FireWorks 8.

1 Software
Installation Guide

P/N 3100034-EN REV 10 ISS 25AUG15

Copyright 2015 Walter Kidde Portable Equipment, Inc. All

rights reserved.
This document may not be copied in whole or in
part or otherwise reproduced without prior written
consent from Walter Kidde Portable Equipment,
Inc., except where specifically permitted under US
and international copyright law.
Trademarks and The FireWorks name and logo are trademarks of
patents Walter Kidde Portable Equipment, Inc.
Other trade names used in this document may be
trademarks or registered trademarks of the
manufacturers or vendors of the respective
products.
Contact For contact information, see
information www.edwardsfiresafety.com.

Content
Important information ii
Limitation of liability ii
Advisory messages iii
Introduction 1
Software options 1
System requirements 3
Installing FireWorks 8.1 4
Before you begin 4
Installing FireWorks 8.1 5
Upgrading on UL5W7 computers 6
Upgrading FireWorks 1.7x 6
Upgrading FireWorks 1.6x 7
Upgrading FireWorks 1.5x and earlier 8
Installing FireWorks 8.1 for demonstration purposes 9
Installing the FireWorks Remote Client software 9
Connecting iO Series control panels 12
Configuring the iO panel network options 13
Installing and setting up OH Network Receiver 14
Installing the com0com driver 18
Connecting the receivers to the virtual COM port 21
Lantronix CPR Manager 23
Introduction 23
Installing CPR Manager 23
Creating the Lantronix CPR port 24
Configuring the FireWorks COM port 26
Testing the connection 27

FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

Important information
Limitation of liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in
no event will Walter Kidde Portable Equipment, Inc. be
liable for any lost profits or business opportunities, loss
of use, business interruption, loss of data, or any other
indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages
under any theory of liability, whether based in contract,
tort, negligence, product liability, or otherwise. Because
some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation
of liability for consequential or incidental damages the
preceding limitation may not apply to you. In any event
the total liability of Walter Kidde Portable Equipment, Inc.
shall not exceed the purchase price of the product. The
foregoing limitation will apply to the maximum extent
permitted by applicable law, regardless of whether
Walter Kidde Portable Equipment, Inc. has been advised
of the possibility of such damages and regardless of
whether any remedy fails of its essential purpose.
Installation in accordance with this manual, applicable
codes, and the instructions of the authority having
jurisdiction is mandatory.
While every precaution has been taken during the
preparation of this manual to ensure the accuracy of its
contents, Walter Kidde Portable Equipment, Inc.
assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

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FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

Advisory messages
Advisory messages alert you to conditions or practices
that can cause unwanted results. The advisory
messages used in this document are shown and
described below.
WARNING: Warning messages advise you of hazards
that could result in injury or loss of life. They tell you
which actions to take or to avoid in order to prevent the
injury or loss of life.
Caution: Caution messages advise you of possible
equipment damage. They tell you which actions to take
or to avoid in order to prevent the damage.
Note: Note messages advise you of the possible loss of
time or effort. They describe how to avoid the loss.
Notes are also used to point out important information
that you should read.

FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

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FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

Introduction
FireWorks is a computerized display and control system
that can be used with one or more remote display
computers to provide monitor and control functions for
multiple life safety networks.
FireWorks unites building systems technology with an
easy-to-use graphical interface. By combining product
innovation with application flexibility, FireWorks
simplifies the configuration and management of your
building systems.

Software options
You can install FireWorks with or without common
controls, and with several other software options.
See Table 1 for a list of available options.
Access to the software is controlled by personal
identification numbers (PINs) stored on the FireWorks
software key. The PINs are issued to you by way of a
software key certificate shipped with your software.
Table 1: FireWorks software options
SKU

Description

FW-CGSUL [1]

Stand-alone workstation with command and

common control features.

FW-CGS [2]

Stand-alone workstation identical to FW-CGSUL

except without command and common control
features.

FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

SKU

Description

FW-DARCOM

Optional digital alarm receiver communications

software for displaying Contact ID or SIA 4/2
formatted events from any fire alarm or security
control panel. Requires a compatible digital alarm
communicator receiver (DACR).

FW-IPMON1000 Optional digital alarm receiver communications

software for displaying Contact ID formatted events
from up to 1,000 iO series fire alarm control panels.
FW-1S [3]

Optional remote client software for displaying

events on one remote client TCP/IP connection.

FW-4S [3]

Optional remote client software for displaying

events on up to five remote client TCP/IP
connections. Used in conjunction with FW-1S.

FW-10S [3]

Optional remote client software for displaying

events on up to 15 remote client TCP/IP
connections. Used in conjunction with FW-1S and
FW-4S.

FW-FAST

Automatically populates device maps with device

information from AutoCAD files.

FW-HSSD5

Allows the connecting of up to 5 FW-HSSX VESDA

nodes for command and or monitoring.

FW-HSSD20

Optional allows the connecting of up to 20

FW-HSSX VESDA nodes for command and or
monitoring.

FW-NCZZFP

Client workstation for nonredundant network

systems (ZZ equals the number of clients
supported).

FW-RCZZFP

Client workstation for redundant network systems

(ZZ equals the number of clients supported).

FW-NSZ5FP

Nonredundant server. Supports up to five

nonredundant clients for a total of six workstations.

FW-NS15FP

Nonredundant server. Supports up to 15

nonredundant clients for a total of 16 workstations.

FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

SKU

Description

FW-RSZ5FP [4]

Redundant server. Supports one primary, backup,

and witness server, and five client workstations.

FW-RS15FP [4]

Redundant server. Supports one primary, backup,

and witness server, and 15 client workstations.

FW-RS25FP [4]

Redundant server. Supports one primary, backup,

and witness server, and 25 client workstations.

FW-RS50FP [4]

Redundant server. Supports one primary, backup,

and witness server, and 50 client workstations.

[1] To meet the requirements for a UL Listed system, the FW-CGSUL

software must be installed on a UL Listed FW Series FireWorks
workstation.
[2] Not UL Listed.
[3] The FireWorks Remote Client software installed on the remote
client computer must be the same version number as the FireWorks
software installed on the workstation/server.
[4] FireWorks networking upgrade SKUs are detailed in FireWorks Life
Safety Network Application Guide (P/N 3102147-EN).

System requirements
FireWorks 8.1 requires Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
SP1. In addition, the computer should meet the following
recommended minimum system requirements:

Intel i7-4770S processor

32 GB RAM
DVD drive
500 GB hard drive
Two available USB ports
1280 1024 16-bit color display

FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

Installing FireWorks 8.1

Before you begin
Here are some things that we recommend doing before
you install FireWorks 8.1:

Make a full backup of your project in a subdirectory

within C:\Fireworks\System\Backup, and then copy
the subdirectory folder to a safe location. For
example, copy to an external hard drive or to a USB
flash drive.

Turn off Windows updates. If you do not know how,

start Windows Help and Support, and then enter the
search phrase: turn off windows update.

Turn User Account Control off. If you do not know

how, start Windows Help and Support, and then
enter the search phrase: UAC.

Create a restore point. If you do not know how, start

Windows Help and Support, and then enter the
search phrase: restore point.

Remove the OH Network Receiver software by

clicking Start > All Programs > UTC F&S > Uninstall
OH Network Receiver.

Read the release notes (P/N 3100569-EN) in their

entirety.

FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

Installing FireWorks 8.1

Installing FireWorks 8.1 is a multiple-step process.
During the installation, your computer may automatically
restart or you may be asked to restart it manually.
Always restart your computer when asked and do not
remove the installation disc at any time during the
installation.
The installation can take up to 45 minutes or more,
depending on the speed of your computer, so be patient.
Do not attempt to run any other programs, or perform
any other operations on the computer when installing
FireWorks 8.1.
During the installation process, you will have the option
to disable any network connection to the Internet. Doing
so will decrease the time required for the installation.
Otherwise, you may elect to manually disconnect the
Internet access cable if the installation process slows or
appears to stop.
To install FireWorks 8.1:
1. Plug the USB software key into your computer, in
one of the USB slots on the back for safety.
2. Insert the installation disc into your DVD drive.
If the DVD does not start automatically, start
Windows Explorer, open the FireWorks 8.1 DVD,
and then double-click setup.exe.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

4. When prompted for a PIN, enter the product

installation numbers from your software key
certificate. Enter the FW-CGS or FW-CGSUL PINs
first, and then enter the PINs for the other software
options.
5. When you are prompted to load SQL Server 2012
Standard:
For primary and backup servers in a redundant
network, click Yes. For a witness server in a
redundant network, click No.
For all other computers, click No.

Upgrading on UL5W7 computers

Before upgrading any system installed a on UL5W7
computer, be sure to run the System Size Calculation
Program (SSCP) utility.
This utility helps you determine whether the existing
computer can successfully run your project using
FireWorks 8.1.
Refer to FireWorks 8.1 Software Upgrade Installation
Sheet (P/N 3101872-EN) for instructions on running the
SSCP.

Upgrading FireWorks 1.7x

You can install FireWorks 8.1 over FireWorks 1.7x as
long as the computer is running Windows 7. Simply
insert the installation disc and follow the on-screen
instructions.

FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

The installation wizard will tell you that the version of

SQL that came with 1.7x, SQL2008, is not compatible
and must be removed. The installation wizard can
remove this version of SQL for you.
For a stand-alone workstation you do not need to enter
your software PINs again.
FireWorks 1.7x projects are compatible with FireWorks
8.1. Always back up your projects before upgrading your
current version of FireWorks.
After installing FireWorks 8.1, start FireWorks System
Builder and restore your FireWorks database (File >
Restore).

Upgrading FireWorks 1.6x

You cannot install FireWorks 8.1 over FireWorks 1.6x
because 1.6x only runs on Windows XP.
You must complete a full backup of your 1.6x project,
install FireWorks 8.1 on a Windows 7 computer, and
then restore your 1.6x project on that computer.
If you start by inserting the installation disc and following
the on-screen instructions, you do not need to enter your
software PINs again.
FireWorks 1.6x projects are compatible with FireWorks
8.1. Always back up your projects before upgrading your
current version of FireWorks.
After installing FireWorks 8.1, start FireWorks System
Builder and restore your FireWorks database (File >
Restore).

FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

Upgrading FireWorks 1.5x and earlier

FireWorks 8.1 cannot be installed over FireWorks 1.5x
or earlier.
FireWorks 1.5x and earlier projects are not compatible
with FireWorks 8.1 and must be converted to version
1.60 or later.
To upgrade FireWorks 1.5x and earlier:
1. From the FireWorks menu, click Applications > Data
Verification to verify and repair the FireWorks
project.
The utility should return a message that verification
was completed without issues. If the verification and
repair process fails, contact Technical Support for
assistance.
2. Convert any projects prior to FireWorks 1.50 to
FireWorks 1.50.
FireWorks 1.50 is available on the FireWorks 1.6x
and 1.7x DVDs. A copy of FireWorks 1.50 is also
available on the My-Eddie website.
3. From the FireWorks menu, click Applications > Data
Verification to verify and repair the converted
FireWorks project.
4. Back up your FireWorks 1.5x database to a safe
location.
5. Convert your project to a FireWorks 1.60 or later.
6. Install FireWorks 8.1 on a computer with Windows 7
that meets the system requirements.
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FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

7. Start FireWorks System Builder and restore your

migrated FireWorks database (File > Restore).

Installing FireWorks 8.1 for

demonstration purposes
Before installing FireWorks 8.1 for demonstration
purposes, make sure the demonstration computer meets
the recommended minimum system requirements and
that all Windows updates have been applied.
To install FireWorks 8.1 for demonstration purposes:
1. Insert the installation disc into your DVD drive.
If the DVD does not start automatically, start
Windows Explorer, open the FireWorks 8.1 DVD,
and then double-click setup.exe.
2. When prompted to enter a PIN number, type:
FIREWORKS.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Installing the FireWorks

Remote Client software
The FireWorks Remote Client software is used to view
information on the FireWorks workstation from a remote
(client) computer over an Ethernet (TCP/IP) connection.

FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

Before installing FireWorks Remote Client, it is important

that your network administrator and the FireWorks
administrator fill out the FireWorks Remote Client
network administration form (see Table 2 on page 11).
Both administrators should retain the completed form for
future reference.
This form is used to provide a means of communication
between the FireWorks administrator and the network
administrator so that remote FireWorks Remote Client
users can access the FireWorks Remote Server.
To install the FireWorks Remote Client software:
1. Insert the FireWorks DVD in your DVD drive.
2. Cancel the autoplay for installing FireWorks.
3. Open the FireWorks DVD in Windows Explorer, and
then double-click FireWorks Remote Client.exe.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Refer to the FireWorks Remote Client Help for other
information on connecting FireWorks Remote Client to
the FireWorks workstation.

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FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

Table 2: FireWorks Remote Client network administration form

Section 1 (To be filled out by the FireWorks administrator)
The FireWorks Remote Client users will be located on
(check all that apply):

Internet

Company or building VPN (virtual private network)

Company or building intranet

Same LAN that the FireWorks Web Server is on

Other: __________________________________________

Section 2 (To be filled out by the network administrator)

The network address of the FireWorks workstation is:
Full computer name: _____________________________________
or
Static IP address: _______________________________________

FireWorks uses Microsoft Web Communication

Foundation (WCF) to communicate with the FireWorks
Remote Client. These web services communicate over
port 8021 using TCP/IP. The network address of the
FireWorks workstation therefore needs to remain
constant either through the use of a static IP address or
a DNS name.
Note: If a static IP address is available, the network
administrator must configure the FireWorks workstation
with that IP address.

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Connecting iO Series control

panels
You can connect FireWorks to iO64 and iO500 control
panels for monitoring purposes only. To connect to an
iO64 or iO500 control panel, you need the following:

FW-IPMON1000
FW-DARCOM
A null modem emulator (com0com driver)

The general steps for connecting an iO series control

panel are:
1. Configure the iO panel Network, IP Dialer, and IP
Account settings. Refer to Table 3 on page 13.
2. Export the iO panel dialer events.
3. In the Receiver Configuration Manager, add an OH
Network Receiver, and then set up a Contact ID
account.
Note: The Receiver Type for an OH Network
Receiver is: Osborne-Hoffman OH2000E.
4. Import the iO panel dialer events.
5. Install and set up OH Network Receiver. See
Installing and setting up OH Network Receiver on
page 14.
6. Install and set up the com0com driver. See
Installing the com0com driver on page 18.
7. Connect the OH Network Receiver and the
OH2000E digital receiver to the virtual COM port.
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FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

See Connecting the receivers to the virtual COM

port on page 21

Configuring the iO panel network

options
On the iO Series control panel, set the network options
as shown in Table 3 below.
Table 3: iO Series panel network options
Option

Setting

Network Enabled

Enabled

Account ID

The same account number as the FireWorks

digital receiver account number

IP

The static IP address of the FireWorks

computer

TCP/IP

The same port number as the supervision

port number on the OH Network Receiver
(see Figure 2 on page 16)

Send Restorals

Yes

Evnt Notif

Event, Device, or Zone

Hello Time

025

Timeout Sec

040

Receiver #

The same receiver number as the FireWorks

digital receiver

Line #

The same line number as the FireWorks

digital receiver line number

FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

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Installing and setting up OH Network

Receiver
The OH Network Receiver software provided with
FireWorks 8.1 can monitor up to 1,000 iO Series fire
alarm control panels over an Ethernet (TCP/IP) network.
You must activate the FW-DARCOM and
FW-IPMON1000 software options before you can use
the OH Network Receiver software.
Installing OH Network Receiver
You have the option to install OH Network Receiver
during the FireWorks installation process. This is the
preferred method, but you can also install it separately.
To install the OH Network Receiver separately:
1. Open the C:\Fireworks\NETREC folder, and then
double-click ohnetrec-3.1.1.3.MR1.exe.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Setting up OH Network Receiver
Double-click the OH Network Receiver desktop icon, and
then for each command on the Setup menu, set up OH
Network Receiver as shown in Figure 1 through
Figure 8.

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FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

Notes

In the Automation Setup dialog box (Figure 4), select

the Over IP option.

In the Sound Setup dialog box (Figure 5), clear the

Audible Alarm Sound Card check box.

In Video Setup dialog box (Figure 6), clear the Video

Enabled check box.

When you have finished setting up the software, return

to the Sound Setup dialog box, and check the Audible
Alarm Sound Card check box.
Figure 1: Serial ports setup dialog box

FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

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Figure 2: Network ports setup dialog box

Figure 3: Receiver Type Selection dialog box

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FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

Figure 4: Automation setup

Figure 5: Sound setup

Figure 6: Video setup

FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

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Figure 7: Linecut timeouts

Figure 8: R and L override setup

Installing the com0com driver

The com0com driver lets you add pairs of virtual COM
ports that emulate a null modem cable. The com0com
driver is an open source kernel-mode virtual serial port
driver that is available freely under GPL license.

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FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

A copy of com0com is in the C:\Fireworks\Tools\Serial

Port Tool folder after you install FireWorks.
Before installing the com0com:

Turn off User Account Control (UAC) by changing

the User Account Control setting to Never Notify.

Open Windows Device Manager and note which

communication port numbers are already used.

Enable test signing.

To enable test signing:

1. Click Start > Run.
2. In the Open box, type: bcdedit.exe -set
TESTSIGNING ON, and then click OK.

3. Restart the computer.

To install the com0com driver:
1. Open the C:\FireWorks\Tools\Serial Port Tool folder.

FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

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2. Open com0com-3.0.0.0-i386-and-x64-unsigned.zip,
and then click Unzip.
3. Open the com0com-3.0.0.0-i386-and-x64 folder,
double-click setup.exe, and then follow the onscreen instructions.
4. On the Start menu, open the com0com folder, and
then double-click Setup.
5. In the Setup for com0com dialog box, rename the
virtual COM port pair to two unused Windows COM
port numbers.
For example, rename the virtual COM ports to
COM10 and COM11 as shown below.

6. Click Apply, and then click Close.

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FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

Connecting the receivers to the

virtual COM port
To connecting the OH Network Receiver:
1. Click Start > All Programs > UTC F&S, and then
click OH Network Receiver.
2. On the Setup menu, click Serial ports.
3. In the Port Name list, select the lower-numbered
virtual COM port as shown below.

4. Click Apply, and then click Close.

To connect the OH2000E digital receiver:
1. On the System Builder Applications menu, click
Communications Manager.
2. Select an unassigned port from the Ports list.
3. Select the OH2000E digital receiver from the
Assigned Node list.
4. Under Serial Port Properties, select the highernumbered virtual COM port from the Com Port list as
shown below.

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5. Set Baud Rate, Parity, and Stop Bits to the same

values as the OH Network Receiver serial port
settings.
6. Click Apply, and then click Close.
7. Start System Control and test the OH Network
Receiver.

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FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

Lantronix CPR Manager

Introduction
Lantronix CPR Manager (also known as COM Port
Redirector) lets FireWorks communicate with select
serial devices using an Ethernet connection and an
MN-COM1S.
A copy of Lantronix CPR Manager is in the
C:\Fireworks\Tools\Serial Port Tool folder after you
install FireWorks.
Note: If the host is on the other side of a router or a
firewall, then you may have to add UDP ports 30718,
43282, and 43283 to the firewall exception list. You may
experience trouble in opening this COM port if these
UDP ports are not excluded. For VESDA applications,
use TCP port 10001.

Installing CPR Manager

To install CPR Manager:
1. On the Start menu, click Computer, and then open
the C:\Fireworks\Tools\Serial Port Tool folder.
2. In the Serial Port Tool folder, double-click
setup_cpr_x86x64cd_4.3.0.3.exe.
3. Click Install, and then follow the on-screen
instructions.

FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

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Creating the Lantronix CPR port

To create the CPR port:
1. On the Start menu, under the Lantronix folder, click
CPR Manager.

2. On the Device menu, click Search or click the

Search For Devices button to add existing COM
ports to the Com Port List.

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FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

3. On the Com Port menu, click Add and Remove or

click the Add/Remove button to add a virtual COM
port.

4. In the Com Ports dialog box, check the check box

for the COM port you want to add, and then click
OK.
Note: FireWorks Communication Manager supports
up to 25 serial ports. Do not select Com26 or higher.

FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

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5. In the device navigation pane, select the COM port,

that you just created.
6. On the Settings tab, do the following:
In the Host box, type the IP address of the
MN-COM1s connected to the target serial device.
In the TCP Port box, type 10001.
7. Click Save.

Configuring the FireWorks COM port

To configure the FireWorks COM port:
1. On the System Builder Applications menu, click
Communications Manager.
2. In the Communications Manager dialog box, select a
port in the Ports list or click Add Port.

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FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide

3. Under Port Properties, do the following:

In the Label box, type a label for the port.
Under Port Type, select Serial Port.
In the Assigned Node list, select the target node,
and then check the Enabled check box.
In the Description box, type a description.
Under Serial Port properties, in the Com Port list,
select the Lantronix CPR port.
4. Click Apply.

Testing the connection

Once the equipment is set up and deployed, you can
use Lantronix CPR Manager to test the connection.
To test the connection:
1. Start Lantronix CPR Manager.
2. In the navigation panel, click the COM port that you
want to test.
3. On the Com XX tab, set the serial port settings for
the following values:
Baud Rate: 19200
Data: 8 bits
Parity: Even
Stop: 1 bit
Flow control: None
4. Click Open.

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5. Verify that Com Status is Open and that the Network

Status indicates you are connected to the correct IP
address.
6. Click Close.

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FireWorks 8.1 Software Installation Guide