setting_up_msupply:requirements

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setting_up_msupply:requirements [2023/05/17 23:07] – [We now recommend that you use laptops] 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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 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  ^  Technical Minimum  ^  Recommended  ^ +^  Machine  ^  Technical Minimum  ^  Recommended upgrades  ^ 
-| 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 or equivalent\\ 4 GB RAM, 50Mb of disk space\\ Windows 10| i7+ processor or equivalent, 8+ GB RAM, 256GB+ of disk space| 
-| 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 | +| 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)| 64 bit processor\\ Win Server 2016+\\ 32 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 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 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 |+| 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 | 
 + 
 +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 
 + 
 +<WRAP center round alert 90%> 
 +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! 
 + 
 +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.  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]] 
 + 
 +</WRAP>
  
 === We now recommend that you use laptops === === We now recommend that you use laptops ===
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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, there are websites with reviews on laptops where the battery life has been tested and reported.
 +
  
 == 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</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: 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 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.  Don't get wireless external keyboard or mouse.  Battery replacement is expensive and environmentally irresponsible.+  * 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: 2023/05/17 23:07
  • by Mark Glover