In this chapter we will cover what you need for Rock to perform at its best. System Requirements Rock was developed on Microsoft's ASP.Net platform so it requires a Windows Server environment to run. Below are specific requirements of the hosting platform: Small Installs 1,000-5,000 recordsOne server with the following specs: Server requirements for Small Installs Server CPU: 2Ghz dual core or higherMemory: 2GB or higherStorage: 1TBOperating System: Windows Server 2016 or newerSoftware: SQL Server Express 2014 (free) or SQL Server 2014 Standard or higherNote that the server versions above are the minimum. We would of course recommend using the latest versions if you can. Starting with Rock v15, SQL Server 2016 will be required at a minimum. WarningKeep in Mind PCI ComplianceWhile a single server configuration will do a lot quite well for small churches, you should be aware that it does not meet PCI requirements (which state you need to have your database and your web host in separate environments). So if you plan to take payments through your Rock site, or store financial information in Rock, you'll probably need to use the Medium Installs configuration instead (or use an external host). Medium Installs 5,000-15,000 recordsTwo servers with the following specs: Server requirements for Medium Installs Web ServerDatabase Server CPU: 2Ghz quad coreMemory: 8GB or higherStorage: 1TBOperating System: Windows Server 2016 or newerCPU: 2Ghz quad coreMemory: 8GB or higherStorage: 1TBOperating System: Windows Server 2016 or newerSoftware: SQL Server 2014 Standard (Starting with Rock v15, SQL Server 2016 will be required at a minimum) Large Installs 15,000+ recordsTwo servers with the following specs: Server requirements for Large Installs Web ServerDatabase Server CPU: 2.5Ghz quad coreMemory: 16GB or higherStorage: 1TBOperating System: Windows Server 2016 or newerCPU: 2.5Ghz quad coreMemory: 16GB or higherStorage: 1TBOperating System: Windows Server 2016 or newerSoftware: SQL Server 2014 Standard (Starting with Rock v15, SQL Server 2016 will be required at a minimum) NoteSQL Server 2014Note that we are ending support for SQL Server 2014 as of Rock version 15.0. We generally recommend using the latest versions if you can. NoteNote:The storage estimates above do not include room for backups. If you are considering local backups, please adjust the volumes appropriately. NoteMore Info:If you plan to install Rock on a two server configuration, be sure to check out the Two-Server Configuration chapter for some helpful tips. Things You'll Need During Installation Here is a short list of settings that you'll need to complete the Rock installation. Internal and external web addresses for your organizationAn email address to send exception messages to Other Considerations Windows UpdatesRock's foundation is built upon Microsoft's .NET technology. Since .NET is an ever-evolving technology, we recommend that you install all the latest updates for your Windows Server.Server VersionThe instructions and pictures in this guide are written for Windows Server 2012. If you plan to install Rock on a newer version, there are a few differences in the installation you will need to watch out for.CertificatesAs you configure Rock, make sure you purchase and configure an SSL certificate before making it available at a publicly accessible domain. Prices range from $9–$100+ per year, and while the setup may seem daunting, there are plenty of helpful tutorials that walk you through the setup process. Also, you can check with your current domain registrar to see if they offer SSL Certificates. If you're new to SSL, Google provides a detailed list of best practices. Check out the Configuring IIS chapter below for additional details. WarningFree SSL Plugin AvailableThanks to the Rock Community, there is an easier option available for configuring SSL. Check out the Acme Certificate plugin in the Rock Shop. This will walk you through getting and installing a free Lets Encrypt certificate - a much easier route for anyone who has never set up website encryption before. NoteEncryption Best PracticeYou might be wondering where and when you should add your encryption for your website. Every secure website will have an HTTPS address on every page. The simplest way of doing this for each site within Rock is by encrypting at the Site Level. This is done by checking the box for every site at: Admin Tools > CMS Configuration > Sites > Edit Site > Require Encryption. The two Rock sites for which you should enable SSL are the internal RockRMS Site, and the external facing website. Even if you don’t plan to use Rock for your main website, it’s important to protect the information flowing between your server and those who are giving you their information. Users typing http:// addresses in their browsers to visit your pages will be redirected automatically to the secure https:// site when “Require Encryption” is checked. Now that we have these things covered, let’s begin!