---
alias: system-requirements-application-layer-applicationlayeroptional
title: Optional Components
description: "This document details software and hardware requirements for optional Critical Manufacturing MES application layer components, focusing on installation methods"
---

# Application Layer - Optional Components

This section outlines the software and hardware requirements for application layer components of Critical Manufacturing MES that require traditional installation methods, distinct from the container-based main stack.

## Software Requirements

The target application server must meet the following software specifications:

- **Operating System (OS):**

    - Windows Server 2016 64-bit
    - Windows Server 2019
    - Windows Server 2022

- **Microsoft .NET Runtimes:**

    - Version 8.0

- **Microsoft PowerShell:**

    - Version 5.1 or later (available in the `Dependencies` folder of the MES installation ISO or downloadable [here](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=54616&msockid=332b2f4366d767e0148f3ad267b066ce))

- **Visual C++ Redistributable Package:**

    - Visual Studio 2013 (required solely by the ECAD Service)

## Hardware Requirements

The precise hardware demands will vary based on the specific customer environment. The table below highlights key factors influencing response time, scalability, and high availability. It also suggests possible improvements, while noting that enhancing each factor may incur additional costs.

|               KPI                  | Primary Driving Factors        | Improvement Options                              |
|:-----------------------------------|:-------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
| **Response Time & Scalability**    | • Load (number of users and concurrent transactions)<br/> • Model and Logic Complexity<br/> • Data Volume<br/> • Hardware           | • Application Optimization<br/> • Model Fine-tuning<br/> • Database Optimization<br/> • Reduction of Data Retention Time<br/> • Enhanced Hardware (CPU, Memory, I/O and Network) |
| **High-Availability**              | • Software and Hardware Failures & Maintenance<br/> • Human Errors<br/> • Redundant Hardware Components (memory, processing, storage, communications and power supply)<br/> • Operations Management (support processes, monitoring procedures, backup policies, administration skills and contingency plans) | Implementation of Redundant or More Reliable Hardware (memory, processing, storage, communications, and power supply)\<br\>• Strengthening Operations Management (support processes, monitoring procedures, backup policies, administration skills, and contingency plans) |

Table: Driving factors for hardware requirements

The subsequent parts of this section reference hardware configurations tailored for different environment setups.

| Configuration          | Intended Use                           | Response time          | Scalability  | High availability |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------------- | ---------------------- | ------------ | ----------------- |
| **Minimum**            | Demonstration / Development            | Medium/Slow acceptable | Not required | Not required      |
| **Training / Staging** | System tests, validations and training | Medium                 | Not required | Not required      |
| **Production A**       | Low to medium volume production        | Fast                   | Required     | Very High         |
| **Production B**       | High volume production                 | Fast                   | Required     | Very High         |

Table: Environment configuration options

!!! warning
	The exact hardware configuration for any Critical Manufacturing MES deployment project must be carefully sized according to the specific project requirements.

The following table specifies the hardware requirements for each environment configuration outlined above:

| Configuration          | Number of Servers | Processors            | Memory | Storage |
| ---------------------- | ----------------- | --------------------- | ------ | ------- |
| **Minimum**            | 1 *               | 1 x Quad Core, 2 GHz  | 8 GB   | 200+ GB |
| **Training / Staging** | 1                 | 2 x Quad Core, 2 GHz+ | 16 GB  | 100+ GB |
| **Production A**       | 2                 | 2 x Quad Core, 2 GHz+ | 16 GB+ | 150+ GB |
| **Production B**       | 3                 | 2 x Quad Core, 2 GHz+ | 32 GB+ | 150+ GB |

Table: Hardware requirements for different environment configurations

!!! note
	The Minimum configuration assumes that the database server may host other application components in addition to the database.

## Network Considerations

Firewall systems are crucial for preventing unauthorized access to computer resources. If a firewall is active but not properly configured, connection attempts to Critical Manufacturing MES may be blocked.

Ensure that the ports specified during the Network Configuration step of the Critical Manufacturing MES installation are opened in the firewall, allowing the application server to receive incoming requests.

To enable database communication between application and database servers, the necessary SQL Server ports must also be configured in the firewall.

For more information, see:

- [Configure the Windows Firewall to Allow SQL Server Access](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/install/configure-the-windows-firewall-to-allow-sql-server-access?view=sql-server-ver15)
- [Configure a Windows Firewall for Database Engine Access](https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms175043(v=sql.120).aspx)