Local Area Network (LAN) Deployment Hardware Requirements

Transcription

1 Local Area Network (LAN) Deployment Hardware Requirements There are a number of requirements that exist no matter how many users will be accessing SuccessWare 21. The individual workstation requirements are the same regardless of the number of users. Server hardware requirements are dependent upon the number of users who will be accessing SuccessWare 21. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS REGARDLESS OF NUMBER OF USERS Minimum 100 Mbps network cards must be used in all workstations and servers. TCP/IP is the primary protocol. Network Cards are required to be set in a non-hibernation mode, or non-power management mode. A minimum 100 Mbps network switch is required (cannot use a hub). IPX/SPX or NetBEUI should not be installed on any of the workstations unless absolutely required to run legacy applications. If they must be present, then protocol bindings MUST be configured Approved from Windows Server 2008 R2 through Windows Server The customer must have in-house or contracted IT administration services to manage network and SQL Server. This system interacts with the network and backup systems. SuccessWare does not offer training in basic SQL Server administration. WORKSTATION REQUIREMENTS Workstation operating system must be Windows 7 Pro or above, up through Windows 10 Pro. Note that Windows XP has reached end of life with Microsoft and is no longer supported. 2GHz or better processor Minimum 2GB RAM Hard Disk 1 GB Free Space Minimum - High resolution graphics card able to run at least 1024 x 768 resolution in high color or true color mode. 17 or larger monitor recommended for the dispatch workstation(s) SuccessWare, Inc. 1

2 BROWSER REQUIREMENTS Internet Explorer minimum 10 Firefox minimum 3.6 Chrome latest version Safari latest version SERVER REQUIREMENTS Server Configuration 1 (<10 users) Companies that have fewer than 10 users are deployed using our standard installation. User must install SQL Server Express with Management Tools (2008 R2 or better) 2GHZ processor or more recommended Minimum of 4GB RAM, 8GB or more recommended Hard Disk 70 GB minimum available space (SCSI recommended) Internet Explorer 10.0 or higher Server Configuration 2 (10-19 users) For companies with 10 or more users, SuccessWare requires a full version of Microsoft SQL Server for the database backend. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 or better 2 GHZ or better processor. Dual processors recommended 4 GB RAM, more recommended Hard Disk, 70 GB minimum available space SCSI recommended Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher Server Configuration 3 (20+ users) For companies with 20 or more users, SuccessWare requires a full version of Microsoft SQL Server for the database backend. Network Server: 2GHZ processor or better. Dual processors recommended SuccessWare, Inc. 2

3 4 GB RAM Configured in an Active Directory Domain Database Server: 2 GHZ processor or better. Dual processors recommended 8 GB RAM, more recommended Hard Disk, 70 GB minimum available space SCSI recommended Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 or better Internet Explorer 10.0 or higher DATA BACKUPS Automated removable media backup system (i.e. a tape drive with archiving software). Backup and recovery plan. Offsite storage. Note: Your backup system must be sufficient to do periodic full system backups of your server. POWER MANAGEMENT UPS on server, with automatic shutdown software Minimally, high quality surge and brown-out protection for each workstation. Ideally, UPS on workstations, with automatic shutdown software Surge protection on phone lines if connected to any computers VIRUS PROTECTION You should have a top quality virus protection package installed on your network. This must be configured so that the server and ALL workstations are scanned for viruses. These scans should include constant monitoring of all incoming and file downloads. There should also be regularly scheduled full system scans for all computers on your LAN as well as regularly scheduled updating of virus definitions. SuccessWare, Inc. 3

4 REMOTE SUPPORT We use Bomgar Remote to provide remote support and assistance to our Successware customers. You must have high bandwidth internet connectivity on the computers requiring remote support. REMOTE ACCESS SuccessWare does not directly support remote connections unless you are deployed on our Cloud Hosted platform. If you require the ability to connect to your system from remote locations, including from home, a second office or while traveling, the Web- Hosted platform is an ideal solution because all server side configuration and management are handled by the hosting provider. If you are not using our hosting provider, all installation, administrative, and support issues related to remote access are your responsibility. SuccessWare does not support the software packages that enable remote connectivity. Additionally, remote connectivity adds to the hardware requirement of you LAN. These requirements are dependent on the type and number of connections required. SuccessWare, Inc. 4

5 LAN Remote Connection Options for 1 or 2 connections Third Party Connectivity Software The simplest option for running a small number of remote connections is to use Windows Remote Desktop or other commercially available software. This is generally also the cheapest method. The primary negative for using these types of remote connections is that while the remote connection is active, the hosting computer (the computer in the office to which the user connects) is unavailable for use by anyone else in the office. Contact your network administrator for installing and operating this type of software. SuccessWare DOES NOT support these software packages. Terminal Services Microsoft provides Terminal Services as one of its server software options. This allows multiple remote connections to access your LAN through the server. The user operates in a server based session so no workstations are disabled during a remote session. Terminal Services creates additional load on your server. As long as you only run 1 or 2 simultaneous connections, the server specifications in the above sections do not need modification. Additionally, SuccessWare 21 must be configured properly to correctly function with a Terminal Services Environment. Your network administrator MUST contact SuccessWare technical support before running SuccessWare 21 within Terminal Services. Note that SuccessWare DOES NOT support the installation, configuration and administration of Terminal Services except where it directly relates to the functioning of SuccessWare 21. LAN Remote Connection Options for 3 to 5 connections Terminal Services Terminal Services for more than 2 users starts affecting the hardware requirements of your network. If using Terminal Services for 3 to 5 users, you should do the following: Citrix MetaFrame Add at least 50 MB RAM to the server for each remote connection Add at least 256 MB RAM to the server for the operation of Terminal Services Add at least 500 MHZ to the processor speed to compensate for the additional server load Citrix MetaFrame is an advanced remote connectivity solution that runs as an additional layer on top of Terminal Services. It adds additional flexibility and administrative capabilities to a Terminal Services environment. In general, for 3 to 5 connections, this is over-kill. SuccessWare, Inc. 5

6 LAN Remote Connection Options for more than 5 connections Terminal Services Terminal Services with more than 5 users starts affecting both hardware requirements of your network and the efficiency of the database server. As stated above for 3 to 5 connections, for more than 5 you should do the following: Add at least 50 MB RAM to the server for each remote connection Add at least 256 MB RAM to the server for the operation of Terminal Services Add at least 500 MHZ to the processor speed to compensate for the additional server load Additionally, you must consider how Terminal Services impacts database performance. If you are running a dedicated database server, then this is not an issue. If Terminal Services and the database server reside on the same physical machine, then you must modify your server requirements as follows: Citrix MetaFrame Under 10 SuccessWare 21 users, including remote connections - You must use a dual processor server 10 to 20 SuccessWare 21 users, including remote connection - You must move the database server to a dedicated machine Once you are required to manage more remote users, Citrix MetaFrame becomes a useful addition to your system. Its advanced administrative capabilities can be very useful in managing larger numbers of remote sessions. Discuss this option with your network administrator. Note that SuccessWare DOES NOT support the installation, configuration and administration of Citrix MetaFrame except where it directly relates to the functioning of SuccessWare 21. DATABASE ADMINISTRATION AND SECURITY Administration It is common practice for there to be one or more individuals to have full access to all systems in a computing environment. Administrators are responsible for maintaining all aspects of the local network, including backups, security, hardware, etc. SuccessWare is NOT responsible to support your local environment. It is your responsibility to assign such administrative responsibilities to a trusted individual as they will have full, unfettered access to SuccessWare 21, its utilities and databases. SuccessWare, Inc. 6

7 Security It is the responsibility of the customer to secure their computing environment to prevent un-authorized access to the database. This includes creating and enforcing appropriate policies regarding access to applications and file systems that would allow changes to data. SuccessWare 21 databases are designed to be accessed through SuccessWare developed applications and utilities, and any other access without explicit written consent voids all warranties and can result in termination of support. Copyrights The database structures (schema) are considered the intellectual property of SuccessWare, Inc. and as such are covered by all laws governing such property. SuccessWare policy does not allow any changes to ANY internal structures of the database without explicit written consent. Any such changes made without permission may be a violation of these rights, and can result in termination of all agreements for use of SuccessWare 21. SuccessWare, Inc. 7