23.5.x Hardware and Software Requirements
Introduction
This document contains the hardware and software requirements for implementing BusinessPlus 23.5.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, Microsoft SQL Server 2019
Test and Dev Environment | Production Environment | |
---|---|---|
CPU | 8 Core | 4 Quad Core |
RAM | 16 GB | 32+ GB |
DISK | 160 GB for Data Files | 60 GB OS and 160 GB for Data Files in a RAID Configuration |
Database sizing depends on the size of the database, log files, and so forth. Please confirm appropriate database server disk space needs with your database administrator (DBA).
Application Server
OS Version: Windows Server 2016/2019 Standard or Datacenter Edition
Microfocus Version: Microfocus Cobol 5.1
MKS Version: MKS 10.1. patch 1, MKS 10.3
MKS 10.3 is required on Windows Server 2019
The BusinessPlus Application server supports up to 4 file systems. Any additional may cause performance issues.
Test and Dev Environment | Production Environment | |
---|---|---|
CPU | 4 Core | 8 Core |
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
DISK | BusinessPlus Installer requires 10 GB available free space | 60 GB Drive and 60 GB Data/Application Drive |
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 2016/2019 Standard or Datacenter Edition
SSL: An SSL certificate is required for secure communications on all Web and DMZ servers. TLS 1.2 is the only supported protocol.
Test and Dev Environment | Production Environment | |
---|---|---|
SERVERS | 1 | 2 Minimum + 1 additional for each additional 100 concurrent users |
CPU | 4 Core | 8 Core |
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
DISK | BusinessPlus Installer requires 10 GB available free space | 60 GB Drive and 60 GB Data/Application Drive |
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. PowerSchool can only offer limited assistance in configuring them with BusinessPlus.
Firewall Considerations
Web / DMZ Server
Port | Direction | Description |
---|---|---|
443 | Incoming | End-user web traffic |
443 | Outgoing |
BusinessPlus will not function without the ability to reach these URLs. |
Other | Outgoing | Workflow (WF) mail: Verify vendor documentation for SMTP and IMAP/POP3 email ports if WF email is in use. |
Other | Outgoing | LDAP/SSO/OAUTH: Verify ports needed with the third-party provider. |
App Server
Port | Direction | Description |
---|---|---|
22 | Incoming | Optional: Allow end user SFTP/SSH access to app server. |
23 | Incoming | Used by web servers for job submission. Only needed for webserver to app server communication. |
SQL Server
Port | Direction | Description |
---|---|---|
1433 | Incoming | Port 1433 is the default SQL Server port. Check with your DBA to verify that is the port in use. |
Cognos
Release Version | Minimum | Recommended |
---|---|---|
BusinessPlus 23.5 | 11.1.7 | 11.1.7 |
Single Server Solution - Up to 50,000 Students
Hardware | Physical Server | Virtual Server |
---|---|---|
Processor | (2) 8-Core CPUs | (16) Virtual CPUs |
Memory | 32GB RAM | 32GB RAM |
Storage | Physical Server | Virtual Server |
Operating System (Drive C) | 110GB | 110GB |
Application Files (Drive D) | 55GB | 55GB |
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.
Hardware | Physical Server | Virtual Server |
---|---|---|
Processor | (3) 8-Core CPUs | (20) Virtual CPUs |
Memory | 64GB RAM | 64GB RAM |
Storage | Physical Server | Virtual Server |
Operating System (Drive C) | 110GB | 110GB |
Application Files (Drive D) | 55GB | 55GB |
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 do not have significant user load, you may configure these environments as a one-server Microsoft Windows solution.
Hardware | Physical Server | Virtual Server |
---|---|---|
Processor | (2) 8-Core CPUs | (16) Virtual CPUs |
Memory | 32GB RAM | 32GB RAM |
Storage | Physical Server | Virtual Server |
Operating System (Drive C) | 110GB | 110GB |
Application Files (Drive D) | 55GB | 55GB |
Regulatory
OS Version: Windows Server 2016/2019 Standard or Datacenter Edition
DB Version: Microsoft SQL Server 2016, Microsoft SQL Server 2017, Microsoft SQL Server 2019
DB Features: Database Engine, Integration Services, Reporting Services
Storage | Test and Dev Environment | Production Environment |
---|---|---|
CPU | 4 Core | 8 Core |
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
DISK | 60 GB OS Drive | 60 GB Drive and 60 GB Data/Application Drive |
Client Software Support
Workstation Requirements
Windows 10 or Windows 11 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 supports Firefox, Chrome, and Edge Chromium on Windows Workstations and servers. Apple Mac supports Firefox and Safari. 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 supports any PCL5-compatible printer except for the HP5si or any Troy printers.