Do I need a dedicated server_

[wseyller]

Currently at work I we have one computer that runs a program called DacEasy ver. 10 that has an accounting and order entry modules. We feel we need it on possibly three computers and I'm thinking of upgrading to the higher ver. 13 with multi-user networking. Of the three client will be two with a 900mhz processor and one with be an AMD64 2800+ with 512 ddr400. These computers are connected to a peer to peer network on a 10/100 linksys router all using WinXP Pro. I was wondering if the faster client computer could be the server as well and store the data. I have a backup drive connected to it as well. The usage of all three computers at once won't be very heavy. DacEasy uses Pervasive.SQL 2000 database engine.

This is the product link.
https://www.daceasy.com/daceasy/products/overview.asp

 

[nweaver]

SQL loves memory...it'll hog it all if you let it (seen it suck up 2 gigs on the default install)

 

[yoda291]

Originally posted by: nweaver
SQL loves memory...it'll hog it all if you let it (seen it suck up 2 gigs on the default install)

yup yup. over here in my shop, we regularly see sql2k chewing on 6GB - 8GB of memory on a single instance.

but I'm almost 100% certain you can set how much memory you want sql2k to chew on.

 

[wseyller]

I see memory is a concern. I could possible add more memory, but on other specs...What about cpu usage on the computer I'm using to store the data. If I were using that computer to do data entry while others were writing data from another computer at the same time will I run into problems considering the specs I listed. Also all computers would be running winxp. Is everything there I need to setup permissions and any other problems with a basic home office type peer to peer network. I'm basically on a budget trying to get away with as much as possible without having to many problems. I'm hoping that I won't have to go buy another pc for to use just for a dedicated server and also I don't want to have to buy anymore software or server os stuff, or additional networking hardware.

 

[cleverhandle]

That's not the most common SQL engine, so you probably won't find many people with direct experience on it. But what would be helpful is to get an idea of the load on the database. How large are your tables? How frequently are operations performed and with what ratio of reads/writes?

At first glance, and mostly as a guess, I'd think that if you upped the memory in the new box to 1GB that you'd probably be OK. That's assuming that your tables aren't enormous and that you're only going to perform a small number of db operations per minute. CPU usage shouldn't be a big deal unless your queries get really complex or you're performing a whole lot of operations at once - an A64 2800 is pretty darn powerful for a db with only three users. You might also consider putting the database on a separate drive if you can afford that - preferably something with fast random access like a 10K or 15K SCSI, but a Raptor would probably do all right on a budget.

But all that is just somewhat educated guesses and I'm not a professional DBA, so take with a grain of salt...

 

[nweaver]

HDD access would be my second concern.....also, SQL 2000 Enterprise won't install on WinXP (Can't remember if home or pro though). You can limit the amount of memory it will chew up. Get more memory and a fast drive for just he SQL database, and I would think you are OK for now...add a few users and it may get too slow. Remember, it doesn't take much time waiting on the database before real $$ is lost.

 

[wseyller]

I just noticed the big cut in memory prices, so I could get another stick of 512 value ram, no problem. I'm sure a raptor or two in raid 0 would be fine. I do have an external drive that I use for backups which does it automatically everyday at a time of day when there is no activity. I hear the 74gb raptors are faster than the 36gb ones...is that correct?

Now I ask how easily this will work with all machines with winxp pro.
Here are some system requirements.
http://www.daceasy.com/daceasy/v13upgrade/sys_requirements.asp

 

[cleverhandle]

Originally posted by: wseyller
I'm sure a raptor or two in raid 0 would be fine.

Raid 0 would be pointless here. You have no need of high STR in a database. You need fast access. If anything, I'd take RAID 1 - I'll take a marginally slower database in exchange for immunity from a disk crash. Better yet, buy a SCSI drive. It's going to beat a Raptor or a pair of Raptors in db performance, raid or not.

I hear the 74gb raptors are faster than the 36gb ones...is that correct?

The 74G versions are generally regarded as faster due to some modifications to the firmware IIRC. But people usually talk about that in terms of single-user desktop performance. I'd check the numbers at Storage Review and see if there's any difference in server performance.

But honestly, I don't think it's going to be worth all that much to worry about the drive speed unless your db is a lot more active than it sounds. As long as you have a decently fast modern drive separate from your OS drive, I doubt you'll hit any bottlenecks.

Now I ask how easily this will work with all machines with winxp pro.
Here are some system requirements.
http://www.daceasy.com/daceasy/v13upgrade/sys_requirements.asp

Well, nothing on that page says anything about how exactly the db client/server configuration goes. Presumably it's just standard SQL stuff. And if the vendor claims that one machine can act as a db server to others, I'd have to guess that a bunch of XP Pro machines would be an obvious testbed for the company to use. Call them up and ask - unless someone here has used that exact product, the vendor's going to be your best source of information on configuration issues.