System Requirements

TimeForce II Requirements


The following is a list of the system hardware/software requirements needed when running the Self Install version of TimeForce II on your local network.

Server Hardware

The following table details the minimum and recommended requirements for the machine(s) acting as the TimeForce web/database server. Note: TimeForce cannot be installed on the Domain Controller, Exchange Server, Share Point Server, or Small Business Server.


Concurrent Web Users * Minimum Requirement Recommended
  Number of Servers CPU Speed Memory (RAM) Number of Servers CPU Speed Memory (RAM)
1-50 1 Combined Web + Database Server 2GHz 1GB 1 Combined Web + Database Server 3GHz 1GB
51-200 1 Combined Web + Database Server 3GHz 1GB 1 Dedicated Web Server P4 3GHz 2GB
1 Dedicated Database Server P4 3GHz 2GB
201-500 1 Dedicated Web Server P4 2GHz 1GB 1 Dedicated Web Server P4 3GHz 2GB
1 Dedicated Database Server P4 2GHz 2GB 1 Dedicated Database Server P4 3GHz 3GB
501-1000 1 Dedicated Web Server 2x Xeon @ 3GHz ea. 2GB 2 Dedicated Web Servers ** 2x Xeon @ 3GHz ea. 2GB
1 Dedicated Database Server 2x Xeon @ 3GHz ea. 2GB 1 Dedicated Database Server 2x Xeon @ 3GHz ea. 4GB
1001-3000 2 Dedicated Web Servers ** 2x Xeon @ 3GHz ea. 2GB 3 Dedicated Web Servers *** 2x Xeon @ 3GHz ea. 2GB
1 Dedicated Database Server

2x Xeon @ 3.7GHz ea.

 4GB 1 Dedicated Database Server 2x Xeon @ 3.7GHz ea. 4GB

* Concurrent Web Users are any users who may be logged into the system simultaneously at the highest peak time. This includes any Employee/Supervisor/Customized Role Self Service Users, program administrators, or Network Time Clock instances.
** Multiple web servers requires the use of a hardware/software-based load balancer.
Note: Actual requirements vary based on your system configuration and the applications and features you choose to install.

Other Hardware Requirements & Recommendations

  • DVD ROM drive
  • UPS back up power supply recommended
  • Internet access strongly recommended

Operating System:

  • Microsoft .Net Framework 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.0 or later, or FireFox 3.0 or later
Windows 7 (recommended)
  • Internet Information Services, Windows 7 CD required to install
  • No limit on concurrent users
Windows 8
  • TimeForce II is not yet supported on Windows 8
Windows Vista Business, Home Premium, or Ultimate Editions (32 or 64 bit architecture)
  • Internet Information Services, Windows Vista CD required to install
Windows 2008 Server
  • Windows 2008 Server CD required to install
  • No limit on concurrent users

Database:

The TimeForce system uses a MS SQL 2008 database.
  • SQL 2008, or higher
  • SQL Server 2008 Express (included)
  • SQL Server 2008 2 GB of RAM required. Computer must be a dedicated SQL Server 2008 machine
  • TimeForce II is not yet supported on SQL 2012

All Operating Systems

The following steps must be performed on all Operating Systems.

  1. From the Windows Start Menu, go to Control Panel > Administrative Tools and select "Services."
  2. Right-click on the "Distributed Transaction Coordinator" service and select Properties.
  3. From the Startup Type drop-down menu, select "Automatic." Click on the [OK] icon.

Internet Information Services (IIS) Settings

IIS settings vary slightly depending on the Operating System in use.

Windows Vista show recommendations
  1. From the Windows Start Menu, go to Control Panel > Programs and Features > Internet Information Services.
  2. Under "World Wide Web Services" select "Application Development Features" and select the following options:
    • .NET Extensibility
    • ASP.NET
    • ISAPI Extensions
    • ISAPI Filters
    • Server-Side Includes
  3. Under "Common HTTP Features" select the following options:
    • Default Document
    • Static Content
  4. From the Windows Start Menu, go to Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Administrative Tools > Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
    • Expand [Server Machine Name]->Sites->Default Web Site->TimeForceII
    • The TimeForceII icon will look like a folder. Right-click on the TimeForceII icon and select 'Convert to Application' from the pop-up menu.
    • Click 'OK' on the dialog box that pops up.
    • You should now be able to open the TimeForce II site with a browser without error.
  5. Click on the [OK] icon to save the changes that you have made.
Windows 2008 Server show recommendations
  1. From the Windows Start Menu, go to "Administrative Tools" and select "Server Manager." Scroll down to the Roles section of the screen and select the "Add a Role" option.
  2. Select "Web Server (IIS)," and select to "Add Required Features."
  3. Click on the [NEXT] icon repeatedly until a screen appears asking which role services you would like to install for IIS.
  4. Under Application Development, select "ASP.net." Ensure that the "Add Required Features" option is selected. This will add the ISAPI Extensions and Filters.
  5. Select [NEXT] and then choose [INSTALL].

TCP/IP Port Numbers Used by the TimeForce System

The TimeForce system and its hardware and utilities use various ports for communication. You may need to open/forward the proper ports to ensure the systems ability to communicate with your clocks, ClockLink, Live Lookup, etc.

The following is a list of port numbers and their uses in the TimeForce system.

  • 80 - This port is used by IIS on the Default Website to host TimeForce II
  • 5402 - This port is used by ClockLink and Clock Server to communicate with your time clocks.
  • 5405 - This port is used by ClockLink and Clock Server to communicate with the "TimeForce Punches Service" on the TimeForce II web server.
  • 5704 - This port is used by ClockLink to communicate with the "TFNClockFacadeServer" service on the TimeForce II web server.

Domain Controllers

TimeForce II should not be installed on a domain controller.

Client Computer Requirements

A client computer accesses the TimeForce program and database via a web browser. No program or database files are installed on client machines.

  • Pentium 4 1.3 GHz or faster processor
  • 1GB of RAM
  • Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher
  • Internet access strongly recommended
  • The computer must be able to access the TimeForce II web server over the network
  • TimeForce is a web application. However, for most web server configurations and firewall\router setups, the default configurations will not allow TimeForce II to be available outside your Local Area Network via the Internet. 

Time Clock Punch Retrieval Options & Requirements

Refer to the list of requirements for the type of clock that you are using.

Local (Serial) Clocks

  • Dedicated serial port required, or a Infinisource provided USB to Serial Cable Kit.
  • From the Master time clock to the computer there is a maximum 250 feet cable length.
  • There is a maximum of 4000 feet total cable length for concurrent clocks.
  • The USB to Serial Cable Kit is only compatible with Windows 2000 or better.

Modem Clocks

  • The time clock requires a dedicated analog phone line (digital phone lines are not compatible with the clock's analog modem).
  • The desktop PC requires a 28.8kbs or faster modem.

Ethernet Clocks

  • TCP/IP networks only
  • The clock uses TCP port 5402.
  • A static IP address is required.
  • A minimum 56k LAN/WAN/Dial-up networking connection for the computer that is to download the clock.
  • The clock requires a 10MB or 100MB Ethernet connection.
  • Cat 5 cable or better, with a maximum cable length of 300 feet.
  • Cat 3 cable is not recommended and may be unreliable.

TimeForce II Hosted System Requirements

If you choose to use our hosted solution instead of installing the TimeForce II servers in-house, the following are the minimum requirements for the client computer used to access TimeForce II over the internet.

  • Pentium 4 1.3 GHz or faster processor.
  • Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher, or FireFox 2.0 or later.
  • 56K or faster Internet connection

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