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System requirements for CMS

Describes the requirements for running Optimizely Content Management System (CMS) websites.

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Note

These system requirements apply to versions higher than 7.5 of Optimizely Content Management System (CMS). See Install updates to CMS. See requirements and deviations below for product and service-specific requirements.

Server requirements

Operating system

Any of the following:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2022
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2019
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2016 (End of support January 2022, Microsoft offering extended support options until January 2027)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 (End of support, Microsoft offering extended support options until October 2023)
  • All service packs are supported.

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Note

From CMS 9, Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 and Windows 7 are no longer supported.

Web server

  • CMS 11 and lower: Any of the following must be installed as part of the Windows Server installation:
    • Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) 10
    • Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) 8.5

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Note

From CMS 9, IIS 7.0 and 7.5 are no longer supported.

Database

Any of the following:

  • Microsoft Azure SQL

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2019

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (End of support October 2022, Microsoft offering extended support options until October 2027)

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2016 (End of support, Microsoft offering extended support options until July 2026)

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2014 (End of support, Microsoft offering extended support options until July 2024)

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (End of support, Microsoft offering extended support options until July 2022)

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express (End of support, Microsoft offering extended support options until July 2022)

    All service packs are supported.

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Note

From update 163, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 is no longer supported.

Other requirements

  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.1 and higher (CMS 11 and lower)

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Note

After 2015, Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.0 and 4.5.1 are not supported. From CMS 11, 4.6.x is required.

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Note

In a production environment, an instance bound license is required for cloud-based solutions. For non-cloud environments, a permanent IP or MAC address is required.

Client requirements for EDITING

Browser for editing

  • CMS 11 supports:
    • Mozilla Firefox, latest (b)
    • Google Chrome, latest (b)
  • CMS 10 supports:
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 (a)
    • Mozilla Firefox 22-57
    • Google Chrome 45-62
  • CMS 9 supports:
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 (a)
    • Mozilla Firefox 14-22
    • Google Chrome 33-45
  • CMS 8 supports:
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 (a)
    • Mozilla Firefox 11-14
    • Google Chrome 12-33

(a) For Commerce Manager, see product-specific requirements.
(b) Due to fast release cycles, we only support the two latest versions for these.

Client requirements for Browsing

  • Browser for viewing: The supported web browsers for viewing depend on the implementation. Most standard web browsers are generally supported.

Development and demonstration environment operating system

Any of the following:

  • Mac OS
  • Microsoft Windows 11
  • Microsoft Windows 10
  • Microsoft Windows 8.1 (End of support, Microsoft offering extended support options until January 2023)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2022
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2019
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2016 (End of support January 2022, Microsoft offering extended support options until January 2027)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 (End of support, Microsoft offering extended support options until October 2023)

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Note

From CMS 9, Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 and Windows 7 are no longer supported.

Development tool

  • CMS 11 and lower, any of the following:
    • Microsoft Visual Studio 2022
    • Microsoft Visual Studio 2019

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Notes

  • The Episerver Visual Studio integration installation requires IIS Express (included with VS 2015 and higher, can also be installed using Web Platform Installer).
  • Always install the latest updates for Visual Studio.
  • Visual Studio 2019 version 16.8 or higher is required for developing ASP.NET Core (CMS 12) applications.

Database

Any of the following:

  • Microsoft Azure SQL
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2019
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (End of support October 2022, Microsoft offering extended support options until October 2027)
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2016 (End of support, Microsoft offering extended support options until July 2026)
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2014 (End of support, Microsoft offering extended support options until July 2024)
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (End of support, Microsoft offering extended support options until July 2022)
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express (End of support, Microsoft offering extended support options until July 2022)

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Notes

  • The Episerver Visual Studio integration installation requires SQL Server Express (included with VS 2015 and 0 higher, and can also be installed using Web Platform Installer).
  • From update 163, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 is no longer supported.

Other requirements

  • MVC 5.2.3 (for CMS 11)

Product-specific requirements and deviations

Optimizely Digital Experience Platform (DXP)

  • See Requirements for Optimizely DXP.

Optimizely Customized Commerce

  • For Commerce Manager (Optimizely Customized Commerce back-end, removed in Commerce 14), we recommend using Firefox or Chrome.
  • ASP.NET WebForms support was dropped with version 12.1 for Commerce. Note: CMS 11.x will be the last generation of CMS with ASP.NET WebForms support.

Optimizely Forms

  • Optimizely Forms is only supported by MVC-based websites and HTML5-compliant browsers.