Outlined below are the requirements for your hardware and software, for using WinManSDB.
This article includes:
- Dedicated Physical SQL / File Server - Over 10 users
- Dedicated Physical SQL / File Server - Under 10 users
- Peer to Peer Server / Single User
- Dedicated Physical Terminal Server
- Terminal Server
- Connection
- Citrix
- Peripherals
- Network Requirements
- Virus Checking
- Microsoft Office
- .net Framework
Dedicated Physical SQL / File Server - Over 10 users
| Operating System | Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2 (A dedicated Server OS e.g. Standard edition, is recommended rather than Small Business Server) |
| Architecture | 32 bit or 64 bit |
| RAM (Minimum) | 8GB |
| Processor | 3.2 GHz Xeon (or equivalent specification) |
| Hard Disk | At least 160 GB Raid 1 (ensure that at least 10% is always free space) |
| SQL | SQL 2008 R2 Express or Standard / SQL 2012 Express or Standard (SQL Express has a 10 GB database size limit) |
Note
The RAM and Processor details provided are a recommended minimum. All business applications and services running on a server will “compete” for resources, so please ensure that your server is not overloaded. CFP advise against SBS and virtual servers for this reason.
SBS cannot be used as a TS Server. A dedicated file server is not to be used as a workstation or to run other applications
Dedicated Physical SQL / File Server - Under 10 users
| Operating System | Vista Business, Windows 7 Pro, Windows 8 Pro (8.1) or Windows 10 Pro |
| Architecture | 32 bit or 64 bit |
| RAM (Minimum) | 4GB |
| Processor | 2.6 GHz single core or above |
| Hard Disk | At least 160 GB |
| SQL | SQL 2008 R2 Express or Standard / SQL 2012 Express or Standard (SQL Express has a 10 GB database size limit) |
Note
A workstation OS cannot accept more than 10 network connections. For network connections over 10, you will need to upgrade the SQL server so that it meets the requirements with Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 server or Server 2012
Peer to Peer Server / Single User
| Operating System | Vista Business, Windows 7 Pro, Windows 8 Pro (8.1) or Windows 10 Pro |
| Architecture | 32 bit or 64 bit |
| RAM (Minimum) | 4GB |
| Processor | 2.6 GHz single core or above |
| Hard Disk | At least 160 GB (with 10% free space) |
Workstations:
| Operating System | Vista Business, Windows 7 Pro, Windows 8 Pro (8.1) or Windows 10 Pro |
| Architecture | 32 bit or 64 bit |
| RAM (Minimum) | 2GB |
| Processor | 2.6 GHz single core or above |
| Hard Disk | 2GB available space |
Note
The RAM and Processor details provided are a recommended minimum. Increasing the RAM in a workstation and P2P server, or having a faster processor, will have a positive effect on the performance of CFPwinManSDB. All business applications installed on a workstation will “compete” for resources, so CFP would recommend increasing the specification of workstations if numerous applications are installed
Dedicated Physical Terminal Server
(If the TS version of CFPwinManSDB has been purchased)
| Operating System | Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2 (Small Business Server is not suitable) |
| Architecture | 32 bit or 64 bit |
| RAM (Minimum) | 8GB (Suitable for approx. 12 connections running CFP applications) |
| Processor | 3.2 GHz Xeon (or equivalent specification) |
| Hard Disk | At least 160 GB (ensure that at least 10% is always free space) |
Note
The RAM and Processor details provided are a recommended minimum. All business applications and services running on a server will “compete” for resources, so please ensure that your server is not overloaded. CFP advise against SBS and virtual servers for this reason
Terminal Server
The quality of the hardware for a terminal server is key to the performance of the overall system. Every operation of all connected clients takes place on the server. We strongly recommend setting up a separate terminal server to your main file server. This ensures the local network can function to its maximum potential because clients logging in to the terminal server will not take valuable resources from the file server. Also, a high-performance hard drive system is not essential for the terminal server if the main data is stored on a separate file server – the file server should have the high performance drives(s).
Connection
Routers are used to connect branch offices to the head office – the one with the file server storing the database. ADSL (broadband) is the minimum connection type suitable for continuous use. Dedicated leased lines are recommended.
Citrix
Citrix Metaframe is not an operating system – it is just a system extension. However, it is a very good extension! It provides optimised use of resources such as load balancing, to support many more nodes with the same spec, bandwidth control and automatic reconnection.
Use of Citrix is not something that we support, so it relies entirely on your own IT being able to support and configure your system to allow our products to run on it. If your IT cannot support Citrix, DO NOT use Citrix!
Peripherals
Printers recommended are a “business class” laser or inkjet. Please ensure that shared printers are capable of coping with the increased demand. We do not recommend multi-function units for busy offices unless provided for individual workstations.
Network Requirements
- 5 screens or more - Dedicated Server and workstations as detailed above
- 4 or less - peer-to-peer networking. Workstations as detailed above but with ONE PC having the same spec as the Peer to Peer server spec
We recommend at least 100mbps throughput on all network devices, though ideally 1Gbit throughout. Minimum category 5 cabling, RJ45 connectors, a business class switch. Quality network cards are also recommended in all computers. Other methods of connection may be suitable, but performance may be impaired. Wireless networking is not suitable for database applications.
Virus Checking
It is vital that you have a quality virus checker, on all computers. It is also essential that this virus checker is updated on a regular basis. Our support staff are powerless to help with problems caused by viruses and will ask if you have run an up to date virus scan.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are adequately protected from viruses. However, it should be noted that having your AV configured for "on access" scanning of ALL files will have a detrimental effect on speed of file access. Providing you schedule regular scans of unprotected files, it is common practice to leave your main data files "at risk" in order to achieve optimum performance for day to day access. If it is your decision that performance is most important and outweighs the risk of infection, you can disable on access scanning of the CFP data folders.
Microsoft Office
Although Microsoft Office isn’t required for CFPwinMan to work, we recommend the 32-bit version of Office. The 32-bit version of Office has better compatibility with ActiveX controls.
Further information can be found on the Microsoft Office support page: https://support.office.com/en-gb/article/Choose-the-32-bit-or-64-bit-version-of-Office-2dee7807-8f95-4d0c-b5fe-6c6f49b8d261
.net Framework
CFPwinMan SDB requires .net Framework version 4 for the software to work. Please ensure this is installed on all workstations and Terminal Server (if required). Contact your IT support with help on how to install this.