Microsoft Windows Server 2008

Required for Operators

The K2 blackpearl Host Server and other server components require Windows Server 2008 R2, or later.

IIS / ASP.NET

Required for Operators

The K2 blackpearl Web services and Workspace Web site run from a standard, dedicated Internet Information Services (IIS) Web site. Furthermore, the extension of SharePoint is accomplished through the SharePoint central administration site, including integration with the Business Data Catalog (BDC) and the activation of the K2 Designer for SharePoint.

Kerberos

Required for Operators

The K2 blackpearl Host Server environment requires Kerberos authentication and authorization for a federated network topology where multiple pieces of the K2 blackpearl Server system are installed on different servers. Kerberos is also required if system headers route network traffic to different sites on one or more servers.

Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator

Required for Operators

K2 blackpearl is a modular application that can be distributed into independent components. Transactions allow modular execution of component operations to provide failover and fault handling between K2 components. The failure of one component does not corrupt the operation of other components. To support distributed transaction management between the K2 Host Server and the SQL databases, for instance, Microsoft Data Transaction Coordinator (MSDTC) must be enabled. When working in an environment where the K2 Host Server is located on a different server than the K2 databases, Network DTC must also be enabled on both servers.

For more information on activating network DTC in Windows Server 2008 with SP2, see Enable Network DTC access

or Configuring MSDTC in a K2 Windows Server 2008 environment

For more information on how to configure MSDTC in a clustered environment, see How to configure Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator on a Windows Server 2008 cluster.

While infrastructure changes are required by K2, each environment is different and has its peculiarities which must be taken into account. Modifying the infrastructure could have unforeseen results if the changes are not appropriately understood or managed. Given the broad spectrum of underlying infrastructure utilized, it is recommended that a panel or committee with appropriate skill in each area concerned be assembled to outline the underlying infrastructure changes and gauge the impact of the required changes.