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PromoServe can be configured to operate in one of two different architectures – Fat/Thick Client or Thin Client.
The table below highlights the key differences between these two architectures to help you choose which option may be best for you.
If you have any specific queries regarding any of the information below, please contact your implementation consultant or alternatively, you can email support@promoserve.co.uk with any hardware/software compatibility queries.
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What Operating Systems can I access PromoServe from?
Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Edition
Microsoft Windows Vista Professional Edition
Mac OS X
Please note: To ensure the most reliable performance with the PromoServe software, please make sure that
all available operating system updates have been applied to your system. For more information on what updates are available, please contact your Operating System developer.
Additional note for Apple Mac users: The PromoServe server application (which stores all your PromoServe data and critical files) needs to be installed on a Microsoft Windows based operating system, but you can access PromoServe from an Apple Mac client machine using the PromoServe WebClient software. For more information on the PromoServe WebClient and specific system requirements, please click here.
| Fat/Thick Client Architecture | Thin Client Architecture |
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The PromoServe application programs are installed onto each client machine. When a user logs into PromoServe, the application programs are run from the user’s machine and access database files centrally stored on the PromoServe server machine.
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The user connects directly to the PromoServe server machine using an internet based application such as Microsoft’s Terminal Services application or the PromoServe WebClient application. The application programs and database files are accessed directly from the PromoServe server machine.
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The application workload is split across several different machines meaning slightly less RAM is required on the PromoServe server machine (see requirements tables below) |
The application workload is concentrated on the PromoServe server machine. This results in a need for additional RAM to be installed on the server machine (see requirements tables below) but also means that the specification of the client machines can be significantly lower, the key requirement being a high specification server and a stable internet connection if accessing remotely.
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No additional software is required other than the PromoServe Client & PromoServe Server applications.
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If the PromoServe WebClient will be used, licenses will need to be purchased on a per user basis. If Microsoft Terminal Services is used, additional licenses may need to be purchased from Microsoft.
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If the PromoServe WebClient will be used for remote access, a 32bit operating system will be required on your PromoServe server. 64bit operating systems are currently NOT supported by the WebClient software so please consider this when choosing your Server's operating system.
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IMPORTANT NOTE:
We do not recommend that PromoServe is accessed using a wireless connection for a Thick Client Installation, and is not preferred for a Thin Client Connection due to network drops causing licenses to hang when users disconnect, which can ultimately lead to data corruption.
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System Requirements FAQ
Why is an SBS operating system not supported?
SBS systems are not supported because of the large resource requirements which SBS sets aside for the applications & services which SBS installs by default, and the way in which these resources are allocated. Even if the applications & services themselves are removed or disabled, this will not make a difference because the resource allocations are hard-coded within windows & cannot be changed once SBS has been installed as the operating system.
Why do the client machines need a ‘professional’ OS and not home?
This is because only the professional editions fully support domains. Authentication /permission problems can arise with ‘home’ versions as they are not designed to be used in a network environment, only in a peer-to-peer scenario.
Why do we recommend that PromoServe is the only database operating on your PromoServe server?
The reason for this is that other types of databases, for example Sage, require opportunistic locking to be disabled enabled, whereas PromoServe requires this setting to be disabled.
Hardware/Technical Requirements
Please click + to expand
Thin Client Architecture
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Server Machine Requirements for Thin Client Architecture
NOTE: The following system requirements apply regardless of the number of users who will be accessing the system.
| System Component |
Requirements |
| Operating System |
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (R1, R2, Standard or Enterprise, 32 or 64 bit)
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 (R1, R2, Standard or Enterprise, 32 or 64 bit)
NOTE: The PromoServe WebClient software is NOT yet compatible with 64 bit operating systems so please consider this when choosing your Server OS version.
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| CPU |
2.5 GHz Intel core 2 duo / AMD equivalent |
| RAM |
4GB minimum for 32 bit system
8GB for 64 bit systems
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| Network Interface Card (NIC) |
Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps) |
Server configuration requirements - Applies to both thick AND thin client architectures:-
1) – We recommend that PromoServe is the only database operating on your PromoServe server. For optimum performance PromoServe should not co-reside with other types of database on the same server (e.g. Sage, MS Exchange).
2) – “Opportunistic Locking” must be DISABLED on your PromoServe server.
Instructions for disabling opportunistic locking on Windows Server 2003 OS:-
i) Open the registry editor
ii) Use the directory tree on the left to navigate to the control specified below & ensure that ‘EnableOplocks = 0’
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters EnableOplocks = 0
iii) Reboot the server machine.
Instructions for disabling opportunistic locking on Windows Server 2008 OS:-
i) Open the registry editor
ii) Use the directory tree on the left to navigate to the control specified below:-
HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters
iii) Add a new REG_DWORD key with the name of "Smb2" (without quotation mark)
iv) Set the value to 0. (0 = disabled)
v) Set the following registry key:-
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters\EnableOplocks = 0
(if the EnableOplocks key is missing, create a new one of the Dword type)
vi) Reboot the server machine.
3) – Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
i) Navigate to your network connections screen
ii) Right click on local area connection
iii) Double click ‘Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
iv) Click ‘Advanced’
v)Click ‘WINS’
vi) Tick ‘Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
4) – Antivirus settings. Ideally there should be no Antivirus software installed on the PromoServe server. If your PromoServe server is also used for other services or applications that require anti virus scanning, we recommend that an exception is added so that the PromoServe folder is NOT scanned.
NOTE: We recommend you do NOT use Norton or Kaspersky anti-virus on your client or server machines.
5) – Ensure that that hard drive on which PromoServe is installed is de-fragmented on a regular basis. A single fragment can add 10ms to the read-time of a file. Extensive fragmentation can cause file read-time to be noticeably increased, causing the performance of the server to be reduced significantly.
Client Machine Requirements for Thin Client Architecture
NOTE: The following system requirements apply regardless of the number of users who will be accessing the system.
| System Component |
Requirements |
| Operating System |
Windows XP Professional Edition
Windows 7 Professional Edition
Windows Vista Professional Edition
Mac OS X
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| CPU |
Pentium 4 3.0Ghz |
| RAM |
1GB
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| Internet Connection |
A stable internet connection is essential for the WebClient software to operate correctly. We strongly recommend against using a wireless connection. |
Client configuration requirements - Applies to both thick AND thin client architectures:-
1) – Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
i) Navigate to your network connections screen
ii) Right click on local area connection
iii) Double click ‘Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
iv) Click ‘Advanced’
v) Click ‘WINS’
vi) Tick ‘Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
2) – Disable Offline Files
Instructions for disabling offline files on Windows XP Professional Edition
i) Double click ‘My Computer’
ii) Click ‘Tools’
iii) Click ‘Folder Options’
iv) Untick ‘Enable offline files’
vi) Click ‘OK’ in the Offline Files window.
vii) Restart the computer when prompted.
Instructions for disabling offline files on Windows 7 Professional Edition
i) Click ‘Start’ from your desktop
ii) Click ‘Control Panel’
iii) Click ‘Sync Centre’ (If Sync Centre is not available, change ‘View by’ to ‘Large icons’ at the top right of the screen)
iv) Click ‘Manage offline files’ in the left column of the Sync Centre window.
v) Click ‘Disable Offline Files’ in the Offline Files window.
vi) Click ‘OK’ in the Offline Files window.
vii) Restart the computer when prompted.
Instructions for disabling offline files on Windows Vista Professional Edition
i) Click ‘Start’ from your desktop
ii) Click ‘Control Panel’
iii) Switch to ‘classic view’ if it is not already selected
iv) Click ‘Offline Files’
v) Click ‘Disable offline files’
vi) Click ‘OK’
vii) Restart the computer when prompted.
3 ) – Static IPs & Hosts files. Give the PromoServe server a static IP address & Create a hosts file entry for the PromoServe server on each client machine. The "hosts" file is located in the ‘c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc’ folder.
E.g. If the server name is server1.office.local and it's static IP is 192.168.1.1 then the entry should be...
192.168.1.1 server1
192.168.1.1 server1.office
192.168.1.1 server1.office.local
4) – Power Saving. Power saving should be disabled on both the Server and Clients. Hard disks should never turn off; neither should the system ever go into standby or hibernation.
5) – Antivirus settings. Antivirus installed on the client machines should exclude the mapped PromoServe drive from being scanned, as well as the local PromoServe installation folder.
NOTE: We recommend you do NOT use Norton or Kaspersky anti-virus on your client or server machines.
6) – Install DHTML editing tool. (Only applies to Vista & Windows 7 Client Machines)
DHTML is a Microsoft redistributable component which needs to be installed if you using either Vista or Windows 7 as your client machine’s operating system to ensure certain areas of PromoServe operate correctly. You can download the component from the below link. Installation instructions are also provided.
www.seemyport.com
- The client component of the WebClient software can be installed on both 32 and 64 bit operating systems. However, the server component of the WebClient software only supports 32 bit Operating Systems, 64 bit Operating Systems are NOT supported so please ensure your Server meets the requirements for a thin client architecture detailed above.
- All WebClient users will need to be added as users on your PromoServe server to allow the user to authenticate with your server. Please ensure that these user accounts have been created on your server before contacting us, this will avoid any delays in getting the WebClient connections operational for your users. Again, due to the many different IT infrastructures that companies can use, we are unable to advise you on how you should configure this. Please contact your IT support company if you are unsure.
- The users who will be accessing your PromoServe system using WebClient may need to setup a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection to your PromoServe server in order to connect to it, depending on your server configuration. Please check with your IT support company on how your remote users will need to connect to your server and whether a VPN will be required or not as PromoServe will require this information in order to setup the WebClient software. If a VPN is not required, please ensure you know the external IP address that your remote users should connect to in order to access your PromoServe server.
Once the above configuration requirements have been addressed, your system should be setup correctly to use the PromoServe WebClient software. Below is a summary of the information PromoServe will require in order to set your remote users up:-
i) Confirmation that TCP Port 491 has been configured correctly and is accessible.
ii) External IP Address / VPN connection details remote users will use to connect to your PromoServe Server.
iii) The usernames and passwords of the user accounts that you have setup on your PromoServe Server
Thick Client Architecture
[+]
Server Machine Requirements for Thick Client Architecture
NOTE: The following system requirements apply regardless of the number of users who will be accessing the system.
| System Component |
Requirements |
| Operating System |
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (R1, R2, Standard or Enterprise, 32 or 64 bit)
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 (R1, R2, Standard or Enterprise, 32 or 64 bit)
Please note that Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS) is NOT supported
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NOTE: The PromoServe WebClient software is not yet compatible with 64 bit operating systems so please consider this when choosing your Server OS version.
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| CPU |
2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (minimum) |
| RAM |
4GB for 32 bit operating systems (minimum)
6GB for 64 bit operating systems (minimum)
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| Network Interface Card (NIC) |
Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps) |
Switch / Router / Hub Requirements
The PromoServe software can only run as fast as the slowest component on your network. Because of this, please ensure that all switches/routers/hubs etc. that are in operation on your network are of Gigabit speed (1000 Mbps).
Server configuration requirements - Applies to both thick AND thin client architectures:-
1) – We recommend that PromoServe is the only database operating on your PromoServe server. For optimum performance PromoServe should not co-reside with other types of database on the same server (e.g. Sage, MS Exchange).
2) – “Opportunistic Locking” must be DISABLED on your PromoServe server.
Instructions for disabling opportunistic locking on Windows Server 2003 OS:-
i) Open the registry editor
ii) Use the directory tree on the left to navigate to the control specified below & ensure that ‘EnableOplocks = 0’
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters EnableOplocks = 0
iii) Reboot the server machine.
Instructions for disabling opportunistic locking on Windows Server 2008 OS:-
i) Open the registry editor
ii) Use the directory tree on the left to navigate to the control specified below:-
HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters
iii) Add a new REG_DWORD key with the name of "Smb2" (without quotation mark)
iv) Set the value to 0. (0 = disabled)
v) Set the following registry key:-
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters\EnableOplocks = 0
(if the EnableOplocks key is missing, create a new one of the Dword type)
vi) Reboot the server machine.
3) – Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
i) Navigate to your network connections screen
ii) Right click on local area connection
iii) Double click ‘Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
iv) Click ‘Advanced’
v)Click ‘WINS’
vi) Tick ‘Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
4) – Antivirus settings. Ideally there should be no Antivirus software installed on the PromoServe server. If your PromoServe server is also used for other services or applications that require anti virus scanning, we recommend that an exception is added so that the PromoServe folder is NOT scanned.
NOTE: We recommend you do NOT use Norton or Kaspersky anti-virus on your client or server machines.
5) – Ensure that that hard drive on which PromoServe is installed is de-fragmented on a regular basis. A single fragment can add 10ms to the read-time of a file. Extensive fragmentation can cause file read-time to be noticeably increased, causing the performance of the server to be reduced significantly.
Client Machine Requirements for Thick Client Architecture
NOTE: The following system requirements apply regardless of the number of users who will be accessing the system.
| System Component | Requirements |
| Operating System |
Windows XP Professional Edition
Windows Vista Professional Edition
Windows 7 Professional Edition
|
| CPU |
2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (minimum) |
| RAM |
4GB for 32 bit systems (minimum)
4GB for 64 bit systems (minimum)
|
| NIC |
Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps) |
Client configuration requirements - Applies to both thick AND thin client architectures:-
1) – Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
i) Navigate to your network connections screen
ii) Right click on local area connection
iii) Double click ‘Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
iv) Click ‘Advanced’
v) Click ‘WINS’
vi) Tick ‘Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
2) – Disable Offline Files
Instructions for disabling offline files on Windows XP Professional Edition
i) Double click ‘My Computer’
ii) Click ‘Tools’
iii) Click ‘Folder Options’
iv) Untick ‘Enable offline files’
vi) Click ‘OK’ in the Offline Files window.
vii) Restart the computer when prompted.
Instructions for disabling offline files on Windows 7 Professional Edition
i) Click ‘Start’ from your desktop
ii) Click ‘Control Panel’
iii) Click ‘Sync Centre’ (If Sync Centre is not available, change ‘View by’ to ‘Large icons’ at the top right of the screen)
iv) Click ‘Manage offline files’ in the left column of the Sync Centre window.
v) Click ‘Disable Offline Files’ in the Offline Files window.
vi) Click ‘OK’ in the Offline Files window.
vii) Restart the computer when prompted.
Instructions for disabling offline files on Windows Vista Professional Edition
i) Click ‘Start’ from your desktop
ii) Click ‘Control Panel’
iii) Switch to ‘classic view’ if it is not already selected
iv) Click ‘Offline Files’
v) Click ‘Disable offline files’
vi) Click ‘OK’
vii) Restart the computer when prompted.
3 ) – Static IPs & Hosts files. Give the PromoServe server a static IP address & Create a hosts file entry for the PromoServe server on each client machine. The "hosts" file is located in the ‘c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc’ folder.
E.g. If the server name is server1.office.local and it's static IP is 192.168.1.1 then the entry should be...
192.168.1.1 server1
192.168.1.1 server1.office
192.168.1.1 server1.office.local
4) – Power Saving. Power saving should be disabled on both the Server and Clients. Hard disks should never turn off; neither should the system ever go into standby or hibernation.
5) – Antivirus settings. Antivirus installed on the client machines should exclude the mapped PromoServe drive from being scanned, as well as the local PromoServe installation folder.
NOTE: We recommend you do NOT use Norton or Kaspersky anti-virus on your client or server machines.
6) – Install DHTML editing tool. (Only applies to Vista & Windows 7 Client Machines)
DHTML is a Microsoft redistributable component which needs to be installed if you using either Vista or Windows 7 as your client machine’s operating system to ensure certain areas of PromoServe operate correctly. You can download the component from the below link. Installation instructions are also provided.
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