System requirements for Optimizely
Optimizely Content Management System (CMS) requires a reliable and supported environment to run effectively. The following system requirements outline the operating systems, databases, browsers, development tools, and product-specific considerations needed to install, develop, and operate CMS. Learn more about how to Upgrade to Optimizely Content Management System (CMS 12)
Note These system requirements are the latest and apply to versions higher than 7.5 of Optimizely Content Management System (CMS). See requirements and deviations below for product and service-specific requirements. See also Upgrade to Optimizely Content Management System (CMS 12) and Five, Six, Seven, (Eight) - Out With the Old, In With the New .NET by Magnus Rahl.
Server requirements
Operating system
Any of the following:
- Linux
- Microsoft Windows Server 2022
- Microsoft Windows Server 2019 (End of support January 2024; extended support offered by Microsoft until January 2029)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016 (End of support January 2022; extended support offered by Microsoft until January 2027)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 (End of support; extended support offered by Microsoft until October 2023)
- All service packs are supported.
Note From CMS 12, Windows Server 2012 is no longer supported.
Web server
Any ASP.NET Core compatible hosting option.
Database
Any of the following:
- Microsoft Azure SQL
- Microsoft SQL Server 2022
- Microsoft SQL Server 2019 (End of support February 2025; extended support offered by Microsoft until January 2030)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (End of support October 2022; extended support offered by Microsoft until October 2027)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2016 (End of support; extended support offered by Microsoft until July 2026)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2014 (End of support; extended support offered by Microsoft until July 2024)
All service packs are supported.
Note From update 163, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 is no longer supported.
Other requirements
- Microsoft ASP.NET Core (.NET 8)
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
- Google Chrome browser, latest
Note Due to fast release cycles, Optimizely supports only the two latest versions of Google Chrome.
Client requirements for browsing
- Browser for viewing – The supported web browsers depend on the implementation. Most standard web browsers are generally supported.
Development and demonstration environment operating system
Any of the following:
- Linux
- Mac OS
- Microsoft Windows 11
- Microsoft Windows 10
- Microsoft Windows 8.1 (End of support; extended support offered by Microsoft until January 2023)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2022
- Microsoft Windows Server 2019 (End of support January 2024; extended support offered by Microsoft until January 2029)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016 (End of support January 2022; extended support offered by Microsoft until January 2027)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 (End of support; extended support offered by Microsoft until October 2023)
Note From CMS 12, Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8 are no longer supported.
Development tool
- ASP.NET Core SDK
- A compatible code editor / IDE
- Notes The Episerver Visual Studio integration installation requires IIS Express (included with VS 2015 and higher, can also be installed using Web Platform Installer).
- You should always install the latest updates for Visual Studio.
- Visual Studio 2019 version 16.8 or higher is required for developing ASP.NET Core applications.
Database
Any of the following:
- Microsoft Azure SQL
- Microsoft SQL Server 2019 (End of support February 2025; extended support offered by Microsoft until January 2030)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (End of support October 2022; extended support offered by Microsoft until October 2027)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2016 (End of support; extended support offered by Microsoft until July 2026)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2014 (End of support; extended support offered by Microsoft until July 2024)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (End of support; extended support offered by Microsoft until July 2022)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express (End of support; extended support offered by Microsoft until July 2022)
- 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.
Product-specific requirements and deviations
Optimizely Digital Experience Platform (DXP)
See Requirements for Optimizely DXP.
Optimizely Forms
Optimizely Forms is only supported by MVC-based websites and HTML5-compliant browsers.