• Why should I register?
• What compliance approval do I need if I am using TurfSport?
• What hardware do I need?
• How much does it cost?
• Do I host the Back Office server and the Web server with an ISP (Internet Service Provider)?
• Do I need a UPS?
• What is database mirroring?

1. Why should I register?

If you have installed TurfSport and benefit from our support agreement, you can enjoy additional online benefits if you register as a user of TurfSport. Only TurfSport clients may register as an online member. It is free!!

• Keep up with new software releases.
• Your licensing details.
• Installing and uninstalling the software.
• Access to release notes and software downloads.
• Access to your statement online.

2. What compliance approval do I need if I am using TurfSport?

• TurfSport has been approved by the SABS 1718(4) standard.
• TurfSport is approved for all regions in South Africa and Mauritius.
• TurfSport has a manufacturer's license for all regions in SA.
• If you are enquiring from any other region, please contact us and we will gladly explore the necessary approval.

4. What hardware do I need?

• TurfSport Back Office



• TurfSport Online



• TurfSport Mobile



• TurfSport Kiosk

5. How much does it cost?

• See cost calculator.
• Do you have different payment methods?
  • TurfSport Back Office and the different bet types licenses may be rented or purchased. Please see the cost calculator
  • TurfSport Online license may be rented or purchased . Please contact us for details.
  • TurfSport Tote license may be rented or purchased. Please contact us for details.
  • TurfSport Mobile is based on sales. Please contact us for details.
  • TurfSport Touchscreen license may be rented or purchased.
  • TurfSport Dataclient license may be purchased.
  • TurfSport Betting Display license may be purchased.

6. Do I host the Back Office server and the Web server with an ISP(Internet Service Provider)?

Hosting your server off-site at an ISP offers a very high level of protection as your server will be housed in a climate and power controlled computer room and offers 24 hour connectivity, monitoring and backups. Your workstations at the office will connect remotely to the server at the ISP (the same way you currently connect to the server at the office from home.) In the event of a power problem, your server will be unaffected and will be available continuously.

If both servers are hosted with a service provider, then you will have to connect to the back office server remotely via an ADSL line (using Remote Desktop Connection) to manage your events. If your ADSL line should fail, you need a backup internet connection in place e.g. 3G.

To make this decision, the following items need to be taken into account:

• How many terminals need a connection to the back office server? This includes your 2 terminals to manage the website and any other cash / telephone betting terminals to run your cash / telephone business / branches. You will need to run Terminal Services on the back office server (comes with Windows 2003) but you are required to purchase licenses for each connection (about $100 per connection.)
• If your internet connection goes down, all your cash / telephone terminals will be offline. Your website will continue to run and you can continue to manage it via your backup internet connection. If your server is hosted at your offices, only the web server will be offline as your cash / telephone terminals will not need an internet connection.
• The advantage of hosting one or both servers is they manage the power and bandwidth resources.
• A Remote Desktop Connection is generally considered slower than a Lan connection, but this is dependent on the speed and bandwidth available on your ADSL line and how many concurrent users are utilizing the line.

7. Do I need a UPS?

Yes, it’s advisable.
There are three distinct types of UPS: off-line, line-interactive and on-line.

• An Off-line UPS remains idle until a power failure occurs, and then switches from utility power to its own power source, almost instantaneously. This type is not recommended as you will be susceptible to the above power problems – this type only serves as a power replacement when the problem occurs.
• A Line-interactive UPS is a hybrid device that offers a higher level of performance (and battery life) by adding voltage regulation features to the conventional standby (offline) designs. They are effective in protecting against average high-voltage spikes and switching transients. This type is better then the Off-line type, but may still be susceptible to the above power problems, depending on their intensity.
• An On-line (True) UPS continuously powers the protected load from its reserves (usually lead-acid batteries or stored kinetic energy), while simultaneously replenishing the reserves from the AC power. This is the recommended type as the protected load (hardware connected to the UPS) will continuously receive clean power from the batteries of the UPS and is not affected by problems on the AC power. The on-line type of UPS, in addition to providing protection against complete failure of the utility supply, provides protection against all common power problems, and for this reason it is also known as a power conditioner and a line conditioner.

Other solutions

• Database Mirroring
• Hosting your server off-site at an ISP

8. What is database mirroring?

Database Mirroring uses a new technology released with Microsoft SQL Server 2005. Two servers are used and are in constant communication. Database transactions are treated as a two phase operation - when a database transaction takes place, the transaction is 1st saved in the primary database on the primary server, and then saved in the backup database on the backup server before moving onto the next transaction request. In the event of the primary server failing, the backup database on the Backup server can be failed over and made live.