Pentagon 2000 System Requirements

Hardware and software requirements for running Pentagon 2000. Choose your configuration below.

Server, Workstation & Cloud Specifications: 1 User

The minimum, confirmed specification for a single-user installation.

Download the 1 User / Laptop specification (PDF)

Hardware

Processor: Intel Core i7 or better (i9 recommended)
Memory (RAM): 16 GB or better (24 or 32 GB recommended)
Storage: 1 GB fast hard disk SSD drive
Monitor: 27" or larger recommended
Display resolution: Minimum 1280 x 960, maximum 2048 x 1152

Software

Operating system: Windows 11 Professional
Database: Microsoft SQL Server Express, local install
Application: Pentagon 2000 Empower Basic, local install

Server, Workstation & Cloud Specifications: 2–10 Users

Sample general guideline specification for deployments of 2–10 users.

Download the 2–10 Users specification (PDF)

File Server / Database Server

Processors: 64-bit, single or dual CPU, 4 or 8 cores per CPU. Increase CPU based on concurrent users as needed.
Memory: 32 GB RAM minimum, or better recommended. Increase RAM based on concurrent users as needed.
Storage controller: Fast SAS / SCSI / RAID controller with fast caching
Drive configuration: RAID 10, fast SCSI / SAS hard disk drives at 15,000 RPM. Fast SSD drives recommended.
Power protection: UPS battery to protect the file server
Operating system: Windows Server 2019/2022 or higher, Standard Edition or higher
Database: Microsoft SQL Server 2019/2022 or higher, Standard Edition or higher
Display resolution: Minimum 1280 x 960, maximum 2048 x 1152

Workstations — Local Network

Processor: i7 or better
Memory: 16 GB RAM or better
Storage: 200 GB hard disk drive or better (fast SSD drives recommended)
Monitor: 27" or better recommended
Operating system: Windows 11 Professional
Display resolution: Minimum 1280 x 960, maximum 2048 x 1152

Workstations — Remote Access

Remote Desktop or a Citrix client can be used by various applications: Windows RDP, Mac, iPad, and others. Requirements and performance are mostly based on internet bandwidth, speed, and the capacity of the server the client connects to, which will require a gateway.

General Sizing Sample

Configuration	Supports
1 CPU, 4 Cores, 8 GB RAM	3–5 users
1 CPU, 4 Cores, 14 GB RAM	6–10 users
1 CPU, 4 Cores, 28 GB RAM	12–20 users

Cloud Specs Samples

Amazon Workspaces or Azure Virtual Desktop: each user is provided with their own personal cloud-based PC, eliminating the need to connect to servers via RDP. Otherwise, use the RDP concept sample below.

Azure Sample

Server type	CPU	RAM	Disk
1 Application server (D4 v2)	8	28	SSD
1 SQL Server (D4 v2)	8	32	SSD, or better
3 Terminal servers (D4 v2)	8	28	SSD, or virtual desktops, 1 for each

Samples of specific servers using AVD, good for 10–25 users: AVD server as D8as v5 instances (8 vCPUs, 32 GB RAM); SQL Server as an E8as VM (8 vCPUs, 64 GB RAM). See the Microsoft Azure Cloud calculator at https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/calculator/?scenario=virtual-machines

The application server is used as the print services.
The SQL Server hosts the database; users do not connect to it directly.
The terminal servers serve about 12–20 RDP users for remote access.
Customers can start with one or more terminal servers and add more as needed.

Server, Workstation & Cloud Specifications: 20–30 Users

Sample general guideline specification for about 20–30 users.

Download the 20–30 Users specification (PDF)

SQL Database Server / Files & Application Server

Processors: 64-bit, 2 CPU, 8 or more cores per CPU, 3.6 GHz or better recommended. Increase CPU based on concurrent users as needed.
Memory: 64 GB RAM minimum, 128 GB recommended. Increase RAM based on concurrent users as needed.
Storage controller: Fast SAS / SCSI / RAID controller with fast caching
Drive configuration: RAID 10, fast SCSI / SAS hard disk drives at 15,000 RPM. Fast SSD drives recommended, large capacity.
Power protection: UPS battery to protect the file server
Operating system: Windows Server 2019/2022 or higher, Standard/Enterprise Edition or higher
Database: Microsoft SQL Server 2019/2022 or higher, Standard/Enterprise Edition or higher
Display resolution: Minimum 1280 x 960, maximum 2048 x 1152

Application Server (Optional)

Processors: 64-bit, 2 CPU, 8 or more cores per CPU, 3.6 GHz or better recommended
Memory: 64 GB RAM minimum, 128 GB recommended
Drive configuration: RAID 10, fast SCSI / SAS hard disk drives at 15,000 RPM. Fast SSD drives recommended, large capacity.
Power protection: UPS battery to protect the file server
Operating system: Windows Server 2019/2022 or higher, Standard/Enterprise Edition or higher
Display resolution: Minimum 1280 x 960, maximum 2048 x 1152

Print Server / Scheduling Server

Some tasks, like printing service and scheduling tasks, are recommended to be dedicated to a separate server to ease the burden on the main server. Additional servers can be added as needed.

IIS Server

For apps, websites, and browser-based modules that require an IIS server, it's recommended to have its own dedicated server on the same network. Specs vary based on the module's functions.

Optional: SAN fiber storage, an aggregate of the required number of SAS SSD or 15K RPM disks.
Optional: Replicate all databases to a third SQL server for disaster recovery, with load balancing / clustering as active/passive.

Workstations — Local Network

Processor: i7 or better
Memory: 16 GB RAM or better
Storage: 200 GB SSD hard disk drive or better (fast SSD drives recommended)
Monitor: 27" or better recommended
Operating system: Windows 11 Professional
Display resolution: Minimum 1280 x 960, maximum 2048 x 1152

Workstations — Remote Access

Configuration	Supports
1 CPU, 4 Cores, 8 GB RAM	3–5 users
1 CPU, 4 Cores, 14 GB RAM	6–10 users
1 CPU, 4 Cores, 28 GB RAM	12–20 users

Cloud Specs Samples

Amazon Workspaces or Azure Virtual Desktop: each user is provided with their own personal cloud-based PC, eliminating the need to connect to servers via RDP. Otherwise, use the RDP concept sample.

Samples of specific servers using AVD, good for 10–25 users: AVD server as D8as v5 instances (8 vCPUs, 32 GB RAM).
SQL Server as an E8as VM (8 vCPUs, 64 GB RAM).

Server, Workstation & Cloud Specifications: 50–80 Users

Sample general guideline specification for about 50–80 users.

Download the 50–80 Users specification (PDF)

SQL Database Server

Processors: 64-bit, 2 CPU, 8 or more cores per CPU, 3.6 GHz or better recommended. Increase CPU based on concurrent users as needed.
Memory: 128 GB RAM minimum, 256 GB recommended. Increase RAM based on concurrent users as needed.
Storage controller: Fast SAS / SCSI / RAID controller with fast caching
Drive configuration: RAID 10, fast SCSI / SAS hard disk drives at 15,000 RPM. Fast SSD drives recommended, large capacity.
Power protection: UPS battery to protect the file server
Operating system: Windows Server 2019/2022 or higher, Standard/Enterprise Edition or higher
Database: Microsoft SQL Server 2019/2022 or higher, Standard/Enterprise Edition or higher
Display resolution: Minimum 1280 x 960, maximum 2048 x 1152

Application Server

Processors: 64-bit, 2 CPU, 8 or more cores per CPU, 3.6 GHz or better recommended
Memory: 64 GB RAM minimum, 128 GB recommended
Drive configuration: RAID 10, fast SCSI / SAS hard disk drives at 15,000 RPM. Fast SSD drives recommended, large capacity.
Power protection: UPS battery to protect the file server
Operating system: Windows Server 2019/2022 or higher, Standard/Enterprise Edition or higher
Display resolution: Minimum 1280 x 960, maximum 2048 x 1152

Print Server / Scheduling Server

Some tasks, like printing service and scheduling tasks, are recommended to be dedicated to a separate server to ease the burden on the main server. Additional servers can be added as needed.

IIS Server

For apps, websites, and browser-based modules that require an IIS server, it's recommended to have its own dedicated server on the same network. Specs vary based on the module's functions.

Optional: SAN fiber storage, an aggregate of the required number of SAS SSD or 15K RPM disks.
Optional: Replicate all databases to a third SQL server for disaster recovery, with load balancing / clustering as active/passive.

Workstations — Local Network

Processor: i7 or better
Memory: 16 GB RAM or better
Storage: 200 GB SSD hard disk drive or better (fast SSD drives recommended)
Monitor: 27" or better recommended
Operating system: Windows 11 Professional
Display resolution: Minimum 1280 x 960, maximum 2048 x 1152

Workstations — Remote Access

Configuration	Supports
1 CPU, 4 Cores, 8 GB RAM	3–5 users
1 CPU, 4 Cores, 14 GB RAM	6–10 users
1 CPU, 4 Cores, 28 GB RAM	12–20 users

Server, Workstation & Cloud Specifications: Up to 200 Users

Sample general guideline specification for up to 200 users.

Download the Up to 200 Users specification (PDF)

SQL Database Server

Processors: 64-bit, 2–4 CPU, 8 or more cores per CPU, 3.6 GHz or better recommended. Increase CPU based on concurrent users as needed.
Memory: 128 GB RAM minimum, 256 GB recommended. Increase RAM based on concurrent users as needed.
Storage controller: Fast SAS / SCSI / RAID controller with fast caching
Drive configuration: RAID 10, fast SCSI / SAS hard disk drives at 15,000 RPM. Fast SSD drives recommended, large capacity.
Power protection: UPS battery to protect the file server
Operating system: Windows Server 2019/2022 or higher, Standard/Enterprise Edition or higher
Database: Microsoft SQL Server 2019/2022 or higher, Standard/Enterprise Edition or higher
Display resolution: Minimum 1280 x 960, maximum 2048 x 1152

Application Server

Processors: 64-bit, 2–4 CPU, 8 or more cores per CPU, 3.6 GHz or better recommended
Memory: 128 GB RAM minimum, 256 GB recommended
Drive configuration: RAID 10, fast SCSI / SAS hard disk drives at 15,000 RPM. Fast SSD drives recommended, large capacity.
Power protection: UPS battery to protect the file server
Operating system: Windows Server 2019/2022 or higher, Standard/Enterprise Edition or higher
Display resolution: Minimum 1280 x 960, maximum 2048 x 1152

Print Server / Scheduling Server

Some tasks, like printing service and scheduling tasks, are recommended to be dedicated to a separate server to ease the burden on the main server. Additional servers can be added as needed.

IIS Server

For apps, websites, and browser-based modules that require an IIS server, it's recommended to have its own dedicated server on the same network. Specs vary based on the module's functions.

Optional: SAN fiber storage, an aggregate of the required number of SAS SSD or 15K RPM disks.
Optional: Replicate all databases to a third SQL server for disaster recovery, with load balancing / clustering as active/passive.

Workstations — Local Network

Processor: i7 or better
Memory: 16 GB RAM or better
Storage: 200 GB SSD hard disk drive or better (fast SSD drives recommended)
Monitor: 27" or better recommended
Operating system: Windows 11 Professional
Display resolution: Minimum 1280 x 960, maximum 2048 x 1152

Workstations — Remote Access

Configuration	Supports
1 CPU, 4 Cores, 8 GB RAM	3–5 users
1 CPU, 4 Cores, 14 GB RAM	6–10 users
1 CPU, 4 Cores, 28 GB RAM	12–20 users

Server, Workstation & Cloud Specifications: 400–500 Users

Sample general guideline specification for about 400–500 users.

Download the 400–500 Users specification (PDF)

SQL Database Server

Processors: 64-bit, 2–4 CPU, 8 or more cores per CPU, 3.6 GHz or better recommended. Increase CPU based on concurrent users as needed.
Memory: 256 GB RAM or better. Increase RAM based on concurrent users as needed.
Drive configuration: RAID 10, fast SCSI / SAS hard disk drives at 15,000 RPM. Fast SSD drives recommended, large capacity.
Operating system: Windows Server 2019/2022 or higher, Standard/Enterprise Edition or higher
Database: Microsoft SQL Server 2019/2022 or higher, Standard/Enterprise Edition or higher

Application Servers / Print Servers / Scheduling Servers (10–20 Servers)

Some tasks, like printing service and scheduling tasks, are recommended to be dedicated to a separate server to ease the burden on the main server. Additional servers can be added as needed.

Processors: 64-bit, 2–4 CPU, 8 or more cores per CPU, 3.6 GHz or better recommended
Memory: 64 GB RAM minimum, 128 GB recommended
Drive configuration: RAID 10, fast SCSI / SAS hard disk drives at 15,000 RPM. Fast SSD drives recommended, large capacity.
Operating system: Windows Server 2019/2022 or higher, Standard/Enterprise Edition or higher

IIS Server

For apps, websites, and browser-based modules that require an IIS server, it's recommended to have its own dedicated server on the same network. Specs vary based on the module's functions.

Optional: SAN fiber storage, an aggregate of the required number of SAS SSD or 15K RPM disks.
Optional: Replicate all databases to a third SQL server for disaster recovery, with load balancing / clustering as active/passive.

Workstations — Local Network

Processor: i7 or better
Memory: 16 GB RAM or better
Storage: 200 GB SSD hard disk drive or better (fast SSD drives recommended)
Monitor: 27" or better recommended
Operating system: Windows 11 Professional
Display resolution: Minimum 1280 x 960, maximum 2048 x 1152

Workstations — Remote Access

General sample minimum specs, the more memory and CPU the better:

Configuration	Supports
1 CPU, 4 Cores, 8 GB RAM	3–5 users
1 CPU, 4 Cores, 14 GB RAM	6–10 users
1 CPU, 4 Cores, 28 GB RAM	12–20 users

Printers, Backup & Imaging

Printers

Forms & reports: Any LaserJet printer, PCL6 compatible (HP LaserJet PCL6 recommended)
Bar-code labels: Any Zebra Technologies bar code printer using the ZPL / ZPL II printer language only, 203 dpi, 4 inch wide

Backup

Any backup drive with capacity matching the hard drive, or another backup method that supports the SQL database backup program.

Imaging Module — Supported Scanners

Any TWAIN-compatible scanner with an automatic feeder. A network scanner with a static IP is recommended; remote access requires a third-party "Remote Scan" program. For large-capacity imaging, a dedicated drive is recommended for storage.

Fax Server Requirements

The right combination depends on the expected number of faxes sent daily. Choose the combination most applicable to your operations and fax volume.

Email Fax Services

Send and receive faxes by email directly from Pentagon 2000, no landline or fax machine required. When a document is submitted from Pentagon 2000 to the fax module, it is sent by email to the fax service provider, which delivers the fax to the destination you specified.

Mandatory Backup Systems

It is imperative to implement a backup system that safely and efficiently backs up your SQL database. Losing this data would cause significant setbacks to both operations and finances. Whichever backup utility you choose, make sure it carries out the SQL maintenance plan.

Implementation Guidelines

Get a Microsoft professional to install your network and SQL Server.
Plan your resources months ahead.
Assign team leaders with procedures responsibility.
Assign power users who will be your in-house experts.
Set up your system defaults and tables according to your business practices and company structure.
Plan your data conversion.
Get training from Pentagon 2000.
Practice on the system using your own data by running business cases.
Plan your going-live date.
Set up a daily automatic SQL database backup maintenance plan.

You can always call Pentagon 2000 with any question you may have.

Questions About Your Setup?

Talk to our team to confirm the right specification for your deployment. Contact us at https://www.pentagon2000.com/contactus/2