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@QuotePlus 32 Performance Tuning

This document discusses how to wring maximum performance from your @QuotePlus 32 system. These methods are listed in the order that they should be implemented, and if you follow them you will notice a significant performance gain in not only @QuotePlus 32, but all your other applications as well.

The steps below assume a multi-user system on a Local-Area-Network (LAN), so if you are running @QuotePlus 32 single-user on a standalone PC, the networking issues may not apply to you.

Please note that this document is intended for system administrators and assumes that you have a relatively thorough knowledge of PCs, their hardware, and the Windows operating systems. If you are unsure about the meaning of any of the items below, please contact your system administrator or HERO Data Services for assistance.

 

Hardware
We will discuss hardware first, since this will be the area that will have the most impact on performance.


Workstations
First and foremost is the configuration of your workstations that run @QuotePlus 32. Basically, your PCs should meet or exceed the following specifications:
Processor Pentium 4 @ 1.2ghz (no Celeron )
Memory 512mb RAM
Hard Drive 20gb hard drive
NIC 100mbps, full duplex capable
OS Windows 2000 Professional (SP3) or Windows XP Professional (SP1)
While @QuotePlus 32 will run on much less machine, using the minimum hardware will get you minimum performance. The above configuration will give @QuotePlus 32 more to work with and room to grow. Since @QuotePlus 32 is a 32-bit Windows application, it can make use of as much hardware as you can throw at it.


Network cabling/switches
The cabling used for your network should be a minimum of Category 5 (CAT5), but preferably Category 5e or Category 6. These support high-speed networks, and anything less is only good for telephones.

If you are connecting all the computers with a hub (or concentrator), replace it with a switch. A switch is much more efficient at routing network traffic to the appropriate computer, and will reduce traffic bottlenecks on the network. Further, when selecting a switch, you want one that is auto-sensing, 10/100mbps, and capable of full duplex mode.

When connecting computers to the switch, be sure that no run exceeds 300ft, or you will lose performance and may have connectivity problems.


File server
The file server that the data actually resides on should match the workstations in power, and should be running Novell NetWare 4.x, 5.x, or 6.x (latest support pack installed), Windows NT Server 4.0 (SP6a), or Windows 2000 Server (SP3) for the Operating System (OS). Note that NetWare will give better performance than Windows, but is not as easy to administer - you will need a competent Novell support person.


Other considerations
  • Avoid wireless networking for your LAN unless absolutely necessary - it is too slow and can be affected adversely depending on the location in your building.
  • For better performance of the Internet features in @QuotePlus 32 (maps, driving directions, e-mail) you should have a high-speed connection to the Internet (also called broadband).
  • Do not purchase a Celeron processor. This is Intel's cheaper version of the Pentium processor, but is really the same as the full-blown processor with some of the important features disabled. It's performance is poor compared to the full-blown Pentium 4 processor. For AMD processors, the same rule applies: purchase the best Athlon processor you can get, and avoid the Duron model.

     

    Software
    Once you have made sure that your hardware is up to speed and your network is configured properly, you can begin to tune Windows and the @QuotePlus 32 software to make maximum use out of the hardware.


    Borland Database Engine (BDE)
    This is the underlying part of @QuotePlus 32 that manipulates the data on the server, and we can adjust the settings to make it use resources better. Note that you must have 512mb RAM (as noted above in the Hardware section) or your performance will get worse instead of better.

    Go to Start->Settings->Control Panel and double-click on the "BDE Administrator" icon. Click on the Configuration tab, then click the plus [+] next to "Configuration", then "System". Click directly on "INIT" to highlight it and display the system configuration information on the right side of the window. Change the following settings:

    MAXBUFSIZE 65535
    MAXFILEHANDLES 4096
    MINBUFSIZE 1024
    MEMSIZE 64
    SHAREDMEMSIZE 4096


    When done, click Object->Apply from the top menu, then OK twice, and close Control Panel.


    Network protocols (workstations)
    Any unnecessary network protocols should be uninstalled from the workstations to free up resources and speed up network traffic and response times. Right-click on Network Neighborhood (or My Network Places), then select Properties. For Windows 2000 or XP, you will have to right-click on Local Area Connection and select Properties also. The network protocols installed and loaded on the system will be listed.

    In most cases, these include Internet Protocol (IP), IPX/SPX, IPX/SPX Compatible protocol, NwLink, and NetBEUI. IP is needed to communicate to the Internet, so leave that one. IPX/SPX is always used to communicate with Novell NetWare 4.x servers, and may be used for NetWare 5.x or 6.x (but these usually use IP instead). You should be sure how your workstations and server are communicating before uninstalling this protocol. All the rest, barring special situations, are obsolete and unnecessary, and should be uninstalled.

    Also, in the case of NetWare, you should have the latest client software from Novell installed on your workstation, and it should be configured to specifically look for IP or IPX and the frame type (see below) your server uses in order to speed up response times.


    Network protocols (server)
    As above, the server should be configured to use only the protocols it needs to communicate with the workstations, and all others should be uninstalled. With Windows this is the same as for the workstations, but for NetWare there is another consideration: frame type. You want to run as few frame types as necessary - you can check what's being loaded on the server in the AUTOEXEC.NCF file. The only frame type you should be running is "Ethernet II" - it is the only one compatible with IP. All others should be removed and the server restarted.


    Background applications
    A lot of programs will install parts of themselves or additional programs on your PC to run automatically every time you start up. Most of the time these are not needed at all - all they do is eat up system resources. Typical offenders are RealPlayer, AOL, HP, and others. Many can be spotted running in your system tray (the part of the taskbar in the lower-right corner of the screen where the clock resides) as icons. Still others can be seen by bringing up the Windows task list (Ctrl-Alt-Del in Windows 95, 98, and Me; Right-click on the task bar and select Task Manager in Windows NT, 2000, and XP). Disable all unnecessary background applications that start up with the system.


    Services (Windows NT, 2000, and XP only)
    Any unnecessary services running in the background should be stopped and either disabled or set to a manual startup. Be sure of which ones are not needed before stopping them - stopping a required service can cause your PC to malfunction.


    Applications on the server
    For best performance of @QuotePlus 32, no resource-intensive applications such as SQL or Exchange should be running on the same file server that houses the @QuotePlus 32 data files. These will eat up the server's resources and negatively impact its ability to handle the @QuotePlus 32 data files.

    Also, in Windows NT Server and 2000 server, set the Optimization to Maximize Throughput for File Sharing:
    • NT: Right-click on Network Neighborhood, Properties, Server, Properties.
    • 2000: Right-click on Network Places, Properties, right-click on Local Area Connection, Properties, File and Print Sharing, Properties.

     

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