What Operating Systems are recommended for use with Scala?
Note: Scala itself is a Multimedia Operating System (MMOS). For example, Scala has been used at the heart of interactive television solutions on hardware dedicated to running MMOS. But standard, widely availability hardware is necessary for IC-style multimedia networks, so Scala MMOS has been written for standard PC hardware and operating systems. These recommendations apply to the PC operating system.
Recommended Operating Systems
At this time Scala recommends that Designer 5, Content Manager 5, Broadcast Server 5, and Player 5 run under Windows2000 Pro Service Pack 4, Windows XP Pro Service Pack 2 or 3, or Windows 2003 Server Web Edition or R2. As of Scala 5 Release 3.1.0, Windows Vista Business Service Pack 1 and Ultimate Service Pack 1 are supported for Designer and Player only. Windows Vista Home Premium, Home Basic, or any 64-bit editions are not supported. For additional information on Vista, see: http://www.scala.com/support/technical-faqs/scala-content-manager-5/is-infochannel-content-manager-5-supported-on-windows-vista. Because of issues with DirectX and long term testing, Windows 2008 Server is not suggested at this time.
Windows XP Embedded
Scala 5 is supported on the Windows XP Embedded Operating
System. This is achieved through custom programming. Scala has created
such images for its turnkey system from Equus Computers.
XP-X86-64 bit Edition not supported
At this time we have not tested and certified Scala software to run
on 64-bit XP, and there is a real potential for significant issues, and
very few potential advantages to using this platform at this point.
Firewall Settings
"On a properly configured PC!" Starting with Windows XP Service
Pack 2 Microsoft has introduced some system complexities with regard to
Network Configuration. The IT Administrator/Technical User responsible
for systems running IC3 should be aware of the proper TCP Firewall
settings for their specific network.
Microsoft has published several useful "White Papers" and some helpful WWW-Sites/Pages on this topic:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;windowsxpsp2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;%5BLN%5D;835935
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=884130
Several "3rd Parties" have also published very helpful Web Pages on this topic:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/
http://www.jsiinc.com/Tipndx/Recent.htm
http://www.winnetmag.com/Departments/Index.cfm?DepartmentID=855&PubID=16
Stability and Dual Processor Support
We rate stability high on our list of required features. We also
believe that dual processor machines provide an excellent value versus
a single high-speed processor when running Scala.
Follow Video Card's DirectX Recommendation
Another consideration is the state of the DirectX driver shipped
with the video card or with Microsoft's certified drivers. You should
follow our video card recommendations and field test any newer/upgraded
video card for a week to insure that the drivers are indeed stable
prior to deploying the system. Prior to installing a non-OS standard
release of DirectX such as DirectX9.0c make positive that the video
driver for the graphics card SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT IT IS Microsoft
WHQL-Certified for that release of DirectX.
Weekly Reboot
No matter whether which Windows platform software you use, you MUST
do weekly reboots. Please see the section on how to configure your
system to schedule weekly reboots and autologin and restart the Scala Player 5 at: http://www.scala.com/infochannel-player-5-faq/auto-login-start.html
