Hardware Requirements

Before you install the ENPS server, make sure you have the appropriate software drivers for all hardware devices. Standard Microsoft VGA 256 color video drivers are preferred because they are the least resource-intensive. Consult with Associated Press Broadcast Technology before you purchase new hardware. Server specifications vary based on the number of users connected to the system and the type of news applications you are using.

ENPS workstations and servers must be members of a Microsoft Windows NT or Active Directory domain. All security authentication is handled by the Microsoft domain structure. The domain controller cannot be installed on the same servers as the ENPS primary and backup.

Minimum Server Requirements

CPU:
Two servers are required: a Primary Server and a backup Buddy Server. Each server must have at least two Intel Xeon 2 GHz processors. Having a dual-core processor does not take the place of multiple processors.

RAM:
2 GB minimum; 4 GB or more is recommended.

Hard Disk Storage:
RAID-5: 3 x 60 GB 10k RPM+ SCSI or SAS drives or RAID-1: 2 x 120 GB 10k RPM+ SCSI or SAS drives This must be a hardware-based RAID; software based RAIDs will not work. The RAID Configuration must yield a minimum of 120 GB of space including the operating system.

Operating Systems:
Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2008. The operating system must be 32-bit; 64-bit operating systems are not supported. The operating system you are using must have the latest Microsoft service packs and security patches installed.

Browser:
Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher.

Network Interface Card:
10/100BASE-T minimum; 10/100/1000BASE-T recommended. The card must support TCP/IP in a Windows networking environment.

Additional Software:
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or later.

Adobe IFilter 6.0 to index PDF files

Remote access to server is required such as VNC, PCAnywhere or Remote Desktop.

Diskeeper Server 6.0 or higher is recommended.

Real-time antivirus software is not recommended.

Backup System:
A locally-attached external media backup for ENPS files is strongly recommended.

Wire Ingestion:
Multi-port serial card such as Comtrol Rocketport or Digi Board with one port for each incoming wire feed. PCI or PCI Express connectors for the multi-port serial cards are recommended. USB connectors are not recommended.

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Minimum Requirements for an ENPS Mobile Server

CPU:
Servers must be running Intel Pentium IV or Xeon processors with at least a 2GHz processor speed.

RAM:
2GB

Hard Disk Storage:
40GB

Operating Systems:
Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2

Network Interface Card:
10/100/1000Base-T recommended
 
Additional Software:
Internet Information Services (IIS); Microsoft .NET Framework 4

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Minimum Client Requirements

CPU:
Pentium IV 1GHz minimum; faster workstations are recommended for sites using ActiveX plug-ins.

RAM:
1 GB minimum; 2 GB or more is recommended.

Hard Disk Storage:
2 GB

Supported Operating Systems:
Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista Professional or Windows 7 Professional. The operating system must have the latest Service Packs from Microsoft installed. Home editions are not supported. For Windows 7 Professional, 32bit and 64bit operating systems are supported.

The workstation must have a Server Client Access License and it must be a member of your site’s Windows domain.

Browser:
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or later.

Network Interface Card:
10/100BASE-T minimum; 10/100/1000BASE-T recommended. The card must support TCP/IP in a Windows networking environment.

If you are using multimedia ActiveX plug-ins consult with the vendor for their networking requirements.

Additional Hardware:
Audio card and speakers.

Printer:
Laser printers such as the Hewlett Packard LaserJet series are recommended. Dot matrix printers have limited support under ENPS and are not recommended.

Video Card:
Minimum display resolution of 1024x768x16 is required; 1024x768x32 is recommended.

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Prompter/Captioning Workstation Requirements

CPU:
Pentium IV 1 GHz or faster is recommended.

RAM:
1 GB minimum; 2 GB or more is recommended

Hard Disk:
2 GB

Supported Operating Systems:
Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista Professional or Windows 7 Professional. Home editions are not supported. The operating system must be installed with the latest Service Pack from Microsoft.

The workstation must have a Server Client Access License and it must be a member of your site’s Windows domain.

Network Interface Card:
10/100BASE-T minimum; 10/100/1000BASE-T recommended. The card must support TCP/IP in a Windows networking environment.

Additional Hardware:
Serial (RS-232) port for optional hand controller. VGA10-to-NTSC converter such as Black Box VGA to Video Portable Pro Videoing Inc.

Print-To-Video Standard Mouse and/or Trackball for controlling prompter.

Prompter:
It is recommended that you use +WinPlus+ as the primary or backup prompter. The +WinPlus+ prompter is an ISA/PCI hardware board with NTSC/PAL outputs. It comes with a hand controller and can be genlocked.

Video Card Memory:
128 MB minimum

 

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