Introduction

Microsoft has updated their product stack in their operating system, data storage and software development tools with the 2008 offerings. The focus of this document is to address the support that K2 offers with regards to these Microsoft product offerings and how to configure them to work with K2.

The Microsoft products that previous K2 blackpearl installations operate with were systems that utilize Windows Server 2003 as the base operating system, SQL 2005 for data storage, and Visual Studio 2005 or 2008 as the process design tool. Currently Windows Server 2008 is the base operating system with SQL Server 2008 SP1 or later for data storage and Visual Studio 2010 or later as one of the process design tools (the other tools being K2 studio, K2 Designer for SharePoint and K2 Forms).

Before you begin ensure that you have read this document in full before attempting your K2 installation on Windows Server 2008. Many of the configuration steps MUST be performed prior to installing K2 blackpearl.

MOSS
If you are running Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007 on Windows Server 2003, and you wish to upgrade to Windows Server 2008, you must install the Office System Service Pack 1 before upgrading the operating system. If performing a clean installation of MOSS, you must the Service Pack 1 of the installation source for MOSS.

For more information, see Windows Server 2008 Resource Center for SharePoint Products and Technologies on TechNet.

Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008 delivers valuable new functionality and powerful improvements to the core Windows Server operating system to help organizations of all sizes increase control, availability, and flexibility for their changing business needs. New Web tools, virtualization technologies, security enhancements, and management utilities help save time, reduce costs, and provide a solid foundation for your information technology (IT) infrastructure.

Windows Server 2008 supersedes Windows Server 2003 as the server-based operating system. Windows Server 2008 is strongly recommended for new machines, new system infrastructure as Microsoft will be shortly discontinuing the availability of licenses for Windows Server 2003. Windows Server 2008 also introduces IIS7 to the production environments; IE8 is also fully supported.

Before you install K2 blackpearl, there are several configuration steps that you need to complete: