Verify the Installation Environment

Read this topic to help you prepare the installation environment.

Supported Operating Systems

Confirm that the computer on which you installing Desigo CC meets all the required software requirements. This includes:

  • Supported Operating System on the Setup type - Server, FEP, and Client:
    • Microsoft Windows 10 64-bit (Professional, Ultimate, Enterprise – Classic UI)
    • Microsoft Windows 2011 64-bit
    • Microsoft Windows Server 2019 64-bit
    • Microsoft Windows Server 2022 64-bit

NOTE:
Make sure that you keep your Windows OS version to the latest updated version. Otherwise, during installation error may appear when installing SQL Server. In that case you need to update Windows version to the latest and then manually install the required SQL version.

 

Virtualization and VM Software

Desigo CC supports several server virtualization environments and their redundancy options including transparent Network Virtualization. Terminal Server applications, Desktop-, Service- and Application Virtualization are not supported. The following key components of Desigo CC can be virtualized:

  • Server
  • Video Management Service
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft IIS Server
  • FEP

Customer Support can provide information about additional VM environments that work with Desigo CC. Please contact your local distributor for specific VM environment application notes available to customers. For licensing, see Licensing in Virtual Environment.

Confirm that the Desigo CC management station has a supported VM software package installed. For installation see manufacturers' documentation.

WinCC OA running on VMWare, should follow certain hints to ensure the integrity and operation of Desigo CC .

  • Desigo CC and WinCC OA must be properly shutdown before a Virtual Machine is stopped.
  • An online backup (snapshot) of a Virtual Machine is not supported with running project and trusted licenses.
  • A snapshot of a virtual machine cannot be restored with running project and trusted licenses.
  • The clock of the virtual machine shall never make an unexpected jump (forward or backward) while WinCC OA is running.
  • Workstation virtualization (that is, Windows-hosted VMs such as VMware workstation or player) is not supported.

Virtual Machine Software

The following VM software packages support a Desigo CC installation:

  • VMware ESXi
  • Stratus EverRun Enterprise
  • Microsoft Hyper-V

NOTE:
For UL/ULC-compliant systems, search for the specific Virtual Machine requirements in:
- Hardware Requirements for UL Norms Compliance
- Hardware Requirements for ULC Norms Compliance

 

PDF Viewer

An embedded PDF viewer is used inside the Desigo CC client application to display the reports or documents. However, to view the documents outside Desigo CC client, you must install any of the following tested compatible PDF viewers.

  • PDF-XChange
  • Adobe Reader
  • Foxit
  • CoolPDF

For instructions on installing and configuring Adobe Reader, see Adobe help or visit https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/install-reader-dc-windows.html.

AutoCAD Files

Desigo CC imports AutoCAD files, to be used as floor plans or background drawings in Graphics. The AutoCAD import formats up to version 2017 are supported:

  • DWG
  • DXF

Microsoft Office

Desigo CC uses Excel formats (xls, csv) for various purposes in the system. For example, to import data point configuration, export values from Trends and Reports application, export OPC Server configuration, display Office documents in Document Viewer or as Link in Related Item, etc.

Desigo CC will still function without Microsoft Office. If you decide you want it, you can install it later.

Desigo CC was tested with the following MS Office versions along with the office editions, including Standard Editions, Small Business Editions, Professional Editions, and Enterprise Editions:

MS Office 365

MS Office 2016

MS Office 2013

MS Office 2010

MS Office 2007

  • Free office version, openoffice/libraoffice

For instructions on installing and configuring Microsoft Office 2007 or later, see Microsoft Windows help or visit http://support.microsoft.com.

Supported Web Browser

For accessing and working with Windows App and Flex clients, you must have a web browser installed. You can then browse and work with Windows App and Flex clients by browsing the website or web application URL in one of the following supported browsers:

  • Internet Explorer 11 onwards (only Windows App Client)
  • Chrome (Flex Client, Windows App Client)
  • Firefox (Flex Client, Windows App Client)
  • Microsoft Edge (Flex Client, Windows App Client)
  • Safari (only Flex Client)

Flex Client is tested on Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS and Android operating systems.

For instructions on installing Microsoft Internet Explorer 11, visit the Microsoft Web site (http://www.microsoft.com).

NOTE:
It is recommended upgrading and staying up-to-date on the latest browser versions.

 

Microsoft Windows Security Updates

It is recommended to install security updates and critical updates to ensure secure and stable operation of Desigo CC .

Microsoft divides the updates into different classifications. (See https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/824684/description-of-the-standard-terminology-that-is-used-to-describe-microsoft-software-updates).

This product supports a Microsoft Windows operating system. Microsoft is responsible for operating system updates. Therefore, please stay informed about operating system updates directly at the following pages:

Use an offline Windows update tool if no Internet access is available.

NOTE:
Execute the Windows updates before and after the installation.
Trying to install the server without Windows updates will most likely fail! Windows updates after the installation are very import for security reasons because with the installation process, Windows software and components are being installed (for example, SQL Server) and must be up to date with the latest patches!

Execute Windows Update Before Installation

Before installing, follow the recommendations listed below to avoid uncontrolled or unanticipated downtime caused by Windows updates on the server.

  • Keep the Windows patches up-to-date.
  • Do not set Windows updates to automatic mode. This allows for an orderly backup and shutdown.
  • Make regular backups of the operating system and project, particularly before a change in the system or upgrades.
    You must secure project backups. If you are saving a project backup to a network location, ensure that the network is protected.

Execute Windows Update After Installation

Execute the Windows updates after the installation. This is very important for security reasons because with the installation process, Windows software and components are being installed (for example, SQL server) and must be up to date with the latest patches.

Use an offline Windows update tool if no internet access is available.

Hardware Requirements

Make sure the Desigo CC Server and FEP/Client computer meet the hardware requirements.

Hardware requirements for Desigo CC Server depend primarily on the number of system objects it shall manage (system size). Additionally, it also depends on the number and type of clients.

For more information, see 2 Part B: System Dimensioning Guidelines in the System Description document (A6V10415500 ).

UL_ULC

NOTICE

UL/ULC Restrictions
Refer to Notice for Fire Norms Compliance in Management Platform for information about UL/ULC restrictions in the installation environment. More detailed information about the hardware requirement for UL/ULC-compliant fire systems is provided in the Norms Compliance pages of the specific fire subsystems.

 

Installation Folder

During the installation you must specify the location for the installation directory.

The default installation directory location [Installation Drive]:\[Installation Folder] for the installation. However, you can change it.

The installation path must not contain illegal characters or sequences, for example, #&, ~^, ~&, ~(, ~=, `^, `&, `(, !^, !&, ! These characters are not detected by the Installer and you will not be able to launch the SMC.

Disk Space

The Desigo CC Installer assists you in ensuring that there is enough disk space for the installation.

It calculates and displays the disk space required for the selected setup type installation on the selected drive and the temporary disk space required only for the time of installation (always calculated only for the system drive). The disk space information is calculated for the following three factors:

  • Space on the system drive: This space is required by the software component on the system drive.
  • Space for the TempDir: This is a temporary space required by the software component on the system drive during installation.
  • Space for the InstallationDir: This space is required for the Installation directory to store the files and other resources related to installing Desigo CC on the server system, including the Brand, GMS and the Languages folder.

During installation of a selected setup type, the total disk space required by a software component is the sum of all values of these three fields.

The Installer calculates and displays the disk space (in MB) required for each selected language pack or extension along with its prerequisite. It also calculates the total disk space required for all selected language packs or extensions. The total disk space for all selected language packs or all selected extensions is added to the total disk space for the installation directory.

NOTE:
Disk Space for Project Restore/Create Project from Template:
Ensure that there is enough free disk space available (at least double the size of the project to be upgraded) on the server for the project that you are about to create or restore from template on the selected drive.
For example, if a project requires 2 GB disk space, there should be a minimum 4 GB space available on the same drive. This is needed because, when you restore and upgrade a project, a temporary copy of the project is created on the same drive. If there is not enough free space, the restore/upgrade process fails and logs several error messages in the SMC.log file available at [Installation Drive]:\[Installation Folder]\GMSMainProject\log.

Tips to Free Up Disk Space

Desigo CC Installer does not allow you to proceed if the remaining space is negative on any of the drives. However, you can do one the following:

If you change the installation drive, the disk space is re-calculated and displayed for the selected drive.

The disk space for an already installed prerequisite(s) is not considered while calculating the required disk space.

To increase the performance of the computer where you have installed Desigo CC , see Turn Off the Windows Features to Increase Performance.