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Requirements

This document describes the minimal and suggested operating environment for FUNDimensions. It lists compatible operating systems, memory and hard disk space requirements, processor requirements, monitor resolution requirements, and network requirements for the client-server version of FUNDimensions.

The code base for the demo and regular versions is identical, so the demo is a good, direct test for adequate hardware for the single-user version. In most cases, the memory, disk space and monitor resolution requirements for FUNDimensions do not exceed those of compatible operating systems.

If you have questions about hardware compatibility, please call or email.

Requirements for Microsoft® Vista®, Windows 2000®, Windows XP® and Windows 2003® Server

• Any Pentium II or equivalent processor.
• 256 MB RAM
• Latest Service Pack for above operating systems is recommended.
• About 80 MB of disk space for the demo; additional space is required for data, dependent on the size of the file.
• 1024 x 768 or higher resolution monitor.
• To view or print the manual, Acrobat Reader software (free from Adobe).

FUNDimensions is a machine-language-compiled 32 bit application, which yields faster performance and minimal memory requirements compared to most competing products.

Requirements for Macintosh®

• G3 processor minimum (G4 recommended).
• Mac OS X 10.2.8 or higher.
• 1024 x 768 or higher resolution monitor.
• 256 MB RAM.
• About 80 megabytes free disk space for demo; additional space is required for data, dependent on the size of the file.
• To view or print the manual, Acrobat Reader software (free from Adobe).

Requirements and recommendations for multi-user versions

Clients machines have the same requirements as for single-user versions, shown above. Machines meeting the single-user specifications will also work as servers, but we recommend the following specifications for servers:

A) Pentium IV or equivalent processor, with Windows® Vista, Windows® XP, Windows® 2003 Server, or Windows 2000®, with the latest Service Pack and at least 512 MB RAM with the FUNDimensions data file installed on an uncompressed NTFS partition. Non-server versions of Windows are limited to 10 concurrent connections, but otherwise are equally effective as servers for FUNDimensions as Windows 2003 Server, and much less expensive.

or

B) A Macintosh server with a 867 MHz G4 or better processor, with at least 1024 megabytes of RAM and System 10.4.9 or higher.

Additional recommendations for multi-user:

• A second hard drive inside or attached externally to the server. This can used to receive backups and log files from FUNDimensions' backup module, vastly improving your chances for a smooth, fast recovery if the primary drive fails.
• A certified 100 MBPS or faster network connecting server and clients. Wireless networks may be used, but the interference and bandwidth problems common to them can impact reliability and performance, so fast wired networks are preferred.
• Static TCP/IP addressing is preferred. This will prevent error messages that are caused by the server machine acquiring a new TCP/IP address from a DHCP server. (However, it is very easy to recover from these error messages; clicking through them displays a connection dialog which locates the server; and the error will not display again until the next time the server switches addresses.)
• At least 200 megabytes of free disk space for your server installation of FUNDimensions and for the data file.
• Dedicated server machines are strongly preferred (no other applications running concurrently). It is not appropriate to permanently install FUNDimensions Server on a workstation (i.e. a computer accessed regularly by a user to run ordinary desktop applications), because such use tends to involve occasional creahes and deliberate restarts that will interrupt access to FUNDimensions Server in unexpected and unpredictable ways. It is sometimes acceptable to run additional light server tasks on the machine hosting FUNDimensions Server, such a file sharing for a few users, but even this is discouraged (see below).
• FUNDimensions Client-Server Edition does not use file sharing technology; instead, it is a true client-server application. Therefore, providing you follow the advice above, we recommend you turn off file sharing, printer sharing, internet sharing, etc. on the server machine. This will offer best server performance, security and reliability. If you elect to have the server behind it’s own firewall, you will need to open port 19813.
• On Windows servers, periodic defragmentation of the data file. On Macintosh, the operating system will defragment large files automatically.
• Anti-virus software installed and updated regularly on all Windows computers connected to the network hosting FUNDimensions. (If the server machine is hosting only FUNDimensions, it may be advisable to omit anti-virus software from the server, to improve performance.)

It is possible to run a demo version of the Client-Server Edition, which will verify that your equipment is viable and give you a chance to try out this configuration; please call 1-505-989-3670. You can also download the Client-Server Installation and Administration Guide, which contains many tips for optimizing your configuration of the software.