This document describes the current system requirements for the DRC INSIGHT Online Learning System, including student-testing devices and Central Office Services (COS) Service Devices. These requirements cover the following items:
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o Hardware devices o Accessories and peripherals o Operating systems and levels |
o Processor, disk space, and memory o Screen size and resolution o Certain testing accommodations |
DRC aggressively seeks out, validates, and adopts new technology to offer the best testing solutions to our customers while keeping pace with constantly changing and evolving technology standards. In general, DRC software applications offer Best Effort Support of new versions of a supported operating system within one month of public availability of the new version and Full Support within three months of public availability of the new version, or by the next release date of the DRC application, whichever duration is greater.
Current Update: June 27, 2019
Next Update: October 2019
DRC INSIGHT Supported System Requirements
Table
of Contents
UPDATE: Support Starting and Ending
DRC INSIGHT Testing Device Requirements
Additional DRC INSIGHT Device Specifications
DRC COS Service Device Requirements
DRC INSIGHT Network Requirements
DRC INSIGHT Software: Supported Operating System Levels and Support Timeline
Chrome OS Support and Chrome Devices
UPDATE:
Support Starting and Ending
The following is a quick overview of upcoming changes to the hardware and software supported for DRC INSIGHT and COS Service Devices. For details, see the appropriate section of this document.
Minimum vs. Recommended
Throughout this document, the Minimum level of requirements represents a low compliance threshold. DRC advises using the Recommended level or above. The Recommended level is required for testing with accommodations such as Human Voice Audio (HVA), Text-To-Speech (TTS), and Video Sign Language (VSL).
DRC
Device Support Policy
Typically, when a hardware vendor, such as Dell or Lenovo, discontinues a hardware device, the software vendor that provides the operating system support for that device continues supporting the device for a period of time. Therefore, for any device that DRC adds to its fully supported device list, DRC will continue to support the device until the software vendor officially discontinues support for the device.
Device
Categories
DRC’s approach is to test and certify our software on the devices most commonly used in the classroom. As a result of its testing, DRC groups devices into the three categories described in the table below.
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Device Category |
Description |
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Fully Supported |
DRC has evaluated and tested the device. It is suitable for testing with DRC INSIGHT and COS Service Devices.* |
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Not Suitable for Online Testing |
DRC has evaluated and tested the device. For various reasons, it is unacceptable for testing with DRC INSIGHT and/or COS Service Devices. |
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Other |
Any device that does not fit into the other categories falls into this category. DRC has neither evaluated nor tested the device—it may or may not be suitable for testing with DRC INSIGHT and/or COS Service Devices.
Device manufacturers use different methods to implement touch-enabled screens for their devices, with the technology evolving over time. DRC typically tests DRC INSIGHT with touch devices made by the most common manufacturers for educational settings. Generally speaking, DRC INSIGHT will operate effectively on similar touch-screen models and DRC will provide best effort support for these models. |
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*Certain devices, such as iPad devices or Chrome devices, can be used for DRC INSIGHT, but not for COS Service Devices. |
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DRC INSIGHT Testing Device Requirements
The table below indicates the current DRC INSIGHT testing device requirements, as well as the testing devices that DRC fully supports and the devices that are known to be unsuitable for online testing.
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Fully Supported Devices |
Processor |
Available Memory |
Unused Disk Space |
Screen Size |
Resolution |
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Windows Both touch‑screen and non‑touch‑screen devices that meet the requirements in this table |
Minimum Intel 4th Generation Core i3 4005U (or equivalent)
Intel 5th Generation Celeron N3050 (or equivalent)
Recommended Intel 6th generation product family or greater (or equivalent) |
Minimum 2 GB RAM
Recommended 4 GB RAM |
Minimum 10 GB
Recommended 20 GB or more |
Minimum 9.5” |
Minimum 1024 x 768 |
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Mac (OS X and macOS) and Linux Non‑touch‑screen devices only |
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Chrome OS Both touch‑screen and non‑touch‑screen devices that meet the requirements in this table |
Minimum Intel 4th Generation Celeron 2955U (or equivalent)
Recommended Intel 6th generation product family or greater (or equivalent) |
Minimum 2 GB RAM or more
Recommended 4 GB RAM or more |
NA–See the Important Notes that follow the table. |
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Apple iOS iPad 2017 iPad 2018 iPad Air devices iPad Pro Devices: 9.7”, 10.5”, and 12.9”
Note: iPad mini devices are not supported. |
NA |
Minimum 2 GB RAM or more
See the Important Notes that follow the table. |
NA–See the Important Notes that follow the table. |
Minimum 9.7” or greater |
Important
Notes
PCs
and MACs to Chromebooks—Neverware CloudReady and DRC INSIGHT
CloudReady from Neverware is a reduced-feature operating system, built on the same technology as Chrome OS, that runs on hardware with limited resources. DRC and Neverware have tested CloudReady and have confirmed that it meets the requirements for testing. Sites will need to partner with Neverware for this solution.
Neverware and DRC offer full support for CloudReady for testing with DRC INSIGHT on testing devices that meet the DRC Chrome OS system requirements (see DRC INSIGHT Testing Device Requirements for details). Sites using CloudReady will follow the Chrome OS installation instructions and the Chrome OS system requirements.
Tablet/Netbook/Chromebook
Devices
Because tablet/Netbook/Chromebook devices are not easily configurable for memory and storage (disk space) upgrades, DRC recommends that these devices be streamlined for the DRC INSIGHT App when used for testing.
To achieve this goal, all applications and features that are unnecessary for testing should be removed, turned off, or disabled to ensure that the maximum amount of device memory is available for testing. This includes services such as Bluetooth (unless a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse is needed), GPS, and power saving modes that reduce performance to maximize battery life. DRC also recommends rebooting these devices before testing. These activities help free available memory. Devices that lack sufficient memory during testing may experience issues.
IPA
Software
Intelligent personal assistant (IPA) software, such as Siri for iOS and macOS, or Cortana for Windows 10, should be disabled during testing for the appropriate devices. In some cases, this functionality can be disabled automatically using administrator controls such as Mobile Device Management (MDM) software. If IPA software is not disabled, the testing site is responsible for ensuring the security and integrity of the test by actively monitoring that students are not using this capability during the test.
Automatic
Operating System Updates and Other Background Processes
Operating system vendors such as Google, Microsoft, and Apple are moving to a model where operating system updates occur automatically in the background. Update processes running in the background on testing devices consume CPU and memory and can affect the testing experience—audio playback may be choppy and Speaking test responses may be distorted. To avoid this situation, verify that no background processes are running on testing devices during testing. Also, if a testing device is set to accept operating system updates automatically, verify that it has the most current DRC‑supported version of the operating system before the test session starts.
Additional
DRC INSIGHT Device Specifications
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Supported Accessories |
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o Mouse o English language keyboard (internal and external, wired and wireless) o Touchpad o Headphones o Microphone |
o Earphones o Earbuds o Stylus for touch devices o Other input devices as supported for accommodations (determined in conjunction with each state department of education) |
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The input device must allow students to select and deselect; drag items; highlight text, objects, and areas; enter letters, numbers, and symbols; use the Shift, Tab, Return, Delete, and Backspace keys. |
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Other |
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Smart Board interfaces are not supported. |
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Internet Connectivity |
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Devices must be able to connect to the Internet using wired or wireless networks. |
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The maximum number of devices a Wireless Access Point (WAP) can support varies depending on the manufacturer and model of the WAP device being used for testing. DRC recommends never exceeding 80% of the maximum capacity of the WAP specified by the manufacturer. For example, for a WAP device with a maximum capacity of 20 concurrently connected devices, DRC recommends that no more than 16 devices be connected concurrently. If the number of concurrently connected devices is expected to exceed this threshold, additional WAPs should be implemented. Note that all other networking hardware must be able to accommodate the maximum number of devices that could potentially be connected to the wireless network concurrently.
If you plan to test using a wireless network, complete a wireless site survey to ensure that there is sufficient wireless coverage in testing areas. This survey should address coverage and verify that students can take the test in the same area of the building at one time (device density). The survey should account for Internet bandwidth and other traffic in the building at the time of testing, including LAN (wireless and wired) traffic and WAN traffic. |
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Power Supply |
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Minimum For battery devices, a fully charged battery with a two‑hour life. |
Recommended A device connected to a plugged-in power supply. |
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Accommodations |
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A COS Service Device is required for HVA, TTS, and VSL, which have increased memory and disk space requirements (see DRC COS Service Device Requirements). |
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DRC COS Service
Device Requirements
The table that follows describes the processor, available memory (RAM), and available disk space requirements for a COS Service Device (available in 64‑bit only—COS Service Device software is not available for 32-bit operating systems) based on the number of concurrent testers. The Recommended level is required for testing with accommodations such as HVA, TTS, and VSL because of the size of media files. The 64-bit COS Service Device software works with non‑touch Windows desktop and laptop devices, non‑touch Mac (OS X and macOS) desktop and laptop devices, and Linux desktop and laptop devices.
The DRC COS Service Device software requirements are generally the same as the DRC INSIGHT software requirements with the exceptions listed below:
· The COS Service Device software cannot be installed on an iOS or Chrome device.
Note: Both iOS and Chrome testing devices with the secure DRC INSIGHT software installed on them can be associated with any COS Service Device regardless of the operating system the COS Service Device is running. For example, an iPad or Chromebook testing device can connect to a Windows COS Service Device for testing. The same is true for Windows, macOS, and Linux testing devices—these devices can connect to any COS Service Device for Content Hosting.
· The COS Service Device software should not be installed on mobile or touch‑screen devices.
· The COS Service Device should be connected to the network through a wired connection.
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Number of Concurrent Testers |
Processor |
Available Memory |
Available Disk Space |
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64-bit Windows |
Up to 450 |
Minimum Dual-core i3 at 2.4 GHz or equivalent
Recommended Dual-core i5 at 2.4 GHz or equivalent |
Minimum 2 GB RAM
Recommended and Media Accommodations 4 GB RAM |
Minimum 10 GB
Recommended and Media Accommodations 20 GB or more |
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Up to 900 |
Recommended 2x dual-core i5 at 2.4 GHz or equivalent |
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Over 900 |
Recommended 4x dual-core i5 at 2.4 GHz or equivalent |
Recommended and Media Accommodations 8 GB RAM |
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64-bit macOS |
Up to 400 |
Minimum Dual-core i3 at 2.4 GHz or equivalent
Recommended Dual-core i5 at 2.4 GHz or equivalent |
Minimum 2 GB RAM
Recommended and Media Accommodations 4 GB RAM |
Minimum 10 GB
Recommended and Media Accommodations 20 GB or more |
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Up to 900 |
Recommended 2x dual-core i5 at 2.4 GHz or equivalent |
Recommended and Media Accommodations 16 GB RAM |
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64-bit Linux |
Up to 450 |
Minimum Dual-core i3 at 2.4 GHz or equivalent
Recommended Dual-core i5 at 2.4 GHz or equivalent |
Recommended and Media Accommodations 7.5 GB RAM for 14.04 3.6 GB RAM for 16.04 |
Minimum 10 GB
Recommended and Media Accommodations 20 GB or more |
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Up to 600 |
Recommended 2x dual-core i5 at 2.4 GHz or equivalent |
DRC
INSIGHT Network Requirements
The table below describes the available LAN bandwidth requirements for a COS Service Device based on the number of concurrent testers.
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Number of Concurrent Testers |
Minimum Available LAN Bandwidth |
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Up to 50 |
50 Mbps |
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Up to 150 |
100 Mbps |
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Up to 300 |
200 Mbps |
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Up to 500 |
400 Mbps |
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Up to 600 |
500 Mbps |
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Up to 750 |
600 Mbps |
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Up to 900 |
800 Mbps |
Notes:
· Shared bandwidth includes the LAN, WAN, and Internet Service Provider (ISP) bandwidth. Each of these bandwidths should meet or exceed the minimum bandwidth listed.
· Shared bandwidth does not include the minimum bandwidth from the testing device to the network because that bandwidth is shared by other testing devices. The minimum bandwidth from the testing device to the network is about 3-5 Mbps.
DRC Software Support Policy
When a software vendor, such as Microsoft or Apple, ends support for an operating system (or level), they discontinue free security updates for that software. This can present large and immediate security and support risks to the software’s users. As a result, DRC strongly recommends that all clients affected by the end of support process begin the transition as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for the process. Support
Timeline
To accomplish the dual goals of minimizing security risks to DRC clients while making necessary software changes, DRC has established a multi‑phase support timeline for the transition from an unsupported operating system or level to a supported operating system or level. Note: DRC assumes no responsibility or liability for software transition processes at testing sites. Phases
1 and 3: Best Effort Support
The DRC Support team will help troubleshoot issues reported concerning the operating system or level and DRC software applications as best we can, but DRC cannot guarantee a resolution. If a problem is uncovered, DRC Support will report the issue to DRC Development. Again, we cannot guarantee a fix, software update, or resolution timeline for software fixes or updates. If DRC determines that an issue is related to a client’s network, hardware, or third‑party software, the client must obtain support directly from the software vendor or the hardware manufacturer. |
Best Effort Support occurs at both ends of the software lifecycle. o Phase 1: After DRC software testing begins and before the software is fully supported by DRC. DRC offers Best Effort Support for any new version of a supported operating system (OS) product within 30 days of public availability of the OS product version, or by the next planned common or client-specific release date of the DRC application, whichever duration is greater. o Phase 3: After the software is no longer supported by the vendor and before the end of DRC support. Once the OS product version has reached the end of vendor support, DRC offers Best Effort Support until the next planned common or client-specific release date of the DRC application, at which point it is restricted from use unless DRC chooses to extend support. Phase
2: Fully Supported
When an OS product is on the DRC supported product list, DRC performs application testing for all major versions of the product publicly supported by the product vendor and for all minor versions of the product when DRC deems testing is necessary. Any new version of a supported OS product will be Fully Supported by all DRC applications within 90 days of public availability of the version of the OS product, or by the next planned common or client-specific release date of the DRC application, whichever duration is greater. Phase
4: End of Support
The next release of DRC software applications will not work with the unsupported operating system or level. It is restricted from use. The table that follows indicates the current supported operating system levels for DRC INSIGHT. It also provides a timeline for changes in terms of the various support phases. |
DRC INSIGHT Software:
Supported Operating System Levels and Support Timeline
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Level |
Incoming/Current |
Outgoing/Ending |
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Phase 1: Best Effort Support |
Phase 2: Fully Supported (1) |
Phase 3: Best Effort Support |
Phase 4: End of Support (2) |
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Windows |
Windows 7, SP1 |
X |
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Windows 8.1 |
X |
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Windows 10 Semi‑Annual Channel servicing options (3)(4) |
X |
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Windows 10 in S mode |
X |
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Windows Server 2008, R2 SP1 |
X |
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Windows Server 2012 |
X |
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Windows Server 2012, R2 |
X |
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Windows Server 2016 |
X |
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Windows Server 2019 |
X |
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Mac (OS X and macOS) Note: Mac server software is not supported. |
OS X 10.11 |
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X |
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macOS 10.12 |
X |
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macOS 10.13 |
X |
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macOS 10.14 |
X |
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Linux Note: Linux server software is not supported. |
Ubuntu 14.04, LTS version, with 64‑bit Gnome 3.4, Unity Shell |
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X |
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Ubuntu 16.04, LTS version, with 64‑bit Gnome 3.4, Unity Shell |
X |
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Ubuntu 18.04, LTS version with Gnome Shell |
X |
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iOS (5) |
11.x latest version |
X |
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12.x latest version |
X |
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iPadOS |
X |
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Chrome (6) |
Chrome OS recent stable channel |
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X |
(7) |
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Note: See below for details regarding the numbered table notes. |
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Table
Notes
(1) DRC recommends using operating system levels that are Fully Supported. (2) When End of Support occurs during a typical testing cycle, DRC will continue to provide Best Effort Support until the testing cycle ends. DRC recommends that sites upgrade to a fully supported level before the testing cycle begins. (3) DRC fully supports the most recent version of Windows 10 available for the Semi‑Annual Channel servicing options within 90 days of public availability of the new version. DRC will offer Best Effort support for previous versions of Windows 10 available for the Semi‑Annual Channel servicing options that Microsoft maintains support for with servicing updates. For details, see the Microsoft Windows 10 version support website and https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet. (4) DRC currently supports the Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions of Windows 10. (5) See iOS Releases and
DRC Support below. (6) See Chrome OS Support and Chrome
Devices below.
(7) DRC offers Best Effort Support for unmanaged Chrome devices (the DRC INSIGHT Secure Chrome App was manually installed) that meet the system device and supported operating system requirements. |
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iOS Releases and DRC Support
The iOS release strategy provides both major and minor release versions.
· Major release versions are indicated by the number to the left of the decimal point. For example, release 11.x and release 12.x are major release versions.
· Minor release versions are indicated by the number to the right of the decimal point. For example, release 11.1 and release 11.2 are minor release versions of major release version 11.
DRC supports both types of release versions.
· DRC provides Full Support for the most recent major release version of iOS within 90 days of public availability of the new version. During the 90 days of testing/verification, DRC provides Best Effort Support of the new major release version.
· DRC provides Best Effort Support for minor release versions of iOS as soon as they are made available to the public and will fully support these versions as soon as DRC completes testing/verification. DRC will attempt to fully support minor release versions within 30 days of their release.
Note: DRC offers Best Effort Support for any previous versions of iOS for which Apple maintains support.
Chrome OS Support and Chrome Devices
· DRC offers the following levels of support for Chrome OS for the 2019–2020 testing season:
o Full Support for the current stable channel level.
o Best Effort
Support for stable channel levels between level 74 and the
current stable channel level.
Note: DRC also offers Best Effort Support for unmanaged Chrome devices (the
DRC INSIGHT Secure Chrome App was manually installed) that meet the system
device and supported operating system requirements.
o End of Support (no support) for stable channel levels below 74.
· IMPORTANT: End of Automatic Update Support for Older Chrome Devices
Each Google Chrome device has an Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date. Before reaching this date, the device receives new software updates from Google automatically. As Google’s Auto Update policy for Chrome OS devices states, Chrome devices receive automatic updates regularly that enhance both the device itself and the software on the device. …However, end-to-end updates for all our devices to ensure the highest levels of security requires dependencies on many third-party hardware and software providers so we cannot indefinitely ensure that older Chrome devices will receive updates to enable new OS and browser features.
Many districts and sites receive operating system updates automatically for their Chrome devices, and older devices may be approaching their AUE date. When a device reaches its AUE date, Google considers the device obsolete, software updates from Google are no longer guaranteed, the device may not receive necessary security and functionality upgrades, and Google suspends the ability to manage it using the Google Management Console.
Therefore, DRC recommends replacing any Chrome devices that have reached or will reach their AUE date within the 2018‑2019 school year.
To determine the AUE date for a specific Chrome device, use the following link to Google’s Auto Update policy and the list of Chrome devices with their AUE dates: https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6220366.
Trademarks
The following are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries:
Internet Explorer
Microsoft
Microsoft Edge
Windows
Windows Vista
Windows XP
Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows 10
Windows 10 in S mode
The following are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Corporation in the United States and/or other countries:
Apple
iOS*
iPad
Macintosh
Mac
OS X and macOS
Safari
*iOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the United States and other countries and is used under license.
The following are trademarks or registered trademarks of Google Corporation in the United States and/or other countries:
Chrome
Chrome OS
Chromebook
Google Play
Firefox is a trademark or registered trademark of Mozilla Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
Ubuntu and Canonical are registered trademarks of Canonical Ltd.
Gnome is a trademark of the Gnome Foundation.