Certified Operating Systems Client & Server Hardware – On Premise
RecTrac 3.1
Table of Contents
This document pertains to all customers.
Note: The recommendations below represent our best estimate for client configurations based on current testing. We will continue to refine these recommendations. Please contact Vermont Systems at any time to confirm that you have the most up-to-date guidelines prior to the purchase of any new hardware.
Client Operating System Requirements
Required: Your HTTPS Connection through an SSL
Connecting through the HTTPS protocol improves security by utilizing a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Certificate, also referred to as a Transport Layer Security (TLS), to encrypt information sent between your RecTrac server and web browser. To optimize security when using RecTrac, Vermont Systems now requires all customers to adhere to HTTPS protocol through an SSL Certificate, regardless of whether you are:
- Using a wide-area network (WAN) or local-access network (LAN);
- Operating as on-premise or hosted (hosted customers currently are required to use HTTPS);
- Using VIC.
For instructions on switching your RecTrac 3.1 connection from HTTP to HTTPS, refer to our guide Switching from HTTP to HTTPS Connection for RecTrac 3.1.
Note: While Vermont Systems can help determine your ideal SSL option, we do not support or complete the installation, renewal, or setup of SSLs on your servers. We will support the specific RecTrac application changes once the SSL & DNS changes are applied to IIS and bonded. To learn how to load the SSL certificate into your on-premise server, refer to the Certificate Issuer’s support documentation.
Workstations with Peripheral Hardware
A computer with peripheral hardware, such as (but not limited to) a Cash Drawer, Receipt Printer, Bar Code Reader, Magstripe Reader, or Touch Screen Monitor requires Windows 10 Pro, Window 8.1 Pro, or Windows 8Pro using 64-bit or 32-bit computers. Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC has been certified and is currently supported.
Workstations can use current versions of Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome as well as Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Edge (Chromium) to run the RecTrac application on a day-to-day basis. You must have JavaScript enabled in your web browser. Vermont Systems recommends use of the Adobe Acrobat Reader Browser Extension with Google Chrome.
Workstations with peripheral hardware also require installation of Vermont Integration Client (VIC), the peripheral hardware management tool for RecTrac.
To link a VIC profile at the Workstation Level, the network must be setup to allow Reverse DNS lookup.
Mobile Devices and/or Workstations without Peripheral Hardware
Mobile Devices and workstations without peripheral hardware can use Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Edge (Chromium), as well as current versions of Firefox, and Chrome, Apple iPhone & iPad with iOS 5 or higher and Safari, Android 4.0 or higher (Ice Cream, Sandwich, Jelly Bean), Web Browser (HTML5/CSS3/JavaScript); and Windows 10 Pro, Window 8.1 Pro, or Windows8 Pro. Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC has been certified and is currently supported. You must have JavaScript enabled in your web browser. Vermont Systems recommends use of the Adobe Acrobat Reader Browser Extension with Google Chrome. Both 64-bit and 32-bit client computers with at least 2GB memory (4GB is recommended) are certified to operate with Vermont Systems 3.1 application software.
LAN/Internet Access – Vermont Systems recommends that each location with clients utilizing the RecTrac application have bandwidth capacity of at least 3Mbps up and 3Mbps down, with a latency under 80ms to the application server. The actual bandwidth utilized can vary depending on the types of transactions and the types of data used by client. However, the above recommendations should be sufficient to handle between 5-8 clients processing atypical workload. The bandwidth capacity at a location can be substantially impacted by other traffic, such as streaming video/music, VOIP, general internet usage, other applications, etc. So, it is important to note the 3mbpsrecommendation assumes dedicated bandwidth. While the above is our recommended bandwidth, acceptable performance has been realized in some cases with as a little as 1Mbps up and 1Mbps down, and latency under 80ms. If planning to use the system at locations that do not meet the recommended bandwidth minimum, it may be necessary to process test application transactions to determine if system speed is acceptable.
Vermont Systems 3.1 Software & Progress 11.7OpenEdge – On Premise Server Recommendations
This section pertains to Customer-hosted on-premise servers and network. This section is not applicable if Vermont Systems is providing Full Hosting services.
Typically, two (2) servers are recommended for a RecTrac/WebTrac/PayTrac installation. These servers must be running a 64-bitversion of the Windows 2019, 2016, or 2012 R2 operating system. In the chart below, the "Database Server" will run the RecTrac Database, AppServer, and Transaction Server components. The “Web Server” is needed to run WebTrac and/or Mobile RecTrac and/or Mobile WebTrac, as well as to provide WAN access to 3.1 browser clients.
Note: Progress has certified OpenEdge 11.7 to run on Windows 2019 and 2016 servers. RecTrac versions prior to RecTrac 10.3z01 are not certified to run on Windows 2019 or 2016 servers.
The Database Server and WebTrac Server can operate as virtual servers on the same physical server hardware or on separate physical hardware servers.
Vermont Systems 3.1 & Progress OpenEdge 11.7Supported 64-Bit Platforms:
Database/Transaction Server Requirements |
WebTrac Web Server Requirements |
Microsoft Windows 2019, 2016, 2012 R2 |
Microsoft Windows 2019, 2016, 2012 R2 |
Vermont Systems develops its application software using the Progress OpenEdge software that includes Client Networking; Query/Results; Personal, Workgroup, & Enterprise RDBMS (embedded database) with RDBMS support for 4GL, SQL, ODBC Wire protocol v5.3,JDBC Drivers Type 4 v3.7, and Enterprise Cluster Manager Integration; and, OpenEdge Application Server, Basic and Enterprise Editions. Optional software includes OpenEdge Replication, Management, Transparent Data Encryption, and Name Server Load Balancer.
Server Recommendations by Number of User Licenses
Number of Licenses |
|
Database Server Recommendations |
WebTrac Server Recommendations |
1-15 |
Processors |
8-12 |
4+ |
RAM |
16+ GB |
4+ GB |
|
Initial Hard Drive Space |
40 GB |
1 GB |
|
Hard Drive Space for Growth |
75 - 250 GB |
2 - 5 GB |
|
16-39 |
Processors |
12+ |
4-8 |
RAM |
24+ GB |
4+ GB |
|
Initial Hard Drive Space |
40 GB |
1 GB |
|
Hard Drive Space for Growth |
100 - 300 GB |
5 - 10 GB |
|
40-70 |
Processors |
20+ |
8-16 |
RAM |
32+ GB |
4-8 GB |
|
Initial Hard Drive Space |
40 GB |
1 GB |
|
Hard Drive Space for Growth |
150 - 350 GB |
10 -15 GB |
|
70+ |
Processors |
20-32 |
8-16 |
RAM |
48+ GB |
8+ GB |
|
Initial Hard Drive Space |
40 GB |
1 GB |
|
Hard Drive Space for Growth |
150 - 500 GB |
10 -15 GB |
Note: Vermont Systems offers Load Testing services to simulate traffic in your environment. If interested, please contact Vermont Systems Sales for a quote. In specific circumstances, Vermont Systems can configure the Database, AppServer, and Transaction server’s components to runon separate servers. Since this is an atypical configuration, please contact a Vermont Systems technician to discuss the pros and cons, if interested.
Progress WebSpeed Transaction Server w/25 Agents/WebServer Memory Requirements for WebTrac – Generally, each WebSpeed agent requires about 250MB of memory, so 25 agents will require about 6.25GB of memory for processing during peak periods. Disk space needed has been included in the chart above. Please refer to Vermont Systems WebTrac Installation Planning Guide for more details.
Web Server Only Requirements – Progress and Vermont Systems software, will require up to 2GB disk space on your web server. Webserver processor speed is critical to WebTrac performance. Based upon WebTrac system usage, processing requirements will vary greatly on the Web Server(s). Vermont Systems recommends that your Web Server environment be scalable for peak/heavy use periods, so that additional processor resources can be applied when necessary. Please contact Vermont Systems to discuss Web Server requirements.
Bandwidth Recommendations for Online Registrations -The amount of bandwidth needed for a large online registration varies based on the content of the pages (images, search options), what part of the system the patrons are using, settings in the RecTrac database, and other network/infrastructure configuration. For Example: If you expect to have1500 households to be online in a 15-minute span, you could expect 200mb-250mbof bandwidth to be used at peak. Once the initial wave of registrations has finished, less bandwidth should suffice. Vermont Systems recommends a minimum of 50mb for small (fewer than 100 households) registrations. Bandwidth plans that allow you to burst during peak registration times are best, but if a plan that allows for bursting is not available then purchase sufficient bandwidth to handle the peak. Upstream or Upload bandwidth is the important element versus Download. Having a 3rd party load test your system is a good idea if you have concerns regarding bandwidth.
Disk Format
Vermont Systems recommends formatting disk drives as NTFS rather than FAT32 because of file handling limitations of FAT32.
Small LAN Networks
With only 2 or 3 workstations in a small LAN network, you can optionally install the Vermont Systems software and database on a Windows10 Pro, Window 8.1 Pro, or Windows 8 Pro workstation. Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC also has been certified and is currently supported. Vermont Systems RecTrac, GolfTrac, CYMTrac, and WebTrac 3.0 software applications are NOT certified to operate using Microsoft Small Business Server and Foundation Server.
Database Backups
Be sure to include the appropriate databases in the automated backups that should include Progress online backup, daily magnetic media backup including network disk drives, and optionally an online backup.
SMTP
SMTP email is required to send email from the RecTrac application. The SMTP relay needs to be allowed on the RecTrac/application servers.
VPN Connections and Reverse DNS Lookup
Note: to use some features that require a client "Workstation name," the server(s) needs to be able to perform a successful reverse DNS lookup by client IP address to discover the workstation name. Without this, RecTrac Profiles may not be recognized at the workstation level. Often by default, clients that connect through a VPN connection will need manual configuration at the local site to accommodate this type of lookup.
If the VIC profile is linked at the Defaults level, this requirement is not mandatory.
RAID
If you expect high transaction volume involving extensive reads/writes to disk, Progress recommends RAID 1 or 1+0 (Mirroring& Striping) for best database performance. However, if you expect light volume read/writes to disk, but high volume read only for inquiries and reports, RAID 5 works well.
Progress 11 Server Virtualization Software Support & Certification Policies
Application Virtualization software support and certification policies: Application Virtualization Software such as Citrix Metaframe, Citrix Presentation Server, HOBLink, VMware, and MS Windows Terminal Server are products that provide an abstraction layer that decouples the physical hardware from the „guest‟ operating system to deliver greater IT resource utilization and flexibility. Progress OpenEdge provides full support with Application Software environments. The versions noted on the list below indicate support for the entire “family” of releases within the version. For example, support for “Citrix XenApp 6.x” extends to all Version 6 releases of XenApp and is not limited to any specific one. To this end, the following are the minimum supported vendors and versions of virtualization technologies:
Microsoft Hyper-VServer 2016
Microsoft Hyper-VServer 2012
VMware vSphere v6.x(ESX 6.x/ESXi 6.x)
VMware vSphere v5.x(ESX 5.x/ESXi 5.x)
VMware vSphere v4.x(ESX 4.x/ESXi 4.x)
VMware ESX/ESXi 3.5
RecTrac 3.x Notebook/Desktop Monitor Recommendation:
While not a requirement, Vermont Systems recommends a display monitor with 1920 x 1080 resolution to improve the screen display appearance and to minimize the need to use scroll bars.