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ServiceShop System Requirements & Installation Information
Single User Edition
Network Edition
Internet Connection
Printers
Backup Recommendations
Backup Format Alternatives
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Single User Edition
The Single User Edition may be upgraded to the Network Edition
at any time.
- Operating System:
Any of the following:
- Windows 98
- Windows Millennium Edition (ME)
- Windows NT 4.0 Workstation or Server
- Windows 2000 Professional or Server
- Windows 2003 Server
- ServiceShop does not run on Windows 95
- Processor:
- Minimum: 200MHz
- Recommended: 400MHz
- Preferred: Pentium III or better or AMD Athlon or better
- RAM:
- Minimum: 64MB
- Preferred: 128MB or better
- Other:
- CD-Rom
- pcAnywhere (for support access by our help desk)
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Network Edition
Includes 5 Seat Licenses.
Additional seats can be added individually or in blocks of 5.
There is no practical limit to the number of seats that can
connect to a single database.
Server
- Operating System
- Windows NT 4.0 Workstation or Server
- Windows 2000 Professional or Server
- Windows XP Professional
- Windows 2003 Server
- ServiceShop does not run on Windows 95
- Windows XP Home is NOT A SUPPORTED PLATFORM
- Processor:
- Minimum: Pentium II 300Mhz
- Preferred: Pentium III or better or AMD Athlon or better
- RAM:
- Minimum: 128MB
- Preferred: 256MB or better
- Other:
- CD-Rom
- pcAnywhere (for support access by our help desk)
- Network Interface Card (NIC)
Client Workstations
- Operating System:
Any of the following:
- Windows 98
- Windows Millennium Edition (ME)
- Windows NT 4.0 Workstation or Server
- Windows 2000 Professional or Server
- Windows 2003 Server
- ServiceShop does not run on Windows 95
- Windows XP Home is NOT A SUPPORTED PLATFORM
- Processor:
- Minimum: 200MHz
- Recommended: 400MHz
- Preferred: Pentium III or better or AMD Athlon or better
- RAM:
- Minimum: 64MB
- Preferred 128MB or better
- Other:
- CD-Rom
- Network Interface Card (NIC)
ServiceShop Network Edition is a client-server application.
There must be one computer which is designated as the "server";
it "serves" data to the other computers on the network, which
are called "clients".
The server is specifically configured and MUST be running a
supported operating system (see supported OS list above). It
should be equipped with a CD-Rom, Ethernet connectivity, an
uninterruptible power supply, and a tape drive capable of
backing up the entire hard drive to tape. In the tape rotation,
there should be one tape for every day of the week that you are
open and one spare. Remote access should be provided for support
purposes; either
- pcAnywhere (configured to run as a service), or
- Windows 2003 Terminal Services
The server can be either
- a dedicated server (a server class machine running a
server-class operating system such as Windows Server 2003), or
- a workstation-class machine running a workstation-class
operating system (e.g., Windows XP Professional)
Here are some general guidelines for selecting the class of
operating system for your server, and whether or not you should
use it as a workstation.
A dedicated server is always best, and as time goes on and
technology progresses, the argument for a dedicated server
becomes more and more compelling. However, if your network will
have, say, 2-6 active workstations, the server can be a
workstation class machine running a workstation class operating
system, and may be used as a workstation with the understanding
that it should not be used by a "power user" (e.g., someone who
might also be running numerous other applications concurrently).
If your network will have 7 active workstations or more: A
dedicated server (e.g., a server-class machine with a
server-class operating system) is the appropriate choice, and
the server should not be used as a workstation.
Installation Information
- Installation media consists of a single CD which includes two
installations - the Network Server, and the Network Client.
- The Network Server is installed only on the server.
- The Network Client is installed on each PC to be used as a
workstation. As of Release 8, this is done from the server.
- The Network Client may also be installed on the server if the
server is to be used as a workstation.
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Internet Connection for updates
- An Internet connection is required for internet updates only.
- ServiceShop does not require an internet connection to operate
(only to update).
- A dial-up internet connection is acceptable.
- A full-time internet connection is not necessary; simply
establish an internet connection when checking for updates.
- A high-speed connection (e.g., DSL or cable) makes downloading
the updates faster but is not necessary.
- On networked systems, the internet connection is needed at the
server only. The clients get their updates from the server
- To check for updates, establish an internet connection and
click on "Check For Updates".
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Printers
- ServiceShop works with most modern laser and inkjet printers.
- Printer compatibility is dependent on the printer driver
software supplied by the printer manufacturer.
- GenesisFour does not warranty printer compatibility.
- Updating to the latest drivers or switching to different
drivers is sometimes required.
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Backup Recommendations
Your database is your company's most valuable possession. We
cannot emphasize enough the importance of a reliable, automated
nightly backup capable of backing up the entire hard drive on
the server (not just your database). General guidelines:
- The backup system should provide for removable media which can
be rotated on a nightly basis and taken off site.
- Run a full backup every night (incremental or selective
backups are not recommended)
- The backup system should have enough capacity to backup your
entire drive on the server, not just your database.
- The use of backup software capable of "Disaster Recovery" is
strongly recommended.
- Backup should run automatically every night, at minimum; more
frequently if you wish.
- If you can't put it in your pocket and walk away with it, it's
not good enough
- If you are trying to figure out what you can get away with,
you are looking at it the wrong way.
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Backup Format Alternatives
Tape
Tape is still the most common media choice, and the most
economical way to achieve the capacity to back up an entire
machine.
- Travan is the most common and economical tape format.
- DAT (Digital Audio Tape) is the most accurate tape format
under $1000, but is precluded if the server is not SCSI.
Non-Tape
These alternatives may seem more appealing. Many feel that tape
is unreliable, which is a bad rap leftover from years ago when
tape drives were connected to floppy controllers - modern tape
drives are quite reliable. Non-tape formats are not without
their compromises. Here are some general considerations:
- Zip drives are not a particularly good idea, and really not
intended for use as a backup device on a mission-critical
server. Their capacity is too small. They can back up little
more than your database.
- CDRW is not considered an ideal choice. Although it can be
configured to run nightly backups and will be able to back up
your entire ServiceShop installation including the database for
a matter of years, at about 800MB total capacity (depending on
blank media size you purchase), it will not be able to back up
your entire server for very long. This fairly well precludes the
possibility for disaster recovery.. GenesisFour recommends a
backup format capable of backing up your entire server, and
therefore does not recommend CDRW as your primary server back up
strategy.
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