Xytech Equipment Guidelines - 10.x; 11.x, 26.x

Xytech Architecture

The Xytech solution utilizes a multi-tier architecture, requiring at minimum three server roles: a database server, an application server, and an instance of Microsoft Internet Information Server™ (IIS) web server.

The Xytech Windows client requires Microsoft Windows™ 10. The Web client is hosted by IIS and accessed using compliant web browsers.

• The Xytech Windows client can be deployed using Microsoft ClickOnce™ technology via a URL, or a file share; or can be installed manually (e.g. for deployments utilizing Windows Remote Desktop). For distributed client installations over a high latency network, a remote hosting technology such as Windows Remote Desktop is recommended. To utilize the Xytech Windows client application on the Macintosh™ or Linux™ platforms, a Windows emulator application or a Windows-compatible remote desktop solution is required.
• The Xytech Web client is a web application and can be run on devices that support a current HTML5-compatible web browser. To ensure an acceptable user experience that accesses the complete suite of applications, Xytech recommends that such devices have a minimum screen size of 7 inches (17.8 cm) measured diagonally, with a 9-inch (22.8 cm) or larger screen preferred. For specific applications (Library and Rental Check In/Out/Move), Xytech provides Layouts optimized for the smaller screens found on hand-held devices.

The Xytech Application Server (“AppServer”) software is installed on an instance of the Windows Server Operating system. The Xytech system stores its data in the Microsoft SQL database management system. A Microsoft Windows Internet Information Server (IIS) is required as the host environment for the online Help documentation and the Web user interface, and is necessary to utilize the URL option for the Windows ClickOnce™ deployment service.

• If the AppServer is installed on a separate server from the Xytech SQL database, Gigabit Ethernet (or faster) connectivity between the application server and the database server is recommended.

For smaller installations (less than thirty users), the database, AppServer, and Web server (IIS) can be hosted on a single, suitably configured Windows Server system. For larger installations or installations with moderate to heavy transaction volumes, Xytech recommends that separate servers (physical or “virtual”, see page 9) be utilized for each component in the installation. This includes the database server, the AppServer, and IIS. In addition, where fault tolerance or fail-over capabilities are required, multiple DBMS and AppServer instances are necessary, configured in accordance with the customer’s environment.

In general, single server solutions are not recommended for Xytech implementations where a larger quantity of connections (users, integrations, web services) are to be supported. Additional technical requirements cannot be specified until the customer has provided Xytech with detailed information and analysis specific to the individual installation.

The TCP/IP networking protocol is utilized for all communication between Windows clients and servers. The Web client application utilizes HTTP over any compatible topology. HTTPS can be utilized by applying SSL certificates to the full application stack.

The Xytech software may be deployed either directly on a host computer or in a virtual machine (aka “VM”) environment. The Xytech SQL Server database may be deployed either on a dedicated SQL Server or as a database instance on a SQL farm.

NOTE: Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.2 is required for all Windows client and server systems in order to utilize Xytech v10 and above. This version of the .NET Framework is incompatible with the Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Server 2003 (and earlier) Operating Systems, and therefore these Operating Systems are not supported and cannot be utilized.

Hardware and Software Guidelines for Client Workstations (Windows)

Hardware and Software Guidelines for Client Workstations (Macintosh)

Hardware and Software Guidelines for iOS devices (iPhone, iPad)

Hardware and Software Guidelines for the SQL Database Server

Hardware and Software Guidelines for Xytech Application Server

Hardware & Software Guidelines for Application Server (Windows Remote Desktop Server)

Hardware and Software Guidelines for Platform Web/Integration/Help system Server

General considerations with regards to the use of Virtual Machines which effect system performance

• When deploying Xytech Application Server and/or SQL database server instances on Virtual Machines, the “bare metal” server guidelines detailed in the preceding sections should be increased 20% to 30% to account for Virtual Machine overhead.
• The Virtual Machine instance(s) should be dedicated to Xytech software and not shared with other applications.
• Each Virtual Machine should be bound to its own network interface card (NIC) so it does not share bandwidth with other Virtual Machines.
• SQL Server should be set to use all available cores (default).
• Map virtual disks directly to physical disks. Avoid dynamic disks.
• Physical disks should not be shared with other Virtual Machines.
• Ideally, each Virtual Machine should have its own controllers and disk array.
• Generally, RAID 10 is more efficient than RAID 5.
• SQL Server log and data should be stored on separate physical disks.
• Taking a snapshot of the Virtual Machines will sever connections with all clients. Snapshots cause SQL I/O to freeze, breaking the connection with the Xytech Application Server. Existing client connections are severed as a result and must be re-established; therefore, snapshots should be executed during scheduled maintenance, or during periods of low user activity.
• In summary, the goal is to isolate and/or reduce contention of resource usage between Virtual Machines.

For further information:

• KB VMware [1002951]
• Microsoft Docs / virtual-machines-windows-sql-performance

IMPORTANT: These guidelines are offered as basic recommendations and are subject to revision without notice. Xytech Systems, LLC makes no warranty or guarantee of system performance or specific suitability of this hardware or software to customer’s specific requirements. All trademarks are owned by their respective Parties.