GuardPoint 10 Prerequisites
I. Introduction
GuardPoint10 operates using a server/client architecture. A typical installation consists of a GuardPoint10 Server, a Microsoft SQL Server database and, where required, additional GuardPoint10 Workstations. The standard GuardPoint10 Server installation currently includes Microsoft SQL Server Express 2016. GuardPoint10 can also be configured to connect to an existing compatible Microsoft SQL Server installation. Before installing GuardPoint10, ensure that the computer meets the requirements below, Windows is fully updated and the installation is being carried out using an account with local Administrator permissions. For new installations, Sensor Access recommends business-grade hardware from a recognised manufacturer.
II. Choosing the Correct Server Specification
The hardware required will depend on the size and complexity of the GuardPoint10 installation. A small or standard access control system does not normally require a dedicated Xeon server. Modern Intel Core processors provide more than sufficient performance for many GuardPoint10 installations. Larger installations, particularly systems using multiple workstations, large cardholder databases, extensive reporting, API integrations, CCTV, biometrics, Active Directory, lifts or other integrations, should use the higher specification.
1. GuardPoint10 Server
| Component | Small / Standard Installation | Medium / Large Installation |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5 10th Generation or newer, or equivalent current Intel processor | Intel Core i7 10th Generation or newer. Intel Core i9, Core Ultra 7/9 or current Intel Xeon processors are also suitable |
| CPU | Minimum 6 cores / 12 threads | Minimum 8 cores / 16 threads. More cores are recommended for larger or integration-heavy systems |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM | 32 GB RAM minimum |
| Storage | SSD required. NVMe preferred | High-speed SSD or NVMe recommended |
| Storage capacity | 256 GB or larger, allowing sufficient free space for the GuardPoint10 databases, journal and backups | 500 GB or larger recommended. Storage should be sized according to database growth, journal retention and backup requirements |
| Graphics | Graphics hardware and monitor are optional if the GuardPoint10 GUI will not be used on the server | Graphics hardware and monitor are optional if the GuardPoint10 GUI will not be used on the server |
| Network | Ethernet adapter, minimum 100 Mbit. Gigabit Ethernet recommended | Gigabit Ethernet recommended |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro 64-bit or Windows Server 2016 or later | Windows Server 2016 or later recommended |
| Architecture | 64-bit | 64-bit |
For a new computer purchase, Sensor Access would normally recommend an Intel Core 12th Generation processor or newer, although a suitable 10th Generation processor remains acceptable as a minimum specification.
For particularly small systems, a good-quality Windows 11 Pro PC may be used as the GuardPoint10 server. A dedicated Windows Server operating system is therefore not required for every installation.
For medium, large or business-critical installations, a dedicated server using Windows Server is recommended.
2. Virtual Servers
GuardPoint10 may also be installed within a virtual server environment.
The virtual machine should be allocated CPU, memory and storage resources equivalent to the physical-server requirements above.
Care should be taken where the host runs multiple virtual machines. GuardPoint10 and SQL Server should have sufficient dedicated resources available and should not depend on heavily contended CPU, RAM or storage.
3. GuardPoint10 Workstation / Client
A GuardPoint10 Workstation normally has a lighter workload than the main GuardPoint10 Server.
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5 10th Generation or newer, or equivalent current Intel processor |
| CPU | Minimum 6 cores / 12 threads |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM |
| Storage | SSD, 256 GB or larger. NVMe preferred |
| Graphics | Full HD 1920 × 1080 or higher |
| Network | Ethernet adapter, minimum 100 Mbit. Gigabit Ethernet recommended |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro 64-bit with current Windows updates |
A higher specification workstation may be appropriate where the computer is also displaying multiple CCTV streams, complex graphical maps or running other demanding applications alongside GuardPoint10.
4. Visitor Client [VMS]
The GuardPoint10 Visitor interface is browser based and does not require the GuardPoint10 application to be installed on the device.
It can be accessed from a desktop PC, laptop, tablet or compatible smartphone.
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Device | Any device capable of displaying the GuardPoint10 Visitor Web Page |
| Operating system | Any current operating system capable of running a supported web browser |
| Browser | Current version of Google Chrome recommended |
| Network | Wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi with reliable access to the GuardPoint10 Server. A wired connection is preferable at busy visitor sign-in points where consistent connectivity is important |
| Display | No specific resolution requirement; the device must be capable of displaying and operating the web interface |
The device must be able to communicate reliably with the GuardPoint10 Server over the relevant network connection.
5. Microsoft SQL Server
The standard GuardPoint10 Server installation currently includes Microsoft SQL Server Express 2016.
This remains the default SQL platform supplied with the current GuardPoint10 installation package.
GuardPoint10 may also be connected to a separately installed compatible version of Microsoft SQL Server.
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Default bundled database | Microsoft SQL Server Express 2016 |
| Compatible external SQL versions | SQL Server 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022 or 2025, subject to compatibility with the installed GuardPoint10 version |
| Editions | SQL Server Express or SQL Server Standard |
| Small / Standard installations | SQL Server Express is normally suitable |
| Larger installations | SQL Server Standard should be considered where database size, event volume or system requirements exceed SQL Express capabilities |
| SQL Express database limit | 10 GB per database |
| Storage | SSD required. NVMe recommended |
| Remote SQL Server | The GuardPoint10 Server and Workstations must have reliable network communication with the SQL Server |
Unless there is a specific requirement to use an existing or separately managed SQL Server, Sensor Access recommends using the SQL Server version supplied with the current GuardPoint10 installer.
If an external SQL Server is being used, confirm compatibility with Sensor Access before installation where there is any uncertainty.
III. Network and Firewall Ports
The required TCP ports depend on the GuardPoint10 services and integrations being used.
| Service | Default TCP Port |
|---|---|
| AcsServer HTTP | 7654 |
| AcsServer Net.TCP | 8765 |
| Network Manager HTTP | 4567 |
| Network Manager Net.TCP | 5678 |
| GUI HTTP | 4568 |
| GUI Net.TCP | 5679 |
| Watchdog HTTP | 5656 |
| Watchdog Net.TCP | 5757 |
| Watchdog Client HTTP | 6767 |
| Watchdog Client Net.TCP | 6868 |
| Additional GP10 communications | 2233, 3322, 49999 |
| Suprema biometric integration | 51211 |
Additional ports may be required for SQL Server, controllers, CCTV, API connections, biometric readers or other integrations.
Firewall and network-security rules should be confirmed before the GuardPoint10 installation begins.
IV. Controller Communications
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Controller firmware | Firmware from 2018 or later |
| Tibbo controller communication | TCP 1001 |
| Lantronix controller communication | TCP 10001 |
| Tibbo DS Manager | TCP 65534 |
| Lantronix configuration / Telnet | TCP 9999 plus any additional ports required by the Lantronix utility |
| Suprema biometric readers | TCP 51211 |
V. Antivirus and Endpoint Security
Antivirus, endpoint-security and application-control software can interfere with GuardPoint10 installation and operation. Real-time scanning can also affect performance where GuardPoint10 is continuously creating and processing transaction files.
We recommend adding the following GuardPoint10 locations to the antivirus or endpoint-security exclusions:
| Location | Purpose |
|---|---|
C:\Program Files (x86)\GuardPoint10\ | GuardPoint10 application files |
C:\ProgramData\ACS\ | GuardPoint10 services, configuration and transaction-processing data |
Where Microsoft SQL Server is installed locally, SQL Server directories may also require appropriate exclusions in accordance with the site's IT and security policy.
Where the endpoint-security product supports process or service exclusions, the following GuardPoint10 services should also be permitted to operate without interference:
- AcsApiService
- AcsNMService
- AcsSecComService1
- AcsServer
- AcsSuprema
- AcsWatchdog
If security software prevents installation, real-time protection may need to be temporarily paused while GuardPoint10 and SQL Server are installed. Any protection that has been disabled should be re-enabled once installation is complete and the appropriate exclusions have been configured.
In managed IT environments, all exclusions and security-policy changes should be agreed with the customer's IT department.
VI. NVMe Storage Compatibility and SQL Server Installation
NVMe SSDs are recommended for GuardPoint10 due to their performance.
However, some newer NVMe drives and Windows configurations can report a physical sector size that is not compatible with Microsoft SQL Server 2016.
This can cause the SQL Server stage of the GuardPoint10 installation to fail even though the computer otherwise meets or exceeds the recommended specification.
Typical symptoms include:
- SQL Server failing during installation.
- The SQL Database Engine failing to start.
- SQL setup reporting a database engine startup or recovery error.
- GuardPoint10 installation failing while the SQL components are being installed.
If a GuardPoint10 installation fails during the Microsoft SQL Server installation and the computer uses an NVMe drive, check the storage sector size before assuming there is a problem with GuardPoint10.
Refer to our support article:
GP10 Installer Fails During the SQL Server Installation Stage
This article explains how to check the sector size being reported by Windows and, where required, apply the relevant configuration change. The procedure is based on Microsoft’s documented guidance for SQL Server compatibility with larger disk sector sizes.
Any registry changes should only be carried out by a suitably qualified engineer or IT administrator. The computer must be restarted after applying the change.
VII. Installation Sizing and Support
The specifications in this article are intended as general guidance for typical GuardPoint10 installations.
Actual requirements can vary significantly depending on the number of controllers, cardholders, workstations, transactions, integrations, database size, reporting requirements and other applications running on the same hardware.
For unusual, high-availability or particularly large installations, or where there is any uncertainty regarding the proposed server, SQL configuration or system architecture, please consult support@sensoraccess.co.uk before purchasing or configuring the hardware.
Sensor Access Technical Support can review the proposed installation and advise on an appropriate specification.
VIII. IIS (Internet Information Services) Installation
The IIS is required to support the GuardPoint10 Visitor website.
Ideally, IIS should be configured BEFORE GuardPoint10 is installed (see below).
When the IIS is configured before GuardPoint10 is installed, a default Visitor application is automatically added to the IIS during the GuardPoint10 installation.
If you’ve installed GuardPoint10 before configuring IIS, you will have to configure the IIS and then manually add the Visitor application to the IIS (see the attached document).
In the Windows Start menu’s search field, type Turn Windows Features On or Off.
In the search results, click Turn Windows Features On or Off. This window will be displayed.
In the Turn Windows Features On or Off tree, navigate to Internet Information Services / World Wide Web Services / Application Development Features.
Select all of the ASP.NET version checkboxes under Application Development Features. When you do this, more checkboxes will be automatically selected, do not uncheck these other checkboxes.
In Windows 10, the Windows Features tree looks like this:
Under Common HTTP Feature, make sure that the Static Content checkbox is checked.
After the Configuration is complete, you can continue with the GuardPoint10 installation.
If GuardPoint10 has already been installed, manually add the Visitor application to the IIS (see the attached document).
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