System Requirements

This article is intended for use as point of reference for IT technicians when considering their hardware and software requirements for StrataMax systems.

Each document in this article defines the technical requirements for hardware and software specifically to support operation of the StrataMax suite of software.

Please be aware that these specifications are not tailored to your specific environment as they cannot anticipate the additional overheads that may result from running other applications or software in your environment or which may result from your chosen architecture.

The specifications defined within each document are sufficient to meet the current needs of the StrataMax software suite. StrataMax reserves the right to change or update these requirements as StrataMax software versions change.

Change Log

24 Feb 2023: Changed server processor from dual core to 16-core

Topography Options

There are a wide range of options for the configuration of your environment, some of which are outlined below. If you have a pre-existing or a proposed environment that is not listed within this document, please advise your Client Success Manager (CSM) who will arrange for a member of the StrataMax technical team to contact you.

Client Server Environments

A commonly implemented technical environment for running StrataMax is a client server environment with one or more client PCs connected to one or more servers across a local area network.

In general, clients will implement commercial grade servers which meet the recommended specification for operating system, memory, disk space etc. as set down in Section 3 of this document.

Note that clients may choose to implement multiple role specific servers or can opt for a single combined role server if the machine is of sufficient specification as defined in Section 3.2.

Other important points to note:

• Remote access for StrataMax Support staff is required to the server(s). Please refer to the requirements set down in Section 8.
• The server(s) will need to support scheduled activities that occur outside of business hours, such as database backups, StrataMax software updates, data uploads (‘building’ uploads) and support work so the machine must remain running after business users have finished their work.
• A full snapshot backup of the StrataMax data and network files must be taken on at least a daily basis. Note that such backups must be full snapshot (not incremental). This is critical if there is to be any chance of restoring business critical data to a recent restore point in the event of a disaster – see Section 11
• A Windows Domain is highly recommended unless there is only a single user - see Section 2.3.
• The server must NOT be used as a user’s workstation.
• Network speed will impact StrataMax performance. Please refer to the requirements set down in Section 6 - Network & Internet Requirements.
• It is important that you fully read and understand all sections of this document before creating or configuring your technical environment so that you are fully aware of requirements for user accounts, machine configuration, AV requirements, internet requirements, Microsoft office requirements, workstations specifications and so on. Please refer to the index for full details of the document content.

Peer to Peer Environments (Non-Windows Domain)

As a general guide, peer to peer environments that do not make use of a Windows Domain are NOT recommended and should only be considered for environments with a low number of users. A Windows Domain is recommended in order to effectively manage network security and administration.

However, if there is a single multi role server in place that hosts StrataMax Network files, StrataMax Databases, remote access, and has the StrataMax application software installed (to support batch jobs and remote support) then a Windows Domain, although recommended, is not a prerequisite.

Peer to peer environments must support the use of UNC paths and controls should be put in place to prevent users from changing their system date.

Remote Desktop Services or Citrix Environments

If Remote Desktop Services or Citrix is used on one or more servers to host all StrataMax Sessions and data then the minimum requirements for client workstations are as dictated by Remote Desktop Services or Citrix.

However, the following requirements should be understood:

• Windows Network DOMAIN must be implemented.
• The server must NOT be used as a workstation.
• Network speed between servers (where more than one) will have a high impact of StrataMax performance.
• StrataMax Support will need to utilise at least one connection.

Note that it is possible to have one server as a combined data and application server – if sufficient capacity for the number of user connections exists. This will have an increased requirement for RAM and will need to be appropriately configured. Please refer to the StrataMax technical team if you wish to pursue this option.

Virtualisation

The StrataMax software may be implemented in a virtualised environment but technicians must consider the associated overheads of the virtual machine when assessing the resources to be allocated to it.

MaxSoft recommends that the option to implement the StrataMax software in a virtualised environment is only taken if the client employs / contracts skilled IT technical resources to implement and manage such an environment.

If ‘Data’ Servers or ‘Combined Role’ Servers are to be virtualised, extra care is required to manage the risks and performance considerations.

In all scenarios MaxSoft, does not offer expertise or specific support with virtualisation.

Server Requirements

Server Operating Systems

StrataMax Software requires the server to run a Microsoft Windows Operating System that is within Microsoft’s mainstream or extended support life cycles. Acceptable server operating systems are listed in Section 3.2 below.

Consumer orientated editions of Microsoft Operating Systems (IE Windows 10) should not be used to host the StrataMax application and database.

StrataMax requires clients to maintain their technical environments and ensure that workstation and server operating systems are periodically upgraded to ensure that the implemented version always remains within either Mainstream Support or Extended Support, so that the Operating Systems continue to receive critical updates and security patches.

Microsoft Operating System versions are usually tiered with editions that may contain varying functionality. The chosen Windows operating system must be a production version appropriate for business use and (with the exception of the scenarios defined in Sections 2.1. and 2.3), it must support a Windows Active Directory Domain.

Home Editions, evaluation, beta or similar versions are not supported for use with StrataMax software and should not be used.

Minimum Hardware and Software Specifications (Server):

Server Management

It is strongly recommended that Microsoft Servers are restarted monthly and that all Operating System patches and security fixes are applied when made available.

To ensure a stable environment and to allow for afterhours tasks, Servers (including pc’s running as servers) need to run continuously (24x7), the only exclusion being scheduled down time for preventative maintenance. If regular scheduled maintenance occurs after-hours, please communicate this to StrataMax, so that no after-hours system processes will be scheduled during that time.

Workstation Requirements

StrataMax Software requires a Microsoft Windows Operating System that is within Microsoft Mainstream or Extended Support Life Cycle. Supported operating systems are listed in the workstation requirements table above.

StrataMax requires clients to maintain their technical environments and ensure that server and workstation Operating Systems are periodically upgraded to ensure that the implemented version always remains within Mainstream Support as recommended by Microsoft.

The chosen Windows operating system must be a production version appropriate for business use and (with the exception of the scenario defined in Sections 2.1. and 2.3), it must support Windows Domains.

Home Editions, evaluation and beta versions are not supported for use with StrataMax software and should not be used.

Workstation screen resolution & scaling

The StrataMax product is designed to work best on 1920 x 1080p resolution displays which are set to 100% window scaling. Running higher resolution displays or increased window scaling settings are not recommended.

Storage for Building Backups

The StrataMax product automatically produces building backups prior to each month end period.

It is strongly recommended to provision an additional drive to store these on using cheaper/slower storage. The default retention is the most recent 12 months of building backups, and year ends are kept permanently.

Database Options

The StrataMax software can be run using MySQL or MS-SQL Server databases.

Please note that management of your technical environments including your databases is your responsibility. StrataMax does not own or assume responsibility for your data. As a result, you should ensure that you have suitable back up management and disaster recovery processes in place.

MySQL

MySQL Community Edition is freely available and used by the majority of StrataMax clients as the database of choice for use with the StrataMax application suite.

If you choose MySQL as your preferred database option for use with StrataMax software, StrataMax offer the following free services as part of the installation process:

• Install and optimise the MySQL databases for use with the StrataMax software.
• Configure scheduled nightly backups of your StrataMax data.