System Requirements

Overview

Empower uses a 3-tier architecture:

• System Requirements
  • Overview
  • User Access/Browsers
  • Database Requirements
  • Data Access Requirements
  • How to get ready for .NET Framework 4.8
  • Application Tier Requirements
  • Client Utilities

Multiple tiers can reside on a single node/machine or separated across different servers.

This document describes system software and hardware requirements for each tier as well as web browsers supported for client/user access.

User Access/Browsers

All core Empower 7.0 applications and modules are web browser-based applications.

The following browsers are supported for client/user access:

Browser	Version
Microsoft Internet Explorer	11
Mozilla Firefox	Latest
Safari	Latest
Google Chrome	Latest

Note: Empower uses HTML5 and CSS3. You should always use the latest version of all supported browsers.

Database Requirements

The Empower Database requires Microsoft SQL Server and supports the following versions and editions:

• SQL Server 2019
  • Enterprise Edition
  • Standard Edition
  • Express Edition
• SQL Server 2017
  • Enterprise Edition
  • Standard Edition
  • Express Edition
• SQL Server 2016
  • Enterprise Edition
  • Standard Edition
  • Express Edition

• SQL Server 2014
  • Enterprise Edition
  • Standard Edition
  • Business Intelligence Edition
  • Express Edition
• SQL Server 2012
  • Enterprise Edition
  • Standard Edition
  • Business Intelligence Edition
  • Express Edition

Empower recommends using SQL Server 2019. Refer to the Microsoft SQL Server web site for more information on SQL Server versions and editions.

The minimum hardware and software requirements for running the Empower Database Tier are listed in the following tables:

Supported Operating Systems/Links

SQL Server Version	Link
SQL Server 2019	https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/install/hardware-and-software-requirements-for-installing-sql-server-ver15?view=sql-server-ver15
SQL Server 2017	https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/install/hardware-and-software-requirements-for-installing-sql-server?view=sql-server-ver15
SQL Server 2016	https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/install/hardware-and-software-requirements-for-installing-sql-server?view=sql-server-ver15
SQL Server 2014	https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/sql/2014/sql-server/install/hardware-and-software-requirements-for-installing-sql-server?view=sql-server-2014
SQL Server 2012	https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143506(v=sql.110).aspx

Note: Actual requirements for SQL Server will vary based on version/edition and the applications and features you choose to install. TCP/IP must be enabled at the operating system level before installing SQL Server.

Data Access Requirements

The Empower 8.3 Data Access/Component Tier requires the Microsoft .NET Framework, Version 4.8 or greater and Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0 or later. Empower 8.2.1 and earlier require Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.

The Microsoft .NET Framework system requirements are described on this official Microsoft website.

Hardware Requirements Version 4.5

Component	Description
2 Core Processor	Minimum. 2 GHz Recommended. 4 GHz+
RAM	Minimum. 8 GB Recommended. 16GB+
Disk space (minimum)	32-bit. 500 GB 64-bit. 500 GB

.NET Framework Supported Operating Systems/Links

Version	Link
4.8	https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet-framework/net48

How to get ready for .NET Framework 4.8

To run Empower v8.3, you must install .NET Framework 4.8:

1. Download and install .NET Framework 4.8 Runtime onto your Empower Server.
2. Open your Web.config file
   • Go to the system.web/httpRuntime section. Edit the targetFramework attribute to 4.8.
   • Change the following two targetFramework attributes to 4.8:

Application Tier Requirements

The Empower Application Tier requires the Microsoft .NET Framework, Version 4.8 or greater and Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0 or later. Empower 8.2.1 and earlier require Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.

The Microsoft .NET Framework system requirements are described on this official Microsoft website.

Hardware Requirements Version 4.5

Component	Description
2 Core Processor	Minimum. 2 GHz Recommended. 4 GHz+
RAM	Minimum. 8 GB Recommended. 16GB+
Disk space (minimum)	32-bit. 500 GB 64-bit. 500 GB

Version	Link
4.8	https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet-framework/net48

Client Utilities

Empower 7.0 provides "Client Utilities" that includes the CADKit module. These utilities are not essential nor are they required for the core applications, however, some users may wish to install them.

The minimum and recommended system requirements for running the Empower Client Utilities are listed in the following table:

Empower Client Utilities (CADKit) - Hardware

Component	Requirement
Processor	Minimum. 1 GHz Recommended. 2 GHz+
Memory	Minimum. 4 GB Recommended. 8 GB+
Hard Disk	1 GB
Display	1024x768 or higher

Empower Client Utilities (CADKit) - Software

Component

Requirement

Operating System

Windows 10 (Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education) Windows 8.1 (Standard, Pro, Enterprise) Windows 8 (Standard, Pro, Enterprise) Windows 7 (Ultimate, Enterprise, Professional, Home Premium) Windows Server 2019 (Essentials, Essentials, Datacenter) Windows Server 2016 (Essentials, Essentials, Datacenter) Windows Server 2012 R2 (Standard, Datacenter) Windows Server 2012 (Standard, Datacenter) Windows Server 2008 R2 (Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter) Windows Server 2008 (Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter)