Hi guys,
I have had a lot of questions around the various server roles for K2 and specifically what should be installed where. Below I have broken down the exact server items into the most distributed installation structure that is likely to be used and included the components that should be installed.
Please bear in mind that the databases can be distributed to different servers for better performance, ie: keeping the SmartBox database separate from all other databases where SmartBox is heavily utilised.
Component Installation Prerequisites:
Please be advised that this is a guide only and is based on the K2 Installation Guide which may change without notice. For the latest details, please see the K2 Portal at https://portal.k2workflow.com/ => Downloads => Product Downloads => K2 blackpearl.
K2 [blackpearl] makes use of a number of Microsoft components, please ensure that all of these components are fully updated and configured and that these components have all of their dependent components available. The following list details the K2 component dependencies and does not provide details of the underlying dependencies of the components listed.
Infrastructure:
- Microsoft Active Directory
- NTLM (Standalone Installation)
- Kerberos (Distributed Installation)
- Service Principal Names (“SPN”)’s will be required for each service
- Service Account for the K2 [blackpearl] Server will be required
- Service Account for the K2 Workspace Application Pool Identity
- It is highly recommended that each environment uses separate service accounts for both the K2 [blackpearl] Server and K2 Workspace Application Pool Identity
- SMTP Services and Mailboxes, either POP3 or Microsoft Exchange
Data Storage Server:
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 with Service Pack 2
- 32-bit or 64-bit supported
- Standard or Enterprise version supported
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services ADOMD.NET with Service Pack 2
- Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (“MSDTC”)
- Allow Remote Clients
- Allow Inbound and Outbound Transactions
Report Server:
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services with Service Pack 2
- 32-bit only
- Standard or Enterprise version supported
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services ADOMD.NET with Service Pack 2
K2 [black[earl] Server:
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2
- 32-bit only
- R2 supported
- Standard or Enterprise version supported
- Microsoft Message Queuing
- Active Directory Integration for Enterprise Queues is recommended for tighter control and increased security
- Private Queues are supported though not recommended due to reduced security
- Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (“MSDTC”)
- Allow Remote Clients
- Allow Inbound and Outbound Transactions
- Microsoft .net Framework 2.0
- Microsoft .net Framework 3.0
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, version 7.0 is highly recommended
K2 Workspace Server:
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2
- 32-bit only
- R2 supported
- Standard or Enterprise version supported
- Microsoft Internet Information Services (“IIS”)
- Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (“MSDTC”)
- Allow Remote Clients
- Allow Inbound and Outbound Transactions
- Microsoft .net Framework 2.0
- Microsoft .net Framework 3.0
- Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable 2005 with Service Pack 1
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, version 7.0 is highly recommended
SharePoint Server: (Optional)
- Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0
- Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (“MOSS”) 2007
- 32-bit only
- Standard or Enterprise version supported
Administrator Workstation:
- Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2
- 32-bit or 64-bit supported
- All versions supported
- Microsoft Vista
- 32-bit or 64-bit supported
- All versions supported
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, version 7.0 is highly recommended
Developer Workstation:
- Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2
- 32-bit only
- Professional version only
- Microsoft Vista
- 32-bit only
- Business or Ultimate version supported
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 with Service Pack 1
- Visual Studio 2005 extensions for .NET Framework 3.0 (Windows Workflow Foundation)
- Visual Studio 2005 extensions for .NET Framework 3.0 (WCF & WPF), November 2006 CTP
- Visual Studio 2005 Web Deployment Projects
- Microsoft .net Framework 2.0
- Microsoft .net Framework 3.0
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, version 7.0 is highly recommended
Client Workstation:
- Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2
- 32-bit or 64-bit supported (64-bit supported provided that no K2 components, packaged or bespoke, are installed)
- All versions supported
- Microsoft Vista
- 32-bit or 64-bit supported (64-bit supported provided that no K2 components, packaged or bespoke, are installed)
- All versions supported
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, version 7.0 is highly recommended
Optional Workstation Components:
- Microsoft Office 2007
- Professional Plus, Enterprise and Ultimate versions supported
- Microsoft Office Visio 2007
- 32-bit only
- Standard or Professional version supported
- Primary Interop Assemblies for Office 2007
NB: Please see Microsoft supplied product documentation for Microsoft product requirements and installation guides.
Installation Methodology:
- Download and review the latest K2 [blackpearl] Installation Guide
- Decide on installation type, Standalone or Distributed and review the K2 [blackpearl] Installation Guide’s notes on the desired installation type
- Decide on which server or servers will fulfill each role
- Download and review the latest Microsoft product installation guides for your selected installation type
- Document proposed installation
- Prepare service accounts for K2 and Microsoft products as outlined by the respective documentation
- Prepare Kerberos Service Principal Names if using a Distributed installation for K2 and Microsoft products as outlined by the respective documentation
- Install and configure all pre-requisites and ensure their successful operation
- Update all pre-requisites and ensure their successful operation
- Install K2 components as defined by the K2 Installation Guide
- Update all K2 components; updates are available from https://portal.k2workflow.com/
- Verify installation and successful operation
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Seb