AutoClerk®
Minimum Platform Specifications for New Installations
version 4
01/21/04
This describes the minimum requirements for communications equipment, computer equipment, operating system software and communications software for an AutoClerk installation.
If you already own some equipment which does not meet this specification, please check with AutoClerk; some of it may be usable in non-critical areas.
General Installation Requirements
- High Speed, Always-on Internet Access.
- External Hardware Firewall. This is a dedicated device placed between your Internet connection and Local Area Network (LAN). Software firewalls co-resident on the computers on your LAN are not sufficient.
- 100 Base T Hub made by one of:
Some firewalls come with built-in hubs or switches which are suitable for small installations.
- Recommended: External Modem for backup access, attached to server or Station #1.
- All equipment must be connected to mains power via a surge suppressor or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) of sufficient capacity. All surge suppressors used should be supplied with an insurance policy.
- Modems must be US Robotics Sportster external 33.6K or 56K modems. Each will require one serial port on the computer to which it is attached.
- If a dot matrix impact printer is used, it must be an Okidata 320 or 420 Microline Turbo Printer set to Epson Emulation Mode. The Windows Operating System must be configured to use the Epson FX-80 driver.
- Serial ports are RS232C with male DB9 connectors.
- Parallel ports used for dot matrix printers must be set to standard (output only) mode.
- Each interface requires one
serial port (RS232C DB9) on the computer to which it is attached.
Interfaces are usually installed on the computer running the AutoClerk
Server Program. If you purchase a computer with 2 RS232C DB9 serial ports
integrated into the motherboard it is more likely to be a business grade
(not consumer grade) machine.
If more than 2 ports are allocated, a serial port extender
will be required.
Approved extenders are: - Digi board AccelePort Xr920
- Ionetworks Edgeport USB to multi port RS232C.
Serial port extenders must be fitted with male DB9 connectors.
All Computers
Note: Servers may have additional requirements that override those given here.
- Windows XP Pro
- Intel Pentium III or compatible processor, 600Mhz minimum.
- 256Mb RAM
- Video Card capable of supporting a display resolution of 1024 * 768 with 16-bit color.
- Monitor with resolution of
1024 * 768 minimum.
If it is a touchscreen monitor, a serial port may be needed for the touchscreen. - Keyboard and mouse
- 100mb/sec Network Interface Card (NIC)
- Surge Suppressor, or APC UPS
- Symantec pcAnywhere version 11.0 or
higher.
Full version, host and remote. - Anti-virus software on all computers is strongly recommended.
Dedicated Server
- Microsoft Windows Server
2000 or Server 2003
If the system has fewer than ten clients, Windows XP Pro is acceptable. - Intel Pentium III or compatible processor, 600Mhz minimum.
- 256 MB RAM
- CD-ROM or DVD drive
- 20Gb Disk storage available
for AutoClerk.
It is highly desirable that redundant (RAID 3 or higher) disk storage be used. May be SCSI or Serial ATA. - APC
Smart UPS 700 Watt with Powerchute software configured to broadcast
messages.
Powerchute requires one serial port. See below. - 1 serial port -- RS232C DB9 set to COM1, used by Powerchute.
- A serial port extender as specified above may be required.
- The server must not share a keyboard, mouse or monitor with a workstation.
Client Stations
- If Credit Card Data Capture
is installed, each station that uses it requires one external modem and
one serial port as specified above.
The System Specifications for Autoclerk's Interface to Credit Card Processing (Data Capture) MUST also be followed.
Station #1 and any station designated as a backup station #1
· Intel Pentium III or compatible processor, 600Mhz minimum.
· 256Mb RAM recommended.
· 20Gb Disk storage.
· CD-ROM or DVD drive
· Iomega Internal 250MB Zip Drive
· One serial port for each of the Call Accounting and Credit Card Data Capture interfaces, if installed on Station #1. If you purchase a computer with 2 RS232C DB9 serial ports integrated into the motherboard it is more likely to be a business grade (not consumer grade) machine.
· A serial port extender as specified above may be required.
Credit Card Data Capture Security Requirements
Any property which uses credit card data capture must comply with the
requirements of the Cardholder
Information Security Program (CISP).
A summary of the current CISP Requirements is given here:
- Install and maintain a working firewall to protect data
- Keep security patches up-to-date
- Protect stored data
- Encrypt data sent across public networks
- Use and regularly update anti-virus software
- Restrict access by "need to know"
- Assign unique ID to each person with computer access
- Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for passwords and security parameters
- Track all access to data by unique ID
- Regularly test security systems and processes
- Implement and maintain an information security policy
- Restrict physical access to data
These requirements are strongly recommended for all installations even if they do not utilize the AutoClerk credit card data capture subsystem.
Notes:
AutoClerk does not endorse other application programs such as Microsoft Office or system services such as IIS, Apache or MSSQL, and cannot determine whether or not they may cause any incompatibilities.
If you choose to run other programs on a computer that is also running AutoClerk, you may need to increase RAM and disk capacities.
It is critical that business grade computers and other components be used throughout the system.
The primary front desk computer (Station #1) and any application server are mission critical computers. Most properties require these computers to function 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Also, these computers are responsible for creating a proper backup of hotel data. AutoClerk® Inc. strongly recommends the purchase of business grade computers and the selection of a hardware vendor who can provide support of the computers, network, operating system and other software during the hours your property will need such support.
Consumer grade computers as found in many discount stores are NOT suitable for mission critical use.
Computers with Windows XP Home or Media edition pre-installed are probably not business grade computers.
Computers which do not have two RS232C serial ports with DB9 connectors integrated into the motherboard are probably not business-grade computers.
To consult with First Computer, an AutoClerk certified hardware vendor, click here: http://www/first-computer.com.
For referrals to other AutoClerk certified hardware vendors, please call AutoClerk.