This article is aimed at anyone who's hosting ConQuest Q-series. It covers the hardware and software requirements for hosting and running the application.
The following are the requirements for version 5.1 of ConQuest Q-Series. Earlier versions support different versions of Windows and SQL Server.
The application is a 32 bit Windows based application built on .Net Framework. The minimum .Net version required to run the application is 4.8.
For Desktops/Laptops
Operating Systems: Windows 11 (see note below), Windows 10 and Windows 8.1.
Memory: 4GB RAM minimum.
Processor: Intel Core i5 or higher.
Disk Space: 1GB RAM minimum.
Graphics: Video display of at least 256 colours, minimum resolution: 1280 x 720.
Software: .NET framework version 4.8 or higher (usually included with Windows).
📌Note: A solid state drive is recommended for improved performance.
For Servers
Operating Systems: Windows Server 2019 x64 - Standard, Datacentre, and Essentials editions.
Memory: 4GB RAM minimum.
Processor: 4 Core Intel Xeon or higher.
Disk Space: 1GB or higher of free space.
Software: .NET Framework version 4.8 or higher (usually included with Windows).
Database: SQL Server 2014, 2016 or 2019 (Express or full version).
Version 5.1 is the last major version which supports Microsoft SQL Server 2014 and 2016. We recommend Microsoft SQL Server 2019.
Data Share:
The application uses a number of data files for storage and configuration. Depending on the setup this can either be on the a local machine (for single setups) or on a network share (for shared data setups). Space requirements for this depend on the volume of projects that will be created.
Space requirements: 100MB plus 10-30MB per project. It is advised that home drives are not used for storing data, instead a dedicated file share should be used.
Database:
The application connects to an SQL database for data storage. Depending on the setup this can either be on the a local machine (for single setups) or on a network share (for shared data setups).
Single User - SQL Server
A local SQL Server database is used on the user’s machine with the application. SQL Server Express (free version) is significant for a single user, unless not compatible with local IT policies.
Space requirements: 50-100MB
Multi User/Network - SQL Server
Users will connect to an SQL database; this should be installed on a server on the network.
Minimum SQL Version: SQL Express 2014, but we would recommend SQL Server 2019. (The target machine must meet the minimum SQL Server requirements set by Microsoft).
Note: We do not support or install SQL onto servers running Windows Domain Services.
Before installing SQL, please ensure that the following features are also installed on the machine:
.Net Framework 4.8
Windows installer 4.5 or above
Powershell 1.0 or above
Note: Some of these features may require a server or machine reboot after installation.
ConQuest URLs
There are number of URLs that the application uses. If you are using a proxy server or internet firewall these URLs may be blocked by default. Please ensure that the below URLs are either whitelisted/bypass your proxy/firewall or are allowed through by anonymous authentication.
Online Enquiries
*.conquestenquiries.com/* Port: 80 & 443 - Note that we use subdomains hosted on a content distribution network which uses rolling IP addresses
s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/cqenquiries01/* Port: 80 & 443
cqenquiries01.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com Port: 80 & 443
cdn1.conquestenquiries.com/* Port: 80
api.4projects.com/* Port 443
uk1.aconex.co.uk/* Port 443
Noticeboard
noticeboard.conquest.ltd.uk Port: 80 & 443
noticeboard-auth.conquest.ltd.uk Port: 80 & 443
static.noticeboard.conquest.ltd.uk Port: 80 & 443
noticeboard-api.conquest.ltd.uk Port: 80 & 443
openstreetmap.org Port: 80 & 443
General
cdn1.conquest.ltd.uk/* Port: 80 & 443
Telemetry & Updates
v1.qseries-telemetry.conquestenquiries.com/telemetry Port: 80 & 443
s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/qupdates/* Port: 80 & 443
qupdates.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com Port: 80 & 443
s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/qfiles/* Port: 80 & 443
qfiles.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com Port: 80 & 443
updatecheck.conquest.ltd.uk/requests Port: 80 & 443
autoupdater.conquest.ltd.uk Port: 80 & 443
bucket.conquest.ltd.uk Port: 80 & 443
Licencing
The application is licenced by either a physical USB key or by a Softkey. This key can be stored locally to the application or, in network setups, on a server that is visible to all clients. A licence manager driver must be installed on the machine hosting the licence and on all machines running the application. (This is installed by the application installer automatically) The licence manager runs and communicates on port 1947.
Licence Considerations
USB Key
Mapping of the USB key from a virtual machine host to the virtual client is not supported. Any issues that arise from running the licence in this manner will not be supported.
Use of single user USB keys over remote desktop is not supported. This is seen as an attempt at running as a network setup and is blocked. If a user requires this feature, then they must use a network USB key.
Softkey
The Softkey requires the Sentinel or Gemalto driver to run and install correctly, this driver must be installed prior to installing the Softkey. The Softkey cannot be copied to new machines, it must be transferred via a transfer utility available from support. If the original host of the license is no longer available for transfer a new license must be issued.
The Softkey creates a fingerprint on the machine it is installed on. This is based on the hardware configuration at the time of install. Any changes to the underlying hardware configuration can be seen as an attempt at counterfeiting by the license manager and the Softkey no longer works. Examples of this would be:
Running the license on a virtual machine and moving it to another host.
Running the license on a virtual machine in a cluster environment where the hardware configuration may change in failover instances.
Running the license on a physical machine and replacing the network card or other hardware.
If you know that a hardware change is required, the license could be transferred prior to the change. The Softkey can be transferred to another machine at any time via a transfer utility available from support. This is at no extra cost and can be done as many times as needed.
The Softkey only runs on Windows Server 2008 R2 onwards and Windows 7 onwards.
Microsoft Office
As of Q Series version 3 Microsoft Office is not required for the application when importing and exporting. A viewer is still required to view exported Excel files outside of the application, e.g. Microsoft Office.
Citrix
If delivering the application through Citrix the minimum version is XenApp or XenDesktop 5. Presentation Server is not supported.
Application Updates
The Application receives automatic updates which are accessed via autoupdater.conquest.ltd.uk and http://cdn1.conquest.ltd.uk/*.
If using a proxy server please ensure that this URL is allowed through and can be accessed to download the update files.