Performance gains from intel based macs on server based solutions

[Jarvis]

I have a several databases hosted on a dedicated web based server running FM Server Advanced.

Most of these databases used to be part of a larger solution. I had effectively created a production manager for my cabinetshop with many related tables. Task management was linked to a client database which was linked to a contractor database, etc. Most of this worked pretty good on a local area network.

When I moved it to the web (so that it was accessible from more locations) the solution started to run extremely slow. After about 100 records everytime you made a keystroke you would be confronted with the spinning beach ball of death.

I ended up simplifying this solution greatly. Instead of relying on a lot of relationships and calculated fields I turned it into a series of standalone databases and used buttons to navigate between them.

My primary client station in the shop is a non-intel based Imac.

It occurred to me this morning that filemaker 9 was optimized to run faster on intel based machines.

So now I am curious, [color:red]Would switching the client station to an intel mac make much of a performance difference for a web based server? I would dearly love to link some of these DBs back together if I can make the speed happen.

Any ideas?,

Jarvis.

[Steven H. Blackwell]

This is too general a question to give a definitive answer.

A number of factors influence WAN based "speed" of a FIleMaker Pro database when accessed by the FMP client. Some of these are also applicable to accessing the files via a web browser:

1. Dedicated server

2. Correct hard drive type selection

3. Amount of RAM installed on Server. 4 GB is optimal. This is particularly true for IWP.

4. Server OS

5. Free disk space on the FMP client machine. Have at least 1 GB free.

6. Amount of RAM on client reserved as cache. 12 MB is optimal.

7. File architecture--especially important.

8. Network typology.

9. Bandwidth to the web, especially levels of latency.

And so forth.

Steven

[Jarvis]

Thank you Steven.

You've saved me some money.

Jarvis