This document describes server and workstation hardware and operating system requirements for Escape Classic (DOS-based). Hardware and operating system requirements are generally the minimum at the time this document was produced. If you have questions, feel free to call Escape Customer Care.
You may also want to read about the Escape Online Hardware and Operating System Requirements.
Escape Classic is a DOS-based application and runs under Novell NetWare, Microsoft NT and peer networks. This section describes the hardware and operating system requirements for the Escape database server, WAN servers, and all client workstations.
Escape's database resides on a file server on your network. All processing for the program is done on the client workstation. As such, the requirements for the server are simply lots of memory and a large hard disk. To maximize throughput, fast (or multiple) network interface cards are desirable. In general, if you currently have a high-end administration server for your offices, it should be just fine. If you wish to purchase a dedicated server for Escape, it should meet your organization's standards for mission critical application servers. The specification below can be used as a guideline if you must purchase a database server for Escape.
If you will be running Escape over a WAN, the WAN servers can be somewhat less than our minimum specification, since they will not contain data files. The Escape database server should not be used as your router server, backup server, or web server. We recommend the following minimum specifications for the server where the Escape database resides:
Escape can be run over a wide area network. There is still one central database, but the program and temp files can be stored on a file server local to the client. The local server requirements are minimal. The key to performance is the throughput of the connections between local servers and the database server. We highly recommend T1 or 2Megabit radio connections at this time. ISDN connections will produce unsatisfactory performance, although in some cases they will work.
If you intend to run Escape over a WAN, we suggest your network administrator discuss the specific requirements for your organization with your Escape Project Manager.
Since Escape is a DOS application, all processing is done at the workstation. This means that data is retrieved from the file server by the program, processed at the client, and file updates then written back to the file server. Therefore, the processor and memory of the workstation greatly impact performance.
We recommend the following minimum specifications for all workstations running Escape on your network:
Setting up Escape to run on the workstation is very simple. Setup consists of adding statements to a couple of system configuration files, mapping the workstation to the database, and putting an icon on the Windows desktop. Details of client workstation configuration are covered in a separate Escape FYI.