Hardware
Server System Requirements
The following are minimum and recommended hardware requirements for the Framework server.
Note: For more information on Microsoft software requirements, see Microsoft Operating Systems and Microsoft Office Suites.
Category | Minimum Requirements | Recommended Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Brands | Insula Software recommends quality name brand server equipment that is fully tested and certified as compatible with Microsoft operating systems and associated products. Suppliers of these products (HP, Dell, etc.) offer on-site support assistance, which should also be considered. | |
Purpose | ||
Ideally not responsible for PDC (Primary Domain Controller), authentication, mail, or other processor, disk, network intensive applications. The server (and all connecting Workstations) should ideally be on a domain. Not operating a domain makes ongoing maintenance, system updates and support more complex for IT resources. | Must be a dedicated database/file |
server and NOT responsible for PDC (Primary Domain Controller), authentication, mail, or other processor, disk, network intensive applications. The server (and all connecting Workstations) must be on a domain. |
CPU Performance |
- 2.4Ghz Single Core CPU (2.2Ghz Dual-Core or Higher Recommended)
Refer to manufacturer recommendations based on the workload of the sever, not only for Framework (as listed here), but for all current and envisioned server workloads. | |
RAM | Minimum |
8GB, |
250MB permanently allocated to Microsoft SQL Server cache. Optimum cache performance is achieved when allocated RAM is equal to total data size. | Minimum |
16GB, |
500MB permanently allocated to Microsoft SQL Server cache. Optimum cache performance is achieved when allocated RAM is equal to total data size. |
Free Hard Drive Space |
2.4 GB
The minimum space required for the Framework Shared Files (Framework Network Folder) is 2.4 GB. This includes the Media on the distributed USB. Additional space is required if Automated Job Folders are turned on.
50 GB The minimum space required for the default Framework ECM and Licence Databases is |
200MB. |
100 GB The minimum space required for |
the |
100 MB
The minimum space required for thedefault Framework ECM and Licence Databases is |
200MB. | ||
Video | 1024 x 768 Resolution, 32-Bit Colour Depth | 1024 x 768 Resolution, 32-Bit Colour Depth |
Performance | High performance hardware (BUS, HDD, etc.) is recommended as standard. | High performance hardware (BUS, HDD, etc.) is recommended as standard. |
Networking | LAN connectivity is required. | LAN connectivity is required. |
Remote Access | Internet access and a remote access/support system is highly recommended (e.g. Teamviewer, VNC, GoTo Support products, etc.). | Internet access and a remote access/support system is highly recommended (e.g. Teamviewer, VNC, GoTo Support products, etc.). |
Redundancy | Standard server redundancy techniques should also be employed, including redundant power supplies, RAID 5 (or better) HDD configurations, a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) solution, and established on-site support contracts to ensure continuity of server availability should problems arise. | |
| Backup | A comprehensive backup solution is a mandatory requirement as a part of the business' broader infrastructure backup strategy. This must include the ability to backup all MS-SQL databases and all files associated with Framework. | |
Workstation System Requirements
The following are minimum and recommended hardware requirements for Framework workstations.
Category | Minimum Requirements | Recommended Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Brands | Insula Software recommends quality name brand equipment that is fully tested and certified as compatible with Microsoft operating systems and associated products. Suppliers of these products (HP, Dell, etc.) offer on-site support assistance, which should also be considered. | |
CPU Performance | ||
- 2GHz or higher
Core i5 | Core i7 |
RAM |
8GB |
16GB |
Free Hard Drive Space |
10GB |
10GB |
Video |
1024 x |
768 Resolution, |
32-Bit Colour Depth | 1024 x 768 Resolution |
or higher | ||
Performance | High performance hardware (BUS, HDD, etc.) is recommended as standard. | High performance hardware (BUS, HDD, etc.) is recommended as standard. |
Networking | LAN connectivity is required. | LAN connectivity is required. |
Remote Access | Internet access and a remote access/support system is highly recommended (e.g. Teamviewer, VNC, GoTo Support products, etc.). | Internet access and a remote access/support system is highly recommended (e.g. Teamviewer, VNC, GoTo Support products, etc.). |
Redundancy | Established on-site support contracts to ensure continuity of workstation availability should problems arise. No ongoing data is saved to client workstations. As a result, specific backup measures for workstations are not required. | |
Remote/Tablet PC System Requirements
The following are minimum and recommended hardware requirements for Framework Remote/Tablet PCs (ie. any Windows device running the Framework Construction Logistics Tablet product).
Category | Minimum Requirements | Recommended Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Brands | Insula Software recommends quality name brand Tablet PC equipment that is fully tested and certified as compatible with Microsoft operating systems and associated products. Suppliers of these products (Toshiba, Fujitsu, HP, etc.) offer on-site support assistance, which should also be considered. | |
CPU Performance | ||
- 2GHz or higher
Core i5 | Core i7 |
RAM |
1 GB
8GB | 16GB+ |
Free Hard Drive Space |
50GB |
50GB | ||
Video | 1024 x 768 Resolution, 32-Bit Colour Depth | 1024 x 768 Resolution |
or higher | ||
Performance | High performance hardware (BUS, HDD, etc.) is recommended as standard. | High performance hardware (BUS, HDD, etc.) is recommended as standard. |
Networking | LAN or WAN connectivity |
is required for synchronisation, with native/direct access to the SQL server is available, typically with domain credentials. A VPN is required for remote devices to connect to the LAN and synchronise both data and files. | LAN or WAN connectivity |
is required for synchronisation, with native/direct access to the SQL server is available, typically with domain credentials. A VPN is required for remote devices to connect to the LAN and synchronise both data and files. |
Remote Access |
Internet access and a remote access/support system is highly recommended (e.g. Teamviewer, VNC |
, GoTo Support |
products, etc.). |
Internet access and a remote access/support system is highly recommended (e.g. Teamviewer, VNC |
, GoTo Support |
products, etc.). | ||
Redundancy | Established Tablet PC support contracts to ensure continuity of Tablet PCs availability should problems arise. Ongoing data is saved to Tablet PCs. As a result, specific backup measures for Tablet PC should be created; including database backup. | |
To further assist with Remote/Tablet PC selection, please review the following page: Tablet Device Selection
Software
Microsoft Operating Systems
The Framework Product Suite is designed to run on Microsoft based operating systems such as:
- Windows Servers
- Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10
- Windows Tablet PC
Microsoft Server Operating Systems
The following server operating systems are compatible with the current version of the Framework Product Suite. Other systems may be compatible with the Framework Product Suite however no support is guaranteed for versions not listed here.
Server Operating System |
|---|
| Windows Server |
| 2019 64-Bit |
| Windows Server |
| 2016 64-Bit |
Windows Server 2008 32-Bit
Windows Server 2003
Microsoft Windows Operating Systems
The following desktop operating systems are compatible with the current version of the Framework Product Suite. Other systems may be compatible with the Framework Product Suite however no support is guaranteed for versions not listed here.
Desktop Operating System |
|---|
Windows |
10 64 |
-Bit |
Microsoft Tablet PC Operating Systems
The following Tablet PC operating systems are compatible with the current version of Framework Logistics Tablet. Other systems may be compatible however no support is guaranteed for versions not listed here.
Tablet PC Operating System |
|---|
| Windows |
Windows 7 32-Bit
Windows Vista 64-Bit
Windows Vista 32-Bit
| 10 64-Bit |
Microsoft Windows Installation Requirements
Microsoft Windows And Enhanced Software Installation Security
Microsoft Windows 7 and higher includes tighter security protocols that become apparent during software installations. User Account Control (UAC) is employed when installing new software that adds a level of security to those users that DO NOT have administrator privileges. Depending on the security permissions of the user, the User Account Control dialog (see image below) may appear during software installation.
...
Clicking the Yes button will allow the user to continue with a procedure.
Network Discovery
...
Framework workstations access required server files via UNC or a mapped network drive.
When using drive mappings, for Microsoft Windows to detect and create network drives, Network Discovery must be switched on.
- Open Control Panel (Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > View Network Status and Taskbar > Change Advanced Sharing Settings). The Change sharing options for different network profiles screen will be displayed.
- Expand: Domain (current profile)
- Select: Turn on network discovery
- Click the Save Changes button.
- Close the Control Panel.
Microsoft Office Suites
The Framework Product Suite is designed to be used in conjunction with Microsoft Office for a range of tasks such as:
- Mail Merge (Microsoft Word)
- Client Communication (Microsoft Outlook)
- Integration (Microsoft Access)
Additional Support Software
The server that hosts the Framework database(s) should also be installed with Microsoft Office (XP, 2003, or 2007). This assists with:
- Remote Support (for Insula Software and your own IT Support Team).
- Testing of all system components including mail merge and email integration.
Microsoft Office
The following Microsoft Office Suite systems are supported by the Framework Product Suite:
...
Microsoft Office Suite
...
Office 2013
...
Office 2010 32-bit
...
Office 2007
...
Office 2003 XP
...
Office 2000 XP
Open Source Support
...
- .
Database Management Systems
Options
Framework requires a the installation and use of the Microsoft SQL (MS-SQL) Server Database Management System (DBMS) as its underlying database engine. This is not included in the purchase of Framework.
Framework operates on a relational DBMS to store all system data. The Framework Product Suite supports:
- Microsoft SQL Server 20052012
- Microsoft SQL Server 2008
- Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2
- Microsoft SQL Server 2012
...
- 2014
- Microsoft SQL Server 2016
- Microsoft SQL Server 2017
- Microsoft SQL Server 2019
In addition to Framework licence costs, licenses must also be held for the underlying DBMS. In understanding the licensing on database systems, please consider the following:
- You may already have licenses for Microsoft SQL Server (e.g. , Small Business Serveranother database product)
- Small sites with basic server hardware and few users can be eligible to free database licences by using the Express Edition of Microsoft SQL Server (subject to the Microsoft SQL Server Version Comparison).
- Larger sites should consider the correct edition of a DBMS to suit the hardware infrastructure, size of data, number of users, and other factors in their environment.
...
- .
For more information about Microsoft SQL Server, visit www.microsoft.com.au.
Microsoft SQL Server Version Comparison
For a comparison of Microsoft SQL Server versions, please visit www.microsoft.com/sql/.
Sentinel Hardware Licence Key
The Sentinel Hardware Licence Key is a USB key that MUST be installed on one of the organisation's servers (it is recommended, where practicable, to be installed on the same system that houses the Framework ECM database).
As part of upgrading the Framework Product Suite, a Sentinel Hardware Licence Key will already be connected to your system.
