Library professionals need to acquire background knowledge on hardware selection before the installation/upgrade Koha ILS. Consider budget, the number of records and number of users handles by Koha before the hardware selection. Here are the various occasions and suitable hardware requirements.
Desktop PC: Majority of libraries in India install Koha on desktop PC. Library professionals switch off PC before closing the library and next day they switch on PC to use Koha. Libraries having budget constraints, lack of higher hardware resources and power backup would like to follow this method regardless of the number of records and transactions with Koha. Such libraries can't offer 24x7 OPAC services with Koha on a desktop PC.
Libraries with a small collection (e.g. up to 25000 books) consider a desktop with i5 processor and minimum 8 GB RAM. Buy desktop PC without preloaded Windows. It increases the cost of the PC. Buy PC without Operating System. Use Debian/Ubuntu with a lightweight desktop for the optimum performance of hardware. Ubuntu/Debian with GNOME desktop would eat a sizeable processing power of your PC. Choose Debian Linux with XFCE desktop/Xubuntu/Lubuntu as the operating system for Koha. Opt SSD (Solid State Drives) over traditional HDD as storage for fast performance. Desktop PCs not built for 24x7 performance like a server-class computer.
Workstation PC: Libraries want heavy-duty performance machines can opt workstation PC. Workstation PC is better than desktop PC in terms of performance and durability. It can handle the library tasks with a large number of records, users, transactions and multiple library branches. Popular computer manufacturers produce workstation PC under separate brand names. For example, Dell Precision, Lenovo Thinkstation, and HP Z belong to the workstation category.
Server computer: Libraries with excellent IT infrastructure would like to choose a server-class computer for Koha installation. Server computer built for 24x7 hours continuous working and offer static Koha service. I found that libraries with a small collection buy heavy-duty server computer and switch off at the evening when the office time over. This practice affects the performance and reduces the life span of the server computer.
Server class computers available with various specifications. Libraries with small size collections can choose entry-level servers computers for Koha installation. For example, HP Proliant ML series tower server computers cost below Rs. 80000.
Cloud computing: Cloud computing services became more convenient for these days. Libraries free from maintaining hardware for Koha service. Institutions can hire virtual servers from cloud service providers like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. Libraries can choose virtual servers with a Linux (Debian/Ubuntu) operating system for Koha installation.
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