System Requirements

Single-User Systems - The single-user versions of Captools/net run both the server and desktop applications on the same computer, therefore a Microsoft® Windows XP Pro, Server 2003, Media Center, Vista, Windows 7 or Server 2008 operating system is required on which the Windows IIS (see below) can be installed.  Most users of the single user-versions should find that they will get adequate performance from computers purchased "off-the-shelf" with factory installed the XP Pro or Media Center operating system, although sufficient RAM memory (at least 1GB for Windows XP and at least 2 GB for later OS versions including Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Server 2008) is advised.  An operating system upgraded from a prior version (e.g. XP Home) is not recommended. 

Multi-User Systems - Captools/net Server applications are designed to run on computers running the Microsoft® Windows XP Pro, Windows 2003 Server, Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 operating systems.  Computer speed and RAM memory requirements will be dictated upon the amount of data to be handled.  The Captools/net Desktop client application will generally be able to run on MS-Windows XP or later operating systems, however Desktop performance will be dependent upon desktop PC speed and RAM memory.

Users who license multi-user versions of Captools/net should consider obtaining a dedicated server with adequate RAM memory (2 to 8 times the standard off-the shelf RAM (e.g. 2 to  up to 8GB for 64bit operating systems).  In our opinion, this machine does not need to be a costly "server grade" machine (i.e. with ECC RAM memory and RAID hard drives) as long as regular database backups are made to a secondary hard drive (these can be scheduled by Captools/net). Often a dedicated higher end "Desktop" or "Workstation" grade machine will be adequate, particularly a those containing a quad core processor.  For a given hardware configuration, additional performance can be gained if the server computer operating system is designated as a "Server" version.  Such versions are optimized for server tasks by removing or moving to lower priority system tasks that are desktop oriented. 

Shared Server - We do not recommend installing Captools/net on a machine which is also used as a domain controller or file server due primarily because as a general rule this is advised against for MS-SQL server installations due to performance, security and maintenance (e.g. installs and re-boots) considerations.  If one insists on placing it on a machine hosting such functions we recommend that a "virtual server" be set up on such machine, with adequate resources assigned, to host Captools/net.

Windows IIS - Captools/net employs MS-Windows Internet Information Service on the server for desktop/server communications. This service is available as a custom install component for the business and higher levels of MS-Windows operating systems, and generally should operate properly in the default configuration since it uses Port 80, the normal port for http communications.  However, IIS configuration changes made by users or by other applications, may disable Captools/net functionality.  If MS-Windows IIS has not been previously setup on your computer, you will need to perform a system configuration, described in MS-Windows Required Configurations, which may require you to have your MS-Windows installation CD available.

MDAC - Captools/net also requires the Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) on the server.  To ensure that the minimum required version of MDAC is on your system, the Captools/net installer will install an MDAC (since multiple versions of MDAC may reside on your system, this should not adversely affect other applications). 

COM - Captools/net utilizes MS-Windows'  "Component Object Model" (COM) functionality.  The Captools/net installer modifies the server Default COM security properties by adding "Launch" and "Access" permission to "IUSR_Machinename" where "Machinename" is the network name of the server computer upon which the Captools/net server is installed.  The Captools/net server needs to be re-installed, or these permissions need to be re-set if the Windows IIS is re-installed. (run Dcomcnfg.Exe from the Windows command prompt, then click on Component Services, then click on Computers, then right click on My Computer to access Default Com Security).

Firewalls - Captools/net licensees should implement software and/or hardware firewalls to ensure the security of data maintained by this software on computers residing on a local area network.  However, improper setting of firewall permissions could adversely affect some or all of the Captools/net functionality.  If you encounter a Captools/net problem involving connectivity between the Captools/net Desktop and Server or between a Captools/net server application and the internet, please check your firewalls permissions.  Temporarily turning off the firewall can also help you determine whether it is causing a problem, however if you do this, we advise you to first disconnect your network from the internet to maintain system security. 

Secure Remote Access -  If you want to configure your system to give secure access to remote users from outside your local area network, this can be done in two different ways.  The first way is to acquire and install a site certificate from Verisign or other provider of site certificates, and set up IIS to host remote Captools/net access using the secure HTTPS protocol.  A second way to provide secure access is through use of  a virtual private network (VPN), however this may require additional hardware or software for remote users.  We recommend Captools/net licensees consult qualified security technologists before opening their system to remote access.

CPU Performance - Users who expect to apply high loads (lots of accounts) should select a computer with high floating point processing speed, and not just a high GHz rating. The reason for this is that many Captools/net operations are floating point computational intense.  Our testing has shown that CPU chips, with roughly equivalent GHz ratings, running on roughly equivalent hardware, differed by over a factor of two in running some computationally intense reports due to better performance by one CPU for floating point computations.  Users with large numbers of accounts should also consider installing Captools/net on a multi-CPU server to gain additional performance advantages provided by such machines when they run multi-threaded modularized software such as Captools/net.  A CPU based upon a recent generation processor x86 design (e.g. AMD 64x2 or Intel Core Duo (post-Pentium4 CPU)).

Display Resolution - Captools/net has been designed to take advantage of the higher resolution screens available for newer computers.  We therefore strongly recommend that users have at least 1280 x 1024 screen display resolution on their systems while running Captools/net, and advise that any new monitor purchased for Captools/net use be of the "wide screen" variety (1680 x 1050 resolution or better).

Hard Drive Space - Hard disk space requirements depend upon the amount of data, however we recommend allowing at least 5GB of free space on the intended installation drive plus 5GB of free space on the C drive even if it is not the intended installation drive (we have seen user's computer performance compromised by insufficient space on the drive containing the operating system which eventually gets consumed by Windows updates and temp files, resulting in hard drive read/write churning).  If the C drive is also the intended installation drive, a minimum of 10GB free space is recommended. 

Windows File Compression - Do NOT allow MS-Windows to compress the Captools/net SQL database files as this will prevent connection to the database.  If your hard drive is running out of space, Windows will prompt you whether to compress "seldom used files".  This might cause the database files to be compressed.  Windows file compression of other collateral Captools/net files such as import scripts, etc. may also disrupt Captools/net operation.  See the troubleshooting topic CaptoolsDB Database Connection Error on how to fix this if you inadvertently allowed this to occur.  If you are running low on hard disk space, a better alternative to Windows file compression is to move backup files off your Captools/net installation drive to external drives, delete unused non-Captools files, empty your recycle folder, or best of all, get an additional hard drive where you can move large files. 

Report Viewing - Captools/net generates reports in several output formats, with the default and often preferred format being "PDF" (portable document format).  Output in PDF format require that you have a PDF viewing program such as the free Adobe Acrobat Reader program installed on the viewing computer in order to view the reports.

MS-Windows Service Packs - New installations of Captools/net should be performed only after you have updated your MS-Windows for the latest service pack and updates.  Users with existing Captools/net installations should generally keep their Windows current with regards to service packs and updates.