System Requirements

The FlowChief system is based on native web technology. Just as in the World Wide Web, a central machine provides all content for a random number of clients (device with web browser). Depending on the size of the application, the server can be operated on panels, IPCs or high-performing servers.

Approved operating systems

  • Windows Server 2025

  • Windows Server 2022

  • Windows Server 2022 (Essentials)

  • Windows Server 2019 (Standard and Essentials)

  • Windows Server 2016 (Standard and Essentials)
  • Windows 11 (Standard and Essentials, IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024, up to Version 24H2, up to Version 25H21)
  • Windows 10 (Pro and Enterprise)
    • Please note the specialties with the operation of Windows 10 feature updates,
  • Windows 10 IoT (Enterprise)
    • Only for Intel x86/x64-Plattforms (32 and 64 Bit) available
    • Since OEM versions can vary widely, it is recommended to run a test if FlowChief is compatible with it!

NoteWorkstation operating systems only enable a limited amount of simultaneous web server communication channels. This is why it’s recommended for the usage of only one client computer. If more clients are required, a server operating system should be operated.

NoteA redundant system requires the Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition or higher or a Windows Server 2022 Essentials Edition or higher!

Tip As of FlowChief Version 8.1 64 Bit systems are supported.

The desktop operating System Windows 10 is provided with regular updates (twice per year) by Microsoft. The installation of these updates is mandatory with Microsoft and can be scheduled but not prevented. The FlowChief GmbH can not ensure the compatibility of Microsoft updates with previous versions of the FlowChief system. Other system components, such as OPC servers or other device drivers are also affected - their compatibility must be clarified by the manufacturer. The following alternatives are available for a reliable operation:

  • Windows Server operating system (recommendation)
    • No functionality updates, ensures permanent compatibility
    • Security updates are guaranteed by Microsoft for multiple years
    • More benefits of a server operating system
  • Windows 10 LTSC (Long Term Servicing Channel)
    • Complies with Windows 10 Enterprise Edition
    • No functionality updates, ensures permanent compatibility
    • Security updates with long-term support by Microsoft for up to six year, guaranteed
  • Windows 10 in combination with the FlowChief software maintenance contract
    • Parallel to new function updates, the FlowChief will be updated via software maintenance contract, which ensures the compatibility
    • BUT: The compatibility of third party software (OPC servers or other device drivers) still can not be guaranteed!

Versions of operating systems

Versions of operating systems (e.g. Windows 11 21H2 to 24H2) will be supported with a FlowChief service pack after the release of interim versions. An official approval will be provided with the release notes of the FlowChief service pack.

Security Patches

Security updates and emergency patches can be installed directly after their release through Microsoft. Their is no approval required by the FlowChief GmbH.

 

Free hard disk storage

  • Minimum of triple size of the FlowChief database

  • If backup is performed on the same hard disk, then a minimum of 5 times the size of the FlowChief database is required

Illustrative system equipment

FlowChief-Server Basic, recommended for a max. of 5.000 process items:

  • Intel Xenon E3-1240 v6
  • 2x8GB 2400MT/s DDR4
  • RAID 1
  • 2x 1TB Hard disk
  • Windows Server® Essentials Ed 3Yr

FlowChief-Server Standard, recommended for a max. 10.000 process items:

  • Intel Xeon E3-1240 v6 3.7GHz
  • 1x16GB 2400MT/s DDR4
  • RAID 5
  • 3x 480 GB SSD
  • Windows Server® Essentials Ed

FlowChief-Server Advanced, recommended for a max. 25.000 process items:

  • Intel Xeon E3-1240 v6 3.7GHz
  • 2x16GB 2400MT/s DDR4
  • RAID 10
  • 4x 480GB SSD
  • Windows Server® Standard

FlowChief-Server High-End, recommended for 35.000 process items or more:

  • Intel® Xeon® Silver 4112 2.6G
  • 2x32GB RDIMM 2666MT/s Dual Rank
  • RAID10
  • 4x 800GB SSD
  • Windows Server® Standard 16CORE

FlowChief-Workstation, recommended for a max. of 1.750 process items (if an operating server-system is not preferred):

  • Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-6500
  • 8GB (1x8GB) 2133MHz DDR4
  • 2x480 GB SSD
  • RAID 0/1/5 (4 Ports)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC

Note All hard- and software components need to be identical for redundancy!

Virtualisation

The FlowChief system can be operated in a virtual environment. The following platforms are supported:

  • Microsoft Hyper-V

  • VMware

  • Proxmox

NoteWhen operating in a virtual environment, it is essential to ensure that the hardware resources listed under ‘Example system configuration’ (CPU cores, RAM, hard disk IOPS) are permanently allocated (dedicated) to the virtual guest system. Over-allocating resources on the host system leads to unpredictable latency and performance degradation in the application and is not supported.

NoteThe FlowChief support is limited to the FlowChief software and the underlying guest operating system. The operator is solely responsible for the setup, maintenance, security and performance troubleshooting of the virtualisation platform (hypervisor) and the physical host hardware.

NoteWhen using virtual machines, ensure that the host and guest systems are synchronised with high precision and on a continuous basis (e.g. via NTP). Accurate and synchronised timestamps are essential for the consistent archiving of process and fault data.

NoteFailover clusters and high availability (HA): Hypervisor-based failover solutions (e.g. VMware vSphere HA) do not replace the native application redundancy of the FlowChief system. In the event of a host failure, the virtualisation platform simply restarts the guest VM on a different physical host. The resulting downtime (operating system boot process and restart of services) inevitably leads to reduced service availability (e.g. alerting) and gaps in data logging. For seamless, high-availability operation, it is essential to set up two separate virtual machines and link them to the native FlowChief redundancy function.

 

Database

  • SQL Server 2022 (Express Edition, Standard Edition, Enterprise Edition)
  • SQL Server 2019 (Express Edition, Standard Edition, Enterprise Edition)
  • SQL Server 2017 (Express Edition, Standard Edition, Enterprise Edition)
  • SQL Server 2016 (Express Edition, Standard Edition, Enterprise Edition)

Previous Microsoft SQL Servers are not supported.

A 64-Bit version of the SQL Server can be used with a 64-Bit version of an operating system to use more main storage.

NoteIf operating a redundant system, a SQL server standard edition 2016 or higher is required!

Please note the remarks in the chapter Licensing Microsoft SQL Server Standard Edition.

 

Web Server

Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) 7.0 or higher.

 

Office Software (for Configuration via Excel™ Workbook and Excel-Reports)

  • Microsoft Excel™ Desktop version
  • Microsoft Office Online versions are not supported

 

Google Maps API Key

An API key is provided when purchasing a FlowChief system with the license FC_GeoLocalization. This includes a max. of 300 map requests per month. If a more frequent usage is required, then a personal API key must be purchased directly from Google.

 

Engineering Client

FlowChief engineering is performed via web browser - not including the creation of process images. Each user with access to a web browser and appropriate user rights, can set the configuration. A flexible solution for the configuration of mass data is the configuration via Excel. Located on an engineering client, the mass data configuration and the creation of process images can be performed easily.

  • Operating System

    • Windows 10 (Pro, Enterprise)

    • 32 and 64 Bit systemes are supported

  • Recommendation Hardware configuration

    • Intel Core i5-6500 (Quad Core, 6MB, 4T, 3.2GHz, 65W)

    • 1x 8GB 1600MHz DDR3L RAM

    • Windows 10 Pro 64Bit

 

Supported Web Browser

  • Desktop Devices

    • Current HTML5 supported web browser, activated JavaScript, Cookies activated

      • Chrome version 119.0.6045.109 or higher

      • Chromium version 119.0.6045.59 or higher

      • Edge version 118 or higher

      • Firefox version 118 or higher

  • Mobile Devices

    • Browser

      • Chrome Version 119.0.6045.134 or higher

      • Firefox Version 118 or higher

      • Safari 17.0

    • scadaApp (native App)

      • Android 12 and higher

      • iOS 16 and higher

 

HMI Panels

FlowChief panels are optimized for the operation of machines. High performing hardware, solid IP 65 fronts and cooling without ventilators enable a long-life operation with little maintenance requirements.

  • Operating System

    • Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC

  • Illustrated Hardware configuration

  • Recommendation
  • The FlowChief GmbH HMI Panels are matched to the operation with machines. High performing hardware, solide IP 65 front case and fan less cooling enable a long lasting operation with low maintenance. The FlowChief software is preinstalled which allows an instant operation of the devices.