setting_up_msupply:requirements

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setting_up_msupply:requirements [2022/05/17 01:17] – [Version 4.14 and below] Mark Gloversetting_up_msupply:requirements [2024/04/25 06:44] (current) – [Keyboard] Mark Glover
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 <WRAP center round important 60%> <WRAP center round important 60%>
 For mSuppy Mobile, refer [[https://docs.msupply.foundation/en:mobile:user_guide:getting_started|Getting Started]] For mSuppy Mobile, refer [[https://docs.msupply.foundation/en:mobile:user_guide:getting_started|Getting Started]]
 +\\
 +\\
 +For more detailed configuration information on mSupply Client/Server setups please see this [[setting_up_msupply:client_server_faq|FAQ page]]
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
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 ===  General hardware recommendations === ===  General hardware recommendations ===
-We have clients running mSupply on a wide range of hardware in a wide range of operating environments. We are happy to discuss hardware options further via email or phone. +We have clients running mSupply on a wide range of hardware in a wide range of operating environments. We are happy to discuss hardware options further - please contact <support@msupply.foundation>, but here are our general recommendations: 
-  * In environments with regular power outages, it is highly recommended to procure Laptop machines rather than desktop machines.  Laptop machines will almost always be the best solution in terms of both cost and effectiveness for these reasons: +  * In environments with regular power outages, which is most institutions using mSupply :-?, it is highly recommended to procure Laptop machines rather than desktop machines - refer to why [[setting_up_msupply:requirements#we_now_recommend_that_you_use_laptops|we now recommend that you use laptops]] below. 
-    * In environments with poor quality electricity supply, laptop computers will generally be more reliable than desktop computers with UPS protection.  In such environments UPS batteries will normally die within 2 years.  Laptop batteries have better power management and the batteries last longer +  * A connected printer is not absolutely necessary in every situation, but for most situations it is a requirement. A laser printer or an ink 'tank' printer is preferable.
-    * Even when the battery runs out on a laptop, the power management will normally cause the machine to shut down gracefully. +
-    * Laptop computers have built-in microphone and camera for provision of support +
-    * Laptop computers have built-in Wi-Fi adaptor for network connection +
-    * Laptop computers are smaller and lighter than desktop computers, and so are less costly to ship. +
-  * A connected printer is not absolutely necessary in every situation, but for most situations it is a requirement. A dot-matrix printer may be used, but an ink-jet or laser is preferable.+
   * Buy hardware for which good after sales support is available.   * Buy hardware for which good after sales support is available.
   * Buy brands with a reputation for quality (even if it means buying a slower/older machine).   * Buy brands with a reputation for quality (even if it means buying a slower/older machine).
- 
  
 === Windows and Mac hardware requirements === === Windows and Mac hardware requirements ===
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 Hardware requirements vary widely depending on what you want to use mSupply for.  Here's a rough guide: Hardware requirements vary widely depending on what you want to use mSupply for.  Here's a rough guide:
  
-<WRAP center round important 60%> +^  Machine  ^  Technical Minimum  ^  Recommended upgrades  ^ 
-Recording stock transactions is a core mSupply activity.  Most stock transaction data is numeric.  It is essential that mSupply Windows or Mac hardware include a numeric keypad, either as part of a wide keyboard, or as a dedicated external numeric keypad. +| Windows Client machine for use with server | 64 bit, i5 processor or equivalent\\ 4 GB RAM, 50Mb of disk space\\ Windows 10| i7+ processor or equivalent, 8+ GB RAM, 256GB+ of disk space| 
-</WRAP>+| Mac Client machine for use with server. | 64 bit processor\\ macOS Mojave (10.14), 4 GB RAM, 50Mb of disk space | Mac OS 10.14.6 or later, 8 GB RAM | 
 +| Windows server | 64 bit, i7 processor or equivalent, 8 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD/SDD volume with daily backups to an external volume, Windows 10\\ Attached to a Smart UPS (see below)| i9 processor or equivalent, 32+ GB RAM, 4 x HDD/SDD volumes, 3 configured as RAID1 or RAID5 with hot spare plus daily backups to the fourth volume plus daily off-site backups\\Win Server 2016+ | 
 +| Windows Single-User sync machine | 64 bit, i7 processor or equivalent, 8 GB RAM, 256GB HDD/SDD volume plus daily backups to an external volume plus daily off-site backups\\ Windows 10 | i9 processor or equivalent, 16+ GB RAM, 500GB HDD/SDD plus daily backups to an external volume plus daily off-site backups |
  
-== Version 5.0 and above == +For a Terminal server, the general specification changes in that 
-Any requirement that has changed between v4.14 and v5.00 is outlined in bold in the table below. +  * More RAM is needed. 
 +  * Hard disks are less important, as no data is stored on the server (unless you are using the same server for both hosting the mSupply server and hosting the terminal sessions). 
 +  * An additional Gigabit Ethernet port could be useful
  
-^  Machine  ^  Technical Minimum  ^  Recommended  ^ +<WRAP center round alert 90%> 
-| Windows Client machine for use with server | 64 bit processor\\ Windows 10\\ **4** Gb RAM, 50Mb of disk space | 64 bit processor\\ Windows 10\\ **8** Gb RAM, 50Mb of disk space | +If you are running a server that is not in a datacentre with proper power protection: Beware of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid-state_drive|Solid State Drives]] (SSDs) without Power Loss Protection!
-| Mac Client machine for use with server. | 64 bit processor\\ **macOS Mojave (10.14) – macOS Big Sur (11)**(Latest release of major version is required, such as 10.14.6)\\ **4** Gb RAM, 50Mb of disk space | 64 bit processor\\ **Mac OS 10.14.6 or later**\\ **8** Gb RAM, 50Mb of disk space | +
-| Windows server | 64 bit processor\\ Windows 10 Pro or Win Server 2016\\ **8** Gb RAM\\ 500 GB HDD/SDD volume with daily backups to an external volume\\ Attached to a Smart UPS (see below)| 64 bit processor\\ **Win Server 2016+**\\ **16+** Gb RAM\\ 4 x HDD/SDD volumes, 3 configured as RAID1 or RAID5 with hot spare\\ Daily backups to the fourth volume plus daily off-site backups\\ Attached to a Smart UPS (see below) | +
-| Windows Single-User sync machine | 64 bit processor\\ Windows 10\\ **8** Gb RAM, 500GB HDD/SDD volume with daily backups to an external volume plus daily off-site backups\\ | 64 bit processor\\ Windows 10\\ **16** Gb RAM, 500GB HDD/SDD with daily backups to an external volume plus daily off-site backups |+
  
-== Version 4.14 and below ==+At least one country using mSupply on servers in health facilities with SSDs installed has had the bitter experience of the SSDs failing after ungraceful shutdowns due to failing UPSes.
  
-^  Machine  ^  Technical Minimum  ^  Recommended  ^ +The vast majority of ICT documentation on the internet is written from and for locations enjoying relatively stable power supplies.  When the above-mentioned experience happened, there was precious little information available for facilities suffering from the sort of chronic power supply issues which the majority of mSupply users experience.  Now there is more literature - refer here :  [[http://www.storagesearch.com/ssd-power-going-down.html|Surviving SSD sudden power loss]]
-| Windows Client machine for use with server | 64 bit processor\\ Windows 8.1\\ (known to work in Windows 7 but **not recommended**)\\ **4** Gb RAM, 50Mb of disk space | 64 bit processor\\ Windows 10\\ **8** Gb RAM, 50Mb of disk space | +
-| Mac Client machine for use with server. | 64 bit processor\\ Mac OS 10.13 or later\\ **4** Gb RAM, 50Mb of disk space | 64 bit processor\\ Mac OS 10.13 or later\\ **8** Gb RAM, 50Mb of disk space | +
-| Windows server | 64 bit processor\\ Windows 10 Pro/Win Server 2012 or later \\ **8** Gb RAM\\ 500 GB HDD/SDD volume with daily backups to an external volume\\ Attached to a Smart UPS (see below)| 64 bit processor\\ Win Server 2012+\\ **16+** Gb RAM\\ 4 x HDD/SDD volumes, 3 configured as RAID1 or RAID5 with hot spare\\ Daily backups to the fourth volume plus daily off-site backups\\ Attached to a Smart UPS (see below) | +
-| Windows Single-User sync machine | 64 bit processor\\ Windows 8.1\\ (known to work in Windows 7 but **not recommended**)\\ **8** Gb RAM, 500GB HDD/SDD volume with daily backups to an external volume plus daily off-site backups\\ | 64 bit processor\\ Windows 10\\ **16** Gb RAM, 500GB HDD/SDD with daily backups to an external volume plus daily off-site backups |+
  
-  * **Smart UPS** A 'smart' UPS ([[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninterruptible_power_supply|Uninterruptible Power Supply]]) detects when the battery power is about to run out and sends a notification to software on the server which triggers a graceful shut down of the computer.  To enable this, there needs to be a cable connection (normally USB) between the UPS and the computer combined with software running on the computer.+</WRAP>
  
-<WRAP center round tip> +=== We now recommend that you use laptops === 
-In our experience, the primary cause of computer hardware failure is data corruption due to ungraceful shutdowns.  This happens when power to the computer is cut instantly, without any notification to the computer to shut down gracefully.  If the machine is 'protected' by a normal UPS, then this can still happen when the battery power runs out.  Even if the machine is notionally protected by a 'smart' UPS, there are a number of circumstances where this UPS protection fails: + 
-  * Cable connection and software can fail. +<wrap em>Laptop machines, preferably with long battery life, will almost always be the best solution in terms of both cost and effectiveness.</wrap>  See below for the reasons why. 
-    * Cable becomes disconnected + 
-    * Software isn't configured correctly +== The problem with power cuts and UPSes == 
-    * Software doesn't start up+ 
 +In our experience, the primary cause of mSupply database corruption is ungraceful shutdowns of the computer hosting the mSupply database.  Ungraceful shutdowns occur when power to the computer is cut instantly, without any notification to the computer to shut down gracefully.<WRAP center round info 60%>Ungraceful shutdowns on client computers will //not// result in mSupply database corruption.  They may result in incomplete data record entry, but that can be rectified once power is restored.</WRAP> 
 +A common mitigation to prevent ungraceful shutdowns is to use an [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninterruptible_power_supply|Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)]].  If the computer is protected by a normal UPS, then we can still have ungraceful shutdowns when the battery power runs out.  A 'smart' UPS  detects when the battery power is about to run out and sends a notification to software on the server which triggers a graceful shut down of the computer.  To enable this, there needs to be a cable connection (normally USB) between the UPS and the computer combined with software running on the computer.  Even if the machine is protected by a smart UPS, there are a number of circumstances where this UPS protection fails: 
 +  * Cable becomes disconnected 
 +  * Software isn't configured correctly or doesn't start up
   * UPS batteries degrade (normally within 2 years of installation in environments with regular power cuts) and there is too little capacity to run long enough for the computer to shut down gracefully after receiving the notification from the UPS   * UPS batteries degrade (normally within 2 years of installation in environments with regular power cuts) and there is too little capacity to run long enough for the computer to shut down gracefully after receiving the notification from the UPS
 +
 +== The merits of laptops ==
  
 Laptop computers tend to be much more resilient to power failure: Laptop computers tend to be much more resilient to power failure:
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   * Even if the laptop internal battery degrades, the 'smart' function appears to work much more reliably than a standalone UPS communicating with a 'tower' computer.   * Even if the laptop internal battery degrades, the 'smart' function appears to work much more reliably than a standalone UPS communicating with a 'tower' computer.
  
-Here are some additional advantages of laptops vs. desktop machines:+Here are some additional advantages of laptops vs. desktop computers: 
 +  * Can be more resilient to hot and humid working environments if you buy the right model.
   * Lower cost of freight:   * Lower cost of freight:
     * To send the machine to site     * To send the machine to site
     * To send spare parts for repair on-site     * To send spare parts for repair on-site
-    * To retrieve the machine from site for any repairs that can not be undertaken on site+    * To retrieve the machine from site for any repairs that can not be undertaken on site  <WRAP center round tip 60%> 
 +There are countries using mSupply where the cost of sending a 40kg traditional server computer to the site is comparable to the purchase price of the server. 
 +</WRAP>
   * Wi-Fi capability normally included without extra cost   * Wi-Fi capability normally included without extra cost
   * Bluetooth capability normally included without extra cost   * Bluetooth capability normally included without extra cost
   * 'Sound card', speaker, earphones and video camera normally included without extra cost   * 'Sound card', speaker, earphones and video camera normally included without extra cost
  
-A concern with laptop computers is security.  It is easier to steal a laptop computer from an office than it is to steal a desktop computer.  For this reason, laptops are normally configured with a physical locking feature such as [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kensington_Security_Slot|Kensington lock slot]].+== Battery life == 
 +While the consequences of running out of battery power on a laptop is not as catastrophic as on a desktop machine, it is still good to be able to keep your mSupply system running through long power cuts.  Unfortunately most laptop manufacturers don't advertise how long their batteries last, even if they do last a long time!  Fortunately, there are websites with reviews on laptops where the battery life has been tested and reported.
  
-Because mSupply is dealing with lots of numbers (quantities of stock), **it is highly recommended to have a keyboard with a numeric keypad**.  Smaller laptop computers (14" screen or less) will not have this.  Smaller laptop computers normally have an impractically small screen.  It is therefore recommended to procure a laptop computer with a keyboard that includes a numeric keypad - which will necessarily entail a larger screen. 
  
-Useful productivity accessories for laptop computers include +== Security ==
-  * External mouse (not wireless - batteries replacement is expensive and environmentally irresponsible) +
-  * External keyboard (not wireless - batteries replacement is expensive and environmentally irresponsible) +
-  * External screen+
  
-There has been some good experience with configuring mSupply servers on higher-powered laptop computers.  Please talk to us about these possibilities. +A concern with laptop computers is security.  It is easier to steal a laptop computer from an office than it is to steal a desktop computer.  For this reason, laptops are normally configured with a physical locking feature such as [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kensington_Security_Slot|Kensington lock slot]] or [[https://www.noblelocks.com/collections/wedge-lock-collection|Noble wedge lock slot]].  <wrap em>Don't buy a laptop without one of these security lock features.</wrap> 
-</WRAP>+ 
 +=== Keyboard === 
 + 
 +Because mSupply is dealing with lots of numbers (quantities of stock), <wrap em>it is highly recommended to have a keyboard with a numeric keypad</wrap>.  Smaller laptop computers (14" screen or less) will not have this.  Smaller laptop computers normally have an impractically small screen.  It is therefore recommended to procure either: 
 +  * A laptop computer with a keyboard that includes a numeric keypad - which will necessarily entail a larger screen or 
 +  * A smaller laptop computer with an external keyboard, mouse and maybe even external screen.  We don't recommend wireless external keyboard or mouse.  Battery replacement is expensive and environmentally irresponsible.
  
 ==== Backup system ==== ==== Backup system ====
  • Last modified: 2022/05/17 01:17
  • by Mark Glover