Home › Circulars › RBI/2009-10/230

RTGS Upgrade to Windows 2008: Hardware Specs

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/230 · issued 23 Nov 2009 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI mandates RTGS members upgrade to Windows 2008 Enterprise, Oracle 11g, and IBM MQ 7.0. Minimum hardware specs for server and client machines are provided; participants must confirm readiness via email.
The rule, in the simplest words
How it plays out — a real example

A payments & clearing officer in Indore, Priya, gets an email from her IT team saying they need to order two new servers with 16 GB RAM each for the RTGS upgrade. She checks her own computer and sees it still runs Windows 2000, so she asks the IT team to also upgrade her machine to Windows Vista with 4 GB RAM, so she can keep processing large gold-loan transfers smoothly.

What changed

RBI decided to upgrade the RTGS system from Windows 2000, Oracle 9i, and IBM MQ 5.3 to Windows 2008 Enterprise Edition, Oracle 11g, and IBM MQ 7.0. Detailed minimum hardware and software specifications for server and client machines were issued, with HSM details to follow.

What it means for you

Banks and RTGS members must invest in new hardware and software to meet the upgraded specifications, including dual servers with Oracle Data Guard. This ensures system stability and security, but requires timely procurement and setup to avoid disruption.

What you must do

Who it affects

All RTGS member banks and financial institutions, IT and operations teams managing RTGS infrastructure, Vendors supplying hardware and software for RTGS

❓ Common questions

What are the key software upgrades required for RTGS?

The RTGS system must be upgraded to Microsoft Windows 2008 Enterprise Edition (64-bit) with Service Pack 1, Oracle 11g (64-bit server with 32-bit client version 11.1.0.6.0), and IBM Websphere MQ 7.0 (64-bit with Fix Pack 1).

Do I need to set up a cluster for the RTGS server?

No, RBI specifies that a cluster is NOT required. Instead, you need two standalone servers at the primary site—one primary and one backup—with Oracle Data Guard enabled for online data replication.

When will HSM details be provided?

RBI is in the process of finalizing suitable Hardware Security Module (HSM) products and will communicate the details shortly. For now, ensure your server has a PCI Express slot for the HSM card.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2009-10/230 DIT (CO) Circular No. 5 /09.63.08/2009-10 November 23, 2009 To All RTGS Members Dear Sir, Up-gradation of RTGS System to Windows 2008 As you are aware that RTGS system is presently running on Windows 2000 advanced server with Oracle version 9i and IBM Websphere MQ series 5.3. 2. It has been decided to upgrade RTGS system to the latest available software versions i.e. Microsoft Windows 2008 Enterprise Edition, Oracle 11g and IBM Websphere MQ series 7.0. 3. In order to facilitate the upgradation, we enclose Hardware and Software specifications for Server and Client machines.  It may be noted that hardware specifications mentioned are the minimum requirements. However, you may decide the size of the hardware based on your specific needs. As regards Hardware Security Module (HSM), we are in the process of finalizing the suitable products and will advise you shortly. 4. You are requested to be in readiness with the required infrastructure at the earliest and confirm the same to us by email . 5. Please acknowledge the receipt of this circular by return email.  Yours faithfully, (M.K.Mall) General Manager RTGS –Migration to Microsoft Windows 2008 environment- Hardware and Software Specifications for server and client machines- Minimum requirement 1. PI  Server Item
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/230 · issued 23 Nov 2009. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
🧰 Tools — save, print, templates & related
Most relevant forIT & Cyber SecurityCompliance TeamInternal AuditSenior Management / BoardBusiness Head / Vertical HeadData Science / Analytics
🛠 Banker’s toolkit — checklists & reply templates →
Related circulars · Information Technology & Cyber
IT Outsourcing Fraud Alert: Ahaana Computers CaseCheque Truncation Pilot: Image Standards FinalizedRBI mandates DR drills for RTGS/NDS/CFMS participantsPDO-NDS Upgrade to Windows 2008: Hardware SpecsRTGS Migration to Windows 2008: Schedule Released
Browse all departments →
Worked example & action-note template

Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All RTGS member banks and financial institutions, IT and operations teams managing RTGS infrastructure, Vendors supplying hardware and software for RTGS), your first concrete step on “RTGS Upgrade to Windows 2008: Hardware Specs” is: “Procure and configure servers meeting the minimum specs: Latest available Dual Core, 2 Processors, 16 GB RAM, 2* 250 GB hard disks, and Windows 2008 Server Enterprise 64-bit with Service Pack 1.” (RBI issued this 23 Nov 2009).

  1. Circular: RBI/2009-10/230 -- RTGS Upgrade to Windows 2008: Hardware Specs
  2. Issued: 23 Nov 2009
  3. Action required: Procure and configure servers meeting the minimum specs: Latest available Dual Core, 2 Processors, 16 GB RAM, 2* 250 GB hard disks, and Windows 2008 Server Enterprise 64-bit with Service Pack 1.
  4. Action required: Set up two standalone servers at the primary site (primary + backup) with Oracle Data Guard for online data replication.
  5. Action required: Upgrade client machines to Windows Vista Business Edition 32-bit, Version 6 with Service Pack 1, 4 GB RAM, and Oracle 11.1.0.6.0 client.
  6. Action required: Install IBM Websphere MQ 7.0 (64-bit) with Fix Pack 1 on servers and ensure antivirus with latest definitions.
  7. Action required: Confirm infrastructure readiness to RBI via email and acknowledge receipt of this circular.
  8. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  9. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  10. Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.

💬 Banker Discussion

Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.

Loading comments…
BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly).
Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=5378&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
Public beta — plain-English informational summaries. Always verify against the official RBI source (circular number cited on every page) before making compliance, credit, treasury, audit, or operational decisions. · Join our WhatsApp channel ↗
—