Hardware and Software Requirements

Firms using Local Solutions will need to provide hardware for the server to run on, arrange for backups, provide IIS, SSL, and SQL Server. The Desktop Client may run on any Windows computer. Included here is what CaseWare International recommends as the minimum requirements for the computer on which the Server is installed. Some firms may already have some SQL Server licenses, and so their costs will be reduced from what is listed here.

Firms should use the computer for no purpose other than as the Benchmark Server, so they will have to consider the full cost of hardware. Firms should arrange for full regular backup.

Server Hardware Specifications

   Dual Core processor

   2.4 GHz with Hyper threading

   2 GB of RAM memory

   300 GB HDD

   Support at least 20 concurrent users

The hardware costs are an estimated CND $3100.

Backup Hardware Specifications

We assume most firms will have a backup infrastructure in place and their Benchmarking server can simply take advantage of that. As hard-drive space is approximately $2/Gig, the cost of backups should be minimal other than perhaps the labour cost of administering them.

Server Software Specifications

   MS Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1

   MS Internet Information Server (IIS)

   Secure Socket Layer (SSL)

   MS SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition or 2005 Workgroup Edition

   MS .Net Framework 1.1

   MS Office XP Web Components   

IIS is included in the price of the Operating System. SSL, the .Net Framework and Office Web Components are available free of cost.

SQL 2005 - Single Processor License

With a dual core processor, users need pay for only one CPU. See below for SQL Sever pricing. Assuming firms use SQL Server 2005, Workgroup Edition, purchased with a Processor Licensing Model, the price would be approximately USD 3,700.

SQL Server 2005

CaseWare International’s Benchmarking server uses SQL Server 2000. SQL Sever 2005 is the version Microsoft is currently retailing. CaseWare International has tested Benchmarking with SQL Server 2005. It does run but requires some changes from Benchmarking (the connection strings and the scheduled tasks). It is not possible to build Benchmarking to run on both SQL Server 2000 and 2005. However, CaseWare International can create a build for SQL Server 2005 for firms if necessary.

Further Information About SQL Server

The following link compares the features of the four editions of SQL Server: Express, Workgroup, Standard and Enterprise. We recommend firms use at least the Workgroup edition. Firms with large numbers of users may wish to use the Standard or Enterprise editions. Firms using the Express edition will also need the Configuration Tools.

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/features/compare-features.mspx

The server hardware we recommend exceeds the hardware recommended by Microsoft for SQL Server, even the Enterprise Edition. Therefore, firms acquiring the hardware recommended for Benchmarking will be able to run SQL Server on the same computer:

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/editions/enterprise/sysreqs.mspx

The pricing model (in USD):

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/default.mspx

Operating System

The Benchmarking server should be installed on a computer using the XP Pro operating system, though, with some additional effort, it may be installed on a machine using the Windows 2000 or Windows 2003 Server operating systems.

SSL

Benchmarking requires the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) for the Desktop Client to work properly. SSL ensures a secure connection between the Benchmarking server and any client application, which in the case of Benchmarking is either the Desktop Client, Web Client, Batch Upload, or a CaseView template. When SSL is used with a Web Client, the web browser will use the HTTPS protocol instead of the usual HTTP protocol. This may be seen in the address bar, where the URL will be prefixed with https:// instead of http://, and by the padlock symbol in the bottom right of the browser.

SSL ensures the connections between the Benchmarking server and the clients are secure with respect to several concerns, including privacy and server authentication. Privacy is maintained by encrypting all data send between the server and clients, ensuring that even where persons are able to view the data sent between the client applications and the server, the data will be unreadable. Server authentication is provided by the use of certificates, which ensure the client application is, in fact, communicating with the Benchmarking server. To set up SSL, firms must first create a certificate. Depending on what certificate authority is used, the web browser may not recognize the certificate authority named in the certificates, and users may be prompted with a dialog each time they access the Benchmarking server with the Web Client or Desktop Client.

SSL is installed in the IIS management application. Navigate to Default Web Site Properties | Directory Security, and run the IIS Certificate Wizard.

CaseWare is set up as a Certificate Authority (CA), so it is possible to use CaseWare as the CA for the certificate you create. The easiest thing for users is probably to use Microsoft Certificate Services (or another CA). This can be installed on the same server as IIS or on another server.

Which organization is used as the CA depends partially on the amount the firm is willing to spend. CaseWare is not a CA recognized by web browsers such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. Firms may wish to use a certificate from Verisign, Thwaite or other recognized CA’s. Note though, when purchasing a certificate from one of these firms, there is an annual cost, and they require some period of time to verify your credentials and create your certificate.