AutoCAD 2008 Network Administrator's Guide > System Requirements > 
System Requirements for This Program
 
 
 

Before you begin installing the program on a network, make sure that your servers and client workstations meet the minimum recommended hardware and software requirements for a deployment.

See the following tables for administrative image, license server, and client workstation system requirements.

Hardware and software requirements for the location of the administrative image

Hardware/Software

Requirement

Notes

Hard disk

750 MB (recommended)

The location where you create the administrative image must be a shared location so that users can access the administrative image.

Hardware and software requirements for the network license server

Hardware/Software

Requirement

Notes

Operating system

Windows Server 2003

Windows XP Professional, Service Pack 2

Windows 2000 Server Edition

Windows 2000, Service Pack 4

The Network License Manager supports Ethernet network configurations only.

The redundant license server model is supported only on Windows 2000 Server Edition and Windows 2003 Server.

Computer/processor

Pentium III or later

450 Mhz (minimum)

  

Network interface card

Compatible with existing Ethernet network infrastructure

The Network License Manager supports multiple network interface cards.

Communication protocol

TCP/IP

The Network License Manager uses TCP packet types.

Hardware and software requirements for client workstations

Hardware/Software

Requirement

Notes

Operating system

(32-Bit)

Windows. XP Professional, Service Pack 2

Windows XP Home, Service Pack 2

Windows 2000, Service Pack 4

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Home Premium

Windows Vista Home Basic

Windows Vista Starter

(64-Bit)

Windows XP Professional

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Home Premium

Windows Vista Home Basic

It is recommended that non-English language versions of AutoCAD be installed on an operating system with a user interface language that matches the code page of the AutoCAD language. A code page provides support for character sets used in different languages.

Whether the Windows operating system is the 32-bit or the 64-bit version is automatically detected when installing AutoCAD. The appropriate version of AutoCAD will be installed. The 32-bit version of AutoCAD cannot be installed on a 64-bit version of Windows.

Web browser

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, Service Pack 1 (or later)

You cannot install AutoCAD if Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 with Service Pack 1 (or later) is not installed on the installation workstation. You can download Internet Explorer from the Microsoft website:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/

Processor

Pentium III or IV (Pentium IV recommended)

800 Mhz

  

RAM

512 MB (recommended)

  

Graphics card

1024 x 768 VGA with True Color (minimum)

Open GL.-compatible 3D video card (optional)
  • Requires a Windows-supported display adapter.
  • For graphic cards that support Hardware Acceleration, DirectX 9.0c, or better, must be installed.
  • Installing from the ACAD.msi file does not install DirectX 9.0c, or later. Manual installation of DirectX is required, in this circumstance, for Hardware Acceleration to be configured.

Hard disk

Installation 750 MB

  

Pointing device

Mouse, trackball, or other device

  

CD-ROM

Any speed (for installation only)

  

Optional hardware

Printer or plotter

Digitizer

Modem or access to an Internet connection

Network interface card

  

Additional recommendations for 3D use

Hardware/Software

Requirement

Notes

Operating system

Windows. XP Professional, Service Pack 2

It is recommended that non-English language versions of AutoCAD be installed on an operating system with a user interface language that matches the code page of the AutoCAD language. A code page provides support for character sets used in different languages.

Processor

 3.0 GHz or greater  

RAM

 2 GB (or greater)  
Graphics card 128 MB or greater, OpenGL-capable workstation-class
  • For graphic cards that support Hardware Acceleration, DirectX 9.0c, or better, must be installed.
  • Installing from the ACAD.msi file does not install DirectX 9.0c, or later. Manual installation of DirectX is required, in this circumstance, for Hardware Acceleration to be configured.

For more information about tested and certified graphics cards, visit http://www.autodesk.com/autocad-graphicscard/.

Hard disk

 2 GB (in addition to the 750 MB required for installation)