30 iMacs>Server / Relational Databases (8) - How would you run it fastest?

[mattlight]

Hi guys/gals,

Is there a way to minimise the amount of information streamed from the server by, when logging on to a client machine, copying the latest prices of stock, client details (each in their own respective databases)onto your local computer, then only go to the server for 'live' info on stock availabilty?

I hope that sentance explains my question, but, here's some more info if your confused!

At the moment I have a 'Point of Sale' database which pulls info of clients and stock from two other databases. There will be 30 computers (iMacs) running from a server and I want to minimise the amount of work the server does because of getting requests from all the computers (Sales team). The obvious info I want to download onto my computer the minute I turn on such as Product code, price, List of clients, etc. which I want to refer to constantly - don't want to refer to server constantly or it will sweat!!

Things such as Stock level I do need to get a current balance on which will only happen when I CONFIRM SALE of the product listed on MY computer. I don't want it to do constant lookups for 30 people on such things as Product Description and Price.

When I then, at the end of the day, Log off User from my computer, I want it to update the server's sales database with all the sales that I have made on MY computer - and so do all the other 30 sales staff.

I hope this is making sense - I just want to localise everything for all lookups and portals except when it's in need of being the most current info (namely, someone else might have sold something that I need to know about)

I'm waffling but I need it all to run as fast as possible and am scared of over-working the server. Is it an applescript Copy File routine that I need to do or can I do it from within a filemaker script?

Help

[Steven H. Blackwell]

Well, your fears are misplaced. FileMaker Server is designed to do precisely what you are afraid it can't do well. Here are some tips to help you enhance performance with even the light load (30 useres) you have:

1. Be sure that each of the iMACS has at least 500MB free disk space. This improves local data caching from the server.

2. If using OS 9.x, assign between 24 to 28 MB applicaation emory to FileMAker Pro 5.5 via the Get Info box at the Finder level.

3. Use TCP/IP as your ONLY networking protocol off FileMaker Server 5.5

4. If running Server under OS 9, assign it approx 24 MB application memory. Reserve (in Server preferences) approx 12 MB as cache. The goal is to achive cache hits of at least 95 percent during normal operation of your 30 users. This can be monitored in Server Preferences. Tweak application memory until you get 95 to 100 percent cache hits.

5. In Server preferences set the number of users to 33. Set the number of files to 3 over the number you actually have. THis minimizes server load.

6. Run FileMaker Server 5.5 on a dedicated CPU. NO FILE SHARING!!

7. See the new FileMaker Server Best Practices White Paper on the FMI web site.

HTH

Old Advance Man

[mattlight]

Thank you

I haven't tried it yet, but, I'm sure it'll work

Pheuww, what a relief!!

Thanks

[Steven H. Blackwell]

Excellent!