Absolute minimum system requirements:

• 64 bit processor laptop or desktop

• 512MB RAM

• 5GB Hard drive

• At least 2 network cards that work with IPFire (See http://wiki.ipfire.org/en/hardware/networking)

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Recommended configuration:

• Laptop with good battery and/or battery backup for a desktop/server

• Intel i3 Processor or greater

• 4GB RAM

• 128GB SSD Hard Drive (for caching)

• 3 Wired Network Cards

• General Rule of Thumb: If you have more users and more bandwidth, you need a larger processor and more memory.  This recommended configuration has been used in real environments at 150mbps with 500+ users.

 

FAQ

Where does this device fit into my network?

This device would replace your current router.  Please note that it is not recommended to have any devices acting as routers downstream (on the LAN interface(s)) from the unit otherwise it will aggregate them together for billing.  Upstream routers (on the WAN port) are fine.

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This sounds complicated to setup.  Is it?

While we are here to help you, we would recommend that you have an onsite IT guy to set up the system.  The software is managed through an intuitive web interface that non-technical people can use on a daily basis.  Setting it up requires some basic knowledge of networking, but again we here to help.

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Can I install SIAS on Windows or OSX?

No.  SIAS needs to run on a dedicated computer.  It will remove the existing operating system (completely erasing everything!) and install itself as a dedicated platform.​

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Can I run SIAS in a virtualized environment?

Yes.  SIAS is verified and supported to run under VMware esxi.

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Can I have more than 1 LAN?

Yes.  SIAS allows you to have 2 LAN connections, each of which can have independent settings.  Often locations use the first network card for permanent devices and the second for guest devices such as public Wi-Fi. 

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Can I run SIAS on an 8 year old laptop with a cracked screen?

Yes.  SIAS works great even on older hardware.  The screen isn't used under normal operations.  Now if you're running an ISP, you'll want something a bit more reliable.  As you add more users, you will get better performance out of newer faster hardware but even a large Internet connection with hundreds of users will run fine on a 5 year old laptop.  SIAS can run as a virtual machines so you may not need to buy any additional hardware. 

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