TraiNet and Visa Compliance System Support United States Agency for International Development
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Installing TraiNet FAQ

How do I update to the most recent TraiNet Service Pack?

The most up-to-date version of TraiNet Desktop is version 2.2.1. To find out your current version:

  1. Launch TraiNet and choose About... from the Help menu.
  2. The version information in the About box will display which Service Pack or version is currently installed.

- If you are running any version other than 2.2.1, we recommend you upgrade to the newest version, available here

Why do I need a Site ID to install TraiNet?

Every bit of data entered into TraiNet contains a stamp of ownership: your TraiNet Site ID. TraiNet Site IDs are guaranteed to be unique because they are assigned from a central database in Washington. (Email jvisa@devis.com if you need a Site ID.)

Site ID's should ONLY be assigned from Washington, not by a training contractor or USAID mission.

Because the Site ID makes the data from every TraiNet site unique, TraiNet data can be passed around and shared by sites all over the world. This is how contractors can send data to missions, and missions can send data to Washington, without things getting mixed up. The Site ID also protects your data: even when you send your data to another TraiNet site, users there cannot edit it because the Site ID in your data does not match the Site ID of the receiving site.

When should I install TraiNet on a local drive? When should I install TraiNet on a network drive or server?

Install TraiNet on a local hard drive if you do not need to share TraiNet with others on a local area network.

Install TraiNet on a network drive if more than one person on a local area network needs access to TraiNet for data entry, viewing, or reporting purposes.

Installing on a local drive is simple and straightforward. Installing on a network is not particularly difficult, but it does require a bit of extra work. See below.

How do I install TraiNet on a network?

The instructions below are meant as a supplement to the network installation instructions available in the TraiNet Setup and Installation Guide, which you can download from the Documents area of this website. Installing on a network involves two steps:

  1. Install the TraiNet software on a network drive.
  2. Setup workstations from which you wish to access TraiNet.

Install TraiNet on a network drive

  1. Map a drive letter to the network share where you will install TraiNet.
  2. Use the TraiNet CD to perform the installation to the mapped network drive. Do not install TraiNet from a Windows NT or 2000 server console. This can cause problems.
  3. After installing the TraiNet 2 base product, install all Service Pack and version updates. See FAQ "How do I update to the most recent TraiNet Service Pack (or version)?"
  4. The workstation from which you perform the installation will already be set up and ready to use. Then you must:

Setup each workstation

  1. Connect, or mount the network drive where TraiNet is installed. Make sure each TraiNet user has full network access privileges to all files in the TraiNet2 folder and all sub-folders.
  2. Create a shortcut on the workstation desktop that points to the Trainet2.exe file on the network drive.
  3. Check the ODBC data source that points to the TraiNet database file: dbTrainet2.mdb. The ODBC data source needs to point to the network drive where TraiNet was installed, NOT the local C drive. If someone other than the person installing TraiNet on each computer will be using TraiNet on that computer, install TraiNet in the System DSN Tab, rather than the User DSN Tab. Otherwise, the dbTraiNet database file will not be available to others who log onto that computer. The typical set of steps for setting up an ODBC driver are:
    • Select the Start Menu from the Windows Taskbar
    • Select Settings > Control Panel
    • If you are running Windows 98, select Data Source (ODBC); otherwise, select Administrative Tools > Data Source (ODBC)
    • Select the User or System DSN Tab, depending on who is installing TraiNet on the local computer.
    • In the Window "User Data Sources:", if there is not a dbTraiNet2 entry, then add one. If there is one, then check to make sure it is pointing to the network dbTrainet2.mdb file.

    To EDIT a Data Source:

    • Select the dbTraiNet2 entry and select the Configure button.
    • In the Database section, click on the Select button
    • Select the network drive from the Drives dropdown list.
    • You will now need to locate the directory where TraiNet2 is installed.
    • Select the file named "dbTraiNet2.mdb" and click OK.
    • Select the OK button and select OK to back out of the other windows.

    To ADD a Data Source:

    • Select the ADD button to the right of the "User Data Sources:" section.
    • Select "Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)" from the list.
    • Select Finish.
    • Enter the Data Source Name as dbTraiNet2. The Data Source Name must be spelled exactly as you see it here, using upper and lower case letters.
    • Enter a description, like "This data source used for Trainet 2"
    • In the Database section, click on the Select button
    • Select the network drive from the Drives dropdown list.
    • You will now need to locate the directory where TraiNet2 is installed.
    • Select the file named "dbTraiNet2.mdb" file and click OK.
    • Select the OK button and select OK to back out of the other windows.
    • Graphical instructions for this adding a data source can be found in the Documents section of this web site.
  4. If your site or ISP uses a proxy server, contact the TraiNet Help Desk at jvisa@devis.com for additional assistance. Please refer to the TraiNet Setup and Installation Guide for further instructions. See the documents area to download it if you don't already have it.

Do I need Internet access to use TraiNet?

The short answer is 'yes'. Technically you can install and use TraiNet without Internet access, but Internet access is required to share data with other TraiNet sites. And since sharing training data with missions, contractors, and Washington is such an integral part of TraiNet, you will need Internet access to use TraiNet effectively.

What's the best way to set up TraiNet users?

TraiNet users should be assigned "rights" according to the type of access they will have to the system. A user with System Admin rights can create user IDs.

Rights Categories

Users can be assigned different access privileges in these categories of data:

  • Training Program data
  • System Admin data
  • Top Tier data

Access Privileges

In each category above, a user can be assigned one of these privileges:

  • Read-Only
  • Edit
  • Add
  • Delete

The following examples provide suggestions for how you may want to set up your users in TraiNet:

When creating a data entry user, apply these rights:

  • Training Program: Delete
  • System Admin: Read-Only
  • Top-Tier: Read-Only

When creating a TraiNet Administrator, apply these rights:

  • Training Program: Delete
  • System Admin: Delete
  • Top-Tier: Delete

When creating a guest user, who will only view data and do nothing else, apply these rights:

  • Training Program: Read-Only
  • System Admin: Read-Only
  • Top-Tier: Read-Only

I get the error message: “Unknown Database. Alias: dbTraiNet2.” What do I do?

Something has happened to the ODBC Data Source Name (DSN) that TraiNet uses. Either the DSN was not installed properly, or someone changed it. If the DSN does not exist, or it needs to be changed, follow step 3 in question How do I install TraiNet on a network?

OR

You may also download graphical instructions here (document "How to Add an ODBC Driver")

NOTE: If you are using Windows XP/2000/NT, you must perform these steps as the System Administrator. If you do not have System Administrator privileges, get the person who has those privileges to help you.

After I installed TraiNet and logged in the first time, the Site Wizard appeared. What should I enter?

You need to enter your country, site type and unique three-character code (provided by the devIS/USAID Help Desk). It is VERY important that you get this information correct from the start. Please download the "TraiNet Setup and Configuration Guide" and the "Site ID Configuration Guide" from our Documents area for step-by-step instructions on how to configure your new TraiNet installation.

We just updated to TraiNet 2.1. The update seemed to be successful, but when trying to access data from the Trainees screen the following error message appears: "Table does not exist [Microsoft][ODBC Microsoft Access driver] The Microsoft Jet database engine cannot find the inputs table or query] General SQL error 'TraiNetCityLookup'. Make sure that its name is spelled correctly." What is wrong?

This error indicates that the final step of the TraiNet v. 2.1 upgrade was not completed. Please go to the Downloads area and upgrade to the latest version of TraiNet, version 2.2.1. If you have any problems downloading this file, as it is large, contact the Help Desk so they can mail you the installation CD.

We just installed TraiNet. When we try to receive and send data we get the following error message: " TraiNet requires that your system have MDAC2.5 or greater installed. Your system is presently using an older version of this software. Please install the 2.5 version on this computer." What do we do?

This error message indicates you do not have the updated version of a file TraiNet requires. You will find this file on the TraiNet installation CD under a folder called either "ODBC Updates" or "MDAC". The file is named either mdac_typ_25_sp2.exe or mdac_typ2_7.exe. Double click on the file and install it on your computer. If you do not have the TraiNet installation CD, please either request it from your TraiNet Administrator at the USAID mission in your country, or contact the Help Desk.

Or, you can click here to download the necessary file: MDAC Upgrade Follow these instructions for downloading and installing the file:

  • Click on the "MDAC Update" hyperlink, above.
  • You will be prompted to save the file. Click on the button.
  • Save the file to your computer desktop by clicking on the Desktop icon on the left side of the "Save As" dialogue box.
  • In the "File Name" box, name the file "MDAC.exe"
  • Click the "Save" button.
  • When the file has finished downloading, double click on the MDAC.exe file on your computer desktop. The installation program will update your MDAC driver.

If I'm reinstalling TraiNet how do I save my data?

The first thing you'll want to do is locate where TraiNet is currently installed. Is it installed on your personal computer, or is it installed on your office network? If TraiNet is installed on your local computer than it is most likely installed in a directory called TraiNet2. If it is installed on an office local area network you may want to consult with your Information Technology office to seek assistance in locating the drive and directory where TraiNet is located.

Once you've located your TraiNet directory you'll need to copy and move two files:

  • dbTrainet2.mdb
  • trainet2.ini

The dbTrainet2.mdb file is the file that contains all your TraiNet data. The trainet2.ini file is a small text file that contains information regarding your registered Site ID, or special data transfer directives.

Move both of these files to a safe location where they cannot be deleted – for example, your computer desktop, a back-up disk, zip drive, USB storage device, or CD-ROM. Once you have reinstalled TraiNet, copy the dbTrainet2.mdb file to the new TraiNet2 folder. If you are prompted to overwrite an existing file, answer "yes".

Open the saved trainet2.ini file. If it contains a line that starts with "ProxyServer=", copy this line from the old trainet2.ini file to the new one, located in the new TraiNet2 folder. If you are not familiar with how to edit text files, please ask your Information Technology office for assistance, or email the TraiNet/VCS Help Desk at jvisa@devis.com.

I can't send/receive data. What do I do now?

You may be experiencing a technical issue resulting from how your PC, or office network is configured. Certain settings can be immediately checked to determine if PC or network configuration in your office is contributing to the problem. Carry out the following tasks and email the TraiNet/VCS Help Desk at jvisa@devis.com.

  1. Check proxy server settings:
  • Open up Internet Explorer
  • From the main menu, select TOOLS
  • Select INTERNET OPTIONS
  • Select the CONNECTIONS tab
  • Select the LAN SETTINGS button at the bottom of the window
  • In the Proxy Server window, if you see an address and port number, write it down and include that information in your email to the Help Desk.
  1. From your Web Browser, go to the following address: http://beta.devis.com:8080/. If you get an error and cannot see a web page, ask your IT support staff if port 8080 on your office network is open to outgoing traffic. This port must be open to transfer data with TraiNet.
  2. Go to the following directory \TraiNet2\xml\log and send the output_log.txt, input_log.txt and system_log.txt files to jvisa@devis.com.