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Windows Server 2008R2 Requirements

Pulse Requirements for Windows Server 2008R2

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

Closedpulse web server

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

Closedweb 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.
Closedweb server—operating system requirements

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

Important: You should at least be using Service Pack 1 (SP1). Also, all of the latest Windows service packs and critical updates must also be installed.

Requirement

Notes

Microsoft Windows Installer (MSI) 5.0

The MSI 5.0 is included with the operating system.

Internet Information Services Version 7 (IIS 7.5)

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

ASP.NET 4.0

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 (Recommended) or 4.0 (Minimum)

If you do not already have .NET framework 4.5 or 4.0, you can download it from the Microsoft Download Center.
Closedweb server—pulse setup program

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

Closedweb 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.

Closedweb 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

Microsoft Internet Explorer

7 or later

Apple Safari

5

Mozilla Firefox

3.5 or later

Google Chrome

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

Closeddatabase 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

Notes

Microsoft Windows Installer (MSI) 5.0

The MSI 5.0 is included with the operating system.

Internet Information Services Version 7 (IIS 7.5)

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

ASP.NET 4.0

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 (Recommended) or 4.0 (Minimum)

If you do not already have .NET framework 4.5 or 4.0, you can download it from the Microsoft Download Center.

Closeddatabase 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.

Important: If you are installing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 on Windows Server 2008 R2, you must upgrade the operating system to Service Pack 1 (SP1) or later. This resolves known compatibility issues between Microsoft SQL and Windows 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.

Closedrequired 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.

Closedexample

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.

Closedexample

example

smtp.example.com

Inbound Email Settings

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

  • POP3 host, username, and password

    OR

  • Exchange Web Services URL,domain, username, 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.