Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Acellus Server?

Will Acellus run on a MAC?

Will Acellus run on an iPad or iPhone?

What are the requirements for the clients?

How much bandwidth will Acellus utilize?

Why doesn't the video play?

Can I set a student to a different lesson?

Can I use multiple network segments?

Can I use Acellus with VLANs?

Why do my students see a "Using Alternative Server" indicator?

How can I reset a student password?

Can a Teacher or Administrator reset their PIN?

How can I contact Customer Service?

Answers

What is an Acellus Server?

The Acellus 5 Media Server delivers video and graphics over the local area network (LAN). Acellus Media Servers are custom-built fsix servers that are pre-loaded with the Acellus courseware and are designed to meet the need for a powerful solution that provides high performance, ease of management, and reliability. Acellus Servers utilize the fsix Operating System, an OS with the power of NT combined with ease of management. Gigabit Ethernet adapters are utilized for high-speed network connectivity.

The Acellus system collects detailed information regarding the progress of all students in each course. This data is stored at the International Academy of Science. Course modifications and enhancements are distributed each day via the Internet to Acellus 5 Media Servers at schools using Acellus.

Will Acellus run on a MAC?

Yes, Acellus will run on a MAC with OS-X 10.5 or higher. See Acellus' technical specifications for more information.

Will Acellus run on a iPad or iPhone?

Yes, Acellus will run on an iPad or iPhone. See Acellus' technical specifications for more information.

What are the system requirements for the client stations?

Please see technical specifications for client station requirements.

How much bandwidth will Acellus utilize?

Acellus uses a video component along with high-quality graphics. When used over the Internet, Acellus can support approximately 3 students per megabit of Internet bandwidth.

When an Acellus Media server is present on the local area network, video and graphics are accessed from the local media server instead of over the Internet, and many more students can be supported.

Why doesn't the video play?

Acellus 5

Acellus 5 supports HTML 5-compliant browsers. This means that Acellus runs on the latest version of any of the major browsers – except Firefox. In addition, Acellus 5 runs on Internet Explorer 7 or 8 if the latest version of the Flash player is also installed, and on Safari if Quicktime is installed. If your video does not play, make sure you are not using Firefox, and then make sure that you have the latest version of the browser and/or the plugins mentioned. These browsers are free of charge and can be located easily on the Internet.

The video is delivered from the local Acellus Media Server if possible, or via the Internet. If you are using a supported browser and your school has an Acellus Server, make sure the server is turned on, that the student workstations have access to it over the local area network (LAN), and that you have reported the IP Address of the Acellus Media server to your Acellus Coordinator.

If the server is not functioning, make sure your Internet connection is functioning properly and then contact Acellus Customer Support.

Acellus 4B

There are a variety of things that can cause problems with video functioning in Acellus 4B. Here are several of the most common.

If the student gets a message saying that the computer does not have an Acellus-compatible video player, check to see if Real Alternative (Windows only) or RealPlayer is installed. If neither is installed, install one of them. If both are installed, un-install one of them.
If RealPlayer has recently been installed, or has been installed but not used outside of Acellus, open RealPlayer outside of the Acellus student console, as a stand-alone program. Then close RealPlayer and try running Acellus again.
If either RealAlternative or RealPlayer (not both) is installed, but is not being recognized, check the version of browser and plugin that you are using.
- If you are using Windows 7, try using Chrome.
- If you have the latest version of RealPlayer, try reverting to the previous version. To do this, go to real.com > support > RealPlayer Support > Setup and Installation > Downloading older versions of Realplayer > find the previous version for your OS.
Some schools have lock-down programs, proxy servers, web content filters, or the like that will not allow RealMedia to run on their networks. Because each school's system is unique, we cannot list here each setting that could stop an Acellus video from playing. However, if you cannot get the video to play, check your system in these areas to make sure that RealMedia is not being blocked, or to create rules or filters that will allow RealMedia to be played from your Acellus server. Symptoms associated with this area sometimes include the video player opening, but a pop-up message stating that the video cannot be found.
If you are using a domain environment with group policies running and Windows 7 clients, the following group policy settings must be disabled to allow RealMedia to run in IE 8:

Computer configuration > Administrative templates > Windows Components > Internet Explorer > Security Features > Local machine zone lockdown security:
- Set "All Processes" to disabled (default is "Not Configured").
- Set "Internet Explorer Processes" to disabled (default is "Not Configured").
Group Policy practice would normally dictate that these items would be set to "Not Configured" if you are not using features directly related to them. However, they have been found to prevent the use of RealPlayer within IE8 in this environment.

If none of these suggestions helps, please contact technical support.

Can I set a student to a different lesson?

Yes, but we don't recommend it. Acellus is designed to take a student from square one through all the concepts of each course. Approaching subjects in this way ensures that the gaps in a student's knowledge are filled. Skipping lessons destroys his/her opportunity to fill in those gaps.

However, from time to time a situation arises in which moving the student is the best option. So, to "reposition" a student in the Acellus 5 Program, follow these steps:

First make sure that the student has exited the Acellus program.
Next, if you have not already done so, sign into the Acellus Teacher Interface using your GoldKey.
Select Classes.
Next, select the class to which the student belongs.
Now, choose "Reposition a Student."
For each student, use the pull-down lists to choose the Step you wish the student to do next (video steps appear before problem steps).
Finally, click on the "Reposition Students" button.

Can I use multiple network segments?

Yes, but be sure that you have a good Layer 3 switch between segments, to ensure adequate bandwidth.

Can I use Acellus with VLANs?

Yes. To use Acellus over VLANs, make sure that the port on which the Acellus Server resides is a member of all the VLANs from which you wish to access the Server.

Why do my students see a "Using Alternative Server" indicator?

If your student workstations cannot find your school's Acellus server to access the video or problems, Acellus 5 will attempt to access them over the Internet from a server in Kansas City. In this case, the students will see the "Using Alternative Server" indicator. If this occurs, you should check with your network administrator to ensure that the network is properly configured. If the Alternative Server indicator persists, please contact Customer Support.

How can I reset a student password?

If a student forgets his password, the teacher can create a new password by following these steps:

Sign into the Acellus 5 Teacher Interface using your GoldKey.
Go to Students and search for the student by last name using the alphabet menu or by typing the student's name in the search field.
Select the student's name in the search results.
Select "Profile"
Select "Generate New Password."

Can a Teacher or Administrator reset their PIN?

If a teacher or administrator forgets their GoldKey PIN, they can reset it through goldkeyid.com.

To reset a GoldKey PIN:

Open a browser and type the following URL in the address line: http://www.goldkeyid.com

If you know your GoldKeyID credentials, select "Alternative Sign In."

Enter your User name and password. (The email address you used to register for Acellus can be used for your user name.)
Answer the security questions you are given.

If you do not know your GoldKeyID credentials, select "Can't access your account?"

Enter your email address and select "Start Credential Recovery." An email will be sent to you.
Open the email and select the link it contains, or cut and paste the link into the address line of your browser and press "Enter."
Answer the security questions you are asked.
Enter your new password, and then re-enter it.
Select "Alternative Sign In"
Enter your email address in the user name field and enter your new password.
Answer the security questions you are given.

With your GoldKey inserted into the computer, select the radio button to the left of the listing for your GoldKey in the token list.
Select Reset PIN.
You will be asked to answer more security questions. Please do so.
Reset your PIN by entering it twice.

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