Step-by-Step: Setting Up Secure Exams with LanExamMakerCreating secure, reliable exams is a top priority for educators and institutions. LanExamMaker is a local-network exam solution designed to run assessments on computers connected via a LAN, minimizing dependence on internet connectivity and reducing certain remote-cheating vectors. This guide walks you through planning, installation, configuration, exam creation, secure delivery, monitoring, and post-exam procedures to get the most secure and efficient experience from LanExamMaker.
Planning and prerequisites
Before installation, decide on goals and constraints:
- Define the exam type (multiple-choice, short answer, essay, mixed).
- Estimate the number of participants and available client machines.
- Confirm network topology: wired LAN is preferred for stability; use switches rather than Wi‑Fi when possible.
- Check hardware and OS compatibility for the LanExamMaker server and client agents.
- Ensure you have administrative access for installing software, configuring firewalls, and managing user accounts.
Recommended minimums:
- Server: modern multi-core CPU, 8–16 GB RAM, SSD storage.
- Clients: current OS versions supported by LanExamMaker, stable keyboards/mice, standardized browser or client app.
- A dedicated subnet/VLAN for exam devices helps isolate traffic and improve security.
Installation
- Obtain the LanExamMaker installer and license.
- Install the server on a dedicated machine following vendor instructions:
- Configure static IP for the server so clients can reliably discover it.
- Open required ports in the server firewall (check vendor docs for exact port numbers).
- Install client software or browser extension on all exam workstations, or prepare bootable images if using locked-down exam OSes.
- Verify that clients can reach the server: ping the server IP and connect using the LanExamMaker client or web interface.
Troubleshooting tips:
- If clients cannot discover the server, check subnet/VLAN settings and any network isolation features on switches.
- For Wi‑Fi setups, ensure low packet-loss and prioritize exam traffic via QoS if available.
Network and security configuration
Isolate and harden the exam environment:
- Use a dedicated VLAN or physical network segment for exam traffic.
- Block internet access for exam clients unless required; only allow connections to the LanExamMaker server and essential network services (DNS, DHCP if needed).
- Implement port filtering/ACLs on switches to restrict outbound connections.
- Disable local network file shares and printers, or restrict them to a proctor workstation.
- Harden the server: apply OS updates, disable unnecessary services, use strong passwords, and enable disk encryption where possible.
Authentication and accounts:
- Integrate with institutional LDAP/AD if available to manage student accounts centrally.
- Use unique user credentials per student and avoid shared generic logins.
- Enable two-factor authentication for administrative access to the server console.
Creating the exam
- Define exam structure:
- Sections, time limits, question types, randomized ordering.
- Decide on per-question time or a single overall timer.
- Build a question bank:
- Create multiple variants of similar questions to reduce collusion.
- Mark questions for random selection and set point weights.
- Configure security features in LanExamMaker:
- Enable randomization of questions and answer choices.
- Disable backtracking if you want one-way progression.
- Set auto-submit on time expiry.
- Attach allowed resources:
- If calculators or reference materials are allowed, explicitly list/enable them.
- Whitelist any required websites or internal resources; otherwise block them.
- Preview and pilot:
- Run a full preview of the exam and a pilot with a small group to catch content, timing, and technical issues.
Client machine preparation
Lock down exam stations:
- Configure client devices to run the LanExamMaker client in kiosk or full-screen mode.
- Disable access to system utilities (Task Manager, terminal/command prompt, shell).
- Remove or restrict external storage (USB ports) where practical.
- Ensure screen savers, sleep modes, and auto-updates are disabled for exam duration.
- Standardize browser settings if using a web client: disable extensions, pop-ups, developer tools.
Physical and peripheral checks:
- Verify webcams, microphones, and cameras if remote proctoring or recording is used.
- Ensure reliable power and provide UPS for the server and critical networking gear.
- Label and inventory devices so misplacement is noticed quickly.
Proctoring and live monitoring
Choose a proctoring method appropriate to the exam risk level:
- In-person: proctors walk the room with a clear seating plan and check IDs. Use the LanExamMaker dashboard to monitor session status (connected/disconnected, time remaining).
- Remote proctoring via webcam: require webcam and microphone, enable recording, and optionally use automated behavior flags (face detection, window focus loss).
- Hybrid: local proctors plus video monitoring for larger rooms.
Monitoring best practices:
- Have a live dashboard showing students’ connection, IP, and submission status.
- Configure alerts for suspicious activity (frequent window focus loss, disconnections, attempts to access blocked resources).
- Keep a log of actions (student logins, question navigation, submissions) for post-exam review.
During the exam
Operational checklist:
- Start sessions slightly early to resolve last-minute issues.
- Confirm student identities against rosters.
- Keep a communication channel (chat or proctor announcements) for urgent tech help; avoid exposing network details.
- Handle disconnects: define policies for temporary network loss (pause time? rejoin with remaining time?) and ensure LanExamMaker is configured to enforce that policy.
- Enforce academic integrity consistently; document incidents.
Submissions, grading, and reporting
- Configure automatic grading for objective items (MCQ, true/false). For essays, route responses to graders via the LanExamMaker grading interface.
- Use rubrics and blind grading where supported.
- Export logs and reports: connection logs, timestamps, IPs, and event logs help investigate disputes.
- Back up exam data immediately after completion to secure, access-controlled storage.
Post-exam review and incident handling
- Review logs for anomalies and flag cases for manual review (multiple rapid answer changes, unusual patterns).
- Keep recordings and logs for a defined retention period per institutional policy.
- Run statistical item analysis (difficulty, discrimination, time-on-question) to detect compromised items or cheating patterns.
- Update the question bank by retiring compromised questions and adding new variants.
Maintenance and continuous improvement
- Patch server and client software regularly; test updates on a staging network before production.
- Rotate question banks and refresh item pools periodically.
- Run regular drills and pilot exams after major configuration changes.
- Collect feedback from proctors and students to improve usability and security measures.
Security is a process: combining careful planning, network isolation, client hardening, vigilant proctoring, and robust post-exam analysis will make LanExamMaker an effective tool for secure local-network assessments.
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