EmbARK System Requirements

The following recommendations apply to both EmbARK Collections Manager and EmbARK Cataloguer.

Database Software
A copy of 4D Server software is provided with client/server installations of EmbARK.

Click here for more information about 4D’s Low Administrative Requirements (Adobe Acrobat Reader required).

Hardware and Operating System
Single-user and client computers should be fast computers with very good quality monitors (for imaging). We recommend Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP as the operating system; for Macintosh systems, we recommend OS 10.3 or better.

New equipment purchases should be based on a Pentium CPU for Windows machines or G4 for Macintosh.

Workstation Configuration
The current minimum workstation configuration is:

  • Macintosh G3 computer or a Pentium 233 MHz
  • 64 MB of RAM (512 MB recommended for Mac OS 10)
  • 2 GB hard disk
  • 2 MB display memory capable of supporting 800 x 600 video resolution
    Network card (client/server only)
  • Mac OS (10.3) or Windows XP/2000

The current optimum workstation configuration is:

  • Macintosh G5 computer or a Pentium III 2.2 GHz
  • 256 MB of RAM (1 GB recommended for Mac OS 10)
  • 20 GB hard disk
  • 8 MB display memory capable of supporting 1024 x 768 video resolution
    Network card (client/server only)
  • Windows 2000 Professional or Macintosh operating system (10.4 or better)

Server Configuration
The current minimum server configuration is:

  • Macintosh G3 or Pentium Pro 450 MHz
  • 128 MB of RAM (768 recommended for Mac OS 10)
  • Windows 2000 Professional or Macintosh operating system (10.3)
  • Disk storage sufficient to manage and copy the collections database and images, with extra space for growth
  • Network card
  • Mass storage device or tape drive with appropriate backup software

The current optimum server configuration is:

  • Macintosh G5 or Pentium III, 2.4 GHz
  • 1 GB of RAM
  • Windows 2000 Server or Macintosh operating system (10.4 or better)
  • Disk storage sufficient to manage the collections database and images, with extra space for growth
  • Network card
  • Mass storage device or tape drive with appropriate backup software

Note: All client/server configurations require a dedicated server to run EmbARK. For more detailed information on hardware specifications, please visit the 4D Frequently Asked Questions website.

Monitors
We recommend (but do not require) 17-inch monitors for viewing images. A 13- inch monitor is sufficient for the server. It is highly recommended that monitors support 1024 x 768 video resolution, as well as 24 bit colors for imaging. A minimum video resolution of 800 x 600 and small fonts are required for proper display.

Printers
EmbARK requires no special printers or cabling.

Wide Area Networks
EmbARK will operate successfully over wide area network connections. Gallery Systems recommends a minimum bandwidth of 256K.

The number of users that can be supported successfully will be influenced by several factors, including:

  • Bandwidth demands of other applications/services sharing the same connection
  • Overall network architecture
  • The specification of the server running EmbARK (and, of course, whether this server is also running other services)
  • The size of the database
  • The location of images

Dial-in or VPN Access
If appropriate, Gallery Systems technical staff may request dial-in access or VPN connection in order to facilitate remote support.

The minimum bandwidth recommended for dial-in access is 56K.

EmbARK Web Kiosk Server

  • Macintosh G4 or Pentium III, 400 MHz (or better)
  • Windows 2000 Server or Macintosh OS 10.3 or better
  • Sufficient hard drive space to store a copy of the database file and images
  • Images must be in JPEG, GIF, PNG, or other web-compatible format

Workstation (browser)

  • Macintosh G3 computer or a Pentium 133 MHz
  • Safari (preferred for Macintosh)
  • Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher (not recommended for Macintosh)
  • FireFox (Mozilla)
  • Netscape 4.7 (or higher)
    Note: The kiosk templates can be edited for compatibility with older or different web browsers; however the default templates are only tested with the browsers listed above

Hardware and Networking Recommendations
The recommendations mentioned above do not include network cabling, network hubs or network consulting. Gallery Systems prefers that all hardware and network cabling and software be installed, tested and fully operational by the client before EmbARK is installed. Gallery Systems does not provide hardware or communications services except consulting for remote users. If in-house expertise is not available, we recommend that our clients establish a relationship with a hardware vendor and a local system consultant. This recommendation extends to all aspects of the network. For more detailed information on hardware specifications, please visit the 4D FAQ website.