EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

General information about the Modus system

Modus is an application of the client-server type. It means that on the client's computer only the Modus program is installed in the appropriate version. On the server, the Firebird software is installed. There, the RHO bases are copied. After running up the program on the client's computer, you establish the connection with the server by giving the IP address of the server and the access to the database file on the server.

Pay attention to give a correct access path in the Linux systems with the forward slashes e.g. /home/db/baza.fdb backlashes for Windows, e.g. c:\bases\base.fdb
Linux servers are case sensitive concerning the base name. For simplification, databases' names should be written in small letters, including extensions.

Modus system has got two base files: main base base_name.fdb and bin_base_name.fdb that includes attachments, photos - every time you have to give the access path to the main base. bin base_ should have the same name as the main one, taking into account the case sensitivity.

From the version 2.0 of the Modus system, you do not install the Firebird software on the client's computer, unless it is a server.

The Firebird is installed on the server in the appropriate version according to the operating system and the processor. Firebird Susperserwer version is more extended and gives you more possibilities for handling the server (e.g. it serves different sizes of the page file and multithreaded server )

Operating system of the computer workstations

  • Windows 7,
  • Windows Vista (it is not advised by our company),
  • Windows Serwer (from 2003 version),
  • Windows XP.

Server's operating systems

* Linux or Windows operating systems

Minimal equipment configuration

Server

Server machines offered by the DELL company are advisable. During the purchase you should think of the number of users.

Important information concerning the server

Hardware
  • multi-core processor, (processors Intel I5 and I7 are advisable),
  • NIC and switche 1GB - it is recommended to invest in the whole net with the higher bandwidth. It is better to use solutions with the network cables. Wireless networks are quite unreliable, especially on the production floor,
  • Brand equipment increases the work comfort and is more reliable,
  • Memory with errors correction ECC,
  • disks SSD - only of the firms, e.g. OCZ with additional backup to the disk.
Linux system
  • you should invest in a good quality of RAM, preferably with the service of the errors correction ECC, because the server performs operations in memory.
  • usage of the newest SSD disks is recommended. Remember to correctly organize the base backup, e.g. every 1-4 hours automatic backup of the base on the external disk.
  • installation of the Firebird server only from the installation program given by the producer (www.firebirdsql.org), do not install the Firebird using the suits.
Windows system
  • Correctly configure the Firebird server - firebird file.conf
  • eguipment requirments (as above)
  • processor - Pentium 4 minimum,
  • dysk twardy - min 30GB
work on the SSD disks is highly recommended - on the workstations as well as on the servers
  • 2 GB RAM,
  • USB port,
  • graphics card - display resolution 1024 x 768,
  • Internet Explorer - version 7.0 or newer.
During the installation of the program in Windows Server systems 7, XP, 2003, the administrator's rights are required. In Windows 7 and Vista you have to disable the UAC service during updating the Modus system or work with the rights of the administrator.

Factory floors are a specific place of work. Very often temperatures, electrical discharges prevent from the usage of computers. The worst factors are photos from wedding parties, downloaded films, equipment destruction an the workers' pranks. Below, there are general hints (these are the advices of the RHO Software employees):

  • the simplest solution is to use a special equipment for industrial goals. These equipments guarantee the proper work under difficult conditions.
  • It is possible to use a cheaper version of the equipment. Quite good are so called thin clients, e.g. hp5000. These small PC-s do not have fans and other cooling systems, which eliminates the access of the dust inside the equipment. They are quite slow, but on the needs of the Terminal of our production, they are są adequate.
  • Monitors, especially the touch ones, are sensitive to grime. Even the foil on such monitors bursts soon or later or is cut. It is better to use monitors with the matrix made of glass or from the other permanent material.
  • On the factory floors with the engine equipments with high power, it is practically impossible to use wireless networks.
  • Bar code scanners - only the laser ones,
  • all the biometric devices (fingerprints) on the factory floor cease to operate after about a week time,
  • only special rubber keyboards are available, however it is quite difficult to work on them.
To make sure of the undisturbed work on terminals, you have to switch off a default option of energy saving, because it disables the NIC (Network Interface Card).