Server sizing: tools or info

Curtis Frank Balvanz

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Mar 27, 1995, 6:20:18 PM3/27/95

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Hello. New to the whole client/server arena myself, but responsible for
determining what kind of machines to use for applications. I've been a
LAN admin (PCs and Macs) for 10 years, so I was the obvious(?) choice for
this task.

Are there any general guidelines to follow to figure out how big of a
machine one needs for a specific application? I know that a lot depends on
number of users, types and size of transactions, size of database, network
connections, etc. What I would like to find is some sort of "decision making
tree" (tool?) that makes sure you consider all the important criteria
involved in choosing servers and configurations.

We currently have a couple of production applications running on an IBM
RS/6000 (model 590?) running AiX 4.1 and SyBase SQL Server. The clients
are mostly Macs running SyBase OpenClient and Uniface or Omnis 7. We will
be starting on developement of several more applications very soon. Some
of them may use Oracle instead of SyBase.

Since we are Motorola, we've been looking at Motorola's Unix boxes. We're
interested in their PowerStack Series MP601s (symmetric MultiProcessing)
for some of the larger/demanding apps and their DT604s for smaller ones.

If there isn't any such thing as a decision-making tool out there, can
someone recommend some good books that deal with this matter.

Appreciatations in advance,
Curtis

Bernie Wong

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Mar 28, 1995, 9:11:37 AM3/28/95

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r14...@email.sps.mot.com (Curtis Frank Balvanz) writes:
>Are there any general guidelines to follow to figure out how big of a
>machine one needs for a specific application? I know that a lot depends on
>number of users, types and size of transactions, size of database, network

>connections, etc. ......

First question to ask before looking at tools is - do you need a configuration
for an existing application (perhaps rehosting from another Unix platform),
or a configuration for an commerically available product (e.g.,
Oracle*Financials), or a configuration for a brand new application (including
reengineering an existing application).

If you want to rehost, then your emphasis should be on measuring the resource
requirements for that application and finding a suitable platform. If you are
looking at a product, then look for field experiences, vendor guidelines,
conference feedback, product sizing guidelines etc. If it is a brand new
application, then you are into Software Performance Engineering, Initial
Sizing, modelling, etc, etc.

Regards,

Venkatesh Rajah

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Apr 4, 1995, 3:00:00 AM4/4/95

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You wrote,

>
>r14...@email.sps.mot.com (Curtis Frank Balvanz) writes:
>>Are there any general guidelines to follow to figure out how big of a
>>machine one needs for a specific application? I know that a lot
depends on
>>number of users, types and size of transactions, size of database,
network
>>connections, etc. ......
>

Please make sure u get a copy of Sybase Sizing Guide for HP/IBM/Sun
machines from ur local Sybase office.
John Kirkwood covers some of the basic sizing parameters for Sybase in
his book .
Hope this helps ...

Venki