20.11.x Hardware and Software Requirements

Introduction

This document contains the hardware and software requirements for implementing BusinessPlus 20.11.x. The equipment and resources listed herein are required to ensure proper system usability and the highest quality user experience possible.

Hardware Specifications

For new or existing customers seeking to refresh their hardware, the following specifications provide better than acceptable performance without requiring excessive resources. The specifications allow room for growth as your district needs grow and as new BusinessPlus versions and features become available in the next few years.

Database Server

DB Version: Microsoft SQL Server 2016, Microsoft SQL Server 2017

Database sizing depends on the size of the database, log files, and so forth. Please confirm appropriate database server disk space needs with your DBA.

Application Server

OS Version: Windows Server 2016 Standard or Datacenter Editions is required
Microfocus Version: Microfocus Cobol 5.1 
MKS Version: MKS 10.1. patch 1

The BusinessPlus Application server supports up to 4 file systems. Any additional may cause performance issues.

Note: Application Server components may be installed on the same machine as the Database server. For this setup, refer to the Database Server specifications.

Web Server

OS Version: Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter Editions
SSL: An SSL certificate is required for secure communications on all Web and DMZ servers. TLS 1.2 is the only supported protocol.

Windows Roles and Features

The BusinessPlus installer installs all necessary Windows roles and features for proper operation of BusinessPlus. If you wish to stage servers with all roles and features prior to installation of BusinessPlus, use the reqcheck utility located on the support.powerschool.com site.

Load Balancing

Microsoft NLB is currently the only supported load balancing solution. Third-party load balancers require configuration for session persistence that pins user sessions to a single server as well as SSL passthrough. Due to security changes within BusinessPlus, SSL termination is not supported. Third party load balancers are currently not supported and PowerSchool can only offer limited assistance in configuring them with BusinessPlus. 

Cognos

Single Server Solution – Up to 50,000 Student

Single Server Solution – 50,000 to 100,000 Students

This is a one-server Microsoft Windows solution with the databases residing on separate servers dedicated to each function. This covers the needs of districts with up to 100,000-student enrollment.

Multiple Server Solution – Greater than 100,000 Students

For organizations larger than 100,000 enrolled students, a more tailored configuration may be warranted. For consultative assistance with Cognos configurations of this nature, contact your PowerSchool sales representative.

Non-Production Server

Customers may choose to set up a non-production environment for various purposes such as training, testing, development, and off-line/snapshot reporting. Since these environments typically are not receiving significant user load, you may configure these environments as a one-server Microsoft Windows solution.

Regulatory

OS Version: Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter Editions
DB Version: Windows SQL Server 2016, Windows SQL Server 2017
DB Features: Database Engine, Integration Services, Reporting Services

Client Software Support

Workstation Requirements

Windows 10 is required for installation of BusinessPlus admin applications.
Apple Mac workstations are supported for use of the Dashboard, Workflow Task Lists, Documents Online, Employee Online, and Web reporting. All other BusinessPlus functions are supported on the Apple Mac via a Citrix deployment.

Hardware for Light Users (light data entry and data retrieval)

• CPU - Dual Core Intel or AMD processor
• RAM - 2 GB Ram or more
• Disk 4 - GB free disk space
• Display - 17" monitor 1024x768 or higher

Hardware for Heavy Users (heavy data entry, workflow design and report design):

• CPU - Dual or Quad Core Intel or AMD processor, 2+ GHz
• RAM - 4 GB Ram or more
• Disk 4 GB free disk space
• Display - 19" monitor 1280x1024 or higher

Browser Support

BusinessPlus 20.11.x supports Firefox, Chrome, and Edge Chromium on Windows Workstations and servers. Apple Mac supports the Firefox or Safari browsers. Internet Explorer is not supported.

Image Capability

Image or Document Capture workstations must support 1280x1024 (or higher) on a 21" monitor. Approximately 10GB of free disk space must be available for temporary storage. Any scanner to be used with Documents Online must come with a TWAIN driver and be a TWAIN-compatible device.

Printer Requirements

BusinessPlus will support any PCL5-compatible printer except for the HP5si or any Troy printers.