Framework Installation : System Requirements
- Matthew Garrett
- Chris Grigsby
Article Index
Hardware
Server System Requirements
The following are minimum and recommended hardware requirements for the Framework server.
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 | 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 | 50 GB The minimum space required for the default Framework ECM and Licence Databases is 200MB. | 100 GB The minimum space required for the default 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 | 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 | Core i5 | Core i7 |
RAM | 16GB | 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. While not mandatory, we recommend inbuilt 4G (or higher) Intenet access built into the device (eg. 4G LTE) | 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. We recommend inbuilt 4G (or higher) Intenet access built into the device (eg. 4G LTE) |
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
FRAMEWORK Version 8 and above is Compatible with Windows 11.
We are actively looking at supporting the Windows 11 operating system and will update this page when we are compatible with it.
The Framework Product Suite is designed to run on Microsoft-based operating systems such as:
Windows Servers
Windows 10
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 |
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 Note: It is highly recommended that “Home” editions of Windows are not used, due to complexity in networking, communication with MS-SQL, etc. The Professional edition should be used. |
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 10 64-Bit Note: It is highly recommended that “Home” editions of Windows are not used, due to complexity in networking, communication with MS-SQL, etc. The Professional edition should be used. |
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.
Database Management Systems
Options
Framework requires 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 2012
Microsoft SQL Server 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. another 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.