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Foodservice Suite/Nutrition Service Suite Hardware and Software Requirements

NOTE: If you are using EventMaster PLUS! , use these hardware requirements.

Deployment Plans

Client/Server – Simple

Client/Server – Large

NetMenu

Supported Operating Systems

Note regarding Novell Netware: All FSS and NSS Releases up to and including version 5.0 that use the Sybase Adaptive Server Anywhere database engines have been certified to work with Novell Netware version 5.x.  All FSS and NSS releases that use the Microsoft SQL Server database engines are not compatible with Novell Netware.

For Foodservice Suite (FSS) or Nutrition Service Suite (NSS)

¹ Windows 2000 is not officially supported by Microsoft since 7/13/2010.
² For FMS version 6.14.100 or higher with Sybase SQL Anywhere only
³ With Microsoft SQL Server 2005/2008 and Sybase SQL Anywhere 11 only

• We recommend 64 bit versions for the database engine and the operating system.
• For Windows Vista and Windows 7 the minimum RAM requirement is 1 GByte, 2 GByte recommended.
• Windows 2008 is supported for FMS version 7.0.100 and higher, version 8.2.100 and higher recommended.
• Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Windows 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 require version 8.12.100 or higher.

For NetMenu, NetNutrition, NetHIMS, Tray Monitor

¹ Windows 2000 is not officially supported by Microsoft since 7/13/2010.

• We recommend 64 bit versions for the database engine and the operating system.
• Compatible Browsers: Internet Explorer 7 and 8, Firefox 3.6 and higher.
• For Windows Vista and Windows 7 the minimum RAM requirement is 1 GByte, 2 GByte recommended.
• Windows 2008 is supported for FMS version 7.0.100 and higher, version 8.2.100 and higher recommended.
• Versions 6.6.100 and higher require Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5, which is not provided for Windows 2000.
• Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Windows 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 require version 8.12.100 or higher.

Database Systems (Database Engines)

Current versions of Foodservice Suite (FSS) and Nutrition Service Suite (NSS) can be deployed using Microsoft SQL Server 2005, Microsoft SQL Server 2008, or Sybase SQL Anywhere version 9 (formerly called Adaptive Server Anywhere).

• Sybase SQL Anywhere
  
  The current version of SQL Anywhere is 11.0.1.2376. This version supports standalone installations on Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 2008 (including R2). Please note that the previous version of Sybase SQL Anywhere (9.0.2.3411) did not support standalone installations on Windows Vista or higher.

• Microsoft SQL Server
  
  SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3, SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1 require version 8.2.100 or higher.
  SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 4, SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and SQL Server 2008 R2 require version 8.12.100 or higher.
  
  Notes:
  -- NetMenu requires Microsoft SQL Server. It is not supported for Sybase SQL Anywhere.
  -- Earlier versions of FSS and NSS (up to and including 5.1) are still supported for use with Microsoft SQL Server 2000.

Application Servers

We have tested our FSS/NSS products using Citrix (including XenApp version 4.5) and Microsoft Terminal Server, and both work fine.
If you are planning on using either of these products with FSS/NSS, please contact CBORD before you begin implementing and we will help you size your Citrix/Terminal Server environment for the best performance.
Citrix MetaFrame or Microsoft Terminal Server are not required to run CBORD systems, but when network bandwidth or latency becomes an issue, these products will improve response times.

Hardware Specifications

NSS/FSS Database Server

If you expect to have more than 50 concurrent users, or intend to virtualize please contact CBORD for a recommendation.
It is highly recommended to reserve half of the CPU and memory capacity for the virtual machine.

Recommendations regarding the database server configuration relative to concurrency of use, number of facilities, or number of beds (if applicable):

If your users utilize both FSS and NSS functions at the same time, to choose the next higher level.

NSS/FSS Application Server

We recommend deploying our software through application servers like Citrix or Microsoft Terminal Services if the expected concurrency level exceeds 10 users.

If the above variables are exceeded, use additional servers. We recommended a deployment of at least two for load balancing (usage spikes) and failover purposes.

NSS/FSS Interface Server

Typically the Interface Server can be deployed as a virtual machine.

If the above variables are exceeded, use additional servers.

Servers for Unit Orders, NetHIMS, NetNutrition, or Tray Monitor

If you have the NetHIMS, NetNutrition, or Tray Monitor application, we recommend you run it on its own (separate) application and Web servers. For a deployment with fewer than 20 concurrent users, the application and Web server can be combined. If you expect to have more than 50 concurrent users, or intend to virtualize please contact CBORD for a recommendation. It is highly recommended to reserve half of the CPU and memory capacity for the virtual machine.

For NetMenu (250 concurrent users)

The following table lists the suggested configuration for a system with 250 concurrent users (out of 1200 potential users):

Additional specifications: All servers, except Web servers, use the 64 bit edition of Windows 2003 Service Pack 2. The database engine is Microsoft SQL Server 2005 (64 bit).

NetMenu scales perfectly with the hardware and CPU speed. Most of the load is distributed on the application servers. Web server load is minimal.

Upgrading NSS/FSS (Performance Considerations)

Each new release of NSS and FSS includes new features and options, added by the CBORD Development team. When you upgrade to a new version, you may notice that some procedures run more slowly than they did in earlier versions, because of added processing time due to the new features. For example, after Pattern Fixing functions were added in NSS version 5, some users noticed that it took longer to generate personal menus and some NSS reports.

Modern hardware and upgrading to a more recent version can sufficiently improve performance to compensate for any loss in response time.

For example, if your existing database server is of the Pentium 4 generation, with single core CPUs with a low performance/clock-speed ratio, then moving to a Core 2 based system and doubling the amount of RAM should provide the same level of performance when you upgrade NSS from version 4 to version 5. With higher levels of current users (> 15 users) the amount of CPUs should remain the same.

Consult the following table:

Converting FSS/NSS from Sybase SQL Anywhere to Microsoft SQL Server (Performance Considerations)

If you switch your database engine from Sybase SQL Anywhere (formerly called Adaptive Server Anywhere) to Microsoft SQL Server, you may see some performance changes. Some NSS/FSS features – most notably Pattern Fixing, BME Generation, Inventory Variance Reports, and Production options – may work more slowly after the conversion, depending on the makeup of the database and how intensely you use the system.

For low to medium levels of concurrency, the performance loss is usually between 10 to 20%, which can be compensated for by increasing the CPU speed and/or the amount of RAM to meet the specifications listed in the NSS/FSS Database Server table in the section above on Hardware Specifications (page 5).

Virtual Machines (Performance Considerations)

View the statement on CBORD application support and virtualization.

Workstations and Peripherals

This document will provide the basic hardware and software information for CBORD’s FSS/NSS Windows based products (including FSS, NSS, NAS, NSA, AccuMenu, ProPrint, RS200, and MPP). 

CBORD provides free customized hardware specification for CBORD FSS/NSS products to its clients and potential clients. CBORD can also provide its clients with all the hardware and software needed to make your network a reality. CBORD has a trained network team that can work with your staff to answer all your networking questions, design your network, purchase the necessary equipment, and even provide network installations with your CBORD systems installed for you.

Before you purchase any hardware, let us review it with you to make sure everything is in order. If you would like us to review your hardware plan or if you have any hardware or network related questions please contact us by calling CBORD at 607.257.2410.  

This document briefly covers the following topics: Wide Area Network (WAN) Connectivity, Server and Workstation requirements, Printers , Remote Communication products, handheld devices, touch screen monitors for Room Service, and wireless networks. Minimum and optimal Hardware requirements are also included at the end of the document.

Wide Area Network (WAN) Connectivity:

The amount of necessary bandwidth to complete different operations varies within the FSS/NSS suite.  Please contact CBORD when you are planning a WAN implementation of FSS/NSS so that we can make sure we meet your performance needs.  In cases where bandwidth is limited, CBORD has successfully used Microsoft's Terminal Services/TSE or Citrix Metaframe/Presentation Server to implement FSS/NSS.  Please contact CBORD for more details concerning your WAN implementation.

Printers:

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet printers remain an industry standard and CBORD's choice of printer lines. Hewlett-Packard's LaserJet P4015n , is fast, reliable, and affordable. It prints 52 pages per minute and has several different paper tray options.

If you need to print labels, we support three Avery label formats:

• Avery # 5263 - 10 up on 8-1/2" x 11" paper (2" x 4")
• Avery # 5264 - 6 up (3-1/3" x 4")
• Avery # 5261 - 20 up (1" x 4")

Note: For Room Service printer specifications please see the table below. Printing requirements may vary for customers using legacy DOS applications. If you are looking to upgrade your printing configuration in a DOS environment, contact CBORD technical support for specific recommendations

Remote Communications:

CBORD’s support centers use WebEx™ systems for remote communications and support (www.webex.com).  Two options are available: WebEx Remote Access and WebEx Remote Support.  Both applications encrypt all traffic with 128-bit SSL, and offer full auditing, session logging, and session recording upon customer request. 

An internet connection is required. 

Touch Screen monitors for Room Service & Tray Monitor:

For best results, we recommend a 19 inch flat panel monitor. The screen resolution must support 1280 by 1024 as this is the minimum screen resolution required to operate in room service touch screen mode or utilize the web-based Tray Monitor application for Room Service.  For the best results, we also recommend monitors that have resistive touch screen technology. USB touch interface ports are preferred, assuming that the call center workstations are relatively new, have an available USB connection and that the operating system is either Windows XP or Vista. See the table below for our recommended model.

Wireless networks:

CBORD’s Food Services Suite, Nutrition Services Suite and Room Service systems are client/server applications, which provide a highly interactive user experience in which system processing is optimized by shared responsibility between the database server and the individual workstations. A properly designed and installed, high performance, wireless network will support CBORD applications. In some client’s environments, the throughput and connection integrity on wireless networks are not so robust. This may cause clients frustrations in supporting client/server applications on a wireless network.

Hardware Specifications:

Servers and Workstations (Vendors):

CBORD recommends that their software run on servers (and workstations) from established computer companies. Our approved list includes: Dell, Hewlett Packard, and IBM. We have had very good luck with Dell computers in terms of their quality, price, and service. If you purchase computers from CBORD, they will most likely be Dell.

If you choose to run on hardware other than the brands approved by CBORD, please check with CBORD before you purchase any hardware.

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CBORD serves colleges and universities, healthcare facilities, small acute healthcare facilities, supermarkets, continuing care facilities, corporations, and a host of other market segments with campus and cashless card systems, food and nutrition service management software, nationwide student discount and off-campus commerce programs, housing and judicial process management software, and integrated security solutions.