Agilent OpenLab CDS v2.6 Workstation / WS Plus Software - Site Preparation Checklist

Importance of the Topic

Proper software site preparation is essential for analytical laboratories relying on Agilent OpenLab CDS to achieve stable, reproducible instrument control and data management. Early alignment of hardware, operating system, network settings, and user privileges ensures reliable performance, minimizes installation delays, and protects long-term software investment.

Objectives and Overview

This guide outlines the customer site responsibilities and technical specifications required to deploy Agilent OpenLab CDS v2.6 Workstation and Workstation Plus. It defines prerequisites for operating system versions, network configuration, hardware capabilities, and administrative access to streamline installation and reduce potential errors.

Methodology and Used Instrumentation

The document employs a checklist approach combined with an automated System Preparation Tool (SPT) to verify and apply necessary Windows settings. Key software and hardware components include:

• Operating system: Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, 64-bit
• .NET frameworks: 3.5 SP1 and 4.x
• Web browsers: Chrome, Edge, Internet Explorer 11
• Antivirus compatibility: Symantec, Trend Micro, Microsoft Security Essentials, McAfee
• Computer hardware: Intel i5/i7/Xeon CPUs, 8–16 GB RAM, 500 GB–1 TB SATA or SSD storage
• Network: 100/1000 Mbps LAN, isolated instrument segment, IPv4
• System Preparation Tool: SPT utility to automate Windows configuration checks

Main Findings and Discussion

Review of customer responsibilities highlights critical factors:

• Pre-installation of all Microsoft updates and hotfixes
• Local administrator privileges for the installation account
• Static or DHCP reservation IP addressing on the instrument subnet
• Separation of instrument network traffic from general lab intranet
• Availability of installation media, authorization codes, and backup solutions

The SPT report guides manual adjustments for mandatory and recommended settings, ensuring consistent environment configuration and avoiding common installation issues.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Adhering to defined site preparation steps delivers:

• Faster deployment and reduced downtime
• Improved system stability and predictable performance
• Clear roles and responsibilities for IT and laboratory personnel
• Enhanced security and compatibility with existing infrastructure

Future Trends and Opportunities

As laboratory informatics evolves, site preparation is expected to incorporate cloud-based deployment models, automated compliance validation, and tighter integration with laboratory execution systems. Advances in remote management and AI-driven diagnostics may further shorten installation cycles and improve system health monitoring.

Conclusion

Comprehensive site preparation for Agilent OpenLab CDS v2.6 is foundational to realizing the full value of analytical software investments. By following the checklist and using the System Preparation Tool, organizations can ensure a smooth, error-free installation and long-term operational reliability.

References

No external references provided in the source document.