses.
• That the Internet Explorer security option “Download signed ActiveX control” is set to “Enable” (make sure to restart Internet Explorer if making any changes).
• Documented steps to reproduce and provide test case or original application source code.

Web Browser “Stack Overflow” Error

This issue is caused by deploying Appeon in “Debug” mode.  The mode is specified in the Application Profile Configuration of the Appeon Developer.  Change to “Release” mode and perform a Full Deployment of the application.  If the problem still persists, provide documented steps to reproduce and test case or original application source code. 

Empty/Null Value Update Error on Sybase Databases (ASE or ASA)

If the Web application uses a Sybase Adaptive Server® Enterprise (ASE) database or a SQL Anywhere  database that is set as ASE-compatible, database updates may fail.  This is a known issue and must be worked around during the development of the PowerBuilder application.  It is not covered by emergency Technical Support.

The cause of this issue is if the length is 0 or the value of the data is NULL for any data in a database table where the data is of a string type, such as varchar or char data type, the data retrieved from the database through a JDBC driver will have a length greater than 0. Rather than a null value, the data returned will be padded with a series of spaces. As a result of this padding, the database update will fail.

Performance Tuning

The PowerBuilder source code should be optimized to ensure high performance and high scalability.  Most PowerBuilder applications exhibit some level of performance and scalability issues when run over a WAN and or larger number of application users.  Performance and scalability issues can cause the application response time to fluctuate drastically, cause the application to stop responding, and even possibly cause the application server to crash.  To ensure good performance and scalability the application code should be optimized such that:

1) The response time of any given function is 5 seconds or less over a WAN and 3 seconds or less over a LAN;

2) The database is locked for the minimum time possible, usually 5 seconds or less; and

3) No database deadlocks occur.

Functionality & Environment Testing

A malfunctioning application (where a particular functionality doesn’t work) is virtually always due to improper testing.  First, all unsupported PowerBuilder features/code (PowerBuilder features/code not supported by the Appeon Software Programs) need to be removed or rewritten.  Next, all application functionality needs to be tested carefully in the Web application and ensure it is functioning as expected.  Then, the Appeon Server log and the database log should be checked to ensure no errors are thrown.  Lastly, proper environment testing needs to be performed where the Web application is tested on the same environment as production (e.g. Windows OS and browser version, Appeon Software Program version, database version, database file, network connection, etc.) 

Windows PC Maintenance

The most common cause of emergency problems on a Windows PC are environment related, for example improper configuration of the Windows PC, a virus, network connectivity issue, or hardware failure. 

It is recommended that the IT or system administrator perform the first deployment of the Appeon Software Program to the Windows PC.  It will require the Web URL to be added to the Internet Explorer trusted sites list and that security zone set to Medium or lower.  Also, the Web application must always be accessed via the index.htm page NOT the application.htm page (even though after accessing from index.htm it automatically redirects to application.htm) so the correct URL should be bookmarked for the user.

Anti-virus software should be installed, Windows updates should be promptly applied, and the machine should be frequently scanned for viruses.  Viruses are the most problematic as they can remain undetected and cause the Internet Explorer or Windows OS to malfunction or even crash.

The IT or system administrator should perform a network connectivity test to ensure that the Windows PC configuration, anti-virus, and firewall are correct and that the connection can be established.  Also, a network QoS test should be performed to ensure 0% packet loss, max latency <150ms, and minimum throughput of 50KB/sec per user.

The hard drive should be regularly monitored to ensure there is enough free disk space.  Inadequate disk space can cause the Windows OS to slow-down or malfunction.  It is recommended to keep at least 15% free disk space or 10GB, whichever is greater.

The most common hardware failures on a Windows PC are the hard drive and fan/power supply.  It is recommended to regularly clean the fans to prolong the life and minimize heat.  An overheated machine can cause the Windows PC to slow-down or malfunction.

 Server Maintenance

The most common cause of emergency problems on the server is license related and environment related, for example improper configuration of the server OS or application server, a virus, network connectivity issue, or hardware failure. 

The IT or system administrator should login to AEM (Appeon Enterprise Manager) and ensure that the Appeon Software Programs license is activated and there are no license errors displayed.  Then it is recommended that every 2 weeks this step is repeated to ensure there are no license errors.  Appeon’s licensing mechanism allows a minimum of 15 day grace period for license errors.  It is important to note that license files cannot be generated by Appeon on-demand (i.e. 24x7).

The AEM error log mode should be set to “Standard” mode.  On a weekly basis the AEM log files (AppeonServer.log and AppeonError.log) should be checked for any new errors.  If any new errors are detected those should be promptly reported to Appeon Technical Support and Appeon will advise if anything should be done about them. 

Anti-virus software should be installed to the server, only HTTP/HTTPS port 80 should be exposed to the public, OS and application server updates should be promptly applied (provided the software major version is unchanged and Java or .NET framework versions are listed in Appeon documentation as supported), and the server should be frequently scanned for viruses.  Viruses are the most problematic as they can remain undetected and cause the application server to malfunction or even crash.

A network connectivity test should be performed to ensure that the server configuration, anti-virus, and firewall are correct and that the connection can be established.  Also, a network QoS test should be performed to ensure 0% packet loss, max latency <150ms, and minimum throughput of 50KB/sec per user.

The hard drive should be regularly monitored to ensure there is enough free disk space.  Inadequate disk space can cause the server to slow-down or malfunction.  It is recommended to keep at least 25% free disk space or 50GB, whichever is greater.

The most common hardware failures on a server are the hard drive and fan/power supply.  It is recommended to regularly clean the fans to prolong the life and minimize heat.  An overheated machine can cause the server to slow-down or malfunction.

Yes it will be downloaded at the first connection.

Please go to AEM > Application Properties > Client Settings > [your application] to set the default run mode to ‘Run now’, then only the file which is in currently running will be downloaded. But if you use the mode ‘run after download’ then the entire web application will be downloaded.

You can choose either of the three ways we describe below. Once the install is completed successfully you can get the weblibrary.dll and ceondownloadcenter.dll under the directory C:\Windows\Downloaded Program Files or C:\Windows\Downloaded Program Files\CONFLICT.x.

#1- Use the MSI package directly to do the installs.

ax_install_x32.msi /qn OPTION="-s"


#2- Use ax_install.exe which is released from MSI to do the installs.

ax_install.exe -s


#3- Use the update.exe, ceondownloadcenter.cab and weblibrary.cab that are released from ax_install.exe to do the installs. Let’s take these three files are released to c:\temp for example.

@REM must set the current directory to the directory where ceondownloadcenter.cab and weblibrary.cab files locate at, otherwise 
@REM update.exe cannot find out the two files.
cd c:\temp // ceondownloadcenter.cab, weblibrary.cab
update.exe -s

Issue: The Appeon Xcelerator plug-in cannot be loaded. 

Cause analysis: This issue may be caused by improper security settings, limited login user permission or third-party software conflict. 

Solutions:

Solution 1: Add the URL of Appeon Web application to the Trusted Sites zone in Internet Explorer.

Solution 2: Adjust IE security settings.

Click the Tools menu | Internet Options | Security tab. Select the appropriate Web content zone. Click the Custom Level... button. Enable the following settings:
A. Download signed ActiveX controls
B. Run ActiveX controls and plug-Ins
C. Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting
D. Active scripting 

Solution 3: Logging in as administrator.

Different Internet Explorer versions require different user privileges for installing the ActiveX control.

 • If using IE 8.0, 9.0 or 10 on Windows Vista/7/2008, you do not need administrative privileges to download and register the ActiveX control; you can log into the machine as a normal user.

 •If using IE 8.0, 9.0 or 10 on Windows XP/2003, or if using IE 7.0 or earlier, you must log in as a member of the Administrator group so you have the permissions to download and register the ActiveX control successfully. After installing the ActiveX control, you can log off and then log in again as a normal user. 

Solution 4:  Turn off UAC and other anti-virus software on this machine.

Solution 5: Remove all current Appeon Add-ons on this machine (please refer to attached file for detailed steps), and then run your application and follow the prompt messages in IE page to install the plug-in.

If you are not the administrator, you may run into the issue which keep you from loading or installing the Appeon Xcelerator plug-in.

Analysis:

Technically speaking, the user with the administrator right can directly load/install the Appeon Xcelerator plug-in. For the user without the administrator, you need to follow up the solution below to manually load/install the Appeon Xcelerator plug-in.

Solution:

Step 1: Click the IE information bar at the top which is saying "This website wants to install the following add-on: 'Appeon Web Library' from 'Appeon Corporation'. If you trust the website and the add-on and want to install it, click here..." and select "Install This Add-on..." to complete the installation of the first Appeon ActiveX control. (please note that you will be asked to install it one more time as there are two Appeon ActiveX controls needing to be installed.)

Step 2: Click Yes to proceed.

When the installation is completed you will get the following web page.

Step 3: Select Run Now and click OK to continue.

Step 4: After this process is completed, you will see the "Appeon Xcelerator plug-in cannot be loaded" screen again. Please repeat the steps above to do one more installation for the second plug-in (The second installation may look like a bit different from the first one ). After it is done, you can run your application.

1. Check and make sure the URL of the app has been added as the trusted sites.
2. Remove the add-ons and caches, and then access to the app to re-install them.
3. Turn off the Pop-up Blocker (see attached).
4. Use Run As Administrator to run IE and access to the app.

Regards,

If you are using IE 8.0 or later on Windows 2003, or if using IE 7.0 or earlier, you must log in as a member of the Administrator group so you have the required permissions to download and register the ActiveX control successfully.

For more details please refer to the help documentation at:
http://www.appeon.com/support/documents/appeon_online_help/2015/installation_guide/bk01ch05s02s02.html#d0e3543

C:\inetpub\wwwroot\sales, and modify the x32_application.htm(for 32-bit IE) and x64_application.htm(for 64-bit IE) under this folder change the title to the application name you want to.

 Please note that every time you deploy an application, you need to modify the htm file again, you can work around this procedure by doing the steps below:

1 Change the same htm file in C:\Program Files (x86)\Appeon\Developer2013R2\Template\release(or debug)
2 Full deploy the application

In case the your problem persist please close and reopen browser after successful installation of the multi-browser plug-in. Please refer to articles below to check client settings.

http://www.appeon.com/support/documents/appeon_online_help/2015/installation_guide/bk01ch05s02.html
http://support.appeon.com/index.php?/News/NewsItem/View/52/notice-about-the-impact-on-appeon-by-google-blocking-npapi-plug-ins