ACE Manual

Getting Started

Introduction

ACE is an application that makes Virtual Server administration as simple as possible. It allows users to manage their Virtual Server(s) through a GUI (graphical user interface). ACE is written in Java, allowing it to be run on all platforms that support a Java Virtual Machine for Java 1.1. Some platforms include, Windows, Macintosh, Solaris, FreeBSD, and Linux. ACE allows a user to:

• Check disk quota
• Clear and rotate logs
• Perform simple port diagnostics of the most important Internet services
• Add, delete, edit POP or FTP users
• Set POP and FTP user quotas, password, and other properties
• Add, delete, edit aliases, autoresponders, spammers, and virtmaps
• Copy files from/to your Virtual Server, or between Virtual Servers
• Create directories
• Rename, delete, and change the security state of files and directories

ACE has been designed with security in mind. For example, ACE uses a special cryptographic handshake to protect your server's administrative passwords.

As good as ACE is, we realize that it does not yet support all the administrative tasks our users perform regularly. New functionality to give users greater power in administering their Virtual Server(s) is under development. Send suggestions for the program to our ACE Wish List.

Overview of ACE's Requirements

• A machine that can run a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for Java 1.1.
  (Note: The speed which ACE can run is constrained not only by your CPU speed, but also by how fast your Java Virtual Machine runs.)
• A display of at least 730 x 450 pixels.
• A network connection to your Virtual Server.
• Correct installation of the latest ACE client application from the download page

• A Blue Reef Virtual Server. Giving ACE to virtual subhost users is discouraged because the current version of ACE has access to all features on the entire Virtual Server.
• Correct installation of the ACE server (see Installation).
• Correct setup of the special files, programs, and directories that ACE uses (See Trouble Shooting).

Download

ACE is a distributed application that involves two parts. The first part is the ACE server, which must be installed on your Virtual Server. This part has already been installed on your Virtual Server. ACE itself will even attempt to automatically repair any problems it detects in the server installation. Under normal circumstances, you will never need to worry about the ACE server.

Sometimes, however, ACE is unable to correct server difficulties. If this happens, please submit a report to the problem tracking system with a detailed description of your problem.

The second part of ACE is the ACE Client, which is installed on your computer. Start the download by going to the ACE download page .

You should download the most recent ACE Client and then follow the installation instructions.

There are installers for each platform, so be sure to download the version of ACE which matches your computer and follow the matching installation instructions. The installer, when run, will search for a JVM. If multiple JVM's are found, you are given a choice of JVM to use for running ACE. For Mac OS, Windows OSes, and Solaris, if no JVM is found then the installer will also install a JVM to run ACE. (The installer for Windows and Solaris installs Sun's JRE and the installer for Mac OS installs Apple's MRJ.)

How to Run ACE

The ACE Installer creates a shortcut and places it in the Windows Start menu. Click on the Windows "Start" button, go to the "Programs choice, and then go to the "ACE 2.0" choice and then open the "ACE 2.0" application.

The ACE Installer creates an alias (shortcut) and places it on your desktop. After establishing a network connection, simply double-click on the script icon entitled "ACE 2.0". This will cause ACE to be launched. (You do not have to keep this alias on your desktop. You can move the alias to another folder and ACE will still launch.)

The ACE Installer creates a program called "Ace" in the chosen install folder and in your home directory. Double click either one to run ACE. It can be dragged to your desktop if a shortcut is desired or added to the Apple Menu with the AppleMenuOptions application that comes with Mac OS X Server.

The ACE Installer creates a shell script and places it where you installed ACE. Simply run the script to start ACE.

ACE has not been tested on any other platforms. It should, however, work on any platform that has a stable Java runtime.

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