1.1 Preparing to Install PlateSpin Protect

For trouble-free installation and operation of PlateSpin Protect, you should review the system requirements and plan your installation.

1.1.1 System Requirements

PlateSpin Server hosts must meet the system requirements in Table 1-1:

Table 1-1 PlateSpin Server Host Requirements

Requirement

Details

Dedicated host

Physical or virtual server

Operating System

For new installations, any of the following Windows Server versions:

  • Windows Server 2012 R2 (64-bit)

  • Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 (64-bit)

NOTE:You must activate the Microsoft license for your Windows operating system prior to installing PlateSpin Protect.

Processor

Minimum 1 GHz

Recommended: multi-core, 2 GHz or higher

Memory (RAM)

Minimum 4 GB

Disk Space

Minimum 15 GB

NOTE:Over time, space consumption will increase.

Database Server

A dedicated Microsoft SQL Server database instance (local or remote), running on one of the following:

  • New database server: Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Express Edition database server is included in your PlateSpin Protect software distribution.

    You can install this software during the PlateSpin Protect installation on the same server, or you can install this software separately on a different server before you install the product. For more information, see Installing Microsoft SQL Server Express Edition.

  • Your existing database server: You can use your existing Microsoft SQL Server database server to host the database instance. Your existing database server resides on a different server than the PlateSpin Server.

    Supported software versions are:

    • Microsoft SQL Server 2014

    • Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Service Pack 2

    • Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 2

    • Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 3

    • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 4

    NOTE:Prior to installing the product, ensure that your existing SQL Server database server and named database instance meet the Database guidelines. For configuration information, see Configuring Your Remote Microsoft SQL Server Database Server.

Software Prerequisites

You must install the following components on the Windows server where you will install PlateSpin Protect:

National Language Support

In addition to the English language, PlateSpin Protect provides National Language Support (NLS) for installation and use on machines configured for the Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, French, German, and Japanese languages. Localized online documentation is available in these languages, as well as in Spanish.

NOTE:Ensure that the OS Language setting matches the OS Locale setting on the computer. You can change the locale of the computer as per your requirement after the installation is complete.

To use the PlateSpin Protect Web Interface and integrated help in one of these languages, see Configuring Language Settings for International Versions.

1.1.2 Deployment Guidelines

Follow the pre-installation checklist in Table 1-2 for trouble-free installation and operation of PlateSpin Protect.

Table 1-2 Pre-Installation Checklist

Guideline

Remarks

Dedicated Host

Install PlateSpin Protect on a dedicated physical machine or virtual machine. See also Co-location.

Credentials

Perform all installation procedures using an account with administrative privileges. Use the built-in Administrator account.

IP Address

Assign a static IP address to the PlateSpin Server host.

Co-location

Do not co-locate the PlateSpin Server with:

  • Your domain controller

  • Existing web servers with IIS applications

  • A workload that you intend to protect by using the product

  • Other PlateSpin software (PlateSpin Migrate and PlateSpin Recon)

Database

The Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Express Edition that is included with PlateSpin Protect Server cannot be installed on a domain controller, in accordance with Microsoft Developer Network recommendations.

If you intend to use your existing Microsoft SQL Server database server (instead of the Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Express Edition included in your software distribution), ensure that your system uses a supported version of SQL Server. During the PlateSpin Protect software installation, you need to know the server name and name of the database instance.

For more information about SQL Server settings and the firewall settings required for using a remote database server, see Section 1.3.3, Installing the Database Server.

UAC

Disable the User Account Control (UAC) during the installation, removal, or upgrade.

Installation Workflow

Install the prerequisite software in the indicated order. Below is a high-level workflow for a typical PlateSpin Protect installation:

  1. Supported operating system, followed by corresponding Windows Updates.

  2. ASP.NET/IIS, followed by corresponding Windows Updates.

    1. Configure IIS to run in 32-bit mode.

  3. SQL Server database, followed by applicable Microsoft updates.

  4. PlateSpin Server.