I am using RB1000 for core router. We are converting our client base (aprox 300 users) from static IPs to PPPoE. We anticipate increasing users to 600 in the next couple of years.

Currently we are using PPP Secrets for database.

We have only converted aprox 35 clients so far.

Before we get too deep, I thought we need to consider using user manager instead of PPP Secrets.

Questions...

1. Should we use User Manager?

2. If yes, can we run User Manager on the RB1000?

3. If no to question 2, what would be suggested hardware to run User Manager for my setup?

Thanks for your time.

Greg

1. Should we use User Manager?

You can. Allows you integrate everything in one box.

2. If yes, can we run User Manager on the RB1000?

Absolutely. With the RB1000 you even have a level6 license and so unlimited number of active sessions etc.
You can not limit the number of simultaneous sessions per pppoe or hotspot user to 1 in usermanager 3.x, i.e up to 5 or 10 different people can log in with the same account/connection details. You can in usermanager 4.04b, but it is still in beta and very unstable, as noted by routeros users on the forum.

My advice would be to get a second RB1000 and implement user-manager on that.

This way, if you need to reboot/upgrade user-manager the connected clients will not be affected.

I agree that using a second appliance for User Manager makes sense, but do I really need a second RB1000 for 300-600 users?

Can I do it with RB450G and a CF card? Or maybe some other inexpensive RB?

I could do an old PC, but I prefer Solid State when possible.

Suggestions?

500-600 online user session or register user.

register user (i.e. customers each with 1 PPPoE user name/password)

if u have RB1000 you don't need another devices to use Usermanager just wait for beta5 then only you can use it. what types of speed you have allocated to your customer. With my experience 200 online users with 1MBPS-2MBPS can be connected successfully but not in 4.0Beta4