Hardware Requirements and Performance Recommendations
This topic describes the hardware that is required to install the MultiPoint Server operating system. It also includes guidelines about optimizing the performance of your MultiPoint Server system and how MultiPoint Servers are directly affected by the capability of the CPU, the amount of RAM, and the amount of available bandwidth.
Minimum hardware requirements
Table 1 shows the minimum hardware requirements for installing MultiPoint Server, including additional considerations. As previously noted, multiple user sessions generally require hardware configurations that have higher performance than these minimum installation requirements.
For more information on supported configurations, see Optimize MultiPoint Server system performance.
Table 1: MultiPoint Server minimum hardware requirements
| Component | Minimum requirement | Additional comments |
|---|---|---|
Processor |
A 1.4 gigahertz (GHz), dual-core, x64-based processor. |
MultiPoint Server supports a single x64-based physical processor that is plugged into a single socket on the motherboard. The processor can have multiple cores. Processor performance is dependent upon the clock frequency of the processor in addition to the number of cores and the size of the processor cache. |
Memory |
Minimum: 1 gigabyte (GB) of RAM for the operating system and the first two stations, plus 512 megabyte (MB) RAM for each additional station. |
Approximately 512 MB should be allowed for each simultaneous user session on the server. A total of 11 simultaneous user sessions are supported – 10 as user stations and 1 for administration. The following shows the recommended minimum RAM required for typical numbers of MultiPoint Server stations:
|
Available disk space |
A minimum of 32 GB. |
Disk space requirements for the system partition are approximate. Additional available hard disk space might be required if you are installing over a network. |
Optical drive |
No optical drive is required. |
A DVD-ROM drive is recommended. |
Display |
A super VGA (800 x 600) resolution monitor for each station. |
Some programs, for example Microsoft Office 2007, require a display device that supports a 1024 x 768 or higher resolution. |
Peripheral devices |
At least one USB 2.0 station hub, keyboard, and mouse (or other compatible pointing device) for each station. |
Some multifunction hubs provide PS2 ports for keyboards and mice. |
Note
These are the basic requirements for MultiPoint Server. Actual requirements will vary based on your system configuration, the programs and features that you decide to install, and how the system is used.
Optimize MultiPoint Server system performance
The performance of your MultiPoint Server system will be directly affected by the capability of the CPU, the amount of RAM, and amount of bandwidth that the computer that is running MultiPoint Server has. The types of software and the Internet content accessed will also affect the system’s performance. For example, if a computer that is running MultiPoint Server is used to run productivity software, such as word processing, spreadsheet, and e-mail, or to access Web sites that do not require full-motion videos, more stations can be connected without a significant effect on performance. However, if the computer that is running MultiPoint Server is used to access multimedia content or Web pages that use full-motion videos, fewer stations can be connected before affecting performance.
To optimize the performance of your MultiPoint Server system, use the guidelines in Table 2 when you are setting up and testing your system.
Table 2: Suggestions for optimizing MultiPoint Server performance
| Application scenario | Up to 4 stations | 5-6 stations | 7-10 stations | More than 10 stations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Productivity Office, Web browsing, line-of-business applications |
CPU: X64 dual-core RAM: 2 GB |
CPU: X64 dual-core RAM: 4 GB |
CPU: X64 dual-core RAM: 6 GB |
Not supported |
Mixed Productivity plus: Occasional video use by some users |
CPU: X64 dual-core RAM: 2 GB |
CPU: X64 dual-core RAM: 4 GB |
CPU: X64 quad-core RAM: 6 GB |
Not supported |
Video intensive Productivity plus: Frequent video use by all users |
CPU: X64 dual-core RAM: 2 GB |
CPU: X64 quad-core RAM: 4 GB |
CPU: X64 quad-core multi-thread RAM: 6 GB |
Not supported |
Note
Video testing was done using 360p H.264 video at its native resolution.
The actual configuration sizing depends on the workload you are running and the hardware capability. You should always validate the sizing using your own applications and hardware.