SLICE Wireless Solutions IT Standards

Last Update - January 2015

Domain Name & DNS

  • All domain names must be registered at one of the approved registrars: GoDaddy or Network Solutions.
  • DNS must be hosted at one of the approved registrars and not the hosting company or web designer.
  • Slice Wireless Solutions must have the login information for the registrar.
  • The registrar account contact and domain name WHOIS email contacts must be support@slicewifi.com for monitoring purposes.

Web Hosting & Other Web Services

  • Contact information for web designer and hosting company must be provided for liaison purposes only.
  • We are not responsible for the website and other web services unless explicitly noted.

Anti-Spam System

  • We only support and maintain our own Slice Wireless Solutions Anti-Spam System.

Email Messaging System

  • Only Microsoft-Supported versions of Exchange are supported.
  • SSL Certificates from a major Certificate Authority must be used. Self-signed certificates are not supported.
  • 3rd Party POP3/IMAP email hosting services are supported with limited functionality.
  • In-house Exchange servers must have the following requirements:
  1. Latest Service Pack installed
  2. 12gb–16gb of RAM installed, at minimum
  3. Enough local disk space to run the offline-defragment process (double the size of the information store)
  4. Exchange 2003 is not supported, only Exchange 2007, 2010, 2013 and OFFICE 365 are supported
  5. RAID protection on all disk drives, RAID 10 minimum with at least 1 hot-spare
  6. Valid hardware warranty from manufacturer, preferably with 24x7x4 Support
  7. Hot-spare capability if there is no24x7x4 Support

Mobile Messaging System

  • BlackBerry, iPhones, Android and Windows Mobile Phone devices are supported for email connectivity only.
  • Customer is responsible for procuring the mobile device and paying the monthly service plan. Slice Wireless Solutions may advise on mobile provider and data plans.
  • BlackBerry devices must be connecting to a BES server. BIS and OWA are supported with limited functionality
  • In-house BES servers must have a valid RIM Support Agreement for support from RIM and access to software updates.

Internet Connection

  • Primary internet connection must have an SLA. Symmetric 5Mbps speed being the minimum speed required for regular IT functions like email and online backup.
  • Supported secondary internet connections can be asymmetric and lower SLAs. Examples include Cable Internet

Phone System

  • Traditional phone vendors and POTS lines are not our responsibility.
  • We will help coordinate IP phone implementations.
  • Our preferred VOIP phone vendor is Shoretel.
  • Our current Shoretel implementations require Cisco IP phones and Cisco Catalyst or HP switches. Shoretel will install their own T1 and DSL connections for voice traffic and routers are managed by Shoretel.

Operating System Software

  • Currently supported Microsoft Windows Server operating systems. Latest Service Pack must be installed.
  • Currently supported Microsoft Windows desktop operating systems. Latest Service Pack must be installed.

Virtual System

  • Only VMware ESXi operating systems supported, no less than version 5.1.
  • Must have an active support contract.
  • Minimum of 32GB of RAM per host server.
  • Minimum of one Intel 6 Core CPU.
  • Gigabit network switches required.
  • vCenter server required.
  • Minimum of 6 network interfaces per host.
  • ISCSCI is supported; SAS or Fiber Channel is recommended.
  • Two host minimum required.
  • Maximum of 6 – 8 virtual machines per host.
  • SAN required with minimum of 4tb of storage. Examples are HP P2000G3 and Dell Equallogic.

Anti-Virus & Anti-Spyware Security Software

  • Centrally managed and deployed anti-virus/anti-spyware security solution is a requirement.
  • Valid maintenance agreement with security vendor is required.

Backup System

  • We support and maintain our own Slice Wireless Solutions onsite and offsite (cloud) backup.
  • The standard NAS device supported for onsite backup is Synology.
  • Backup to NAS is recommended for onsite backup.

Line of Business Applications

  • Contact information for LOB Application vendor must be provided for liaison purposes.
  • We will provide a Windows Server environment for the LOB application but maintenance and technical support will be provided by the LOB Application vendor unless otherwise specified in the Managed Services Agreement.
  • Valid software maintenance and/or technical support agreements for LOB applications are required.

Office Productivity Software

  • We will support current Microsoft Office suites.
  • Open license is preferred for media and license management purposes.
  • Latest service pack is required to be installed.

Server Hardware

  • Supported servers are in-warranty IBM x-Series, Lenovo ThinkServer, HP Proliant, or Dell PowerEdge servers.
  • Below is a table of minimum requirements:
 

Mission-Critical Server

Non-Mission-Critical Server

Chassis

Hot-plug Capability

Rail Kit for Rackmount Servers

Redundant Power Supplies

Hot-plug Capability

Redundant Power Supplies

Processor

Intel Xeonor AMD Opteron

Intel Xeon or AMD Opteron

Memory

12GB-16GB minimum

10GB-12GB minimum

Storage

Hardware RAID Arrays with Hot Spare, BBWC required

Hardware RAID Arrays

Optical Drive

DVD

DVD

Remote

Management

HP iLO Advanced

Dell DRAC

IBM RSA or IMM

HP iLO Advanced

Dell DRAC

IBM RSA or IMM

Warranty

24x7x4 Response

Next Business Day Response

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Desktop PC

  • The recommended PC refresh cycle is 3 years.
  • It is highly recommended to only operate PCs that are covered under a manufacturer warranty.
  • HP business desktop is recommended 

 

 

Entry-Level

Mainstream

Power User

Processor

Core i5

Core i5

Core i7

Memory

6GB

8GB

8GB+

Video Card

Integrated, Single Monitor

Integrated, Single Monitor

Discrete, Dual Monitor

Warranty

1-Year - Next Day Support 

3-Year - Next Day Support

3-Year - Next Day Support 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ISV Workstation

  • An ISV workstation is a CAD or Rendering Software Certified PC
  • The recommended workstation refresh cycle is 3 years.
  • It is highly recommended to only operate PCs that are covered under a manufacturer warranty.
  • The following business product lines are recommended:
  1. Dell Precision
  2. HP Workstation 
 

CAD

Rendering

Processor

Core i7, Xeon

Xeon

Memory

12GB (64b-bit OS required)

8GB or 12GB (64b-bit OS required)

Storage

160GB 10k RPM or SSD

250GB 10k SATA, 15k SAS or SSD

Optical Drive

DVD-RW

DVD-RW

Video Card

Discrete, CAD-Certified

Discrete, CAD-Certified

OS

64-bit

64-bit

Warranty

3-Year - Next Day Support

3-Year - Next Day Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notebook

  • The recommended notebook refresh cycle is 3 years.
  • Onsite and Accidental Damage Protection support should be added on, though the quality of a manufacturer’s onsite support sub-contractor varies.
  • It is required to only operate PCs that are covered under a manufacturer warranty.
  • HP or Lenovo business laptops are recommended.

 

 

Entry-Level

Mainstream

Processor

Core i5

Core i5/i7

Memory

6GB

8GB

Bluetooth/WiFi

No / 802.11a/g/n

Yes /802.11a/g/n

Battery

6-Cell

6 or 9-Cell

Monitor

XGA

SXGA+or Better

Warranty

3-Year - Next Day Support

3-Year - Next Day Support 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Printers & Copiers

  • Network printers are required, even for personal printers.
  • PCL5, PCL6, and PS Printer languages required. Host-based printers are not supported
  • Valid HP Care Pack for primary printers is highly recommended.
  • Brother is supported as secondary/personal printers or multi-function units.
  • High-volume copiers from Xerox, Canon, Konica, etc. are supported by dedicated vendors. We coordinate and assist with the copier installation but do not support the devices directly.

Remote Access & VPN

  • Microsoft PPTP is not supported.
  • Paid GoToMyPC and LogMeIn subscriptions are supported.
  • Microsoft Terminal Server is supported behind VPN. It is not supported out in the open.
  • Supported remote access methods are as follows:
  1. SonicWall SSL VPN Appliances are preferred
  2. SonicWall or Cisco software IPSEC VPN
  3. Firewall hardware IPSEC VPN

Power System

  • Telecom/Network equipment can be protected by the APC or Eaton UPS type of device.
  • Servers and NAS devices should use the Smart-UPS, Smart-UPS XL, or Eaton brand models.
  • Network management cards are recommended.
  • Switched PDUs are recommended. If they are used, the server connected to that specific outlet must be labeled in the PDU management GUI.
  • Extended runtime batteries are recommended for certain applications.
  • Typical configuration would be to create two power channels with redundant power supplies using separate power channels.

Firewall

  • Supported firewall lines are: SonicWall TZ, and Cisco ASA models.
  • All firewalls must be under a support contract from the manufacturer.

Web Filtering

  • We currently support Websense and Barracuda Networks appliances.
  • Either supported solution must have a valid support contract to function properly.
  • Websense solutions will need a dedicated server.
  • Barracuda Networks appliances are the preferred solution.

Switches

  • Supported switches are Cisco 300 Series and HP ProCurve. 
  • Switches require a valid manufacturer support agreement.

Wireless

  • Supported wireless vendor is Ruckus.
  • 802.11n Access Point coupled with ZoneDirector controller.
  • Premium Support contract must be purchased on all items.
  • Hardware is current and is not designated 'End of Life' by manufacturer.
  • Access points are powered by a POE switch which complies with 802.3af or 802.3at standards.
  • If no POE switch is available, Ruckus supplied POE injectors may be used. AC adapters are not recommended.
  • Access points are connected to managed switches.
  • Access point mounting follows orientation guidelines provided by Ruckus.
  • Encryption standard is WPA2, using AES algorithm. 
  • WES encryption and TKIP algorithm are not recommended.
  • Access point labels/description are entered accurately in ZoneDirector database to aid in location and troubleshooting problematic APs.

Rack

  • APC and Rack Solutions are our rack suppliers. APC is preferred.
  • Rack shelves are purchased from APC.
  • Only server manufacturer's rack mount conversion kits are supported.
  • APC supplies all 43U and 25U type racks while Rack Solutions specializes in the 12U rack.

KVM Switch & Remote Management

  • Standard basic KVM switch are recommended.
  • For remote management capabilities, we rely on each server’s own internal remote management card(HPiLO, IBM RSA/IMM, and Dell DRAC).

Cloud Hosting Services

  • Slice Wireless Solutions supports and maintains cloud hosted server for its clients.
  • Cloud hosted servers fully support Microsoft Windows 2008/2012, Windows 7/8 operating systems.
  • Cloud hosted servers are offered in Infrastructure as a Service and Platform as a Service classifications.
  • Cloud hosted servers are hosted in a primary location as well as a hot spare location simultaneously.
  • Cloud hosting servers are accessible on the internet. Internet transfer rates are dependent on inbound internet connection at client location.
  • Clients are not responsible for maintaining cloud hosted server hardware.

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