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| setting_up_msupply:requirements [2023/05/17 22:58] – [Windows and Mac hardware requirements] Mark Glover | setting_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:// | For mSuppy Mobile, refer [[https:// | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | For more detailed configuration information on mSupply Client/ | ||
| </ | </ | ||
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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: | ||
| - | ^ Machine | + | ^ Machine |
| - | | 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 | | + | | Windows Client machine for use with server | 64 bit, i5 processor |
| - | | Mac Client machine for use with server. | 64 bit processor\\ macOS Mojave (10.14) | + | | 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 processor\\ Windows 10\\ 8 Gb RAM\\ 500 GB HDD/SDD volume with daily backups to an external volume\\ Attached to a Smart UPS (see below)| | + | | Windows server | 64 bit, i7 processor |
| - | | Windows Single-User sync machine | 64 bit processor\\ Windows 10\\ 8 Gb RAM, 500GB HDD/SDD volume | + | | Windows Single-User sync machine | 64 bit, i7 processor |
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| + | For a Terminal server, the general specification changes in that | ||
| + | * 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 | ||
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| + | <WRAP center round alert 90%> | ||
| + | If you are running a server that is not in a datacentre with proper power protection: Beware of [[https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | 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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The vast majority of ICT documentation on the internet is written from and for locations enjoying relatively stable power supplies. | ||
| + | |||
| + | </ | ||
| === We now recommend that you use laptops === | === We now recommend that you use laptops === | ||
| - | Laptop machines will almost always be the best solution in terms of both cost and effectiveness. | + | <wrap em>Laptop machines, preferably with long battery life, will almost always be the best solution in terms of both cost and effectiveness.</ |
| == The problem with power cuts and UPSes == | == The problem with power cuts and UPSes == | ||
| - | In our experience, the primary cause of mSupply database corruption is ungraceful shutdowns of the computer hosting the mSupply database. | + | In our experience, the primary cause of mSupply database corruption is ungraceful shutdowns of the computer hosting the mSupply database. |
| - | * Ungraceful shutdowns on client computers may result in incomplete data record entry, but that can be rectified once power is restored. | + | |
| - | * Ungraceful shutdowns on client computers will //not// result in mSupply database corruption. | + | |
| - | </ | + | |
| A common mitigation to prevent ungraceful shutdowns is to use an [[https:// | A common mitigation to prevent ungraceful shutdowns is to use an [[https:// | ||
| * Cable becomes disconnected | * Cable becomes disconnected | ||
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| * 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 | ||
| + | |||
| + | == 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, | ||
| + | |||
| == Security == | == Security == | ||
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| 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</ | 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</ | ||
| * A laptop computer with a keyboard that includes a numeric keypad - which will necessarily entail a larger screen or | * 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. | + | * A smaller laptop computer with an external keyboard, mouse and maybe even external screen. |
| ==== Backup system ==== | ==== Backup system ==== | ||