FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CribMaster Database and Client Requirements GENERAL 1. WHAT TYPE OF APPLICATION IS CRIBMASTER? ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL APPLICATION SERVER OR USER INTERFACE REQUIREMENTS? CribMaster is a standard Win32 application written in Visual C++ using the Microsoft Foundation Class. There are no special requirements for its installation. Currently Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional and Windows Vista are fully supported. There are no known dependencies on service packs. Beginning with CribMaster 7.7 64 bit processor installations are fully supported. (CribMaster 6.1 is the last version to fully support Windows 95 and Windows 98. Partial support is available in CribMaster 6.2. Beginning with CribMaster 6.3, Windows 95 will no longer be supported, and only Windows 98 SE is supported. Beginning with CribMaster 7.0 Windows 98 SE and Windows NT are longer fully supported.) 2. CAN I RUN CRIBMASTER FROM AN APPLICATION SERVER? The application can be installed individually on each client machine, although in large installations it is recommended that the binaries be launched from an application server. CribMaster can also be hosted in a Terminal Services (or equivalent) environment. 3. HAS WINWARE EVER DONE AN INSTALLATION WHERE THE CLIENT IS PERFORMING VPN/TERMINAL SERVICES INTO THE SERVER LOCATION? Yes. We have clients using both VPN and Terminal Services. Our CM-Online service (web based offering for CribMaster) uses Terminal Services with over 100 companies and 400 clients utilizing the online service. 4. IS THE SOURCE CODE PROVIDED? The CribMaster source code is proprietary and is not distributed. However, we can provide a document of understanding that the source code will be released should WinWare stop supporting the product. DATABASE SERVER ORACLE AND SQL 5. DOES WINWARE SELL THE COMPLETE PACKAGE OR CAN WE USE OUR EXISTING SERVERS/DATABASE? This is at the discretion of the customer. We can purchase a server machine for you, or you can use your existing SQL or Oracle server and licensing. 4/16/2009 WinWare, Inc. 2009 Page 1 of 8
6. IF EXISTING HARDWARE CAN BE USED, WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDED PROCESSOR SPEED, MEMORY AND HARD DRIVE SPACE? Recommended minimum requirements for Microsoft SQL Server or an Oracle 9i (or later see the database support matrix below) server running on Windows 2003 would be Pentium III class or better at 750MHZ or higher, 1GB memory, and 3 separate hard drives, each at least 2GB in size. (Oracle performance is substantially improved if processing can be distributed across multiple hard drives). Additional server memory can provide substantial performance increases, especially for Microsoft SQL Server. NOTE: Larger drives may provide significant performance benefits over smaller drives even if the space is not required. SQL Server versions 2000 and higher supported. At the time of this writing, only Windows-based implementations of SQL Server are supported. 7. DOES WINWARE SUPPORT A UNIX (SPECIFICALLY SUN OR OTHER UNIX PLATFORMS?) IF YES, WHICH OPERATING SYSTEM AND VERSION? Unix is supported For Oracle; we support any server platform on which Oracle 9i or later can be run, provided that connectivity to Windows-based client machines is enabled. We currently have installations which host Oracle databases on UNIX servers. 8. ARE THERE THIRD PARTIES USED TO INTERFACE TO THE DATABASE? For Oracle, our application uses Oracle's ODBC driver for application connectivity. NOTE: The Microsoft ODBC for Oracle driver is not supported. CribMaster requires a driver provided by Oracle Corporation. NOTE: Beginning with Oracle 8.1.7, only the 8.1.7.0, 9.2.0.4, and 10.1.0.3 ODBC drivers are currently certified with CribMaster. For SQL, our application uses ODBC driver 3.70 or later (available with Microsoft Data Access Components 2.1 or later. This is included on the software CD). 9. WHAT VERSIONS OF WINDOWS ARE SUPPORTED BY THE CLIENT SOFTWARE AND WHAT SERVICE PACKS DO WE NEED? Window 2000, 2003, and XP are supported for the client software. There are no known dependencies on service packs. 10. WHAT ARE YOUR SPECIFIC NETWORK SPEED REQUIREMENTS OR PROTOCOLS? Each CribMaster installation averages about 25-32 KBPS for bandwidth usage. This WinWare, Inc. 2009 Page 2 of 8
should not be an issue for most sites that utilize 100MBPS switches but can effect those PC s still on 10MBPS ports. Those 10 MBPS PC s can see some latency in the application. 11. DOES WINWARE PROVIDE SCHEMA OR DATABASE LAYOUT INFORMATION? A schema summary and foreign key cross-reference is available. We also will provide database-related technical support. MICROSOFT ACCESS DATABASE 12. HOW LARGE IS A TYPICAL CRIBMASTER ACCESS DATABASE? A typical CribMaster/Access database can be 15-40MB in size, supporting approximately 10-15,000 items. The database size is inversely related to the number of users that can be supported. 13. WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF USERS? A smaller Access database (5000 items or less) can support 5-10 users. A larger database (10-15,000 items) can support 3-5 users. Access databases subjected to intense use are prone to damage (which can be repaired without data loss in most cases), and the probability of problems increases with the size of the database, number of users, and network instability. A somewhat larger database can be supported on a reliable 100MB network. We have devised a CribMaster Database Index (CDI) to assist in determining whether an Access database can support your needs: CDI = Bin locations X Concurrent users (client machines) / 1000 If the CDI is 50 or higher, you should consider the Enterprise version. A CDI of 100 or more generally results in unacceptable performance with an Access database. 14. WHAT SORT OF USER AUTHORIZATION/SECURITY IS USED WITH AN ACCESS DATABASE? An Access database can be password protected, and CribMaster application users need not know the password in order to use the application. Functions within CribMaster can be individually authorized to roles, and users can be individually assigned roles appropriate to the functions for which they will need access. WinWare, Inc. 2009 Page 3 of 8
15. WHAT IS THE BACKUP SCENARIO? CribMaster can automatically backup the database daily, as well as maintain 7 rolling backups for the previous 7 days. In the unlikely event of a complete database loss, the transactions and updates since the last backup must be repeated. SQL Server can recover to the point of failure, as can an Oracle database if configured to do so. SQL SERVER DATABASE 16. HOW LARGE IS A TYPICAL CRIBMASTER SQL DATABASE? A typical SQL Server database for CribMaster requires 200-500MB of space. This includes space for the data itself and the required transaction log. 17. WILL WINWARE SELL LICENSES FOR THE DATABASE? IF SO, WILL YOU SELL THE SERVER AND HARDWARE AS WELL? WinWare can purchase the server and/or licenses for you. This cost is in addition to that of the CribMaster software itself. 18. WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDED NUMBER OF USERS? SQL Server can support a large number of users, and databases into the GB range. To a large degree, the number of users is dependant on the hardware on which the server is hosted. 20-50 users should not require a high performance server. 19. WHAT VERSIONS OF SQL SERVER DATABASE SERVER ARE SUPPORTED? Currently SQL Server 2000 or SQL Server 2005 are supported. Earlier versions of SQL Server are supported as indicated in the following support matrix: CRIBMASTER VERSION SQL 6.5 SQL 7.0 SQL 2000 SQL 2005 SQL 2008 5.0 (AND EARLIER) YES YES YES N/A N/A 5.1-6.4 NO YES YES YES YES 6.5 (AND LATER) NO NO YES YES YES NOTE: SQL Server 2000 or MSDE Service Pack 3 is required for replication. 20. WHAT SORT OF USER AUTHORIZATION/SECURITY IS USED WITH A SQL DATABASE Security is provided by the CribMaster software as with the Access version. Additionally, SQL Server supports both SQL Server-based and NT-based authentication. WinWare, Inc. 2009 Page 4 of 8
21. WHAT IS THE BACKUP SCENARIO? ARE THERE THIRD PARTY MAINTENANCE UTILITIES AND/OR THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE? SQL Server provides extensive facilities for automating database maintenance and backups. With proper partitioning, recovery can be achieved to the point of failure should the database be irrevocably damaged. CribMaster also provides direct support automatic backup of SQL Server databases. No additional third party software is required. ORACLE DATABASE DETAILS 22. HOW LARGE IS A TYPICAL CRIBMASTER ORACLE DATABASE? A typical Oracle database for CribMaster will require 100-250MB of space. This includes only space for the data. Additional space is required if auditing or logging is to be performed. 23. WHAT IS THE COST IF WE PROVIDE THE DATABASE LICENSE? You pay only for the CribMaster software if you purchase your own database license. 24. DO NT OR UNIX AND/OR BOTH SUPPORT THE DATABASE? Both NT and UNIX servers can be used to host the CribMaster database 25. WHAT VERSIONS OF ORACLE DATABASE SERVER ARE SUPPORTED? Oracle 9i (9.2) and higher are supported, with partial support for 8.1.7. Some earlier version of CribMaster will run on Oracle 8.0 and older versions. Note that later versions have additional resource requirements that may not be justifiable for a CribMaster-only installation. Also, after 8.1.7, only ODBC drivers 8.1.7.0, 9.2.0.4, and 10.1.0.3 have been certified with CribMaster because of bugs in other versions of the drivers. CRIBMASTER VERSION 7.3.4 8.0.6 8.1.7 9.2 10G 11G 6.4 AND EARLIER Y Y Y Y Y Y 6.5 P[1] Y Y Y Y Y 6.7 - Y Y Y Y Y 6.8 - P4 Y Y Y Y 7 - - P[2] Y Y Y 7.1 AND LATER - - P4 Y Y Y [1] Some advanced functions may not be supported [2] An Oracle 9.2 ODBC driver is or schema changes and ODBC workarounds with the 8.1.7 driver are required. WinWare, Inc. 2009 Page 5 of 8
26. WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDED NUMBER OF USERS? Oracle can support a large number of users, and databases into the GB range. To a large degree, the number of users is dependant on the hardware on which the server is hosted. Performance is enhanced by the use of multiple disk drives or storage networks instead of 1 or 2 larger drives.3 27. WHAT SORT OF USER AUTHORIZATION/SECURITY IS USED WITH A ORACLE DATABASE? Security is provided by the CribMaster software as with the Access version. Oracle differs from SQL Server in that the user login affects schema visibility, so the most efficient and easiest-to-support method is to have CribMaster log in as the schema owner. (Note that the database password can be encrypted and hidden from the application users). 28. CAN CRIBMASTER CONNECT TO ORACLE USING A LOGIN OTHER THAN THE SCHEMA OWNER? Yes, but this configuration is not recommended because it provides no real benefit while significantly increasing the required support and administration effort, especially during the initial installation process and when upgrades are performed. A second Oracle user with only SELECT, UPDATE, INSERT, and DELETE privileges for all the CribMaster tables can be used. Private synonyms for all the CribMaster tables must be created for the additional user public synonyms are explicitly not supported. 29. WHAT IS THE BACKUP SCENARIO? Backup support is via Oracle or third-party utilities. 30. ARE THERE THIRD PARTY MAINTENANCE UTILITIES AND/OR THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE? No additional third party software is required for CribMaster support. PC CLIENT DETAILS 31. WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM OR AVERAGE NUMBER OF CLIENTS? This depends upon the host DBMS and network speed. Access: 5-10 SQL Server: 20-100 Oracle: 50-200 WinWare, Inc. 2009 Page 6 of 8
32. WHAT IS THE CLIENT OPERATING SYSTEM (SPECIFICALLY THE SERVICE PACK)? Currently Windows 2000, XP, and Vista are supported. There are no known dependencies on service packs. 33. WHAT ARE THE CPU, MEMORY, AND HARD DRIVE REQUIREMENTS? While any machine capable of running the host operating system will suffice, here are some general guidelines: CPU: 400 MHZ Pentium class or better (1.5 GHZ or better recommended) Memory: At least 256 MB, 512 MB recommended (Windows 2000, XP) At least 512 MB, 1 GB recommended (Windows Vista) 1 Hard Drive: CribMaster executables will require 30-50MB of client hard drive space 34. WHAT ARE THE ADDITIONAL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR VENDING MACHINE PC S? Vending machine PC s require 1 Serial Port, 1 Ethernet Port, and 4-5 USB Ports: 1 for Scanner 1 Prox Reader 1 for Keyboard 1 for Mouse 1 for Touch Screen 35. WHAT ARE THE ADDITIONAL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR RFID MACHINE PC S? RFID machines require two COM Ports for the AccuCab and the AccuDrawer and 3 Com Ports for the AccuPort. AccuCab COM for Lock and INTERNAL Com for door switch. AccuDrawer COM for Lock and INTERNAL Com for door switch. AccuPort COM for Lock, one for each of 2 pads. NOTE: You need ONE internal com port for the door switch. This can be onboard, or a PCI adapter. It can NOT be a USB adapter. 1 This is true only if CribMaster is installed on and loaded from the client machine. Much less space (<1MB) is required for the client if the application is launched from a shared server location. WinWare, Inc. 2009 Page 7 of 8
RFID machines also require two Ethernet connections for RFID devices (Accu-Port, Accu-Cab, Accu-Drawer) 1 for the Reader and 1 for network connection. 36. IS THERE ANY ADDITIONAL THIRD PARTY/DATABASE LICENSE REQUIRED FOR THE CLIENTS? None other than required by the host DBMS. Access databases do not require a client access license. 37. WHAT INTERFACE IS USED? Access: Minimal DAO and ODBC drivers are installed by the CribMaster installation program. We recommend that the Microsoft Data Access Components be installed on machines running Windows 95, 98, or ME. SQL Server: 2000.80.207.0 or later (available with Microsoft Data Access Components 2.6) Oracle: CribMaster requires a driver provided by Oracle Corporation. Beginning with Oracle 8.1.7, only the 8.1.7.0, 9.2.0.4, and 10.2.0.3 ODBC drivers are currently certified with CribMaster. Note that the Microsoft ODBC for Oracle driver is not supported WinWare, Inc. 2009 Page 8 of 8