Server requirements

Prerequisites

The following are required to be able to install proVconnect and make it ready to use.

Operating System (should be up-to-date)
- Windows Server 2016
- Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2022
Database management system
- Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Standard or Datacenter
- Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Standard or Datacenter
- Microsoft SQL Server 2022 Standard or Datacenter
SSL certificate for the domain (DNS) you want to use for the proVconnect server
- Delivered by a certificate authority (GlobalSign, DigiCert, Sectigo, Let's Encrypt, etc...)
- Must be installed in the Personal certificate store of the Local Machine
- Private key must be exportable for allowing to use the embedded Instant synchronization engine

The database installation and configuration and how to import the SSL certificate are described below.

What about SQL Server Express Edition ?

Performances are limited and the database size is restricted to 10GB.

For these reasons, we don't recommend using Microsoft SQL Server Express Edition.

Hardware requirements

For the most common proVconnect installations, the following are the estimated requirements.

	Minimal configuration for OS + Database	Minimal configuration for proVconnect	Recommended configuration for proVconnect
Processor type	Windows Server and Microsoft SQL Server require x64 processor
Processor speed	Windows Server requires 1.4 GHz and Microsoft SQL Server recommends 2.0GHz
RAM	6GB → 2GB for OS + 4GB for DB	8GB	16GB
Storage	38GB → 32GB for OS + 6GB for DB	250GB (SSD or NVMe)	1TB (SSD or NVMe)
Network	1Gbps Ethernet adapter
Internet	Internet access recommended for keeping your OS and softwares up-to-date (fees may apply)

Database installation and configuration

SQL Server Installation

A good installation manual for Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Standard Edition can be found here → https://www.mssqltips.com/sqlservertip/6608/install-sql-server-2019-standard-edition/

Tip: you can use it for install Microsoft SQL Server 2022 Standard Edition.

SQL Authentication

Use SQL Server Management Studio to verify configuration.

If it not already installed, you can download it from here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/ssms/download-sql-server-management-studio-ssms?redirectedfrom=MSDN&view=sql-server-ver16

Verify the SQL Authentication is enabled

Open SQL Server Management Studio and login in to the databases server.
Open the Server properties
Verify SQL Server and Windows Authentication mode is selected

SQL Connection

There are two protocols for connecting proVconnect to database.

Using the TCP/IP protocol
Using the Shared Memory protocol (only usable when the SQL Server is hosted on the same machine that proVconnect)

TCP/IP protocol must be working for installing proVconnect.

Verify the TCP/IP protocol is well configured

Open SQL Server Configuration Manager
Verify the TCP/IP protocol is enabled
Open the TCP/IP protocol properties
Remind the TCP port for IPAll under the IP Addresses tab

Verify the Shared Memory protocol is enabled

Open SQL Server Configuration Manager
Verify the TCP/IP protocol is enabled

SSL Certificate

Your certificate must be a PFX certificate and the private key must be exportable.

If you have not a PFX certificate, there are lots of documentation on how to convert a certificate that you can find with your favorite search engine.

Open the Local Machine certificate management console

Open a Windows Powershell with Administrator rights
Run the « certlm » command
The Local Machine certificate management console will be displayed

Import a PFX certificate

Open the Local Machine certificate management console as described above
Select the Personal certificate store
Open the « Action » menu, click on the « All Tasks » item and click on the « Import... » item to open the import certificate wizard
The first step shows the certificate will be imported in Local Machine, click on « Next » to continue
Click on « Browse... » for opening a dialog for choosing your certificate will be displayed
Go to the directory where your PFX certificate is located, select PFX as type of wanted file, select your certificate and click on « Open »
Once going back to the certificate import wizard, check your certificate location and click on « Next »
Enter the password protecting the certificate, check the option « Mark this private key as exportable. » and click on « Next »

You must enable the exportation of the private key while you importing the certificate in the certificate store.
Confirm the Personal certificate store is selected and click on « Next »
You can verify the which certificate and where it will be imported before click to « Finish »