System Requirements

Despite its power, BG-BASE has relatively minimal hardware and software requirements. Note, however, that these requirements must be met if the system is to perform satisfactorily. This is especially true of the network products needed to run BG-BASE on a local area network, as discussed below.

Note: It is the responsibility of the user to provide a stable, compatible platform on which to use BG-BASE - use the guidelines below to determine what the hardware and software requirements are. Remember, however, that upgrading existing systems, applying Microsoft's Service Packs, and so on can cause compatibility issues. Therefore, you must always check with the Revelation web page for any known compatibility problems before you install any new operating systems, operating system patches, network updates, and so on. Failure to do so could result in your system becoming unavailable until the problem is resolved.

The objective is to develop and share a standard design that ensures compatibility, and at the same time one that allows for fine-tuning to meet specific individual needs. The result is a powerful, well proven system that not only facilitates basic inventory control, but also enables users to fully document, label and curate their collections so that these collections, no matter how large or small, can be of the highest possible value to the research, conservation and education communities. BG-BASE is compatible with the relevant international data standards, including the International Transfer Format for Botanic Gardens Records (ITF 1) on which one of its core modules is based.

All Users
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The following section lists hardware and software requirements that all users must meet. Users of BG-BASE on a network must also note information in the 'Networked users' section below.
System requirements for work stations:

• CPU: Pentium� 4 Processor at min. 800 MHz (2 GHz recommended)
• Memory: min. 256 MB (512 MB or more recommended)
• Disk space (free): min. 400 MB (Depending on the size of your dataset)
• Screen Resolution: 800 x 600
• Operating system: NT, 2000 or XP
• Printer: any printer supported by Windows
• Misc.: Tape backup unit, writeable CD, Zip/Jazz drive, or other means of archiving your data

Networked Users
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The following server types are supported:

• Windows - NT/2000/2003
• Novell - Netware 5.1 SP6/6.0 SP3 or higher
• LINUX - Redhat 8.0/Debain/Possibly others

All networked copies of BG-BASE require three pieces of additional software as follows:

1) Server Deployment Pack(s) (SDPs)
Server deployment packs control how many users can be logged in at any one time - 3- and 5-user Server Deployment Packs can be combined to obtain the desired number of simultaneous users.

• 3-user packs
• 5-user packs
  

2) Network Products
The Revelation NLM is needed for Novell NetWare networks, and the Revelation NT/2000 Service is needed for MS Windows networks. The Universal Driver can be used on either a Windows server, a Netware server or a Linux server. Please note that the Universal Driver will only work with NT, 2000 and XP workstations

• Revelation Universal Driver Lite
• Revelation Universal Driver 3.0
• Revelation NLM 1.5 for NetWare 3.x - 4.x
• Revelation NLM 5.5 for NetWare 5.x
• Revelation NT/2000 Service

3) S/LIST Report Builder

S/LIST can be purchased in combinations of 3- or 5-users and must match the total number of simultaneous users licensed via the Server Deployment Packs. These copies of S/LIST are serialized to work with BG-BASE.

• 3-user packs5-user packs

See the Revelation home page for further information on Revelation network products.

Note: Neither BG-BASE or OpenInsight supports networked users running BG-BASE on a network without the appropriate network products listed above. Any stand-alone BG-BASE system moving to a networked environment must purchase the appropriate networking software listed above. All workstations must also be assigned a unique network I.D.

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