Last updated: 29. August 2017
For a smooth operation it is very important to ensure that the computers on which you are going to install the farmerswife (fw) Server and Client applications meet the system requirements specified in here. We also recommend to run the farmerswife Server application on a separate dedicated machine, to ensure maximum performance.
All mentioned 3rd party software or hardware is subject to the respective 3rd parties supplier support. Farmers WIFE S.L. accepts no responsibility for any changes that may be carried out by 3rd parties which may directly or indirectly affect the functionality or performance of the software.
fw Server application
Operating System (OS)
Windows:
Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard 64bit, Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard 64bit (both recommended); it will also run on Windows 10 64bit, Windows 8 Pro 64bit, Windows 7 Pro 64bit.
We're in progress on using Windows Server 2016 Datacenter 64bit; from our side we can't yet "recommend" on using it, but the fw Server runs fine on it.
NOTE: Due to known low-level WIFE-Server-to-fwClient connection issues on any 32bit Windows, running the fw Server application on a 32bit environment can no longer be “recommended”; but the WIFE Server will still run on a 32bit Windows OS.
Mac:
macOS Sierra 10.12.x (recommended), OS X 10.11.x El Capitan, OS X 10.10.x Yosemite, OS X 10.9.x Mavericks, OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, can also still be used if needed. The old version OS X 10.7 Lion and OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard should NOT be used anymore, due to lack of support for Java 1.8 or later.
Legacy note: Since September 2009 and version 4.8 SP3 and for OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) 32bit and 64bit Kernel modes are supported; but note that the WIFE Server app is still a native 32bit application on Mac.
Linux:
The only tested and maintained Linux flavor is Ubuntu 12.04 LTS x64 (recommended).
Ubuntu 10.10 and 10.04 were recommended in the past; there are no known issues with these versions of Ubuntu.
The WIFE Server-side PDF printing functionality is not supported on Linux.
IMPORTANT: Running the WIFE Server on Linux is only available for large or multi site facilities on a case-by-case basis; skilled in-house Linux IT Administrator(s) are prerequisite and an additional “LinuxSupport” agreement is mandatory.
Hardware
For best performance we recommend using a dedicated machine only running the WIFE Server application. Ideally it's installed on its own hard-drive. And "Full Backups" are set to be stored on a different hard-drive or network share.
If the WIFE Server is run on a virtualized OS, its proper configuration has to be ensured. The underlying hardware has to always provide the needed resources as stated within this document. Typically the hardware used for virtualized systems is not ideal; use the “Speed Test” button on the fw Server application using the "DemoDB" as a helper to verify and compare the test results. Note: the "Speed Test" can take 5 min. or more to finish.
Server Processor
A fast CPU (3GHz +) and a good portion of L2 or L3 Cache are strong variables in the WIFE performance equation.Important: the WIFE Server application will only utilize 1 CPU and 1 core of a multi-core CPU. Choose a fast CPU (highGHz) plus high amount of L2/L3 cache over amount of slower CPUs/cores. Chose Intel over AMD processors. This also applies when the WIFE Server is run on a virtualized system!
In regards to farmerswife Play see the separate documentation.
Server Memory
Juggling a lot of memory is what the WIFE Server application heavily relies on!
A minimum 3GB RAM available per WIFE Server instance +1GB for the OS is required. We recommend using a system with fast 6GB or 8GB of RAM.
Server Storage / Disks
Fast hard drives make the WIFE database backup process faster, which frees up time to handle the actual work performance.
Solid-state drives (SSDs) now on the market really make a performance difference and we recommend using them. Our clear second recommendation is to use fast SAS (15,000rpm) hard drives with 16MB or more cache. Provide at the very minimum 60GB of free disk-space, plus additional disk space according to your individual needs for storing data to be used within the system.
Screen resolution Server
1024 x 768 minimum; 1280 x 1024 recommended
Network
The typical local network (LAN or WAN) speed of 100Mbit or more is ideal for the WIFE Client application. Bandwidth is not the main factor, unless of course it’s completely used up due to other heavy data traffic. Slow network latency typically encountered when connecting from outside the LAN, or on using VPN connections, or hosting the fw Server on a cloud based solution are the main sources for slow performance for the end users.
3rd party software "Java"
IMPORTANT: The Web Client, Mobile Web Client and fwPlay are all powered by a built-in "Jetty" web-server. This requires "Java" to be installed on the fw Server host machine.
We recommend to always stay on the latest version of Java by manually upgrading. IMPORTANT: If you let Java update itself automatically, this can interrupt the Web Client, Mobile Web Client and fwPlay. A host machine restart is the first recommended action after any update.
Note: Legacy Java 1.6 and 1.7 are deprecated; we strongly recommend to un-install any of these old version should they still be installed on your fw Server host machine!
On Windows use e.g. "Java SE Runtime Environment 8" > the "Windows x64 Offline" version*.
For the WIFE Server hosted on Windows this means to download and install JRE (Java Runtime Environment) 64bit, if the WIFE Server is run in 64bit mode (if you use the "farmerswife 64bit.exe") and JRE (Java Runtime Environment) 32bit if the WIFE Server is run in 32bit mode (if you use the "farmerswife.exe").
On Mac you need to download and install "Java SE Development Kit 8" (JDK) > the "Mac OS X" version*.
For the WIFE Server hosted on Mac OS X you need to download and install JDK (Java Development Kit) for the built-in Jetty web-server to work.
* The Java version info comes from using this URL: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
Optional 3rd party software "MySQL"
For the optional MySQL data interface when hosted on Windows and Mac ONLY use the legacy MySQL v5.1.73 and on Linux use MySQL v5.0. Later version are not being used or tested on our side.
fw Client application
Operating System (OS) for the farmerswife desktop Client software (it's a native 32bit-only application)
Windows:
Windows 10 (recommended), Windows 8 and Windows 7
IMPORTANT: Windows Vista and Windows XP Home / Pro are not supported by Microsoft anymore, we therefore advise against using them.
Mac:
Mac OS Sierra 10.12.x (recommended), OS X 10.11.x El Capitan, 10.10.x Yosemite, 10.9.x, OS X 10.8, OSX 10.7 and OS X 10.6 can also still be used if needed. Older OS X version are no longer supported.
Linux:
A native and usable WIFE Client for Linux is available, but it’s not actively supported.
Processor Client machine
For example a Intel 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor (minimum).
Memory Client machine
Recommended at least 1GB RAM for the farmerswife Client software, but at least 512MB available RAM. For the mainheavy users even more.
Screen resolution Client machine
96dpi at 1200 x 800 minimum (since v4.10); 1280 x 1024 or more recommended for main heavy users.
Note: Lower screen resolutions will prevent some functionality to not be usable.
iOS farmerswife app
Use our free native universal iOS farmerswife app (for iPhone and iPad) from Apple’s App store (search for: farmerswife); the latest iOS 8 optimized version is v5.0.800, or for iOS 7 it's v5.0.59 or for iOS 6 it's v5.0.34.
Web browser based Web Client and Mobile Web Client
The web browser based access via the Web Client is optimized for Safari, Chrome and Firefox; also usable with Internet Explorer v9 or later since fw v4.11.
IMPORTANT reminder: The Web Client, Mobile Web Client and fwPlay are all powered by a built-in Jetty web-server.
This requires "Java" to be installed on the fw Server host machine; see above info within the "3rd party software "Java" and optional "MySQL"" section.
The Mobile Web Client is optimized for the Google Chrome web browsers on Android, Windows Mobile and other mobile devices.