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Dolphin Imaging System Requirements in 2026
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Ezra Angelo
- • May 13, 2026
Dolphin runs on a client-server architecture with hardware requirements that differ significantly from general dental imaging platforms. The requirements that catch practices off guard are not processing power or RAM. They are storage capacity and network infrastructure, both of which become problems only after go-live.
Here are the 2026 system requirements for Dolphin Imaging based on official specifications, with practical IT guidance for orthodontic and oral surgery practices evaluating or already running the platform.
Dolphin Imaging stores large volumes of patient photography, cephalometric X-rays, and 3D scan data that accumulates rapidly in an active orthodontic or oral surgery practice.
Storage planning is the requirement practices get wrong most often. A practice that starts with insufficient server storage discovers the limitation when daily operations begin to slow down as the drive fills. Plan for at least 2TB of storage on the Dolphin server from day one, with a documented expansion plan before you reach capacity.
Workstation Requirements for Dolphin Imaging
Dolphin workstation requirements reflect the platform’s imaging workload. Practices running 3D imaging or cephalometric analysis need higher specs than the published minimums.
Windows 11 Pro (64-bit) recommended. Windows 10 reached end of life in October 2025.
Windows 11 has been validated for use with Dolphin Cloud. Windows 10 is no longer compliant for healthcare environments. Any new workstation purchase in 2026 should be Windows 11 Pro 64-bit.
Intel Core i5 or better for standard imaging workstations.
A higher-performance processor is recommended for workstations handling 3D imaging rendering or cephalometric analysis. Do not spec the same workstation for a front desk role and a clinical imaging role.
8GB minimum per Dolphin spec. 16GB recommended for 3D imaging workstations.
16GB is recommended for workstations handling 3D imaging or running Dolphin alongside practice management software simultaneously. 8GB is the floor, not the target.
Sufficient local storage for the Dolphin application and image cache. SSD strongly recommended.
Dolphin stores patient images locally or on a network server. SSD storage is strongly recommended for image loading performance. Mechanical drives will create noticeable delays when loading large imaging files.
1920×1080 minimum resolution. 24 inches or larger recommended.
Larger monitors at 24 inches or more improve the experience for cephalometric tracing and 3D image review. A 1920×1080 monitor at 21 inches is workable but limiting for clinical imaging workflows.
Dedicated graphics card recommended for 3D imaging workstations.
Integrated graphics can handle 2D imaging. Workstations handling 3D rendering should have a dedicated GPU. Integrated graphics may struggle with 3D rendering in high-volume practices.
Server Requirements for Dolphin Imaging
Windows Server 2016, 2019, or 2022 (64-bit). Essentials editions are not supported.
A domain is required when a server operating system is used. Windows Server Essentials editions are explicitly not supported by Dolphin. Confirm your edition before provisioning a new server.
8GB minimum. Higher RAM recommended for practices with more than 10 simultaneous users.
Memory has a significant impact on Dolphin server performance. Practices with active imaging workflows and more than 10 concurrent users should spec beyond the 8GB minimum.
2TB minimum for active practices. RAID implementation recommended for redundancy.
Dolphin stores patient photography, X-rays, and 3D scan data on the server. High-volume practices should plan for expansion and implement RAID for redundancy. Start with 2TB and document when expansion will be triggered.
A dedicated server is required for multi-workstation practices. The server cannot double as a workstation. Plan server hardware with your IT provider before purchasing, not after installation.
How Much Server Storage Does Your Practice Need?
Dolphin image files accumulate fast in active specialty practices. Use this estimator to see how much storage your practice will consume and when you will hit capacity on a standard 2TB server.
GB per month
GB per year
Dolphin Cloud Option
Removes the on-premise server requirement entirely
Dolphin Cloud is accessed through a remote desktop connection to Dolphin’s hosted infrastructure. macOS workstations can access Dolphin Cloud using the freely available Microsoft Remote Desktop application, which is not possible with the on-premise version.
Reliable internet bandwidth and local hardware connections for capture devices
Each workstation needs a reliable internet connection with sufficient bandwidth for remote desktop sessions. Image capture still requires local hardware connections for cameras, sensors, and scanning equipment. The cloud option moves storage and processing, not capture.
Dolphin Cloud trades server maintenance for internet dependency. Before choosing the cloud option, confirm your office has sufficient bandwidth for remote desktop sessions across all active workstations simultaneously. A slow or unstable connection will make the cloud version perform worse than the on-premise version.
Network Requirements
Gigabit Ethernet between server and all client workstations
Dolphin image files are large. Slow network connections cause delays in image loading and saving that compound across an active practice day. Gigabit switches and cabling are required throughout.
Wired connections required for all imaging workstations
Wireless connections introduce latency and packet loss that cause image transfer problems in Dolphin. Every workstation running Dolphin must be hardwired to the network. No exceptions for imaging stations.
VPN required for remote access to Dolphin from outside the office
Remote imaging capture requires a local PC and a VPN connection to the main server. Remote access without a properly configured VPN is a HIPAA exposure and a support problem.
Practices that run Dolphin imaging workstations over Wi-Fi report the most common performance complaints. Wireless connections are not supported for imaging workstations. If workstations cannot be hardwired, the network infrastructure needs to be redesigned before Dolphin is deployed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ekim IT Solutions works exclusively with dental practices. We serve New England and New York with on-site support and dental practices nationwide with remote support. We assess your Dolphin server and workstation specs against the 2026 published requirements and tell you exactly what needs upgrading before slow rendering or failed imaging sessions become a clinical problem.
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- • May 13, 2026
