System Requirements


System Requirements

Overview

Empower uses a 3-tier architecture:

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:

BrowserVersion
Microsoft Internet Explorer11
Mozilla FirefoxLatest
SafariLatest
Google ChromeLatest

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 siteopen in new window 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 VersionLink
SQL Server 2019https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/install/hardware-and-software-requirements-for-installing-sql-server-ver15?view=sql-server-ver15open in new window
SQL Server 2017https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/install/hardware-and-software-requirements-for-installing-sql-server?view=sql-server-ver15open in new window
SQL Server 2016https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/install/hardware-and-software-requirements-for-installing-sql-server?view=sql-server-ver15open in new window
SQL Server 2014https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/sql/2014/sql-server/install/hardware-and-software-requirements-for-installing-sql-server?view=sql-server-2014open in new window
SQL Server 2012https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143506(v=sql.110).aspxopen in new window

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 websiteopen in new window.

Hardware Requirements Version 4.5

ComponentDescription
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

VersionLink
4.8https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet-framework/net48open in new window

How to get ready for .NET Framework 4.8

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

  1. Downloadopen in new window 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: web.config file with .NET updates

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 websiteopen in new window.

Hardware Requirements Version 4.5

ComponentDescription
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
VersionLink
4.8https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet-framework/net48open in new window

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

ComponentRequirement
Processor
  • Minimum. 1 GHz
  • Recommended. 2 GHz+
Memory
  • Minimum. 4 GB
  • Recommended. 8 GB+
Hard Disk1 GB
Display1024x768 or higher

Empower Client Utilities (CADKit) - Software

ComponentRequirement
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)