Windows Server 2012 Requirements

Important Pulse is deprecated in Flare, which means that it is slated to be removed in a future version.

As you prepare for your Pulse installation, familiarize yourself with the minimum system requirements.

Pulse Web Server

The Pulse web server provides users the ability to access and use the web-based user interfaces of the Pulse system.

Web Server—Minimum Hardware Requirements

This table details the minimum hardware requirements for the Pulse web server:

Component

Minimum Requirement (for a Pilot Server)

Recommended (for a Production Server)

Processor

32-bit, quad-core

64-bit, quad-core

Memory

4 GB

4 GB 

Hard Disk

100 GB (for data drives)

80 GB (for system drives)

For daily operations, maintain at least twice as much free space as RAM.

100 GB (for data drives)

80 GB (for system drives)

For daily operations, maintain at least twice as much free space as RAM.

Web Server—Operating System Requirements

This table details the operating system requirements to install the Pulse web server:

The Pulse setup program installs the Pulse application on the web server (this is the server running IIS). Before running the setup program, you must make sure Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 is installed.

Important All of the latest Windows service packs and critical updates must also be installed.

Requirement

Description

Microsoft Windows Installer (MSI) 5.0

The MSI 5.0 is included with the operating system.

Internet Information Services Version 8

This is included with the operating system. Use the Server Manager to add the Web Server (IIS) role service. See How to Install IIS.

ASP.NET 4.5

This is included with the operating system. Use the Server Manager to add the ASP.NET role service. This is covered in the steps for installing IIS.

Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5

This is included with the operating system and may already be installed on your server, typically by a Network Administrator. If it is not installed, you can download it from:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30653

Web Server—Pulse Setup Program

The Pulse setup program installs the Pulse application on the web server (this is the server running IIS). Before running the setup program, you must make sure Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 is installed. See Installing the Prerequisites for Windows Server 2012.

Web Server—Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable

The Pulse setup program requires the web server to be running the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable or a newer version.

This prerequisite is automatically installed when you run the Pulse setup program. The setup program automatically checks your system for a compatible version. If a compatible version is detected, you can quit the system check. If a compatible version is not detected, you will be prompted to download and install it. See Installing and Activating Pulse.

Important Software vendors commonly redistribute different versions of Visual C++ with their programs. If your system is running more that one version of Visual C++, you do not want to delete or uninstall any version from your system as doing so can render any linked software programs inoperable.

Web Server—Recommended Browsers

For best results, it is recommended that you use one of these web browsers when accessing the web-based Pulse tools.

Browser

Version

Apple Safari

5

Mozilla Firefox

3.5 or later

Google Chrome

5.0 or later

Pulse Database Server

The Pulse database server is the primary repository for Pulse data. This includes users, groups, files, messages, videos, and images.

Database Server—Minimum Hardware Requirements

This table details the required hardware components for the Pulse Database server:

Component

Minimum Requirement (for Pilot)

Recommended (for Production)

Processor

32-bit, 4 core

64-bit, 4 core

Memory

4 GB

4 GB 

Hard Disk

100 GB (for data drives)

80 GB (for system drives)

For daily operations, maintain at least twice as much free space as RAM.

100 GB (for data drives)

80 GB (for system drives)

For daily operations, maintain at least twice as much free space as RAM.

For every 1,000 users per year, we recommend 100 GB for storage.

Database Server—Operating System Requirements

This table details the operating system requirements for the Pulse database server:

Important All of the latest Windows service packs and critical updates must also be installed.

Requirement

Description

Microsoft Windows Installer (MSI) 5.0

The MSI 5.0 is included with the operating system.

Internet Information Services Version 8

This is included with the operating system. Use the Server Manager to add the Web Server (IIS) role service. See How to Install IIS.

ASP.NET 4.5

This is included with the operating system. Use the Server Manager to add the ASP.NET role service. This is covered in the steps for installing IIS.

Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5

This is included with the operating system and may already be installed on your server, typically by a Network Administrator. If it is not installed, you can download it from:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30653

Database Server—SQL Server Requirements

To give end users the ability to use the Pulse search features, you must install a supported version of Microsoft SQL Server. The edition you install must support the full-text search feature. Please refer to the documentation provided with SQL Server to determine if that edition supports full-text search. See Installing Microsoft SQL Server.

Important Microsoft SQL Server Express Edition with Advanced Services is the only Express edition from Microsoft that is compatible with Pulse. This is because Pulse requires the full-text search feature.

Important Microsoft SQL Server Express with Advanced Services edition supports a maximum database size of 10 GB. It is best suited when used in lab/test environments. It is not recommended for production environments.

Required Access Credentials and Networking Information

The user performing the installation will also need the following information in order to complete the installation and configuration tasks:

Item

Requirements

Purpose

Active Directory Domain Account

Create a Domain Account with Local Administrator Rights for the Pulse Server. This account will need:

  • A password that never expires
  • A valid email address in Active Directory
  • Read access to Active Directory
  • You should also grant this account System Administrator (sysadmin) privileges in SQL Server.

Used by the PulseService on the application server to schedule notifications, send emails, and deliver posts.

Used by the Web Application Pool.

DNS Entry
  • Resolves to the Pulse web server
  • Uses a fully qualified domain name

The URL that Pulse Administrators use to access the Pulsedashboard.

Example pulse.example.com

Outbound Email Settings (SMTP Relay)

Port 25 (typical, depends on your network)

Gives Pulse the ability to send outbound email messages.

Example smtp.example.com

Inbound Email Settings

To enable reply-to email capabilities, you will need settings for one of the following:

  • POP3 host, user name, and password

    OR

  • Exchange Web Services URL, domain, user name, and password for the Microsoft Exchange account

    OR

  • SMTP Drop Folder

Required by Pulse web server to provide reply-to email capabilities.

SSL Certificate for Pulse Web Server (Optional)

If you plan to use the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol to establish an encrypted connection with your Pulse site, you must obtain an SSL certificate from an SSL provider and install it on the Pulse web server.

Gives site visitors the ability to access your site using the secure https:// protocol.

Use the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager to install the SSL Certificate.