--- title: "Validatar Server Prerequisites" slug: "before-you-begin" description: "Prepare for a successful start with Validatar by reviewing our 'Before You Begin' guide. Get essential tips and prerequisites to ensure a smooth setup experience." updated: 2026-01-07T17:49:35Z published: 2026-01-07T17:49:35Z canonical: "docs.validatar.com/before-you-begin" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.validatar.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Before You Begin Server Edition Only This article is applicable only to Validatar Server. ## Getting Started on Windows ### Overview In this section, we'll review - Access required to complete the installation process - Web server and database server requirements - SMTP setup - Additional install options ### Access & Credentials In order to fulfill the prerequisites you must have: - Admin access to the web server - Admin access to create and manage the database Validatar will use on the back-end In order to run the Validatar installer you must have: - Admin access to the web server - Validatar back-end database credentials on hand ### Web Server Specifications - HDD: 50 GB (the web application files take up roughly 150 MB) - RAM: 4-16 GB - CPU: 2.0 GHz or faster (2-8 cores) The server must have Internet Information Services (IIS) installed, including the following highlighted options: ![IIS services.png](https://cdn.document360.io/a80bc2a3-87d3-4dc2-9244-a16f33ed193c/Images/Documentation/IIS%20services.png) To add and configure IIS: 1. Type **Server Manager** in the Windows search bar 2. Click **Add Roles & Features** 1. Also found under **Manage** in the top-right corner 3. Click **Next** for every page until you reach the **Server Roles** section 4. In Server Roles check **Web Server (IIS)** then **Add Features** 5. Click **Next** 6. In the **Role Services** section 1. Scroll down the web services list, expand **Security**, check **Windows Authentication** 2. Expand **Application Development**, check **Application Initialization** 3. Click **Next**, then **Install** Install the following required tools if they are not already installed: - The web server must have the **IIS URL Rewrite** extension installed: [download URL Rewrite here](https://www.iis.net/downloads/microsoft/url-rewrite) - The web server must have the **Hosting Bundle** installed for ASP.NET Core Runtime 8.0.x: [download .NET Core here](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/8.0) ![](https://cdn.document360.io/a80bc2a3-87d3-4dc2-9244-a16f33ed193c/Images/Documentation/Validatar DotNet Download.png) Be sure to select the **Hosting Bundle** option. ### Database Server Specifications The database server can either be **SQL Server** or **PostgreSQL** - Supported versions - SQL Server 2022 (no older than 2014) - PostgreSQL 14.1 - SQL Server 2022 Express (no older than 2014) - only recommended for proof of concepts or trials - Common Specifications - HDD: 50 GB - SQL Drive: allocate 50 GB total for the Validatar metadata data/log files - RAM: 16 GB - CPU: 2.0 GHz or faster ### Creating the Validatar Database (SQL Server) - Create a new database named **"Validatar"** - If you'd like to use a different name for the database, replace references to the "Validatar" database in the instructions below with the correct name. - When using Windows Authentication for database connections in Validatar: - Your IT team must create an Active Directory (AD) service account and provide the corresponding credentials. - Grant this domain account **db_owner** access to the Validatar database. - Use this domain account when configuring the Validatar application pool in IIS during the installation procedure. - When using SQL Server authentication for database connections in Validatar: - Create a SQL Server login - Grant this login **db_owner** access to the Validatar database ### Creating the Validatar Database (PostgreSQL) If the web server does not already have a PostgreSQL ODBC driver installed, download a driver from the following page: [https://www.postgresql.org/ftp/odbc/releases](https://www.postgresql.org/ftp/odbc/releases). From that page, open the latest REL-#_#_# folder, then download the psqlodbc_x64.msi file and install it. - Create a new database named “validatar” - Create a new user role named “app_validatar” and grant appropriate permissions as shown in the script below, which should be run in a session in the “validatar” database. ```pgsql CREATE USER app_validatar WITH PASSWORD ''; GRANT CONNECT, TEMPORARY ON DATABASE validatar TO app_validatar; GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON ALL TABLES IN SCHEMA public TO app_validatar; ``` ### SMTP Settings Configure SMTP settings so that Validatar can send password reset and other notification emails. If the SMTP settings are unknown, check with your IT administrator or Network administrator for this information. SMTP Warning Failure to configure SMTP settings promptly after installation may result in potential issues such as being locked out of your Validatar account or not receiving critical notifications and reports from the platform. ### Additional Options - **Snowflake ODBC Driver**: If you will be testing Snowflake data, [download the driver here](https://developers.snowflake.com/odbc/) - **Other ODBC Drivers:** Install the appropriate drivers if you plan to connect to data via ODBC. - **DNS Entry:** You can create a DNS record for the Validatar website so that Validatar can be accessed with a user-friendly address instead of the web server name or IP Address. - **SSL Certificate** Obtain an SSL certificate from a certificate authority to encrypt network traffic to Validatar. After installing Validatar, use IIS to assign the SSL certificate to the Validatar website. Find detailed steps on how to assign the SSL certificate in the install guide. ## Getting Started on Linux To install Validatar on Linux, you will need to execute a script tailored to the variant of Linux you are utilizing. You can find the necessary scripts in the [Linux Install Guide](/2024-documentation/docs/install-guide-linux).