Operating system configuration
- Verba Support
- Attila Wolf
Please read the following topic carefully before you begin Verba installation! In order to maximize your satisfaction with the Verba recording system please read the following carefully and follow the guidelines of this topic before you begin software installation.Please follow the following guidelines during the installation of your Windows operating system.
In case you install your server from a customized Windows installer or image please try to configure the installed server according to the guidelines below.
Disk partitioning
Please create partitions according to the recommendations. For more information check Disk partitioning.
Regional and Language Options
Set these options to your normal local settings.
Date and Time Settings
For correct time handling please set timezone properly on all servers.
NTP-based time synchronization is strongly recommended.
It is important to note that most date/time information is stored in UTC standard time format in Verba. On the web interface these times are converted to the actual users local time zone. The following tables summarizes the time zones used by Verba s different system elements to present date information:
System elements | Time zone | |
|---|---|---|
User interfaces | Web interfaces | Time zone setting of the Verba user that logs into the web interface. |
| Configuration interfaces | Time zone setting of the computer that runs the configuration tools. |
| Log files | Local time on the computer that does writes the log. |
Internal storage | SQL database (e.g. call data) | UTC time |
| Configuration data | UTC time |
Network settings (during installation)
During installation just pick the "typical" settings or configure the network according to your policies. Network settings shall be reconfigured for Verba after the Windows installation is complete.
Install Critical Security Updates and disable automatic updates
After installation please use Windows Update to install the latest patch level for your Windows Server. Be sure that the automatic updates are disabled.
Update firmware and driver versions
Please consult the hardware vendors support site and verify that the following most important items are upgraded to the latest recommended version:
- chipset driver
- network card driver
- the RAID controller drivers, RAID controller firmware
- disk firmware
Configure graphics settings
Set screen saver to "(None)" under Control Panel / Display / Screen Saver.
It is recommended you enable hardware acceleration for your graphics driver under Control Panel / Display / Settings / Advanced / Troubleshoot. Set the "Hardware acceleration" slider to "Full".
Stop unnecessary Windows services
In order to minimize the operating system overhead on your Verba servers it is recommended to stop and set the Startup Type to Manual for certain services using services.msc tool.
On Windows Server 2003 systems, set the followings to manual startup type:
- Application Experience Lookup Service
- Distributed Link Tracking Client
- Error Reporting Service
- Help and Support
- IPSEC Services
- Print Spooler
- Remote Registry
- Wireless Configuration
- World Wide Web Publishing Service
- FTP Service
- SMTP Service
- NNTP Service
On Windows Server 2008 systems, set the followings to manual startup type:
- Application Experience
- Diagnostic Policy Service
- IP Helper (if you are not using IPv6)
- Remote Registry
- Print Spooler
- Windows Font Cache Service
- Windows Remote Management
Network configuration
The following configuration in this topic should only be applied to Recording Server servers or servers where the Media Repository and Recording Server are installed together.
Step 1 Rename network interfaces
In the Network Connections window change the name of the recording interface to Recording Port, the other interface can get the name Network access. These new interface names are not used by the Verba system. Verba recording ports must be configured later on. Naming the interface will however avoid confusion in your IT team.
Step 2 Configure the "Recording" interface
If passive recording technology is used, open the properties sheet of this interface and disable Client for Microsoft Networks and File and Printer Sharing. For other recording methods, use the deafult settings.
Click Show icon in notification area when connected to show the icon to administrators.
Disable Windows Firewall
Disable Windows Firewall on the server in order to provide communication among the networked system components. If you company policy does not allow you to do this, carefully open all ports, which are required for Verba (more information: Firewall configuration).