How to Prepare Your Office for an OpenClaw Installation
Professional on-site OpenClaw installation goes smoother when your office is prepared. This guide covers network prerequisites, hardware placement, security requirements, and team coordination to ensure a fast, successful installation.
Why This Is Hard to Do Yourself
These are the common pitfalls that trip people up.
Network compatibility unknown
You don't know if your office network (VLANs, firewall, security policies) will support OpenClaw without testing first.
No hardware plan
You haven't decided where the Mac Mini will physically sit, how it connects to power/network, or who has access.
IT policies unclear
Your company has security policies but you're not sure if OpenClaw installation violates any of them.
Step-by-Step Guide
Survey your network infrastructure
Before installation day, document your network setup. Identify if you have VLANs, managed switches, or firewall rules that could block OpenClaw. Get contact info for whoever manages network access (IT admin, MSP, or building manager). If you have corporate IT policies, review them for restrictions on running servers or AI tools.
Plan physical hardware placement
Decide where the Mac Mini (or server) will physically live. Options: desk space, server room, locked cabinet, or coworking rack. Ensure power outlet access, ethernet cable run (Wi-Fi works but ethernet is preferred for stability), and physical security (locked room or cable lock if in shared space).
Check port requirements
OpenClaw needs specific network ports open. Default ports: 3000 (Gateway), 8080 (API), and any integration webhooks. If your office firewall blocks outbound connections, you'll need exceptions for OpenAI/Anthropic API endpoints. Document your current firewall rules or have IT admin contact ready.
Prepare static IP or internal DNS
OpenClaw works best with a static internal IP or DNS hostname. Check if your network supports static IP assignment (most do). If not, ask your IT admin to reserve a DHCP lease. You'll want a consistent address like openclaw.local or 192.168.1.100 so team members can bookmark it.
Identify who needs access
List team members who will use OpenClaw daily. Determine if you need role-based access (admin vs user). If you have SSO or LDAP, note credentials for integration. Plan for the installer to create accounts or integrate with your existing auth system during setup.
Clear security approvals
If your company requires security reviews for new tools, start that process early. Provide your security team with OpenClaw documentation, privacy policy, and data handling details. The installer can provide compliance documentation if needed (GDPR, SOC2, HIPAA alignment).
Schedule team availability
Plan for the installation to take 2-4 hours depending on complexity. Block time for key team members to attend the training walkthrough at the end. The installer will show how to restart services, where files live, and basic troubleshooting.
Pre-purchase compatible hardware (if needed)
If you haven't bought the Mac Mini yet, confirm specs with your installer before purchasing. Minimum recommended: Mac Mini M2 with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. Larger teams or heavy usage may need M2 Pro or more storage. Avoid older Intel Mac Minis as performance suffers.
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