meta data for this page
  •  

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
system_requirements [2021/01/13 12:10] – ↷ Links adapted because of a move operation errollsystem_requirements [2024/04/17 10:11] (current) – erroll
Line 1: Line 1:
 +====== System Requirements ======
  
 +**FastManager** will install and run on both 32 bit & 64 bit versions of any current //Windows// operating system, from Windows XP through Windows 11, as well as on any version of "Windows Server".
 +
 +
 +<note>We ended official support for Windows XP in January 2016</note>
 +
 +----
 +===== Hardware Requirements =====
 +
 +FastManager has no special hardware requirements. Any computer that can run, for example: Quickbooks or Office, can run FastManager.
 +
 +However, for the machine that will be hosting the **database**, we recommend:
 +
 +  * that it be a new computer with a good hard drive (or ssd) and reliable network connection (don't use WiFi on the host machine, if it can be avoided)
 +  * that it have a minimum of 8GB of RAM
 +  * that it *not* be one which is heavily used, for example: the artist's computer - 
 +
 +<note tip>
 +You know the one: \\
 +it has umpteen different graphics and design related programs and a mean graphics card. Yeah, don't use that one. \\
 +Use the one that does the *least* work.
 +</note>
 +
 +\\
 +----
 +===== Your Company Database =====
 +
 +The FastManager database can be stored on any computer that is connected to your local network, and that can give network access to other computers in the form of a "Shared Folder"
 +
 +  * For more information & FAQ regarding the FastManager database [[kb:database|click here]]
 +
 +<note>
 +If you intend to have FastManager running on just one computer, then the database can be stored on that same computer, no network access is necessary.\\
 +However, the computer will need to be able to access the internet in order to register (one time only), or to install/update the vendor catalogs.
 +</note>
 +
 +----
 +
 +===== Other operating systems & platforms =====
 +
 +**Non-Windows users** can use a //Virtual Computer// to run Windows as a "guest" on their host system. The following are examples of software that can be used to create a //VM//:
 +
 +^ Software:                                   ^ License:                                       ^ Platforms:                         ^
 +| [[https://virtualbox.org|Oracle VirtualBox]] | Open Source (some proprietary components), Free| Runs on Windows, MacOS and Linux  |
 +| [[https://parallels.com|Parallels]]          | Proprietary, Closed Source, not free           | Runs on MacOS                     |
 +
 +<note tip> For best results, we recommend a system that has at least 4GB of RAM (Increase this to at least 8GB or more if you intend to run FastManager inside a virtual computer)</note>
 +
 +----
 +===== Server Requirements =====
 +
 +FastManager does not require a "Server" or any third-party components to operate
 +
 +<note>unless you intend to make use of the SQL backend, in which case you will need to make provision for a dedicated computer to run ''%%MS SQL Server%%''</note>
 +
 +  * The "client" software can be installed on any number of computers, which in turn will access a shared database
 +  * The "shared database" can reside on any network-accessible folder in your network
 +
 +
 +==== SQL Backend ====
 +
 +To use SQL as the database backend, you will need to acquire or allocate a computer to act as your database server:
 +
 +It does not need to be 'Windows Server', any desktop version of Windows will do 
 +
 +<note tip>
 +(in fact, we recommend *"[[https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/ltsc/|Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC]]"* as the most resource efficient option)
 +  * [[https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-10-enterprise|Get it here]] (make the correct selection: ''LTSC'')
 +    * You will need to activate Windows with your license key
 +</note>
 +
 +The "server" should be a machine which is not actively used by any users,
 +
 +  * However, it is fine if it is currently being used as a network server (for example: file server, DNS, DHCP, RDP, etc)
 +
 +It should preferably be quite a new machine, with at least 8GB of memory ("RAM") and at least a dual-core or quad-core processor
 +
 +It must be able to run at least [[https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=55994|MS SQL Server "Express Edition"]]
 +
 +[[https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/install/hardware-and-software-requirements-for-installing-sql-server?view=sql-server-2017#TOP_Principal|See Also (click here)]]
 +
 +For optimal performance, we recommend:
 +
 +  * a dedicated machine with at least a Quad-core processor and 8GB of RAM,
 +  * if it is a shared machine (the server is used for other purposes as well), we recommend at least 16GB of total RAM, with at least 4GB "free" (unused) RAM
 +
 +<note>
 +Any version of MS SQL Server is supported, however "Express Edition" is available without any license fees, so this is the version that we use by default.\\
 +If you wish to use a different edition of SQL Server, you will have to provide the licensing.
 +</note>
 +
 +For more information about *MS SQL Server Express Edition*, [[https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=55994|click here]]
 +
 +
 +----
 +
 +<WRAP left centeralign round box 30%>
 +**[[/overview|⇐ Overview]]**
 +</WRAP>
 +<WRAP right centeralign round box 30%>
 +**[[/getting_started|Getting Started ⇒]]**
 +</WRAP>