Welcome,
name
Overview
United Way
FAQ
Technology
Requirements
CCAP
I & R
A & O
Exec Plus
Data Policy
Outlook Connector
Standard-M
MIG
Help Desk
1-877-479-3780 x314
e-Mail Us
Readings
e-Newsletter:

Friday Morning
Coffee Break

Book Of The Month:
The Complete Guide to Fundraising Management
Andar Hardware/Software Requirements
Disclaimer: Helix strongly recommends that the customer reviews with Helix personnel the actual hardware configuration and third party software it intends to use for running Andar. The exact hardware required for the server(s) will depend on the size of the customer's organization as well as on the number of users, transactions, and donors.

Helix does not supply or support the installation/configuration of the database or of the operating system software.

Recommendations are subject to change without notice as technology evolves.

Table of Content
For Smaller Organizations
For Smaller Organizations
(Up to 3 Users Without A Server)

Andar can run standalone on a single Windows/2000/2k3/XP workstation with up to 2 other workstations connected to it using Peer to Peer networking.

What you will need:

A Database Workstation
The workstation that will contain the database should be at least a 800 MHz processor with at least 1Gb of RAM. The minimum disk space requirement can be estimated at the greater of 5 Gigabytes or 5 times the customer’s current database size. This workstation must be running Windows/2000/2k3/XP and Microsoft SQL Server/2000/2005 Standard Edition must be purchased and the included Desktop Edition installed. Optionally, Microsoft SQL Server/2005 Express Edition can be downloaded free from Microsoft. This workstation must have a parallel or USB port available. This workstation must be configured with a fixed IP address. Helix strongly recommends a minimum monitor resolution of 1024 x 768.

For more information about Microsoft SQL Server, visit http://www.microsoft.com/sql/.
For more information about Microsoft Windows/2000 visit http://www.microsoft.com/Windows2000/.

Client Workstations
The minimum requirement is a 800MHz processor or better with at least 256 Megabytes of RAM and 200 Megabytes of available disk space running Windows/2000/XP. Helix strongly recommends a minimum monitor resolution of 1024 x 768.
For Small/Medium Size Organizations (1-10)
For Small/Medium Size Organizations
(Up to 10 Users Using A Server)

What you will need:

A Database Server
The minimum requirement is a 1GHz single processor machine with minimum 1GB RAM. Larger organizations (8-10 Users) should consider a dual processor machine for added performance. The minimum disk space requirement can be estimated at the greater of 10 GB or 5 times the customer’s current database size. The server should have SCSI disk drives in a RAID 10 configuration (RAID 5 could be used for small databases (click here for more info)). Although systems without RAID can be used, they are not recommended. A minimum network interface card operating at 100 MB is recommended. The server must have a parallel or USB port available. The server must be configured with a fixed IP address. The server should also have some form of backup system such as a tape drive or DVD-Burner.

The server must be running Microsoft Windows/2000 or 2003 Server or Small Business Server. Microsoft SQL Server/2000/2005 Standard Edition must be separately purchased and installed. All software should have the current service packs applied. Backup software is strongly recommended and should include an SQL Agent to allow backup of the SQL databases.

Helix recommends that this server be dedicated to Andar. If the server is also used for other applications such as financial or other business applications, Microsoft Exchange, e-mail services, file services, etc., then a more powerful machine may be required.

For more information about Microsoft SQL Server, visit http://www.microsoft.com/sql/.
For more information about Microsoft Windows/2000 visit http://www.microsoft.com/Windows2000/.

Client Workstations
The minimum requirement is a 800 MHz processor or better with at least 256 Megabytes of RAM and 200 Megabytes of available disk space running Windows/2000/XP. Helix strongly recommends a minimum monitor resolution of 1024 x 768.

For Medium Size Organizations (11-20)
For Medium Size Organizations
(11-20 Users)

What you will need:

A Database Server
The minimum requirement is a 1GHz Dual processor machine with minimum 2 GB RAM. A Quad processor is recommended for larger organizations (15-20 Users) requiring better performance. The minimum disk space requirement can be estimated at the greater of 20 GB or 5 times the customer’s current database size. The server must have SCSI disk drives in a RAID 10 configuration (RAID 5 must NOT be used (click here to find out why)). A network interface card operating at Gigabit speed is recommended. The server must have a parallel or USB port available. The server must be configured with a fixed IP address. The server should also have a tape backup system.

The server must be running Microsoft Windows/2000 or 2003 Server. Microsoft SQL Server/2000/2005 Standard Edition must be separately purchased and installed. All software should have the current service packs applied. Backup software is required and should include an SQL Agent to allow backup of the SQL databases.

Helix recommends that this server be dedicated to Andar.

For more information about Microsoft SQL Server, visit http://www.microsoft.com/sql/.
For more information about Microsoft Windows/2000 visit http://www.microsoft.com/Windows2000/.

Client Workstations
The minimum requirement is a 800 MHz processor or better with at least 256 Megabytes of RAM and 200 Megabytes of available disk space running Windows/2000/XP. Helix strongly recommends a minimum monitor resolution of 1024 x 768.

For Larger Organizations
For Larger Organizations
(Over 20 Users)

What you will need:

A Database Server
The minimum requirement is a 1GHz quad processor machine with minimum 2 GB RAM. The minimum disk space requirement can be estimated at the greater of 36 GB or 5 times the customer’s current database size. The server must have SCSI disk drives in a RAID 10 configuration (RAID 5 must NOT be used (click here to find out why)). Larger organizations should consider a separate RAID 1 array of 18GB for the operating system and another RAID 1 disk array estimated at the greater of 36GB or 2 times the customer’s current database size to be used for the transaction logs. A network interface card operating at Gigabit speed is recommended. The server must have a parallel or USB port available. The server must be configured with a fixed IP address. The server should also have a tape backup system.

The server must be running Microsoft Windows/2000 or 2003 Server (Advanced Server is recommended for larger organizations (over 30 Users) requiring better performance and management). Microsoft SQL Server/2000/2005 Standard Edition must be separately purchased and installed (Microsoft SQL Server/2000/2005 Enterprise Edition is recommended for larger organizations (over 30 Users) requiring better performance and management). All software should have the current service packs applied. Backup software is required and must include an SQL Agent to allow backup of the SQL databases.

Helix recommends that this server be dedicated to Andar.

For more information about Microsoft SQL Server, visit http://www.microsoft.com/sql/.
For more information about Microsoft Windows/2000 visit http://www.microsoft.com/Windows2000/.

Client Workstations
The minimum requirement is a 800 MHz processor or better with at least 256 Megabytes of RAM and 200 Megabytes of available disk space running Windows/2000/XP. Helix strongly recommends a minimum monitor resolution of 1024 x 768.
e-Community Suite
Introduction
The e-Community Suite includes the e-Pledge, e-Volunteer, Allocations & Outcomes, and Information & Referral modules. These modules allow remote users to access information through the Internet.
e-Pledge allows donors to manage pledging; e-Volunteer allows individuals to manage volunteer opportunities; Allocations & Outcomes allows agencies to manage their grant proposals; and Information & Referral allows controlled access to a searchable database of community programs and services.

Security Considerations
In order to ensure that information is kept private, a number of security measures should be implemented. First, the customer should have a properly configured firewall. Helix does not recommend or support any specific firewall hardware or software.

Helix recommends a separate server for the web site. This will help isolate the web site and would-be hackers from the database server. The web server should be attached to the DeMilitarized Zone (DMZ) port available on most firewalls. The DMZ allows for extra barriers between the Internet and the web server as well as between the web server and the rest of your network.

Information on web pages should also be protected by implementing "Secure Socket Layer" (SSL), also known as "https." With SSL, all communication between the browser (donor/agency) and the web server is encrypted. To implement SSL, the customer must obtain a server-specific certificate from an authorized vendor such as www.VeriSign.com. Similarly, Andar's e-Pledge module can automatically authorize credit cards through PayPal. See below for additional information on Credit Card Processing.

Server Requirements
Because each web page is constructed from countless information stored in your Andar database, both the database server and the web server must be located on the same high-speed local network. Helix does not recommend that the web server be located off-site while the database is on-site. An Internet communication link between the web server and the database server would seriously degrade performance of the web site.

For smaller organizations, the server should be a 800MHz processor with 1GB RAM or better, while larger organizations could configure a dual 800MHz processor with 2GB RAM or larger. The web application is not very disk intensive so 18GB of available disk drive space (in a RAID-1 configuration optional but recommended for redundancy) should be sufficient for the operating system and other required software. Some large organizations may wish to implement multiple load balanced web servers. Since the web server is not part of the local network (it is hidden behind a firewall), it should also have its own tape backup system and associated software.

Software Requirements
The web server requires Windows/2000/2003 Server with Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) installed and configured. Other operating systems and web servers are not recommended at this time. The Application Server JRun Professional from www.macromedia.com is also required. This software acts as a bridge between the Internet and Andar.

Internet Requirements
A number of Internet connection methods are available. Please contact your local communication vendor for the list of services available in your area. Helix does not recommend dialup for the web server. A common and inexpensive Internet connection method is DSL. DSL comes in many different speed configurations. Typically, DSL has fast transfers of data from the Internet into your network but slow transfers from your network to the Internet. This is commonly used for surfing the web but not for web hosting. Check with your DSL provider to ensure that your service has high-speed transfers from your network to the Internet. Note also that DSL throughputs can vary greatly depending on traffic volumes at your service provider. Make sure you inquire about service level guarantees. Cable modems are another high-speed Internet connection method. Cable can be very high-speed but check with your service provider for service level guarantees.

The most common web hosting connection methods are T1 or burstable T1. These offer very reliable throughput and high availability. Check with your service provider for details.

In all cases, an external fixed IP address is required for your web server.

Internet Access (Optional)
Introduction
Andar can be used remotely, through the Internet. This can be done in a number of different ways.

Open Ports
Helix does not recommend opening SQL server ports to the general Internet. This could be used to allow remote users to access the Andar database directly, but it exposes your database to hackers and sniffers. This scenario is not recommended.

Virtual Private Network
Virtual Private Networks will allow remote users to become part of your network through the Internet. Once on the network, they can install Andar on their computer and use it like any other users. A high speed Internet connection is strongly recommended for this scenario. Performance may not be suitable for heavy users and is recommended for the occasional, low usage users only.

Terminal Services
A separate server with Terminal Services installed will allow remote users to access Andar securely through the Internet. Helix recommends at least 1Gb RAM plus 128Mb per concurrent user on the terminal server. Other services such as Citrix and Netilla may also be used. A Gigabit LAN path between this server and the Andar database server will significantly improve performance.
VeriSign Services
SSL Certificates
VeriSign is a leading provider of SSL certificates. With SSL, all communication between the browser (donor/agency) and the web server is encrypted. To implement SSL, the customer must obtain a server-specific certificate and install it within the IIS.

Website: www.VeriSign.com

PayPal Services
Credit Card Processing
Andar can automatically optionally authorize credit cards either through e-Pledge or on a pre-authorized scheduled basis. To perform this function, the customer must purchase the Andar CCAP module and register its merchant account(s) with PayPal's PayFlow Pro Service. The Andar CCAP module contains all of the software required to communicate with PayPal.

Click here for fee information.

Contact Information
Doug Beyer
Account Executive
PayPal, Inc.
Direct: 866-445-3167 ext. 8661
dbeyer@paypal.com
www.paypal.com

Site Map
Powered by Andar/360 Fundraising Software from Helix (e08.02)