Hardware and software requirements (Project Server 2010)

Updated: March 20, 2012

This article describes in detail hardware and software requirements for Project Server 2010.

At a high-level, the key requirements for Project Server 2010 are as follows:

  • The 64-bit version of Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 or Windows Server 2008 R2

  • Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Enterprise version

  • For a farm deployment, database servers must be the 64-bit version of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Cumulative Update 2, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2, or Microsoft SQL Server 2005 with Service Pack 3 (SP3)

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, Microsoft Internet Explorer 8, or Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 for Microsoft Project Web App user access

    note Note:

    The Project Server 2010 Service Pack 1 update provides additional browser support for certain Project Web App team member pages. For more information, see the Software requirements section in this article.

This article describes more information about these key requirements and all additional hardware and software requirements for installing Project Server 2010.

In this article:

Overview

Microsoft Project Server 2010 provides for several installation scenarios. Currently, these installations include single server that uses built-in database installations and single server or multiple server farm installations.

Hardware requirements—Web servers, application servers, and single server installations

The requirements in the following table apply both to installations on a single server that has a built-in database and to servers that are running Project Server 2010 in a multiple server farm installation. For more information about recommended requirements for each Project Server 2010 server role (Web Front End Server, Application Server, Database Server) over different dataset scenarios, see Capacity planning in Project Server 2010 (white paper).

Important Important:

The minimum hardware requirements in the following table are recommended in which only the required services to run Project Server 2010 are enabled. Be aware that enabling additional SharePoint Server features (for example, search) in the farm may require more resources.

 

Component Minimum requirement

Processor

64-bit, four cores

RAM

4 GB for developer or evaluation installation

8 GB for production use in a single server or multiple-server farm

Hard disk

80 GB for installation

You must have sufficient space for the base installation and sufficient space for diagnostics such as logging, debugging, creating memory dumps, and so on. For production use, you also need additional free disk space for day-to-day operations. Maintain twice as much free space as you have RAM for production environments.

Hyper-V Virtualization

Supported

Other

DVD drive

Hardware requirements—Database servers

The requirements in the following table apply to database servers in production environments that have multiple servers in the farm.

For more information about database server recommendations over various Project Server 2010 dataset scenarios, see the "Hardware and Recommendations" section of Capacity planning in Project Server 2010 (white paper).

note Note:

Our definitions of small and medium deployments are those that are described in the "Reference Architectures" section in Capacity management and sizing for SharePoint Server 2010.

 

Component Minimum requirement

Processor

  • 64-bit, four cores for small deployments

  • 64-bit, eight cores for medium deployments

RAM

  • 8 GB for small deployments

  • 16 GB for medium deployments

For large deployments, see the "Estimate memory requirements" section in Storage and SQL Server capacity planning and configuration (SharePoint Server 2010).

note Note:

These values are higher than those recommended as the minimum values for SQL Server because of the distribution of data required for a Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Products environment. For more information about SQL Server system requirements, see Hardware and Software Requirements for Installing SQL Server 2008 (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=129377).

Hard disk

80 GB for system drive

Hard disk space depends on the size of the SharePoint content. For information about how to estimate the size of content and other databases for your deployment, see Storage and SQL Server capacity planning and configuration (SharePoint Server 2010).

Software requirements

The requirements in the following table apply to installations that have a single server that has a built-in database and to server farm installations that include a single server and multiple servers in the farm. This article also provides client connectivity requirements for Microsoft Project Web App and client/server compatibility with Microsoft Project Professional client versions.

 

Environment Minimum requirement

Database server in a farm

One of the following:

  • The 64-bit edition of Microsoft SQL Server 2012.

    Important Important:

    The SharePoint Server 2010 Service Pack 1 and Project Server 2010 Service Pack 1 updates must be installed to your Project Server 2010 installations in your farm in order to use SQL Server 2012 to host your farm databases.

    For more information about installing these updates, see Deploy Service Pack 1 for Project Server 2010.

    For more information about SQL Server 2012, see the SQL Server 2012 Microsoft TechNet home page.

  • The 64-bit edition of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Cumulative Update 2. On the Cumulative update package 2 for SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1 (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=165962) page, click the View and request hotfix downloads link and follow the instructions. On the Hotfix Request page, download the SQL_Server_2008_SP1_Cumulative_Update_2 file. When you install Microsoft SQL Server 2008 SP1 on Windows Server 2008 R2, you might receive a compatibility warning. You can ignore this warning and continue with your installation.

    note Note:

    We do not recommend that you use CU3 or CU4, but instead CU2, CU5, or a later one than CU5.

  • The 64-bit edition of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2. This version includes updates in SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services (SSRS) and the PowerPivot for Excel feature. For more information about SQL Server 2008 R2, see Microsoft SQL Server 2008 (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkID=179611). For more information about using SQL Server 2008 R2 with SharePoint 2010 products, see SQL Server 2008 R2 and SharePoint 2010 Products: Better Together (white paper) (SharePoint Server 2010).

  • The 64-bit edition of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 with Service Pack 3 (SP3). On the Cumulative update package 3 for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3 (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=165748) page, click the View and request hotfix downloads link and follow the instructions. On the Hotfix Request page, download the SQL_Server_2005_SP3_Cumulative_Update_3 file.

Single server that uses built-in database

  • The 64-bit edition of Windows Server 2008 Standard, Enterprise, Data Center, or Web Server with SP2; or the 64-bit edition of Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard, Enterprise, Data Center, or Web Server. If you are running Windows Server 2008 without SP2, the Microsoft SharePoint Products Preparation Tool installs Windows Server 2008 SP2 automatically.

    You must download an update for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 before you run Setup, or Setup will not run. The update is a hotfix for.NET Framework 3.5 SP1 that is installed by the Preparation tool. It provides a method to support token authentication without transport security or message encryption in WCF. For more information and links, see the "Access to Applicable Software" section later in this article.

  • KB979917 - QFE for SharePoint issues - Perf Counter fix & User Impersonation (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=192577)

    • For Windows Server 2008 SP2, download the Windows6.0-KB979917-x64.msu (Windows Vista) file.

    • For Windows Server 2008 R2, download the Windows6.1-KB979917-x64.msu (Windows 7) file.

    For information, see the related KB article Two issues occur when you deploy an ASP.NET 2.0-based application on a server that is running IIS 7.0 or IIS 7.5 in Integrated mode (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=192578).

  • Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Enterprise CAL Edition

    note Note:

    SharePoint Server 2010 requires the following software installation components. These software prerequisites can be installed through the Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies 2010 Preparation Tool before the installation of SharePoint Server 2010 Enterprise CAL Edition. The Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies 2010 Preparation Tool can be accessed from the SharePoint Server 2010 Start page.

    The preparation tool installs the following prerequisites:

    • Web Server (IIS) role

    • Application Server role

    • Microsoft .NET Framework version 3.5 SP1

    • Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express with SP1

    • Microsoft Sync Framework Runtime v1.0 (x64)

    • Microsoft Filter Pack 2.0

    • Microsoft Chart Controls for the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5

    • Windows PowerShell 2.0

    • SQL Server 2008 Native Client

    • Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services ADOMD.NET

    • ADO.NET Data Services Update for .NET Framework 3.5 SP1

    • A hotfix for the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 that provides a method to support token authentication without transport security or message encryption in WCF.

    • Windows Identity Foundation (WIF)

      note Note:

      If you have Microsoft "Geneva" Framework installed, you must uninstall it before you install the Windows Identity Foundation (WIF).

note Note:

To install the prerequisites through the Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies 2010 Preparation Tool, ensure that you have an Internet connection, because some of these prerequisites are installed from the Internet. If the server does not have access to the Internet, see the Access to applicable software section for links to where you can download these updates to media.

Front-end Web servers and application servers in a farm

  • The 64-bit edition of Windows Server 2008 Standard, Enterprise, Data Center, or Web Server with SP2; or the 64-bit edition of Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard, Enterprise, Data Center, or Web Server. If you are running Windows Server 2008 with SP1, the Microsoft SharePoint Products Preparation Tool installs Windows Server 2008 SP2 automatically.

    You must download an update for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 before you run Setup, or Setup will not run. The update is a hotfix for.NET Framework 3.5 SP1 that is installed by the Preparation tool. It provides a method to support token authentication without transport security or message encryption in WCF. For more information and links, see the Access to applicable software section later in this article.

  • KB979917 - QFE for SharePoint issues - Perf Counter fix & User Impersonation (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=192577)

    • For Windows Server 2008 SP2, download the Windows6.0-KB979917-x64.msu (Windows Vista) file.

    • For Windows Server 2008 R2, download the Windows6.1-KB979917-x64.msu (Windows 7) file.

    For information, see the related KB article Two issues occur when you deploy an ASP.NET 2.0-based application on a server that is running IIS 7.0 or IIS 7.5 in Integrated mode (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=192578).

  • Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0

    note Note:

    IIS 6.0 Management Compatibility must be enabled.

  • Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Enterprise CAL Edition

    note Note:

    SharePoint Server 2010 will require the following software installation requirements. These software prerequisites can be installed through the Microsoft SharePoint Products Preparation Tool before the installation of SharePoint Server 2010 Enterprise CAL Edition. The Microsoft SharePoint Products Preparation Tool can be accessed from the SharePoint Server 2010 Start page.

    • Web Server (IIS) role

    • Application Server role

    • Microsoft .NET Framework version 3.5 SP1

    • Microsoft Sync Framework Runtime v1.0 (x64)

    • Microsoft Filter Pack 2.0

    • Microsoft Chart Controls for the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5

    • Windows PowerShell 2.0

    • SQL Server 2008 Native Client

    • Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services ADOMD.NET

    • ADO.NET Data Services Update for .NET Framework 3.5 SP1

    • A hotfix for .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 that provides a method to support token authentication without transport security or message encryption in WCF.

    • Windows Identity Foundation (WIF)

      note Note:

      If you have Microsoft "Geneva" Framework installed, you must uninstall it before you install the Windows Identity Foundation (WIF).

    note Note:

    To install the prerequisites through the Microsoft SharePoint Products Preparation Tool, ensure that you have an Internet connection, because some of these prerequisites are installed from the Internet. If the server does not have access to the Internet, see the Access to applicable software section for links to where you can download these updates to media.

  • SQL Server 2005 Management Object Collection

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Management Objects

  • Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 with SP 2

    note Note:

    Optional: Only required with Exchange integration.

Project Web App

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, Windows Internet Explorer 8, or Windows Internet Explorer 9.

    For more information, including caveats about using Internet Explorer 9, see Plan browser support (Project Server 2010).

  • The Project Server 2010 Service Pack 1 update also supports the use of the following Web browsers for the My Work pages in Project Web App:

    • Firefox 3.6.8+ on Mac OS X v10.6, Windows 7 (32-bit/64-bit), Windows Vista SP2, Windows XP SP3, Windows Server 2003, and UNIX/Linux

    • Google Chrome 6.0 on Windows 7

    • Apple Safari 5 on Mac OS X v10.6

    The team member pages that are supported with these additional browsers include:

    • Project Web App (PWA) main default page (default.aspx)

    • All pages in the "My Work" section in the Quick Launch. This includes the following:

      • Tasks

      • Timesheets

      • Issues and Risks

    For more information about the Project Server 2010 Service Pack 1 update, see Deploy Service Pack 1 for Project Server 2010.

Project Professional client connectivity to Project Server 2010

  • Microsoft Office Project Professional 2007 with Service Pack 2 (SP2)

    note Note:

    Office Project Professional 2007 (SP2) will connect to Project Server 2010 only when backward compatibility mode (BCM) is enabled on the server. For more information about BCM, see Project Server 2010 upgrade overview.

  • Microsoft Project Professional 2010

Important Important:

Microsoft Office Project Professional 2003 connectivity to Project Server 2010 is not supported, even when BCM is enabled on the server.

Microsoft Project Professional 2010 requirements

  • 700 megahertz (MHz) processor or higher

  • 512 megabyte (MB) RAM or higher

  • 1.5 gigabyte (GB) free disk space on hard disk

    note Note:

    A part of this disk space will be freed after installation if the original download package is removed from the hard disk.

  • CD-ROM or DVD drive

  • Minimum 1024x768 or higher resolution monitor

  • Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack (SP) 3 or later version, or Windows Server 2003 with SP1 or a later version

Reporting

Microsoft Office Excel 2007 or Microsoft Excel 2010 is required for report authoring. Project Web App users do not require Microsoft Excel to view reports because the reports are rendered in HTML through Excel Services in Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010.

To use reporting in Project Server 2010, you must install the SQL Server 2008 Analysis Management Objects (AMO) on each application server in the farm

Click to download the SQL Server 2008 Analysis Management Objects (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=130655)

note Note:

Use the SQL Server 2008 version of AMO regardless of which version of SQL Server you are using to host your databases.

note Note:

For more information about reporting in Project Server 2010, see Configure reporting for Project Server 2010. For more information about Excel Services, see Excel Services overview (SharePoint Server 2010).

Access to applicable software

To install Windows Server 2008 or Microsoft SQL Server, you can go to the Web sites listed in this section. You can install all other software prerequisites through the SharePoint Server Start page when you install SharePoint Server 2010 (which is required for the Project Server 2010 installation). The software prerequisites are also available from Web sites listed in this section. The Web Server (IIS) role and the Application Server role can be enabled manually in Server Manager.

In scenarios where installing prerequisites directly from the Internet is not possible or not feasible, you can install the prerequisites from a network share. For more information, see Install prerequisites from a network share (SharePoint Server 2010).

note Note:

For more information about SharePoint Server 2010 requirements, see Hardware and software requirements (SharePoint Server 2010).

Change History

 

Date Description

March 20, 2012

Updated to include information about support for Microsoft SQL Server 2012.

June 28, 2011

Updated to include information about additional supported Web browsers for Project Web App Team Member pages that are provided by Project Server 2010 Service Pack 1.

April 14, 2011

Updated with a link to the SQL Server 2008 Analysis Management Objects (AMO) needed for reporting. Additionally, this article has been updated with information about Internet Explorer 9 compatibility with Project Web App.

October 28, 2010

Updated with links to newer versions of software updates.

October 7, 2010

Updated to emphasize that Project Professional 2003 cannot connect to Project Server 2010.

August 5, 2010

Updated to include desktop requirements for using Reporting with Project Server 2010.

June 10, 2010

Revised to include updates to the hardware requirements table. Now there is more information about database server hardware requirements and links to more information about hardware recommendations for different Project Server 2010 dataset scenarios.

May 12, 2010

Initial publication
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