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Network optimization Shadow Database (first time)

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    Network optimization Shadow Database (first time)

    I've read the documentation which explains pretty much the steps I need to go through to create the shadow database, but it gives no instruction on where it will be created and what to do with it.

    I have a network drive that currently has the entire A5 application on it that all 5 users via the runtime execute and I would now like to try the network optimization technique.

    I'm assuming that after creating the shadow database I need to copy "it" to the 5 workstations.

    1. what do I copy (from where and to where) ?
    2. how do I tell the runtime on each workstation to execute this new "shadow" instance of the app instead of the one on the network ?

    Thanks for any and all help provided!

    John

    #2
    Re: Network optimization Shadow Database (first time)

    The general procedure is to have the database folder reside on the server. the users have the Alpha runtime executable on their machines.

    The runtime is started and the networked database is opened. If shadowing is desired the Network Optimize choice is made from the user's machine Tools menu. The shadow can be saved wherever desired. Once creation is finished the networked version of the database will close and the shadow version will be opened. Likely a desktop shortcut would be desirable and that can be created from the same Tools menu.
    There can be only one.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Network optimization Shadow Database (first time)

      Alpha seems to default to a folder called "shadow" underneath your runtime.
      You can direct that to a folder of your choice and it does not have to be under the runtime folder.
      You can run the shadow setup from each work station or run from one and then copy that runtime to another machine, but be sure the paths stay the same.
      Dave Mason
      [email protected]
      Skype is dave.mason46

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Network optimization Shadow Database (first time)

        Thanks for the tips everyone.

        I was able to successfully create a 'shadow' db on the workstation using the runtime, and it does seem to be updating the 'master' data on the server for any updates I am performing. However, I find it very strange and confusing that all of the files from the master (.ddd, .ddm, .sem, .set, .alm. .alb, etc) are now residing in the shadow folder, but there are also copies of the .dbf files, which I know store the actual data. I do not see them being updated (just the copies on the master are) but it makes no sense that they even reside in the shadow folder.

        Is this normal?

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Network optimization Shadow Database (first time)

          Originally posted by John Graves View Post
          Thanks for the tips everyone.

          I was able to successfully create a 'shadow' db on the workstation using the runtime, and it does seem to be updating the 'master' data on the server for any updates I am performing. However, I find it very strange and confusing that all of the files from the master (.ddd, .ddm, .sem, .set, .alm. .alb, etc) are now residing in the shadow folder, but there are also copies of the .dbf files, which I know store the actual data. I do not see them being updated (just the copies on the master are) but it makes no sense that they even reside in the shadow folder.

          Is this normal?
          Yes it's normal.

          The shadow dbf contains a pointer to the server dbf.

          Look at the shadow dbf with notepad.

          Also notice the size of each dbf.
          Al Buchholz
          Bookwood Systems, LTD
          Weekly QReportBuilder Webinars Thursday 1 pm CST

          Occam's Razor - KISS
          Normalize till it hurts - De-normalize till it works.
          Advice offered and questions asked in the spirit of learning how to fish is better than someone giving you a fish.
          When we triage a problem it is much easier to read sample systems than to read a mind.
          "Make it as simple as possible, but not simpler."
          Albert Einstein

          http://www.iadn.com/images/media/iadn_member.png

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Network optimization Shadow Database (first time)

            Thanks. I should have noticed that. It all makes sense now.

            Love this forum and all the free pertinent advice it provides.

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Network optimization Shadow Database (first time)

              The advantage to network optimizing and using the shadow database is that all the support files are copied to the local machine. When any layout is accessed the definition is retrieved from local storage and not over the network, speeding things up.

              In these days of gigabit networks the speedup is probably not as noticeable as it once was. Performance changes will depend on how fast (and busy) your network is.
              There can be only one.

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Network optimization Shadow Database (first time)

                Once the shadow dbf's are created, can all the other files be copied direct from the server? I noticed that some of my form changes are not being renewed as well as some scripts and functions in the database when updating for a new version.
                Robin

                Discernment is not needed in things that differ, but in those things that appear to be the same. - Miles Sanford

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Network optimization Shadow Database (first time)

                  There should be no difference between Refresh Shadow and manually copying the support files from the server to the client. If you make any changes to tables/sets you need to perform the Network Optimize again. IOW if you add a field and place it on a form, Refresh Shadow should copy down the new version of the form but since your local shadow table doesn't know about the table change you would have a problem.
                  There can be only one.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Network optimization Shadow Database (first time)

                    Originally posted by MoGrace View Post
                    Once the shadow dbf's are created, can all the other files be copied direct from the server? I noticed that some of my form changes are not being renewed as well as some scripts and functions in the database when updating for a new version.
                    Do you refresh the shadow to put the changes in place?

                    You can use the shadow version number to help with that.

                    LOL: Stan is faster again...
                    Al Buchholz
                    Bookwood Systems, LTD
                    Weekly QReportBuilder Webinars Thursday 1 pm CST

                    Occam's Razor - KISS
                    Normalize till it hurts - De-normalize till it works.
                    Advice offered and questions asked in the spirit of learning how to fish is better than someone giving you a fish.
                    When we triage a problem it is much easier to read sample systems than to read a mind.
                    "Make it as simple as possible, but not simpler."
                    Albert Einstein

                    http://www.iadn.com/images/media/iadn_member.png

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Network optimization Shadow Database (first time)

                      Currently I am using the Auto Refresh option. But I am curious if it only updates the dd* & set files that have changed or if it copies them all each time? I have made changes to some scripts in a few forms but do not see those changes present in the runtime after the auto refresh runs with a version change.

                      I saw a note on the script_play() function that you can't run scripts in the runtime and must convert them to functions. Perhaps this is my trouble?
                      Robin

                      Discernment is not needed in things that differ, but in those things that appear to be the same. - Miles Sanford

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Network optimization Shadow Database (first time)

                        Originally posted by MoGrace View Post
                        Currently I am using the Auto Refresh option. But I am curious if it only updates the dd* & set files that have changed or if it copies them all each time? I have made changes to some scripts in a few forms but do not see those changes present in the runtime after the auto refresh runs with a version change.

                        I saw a note on the script_play() function that you can't run scripts in the runtime and must convert them to functions. Perhaps this is my trouble?
                        refresh shadow copies all files necessary, so all scripts, forms, reports, field rules, and all are copied over. Not dbf or indexes.
                        You do not have to worry about scripts in runtime. No conversion to functions needed.
                        Use it all the time here and so do my clients.
                        Dave Mason
                        [email protected]
                        Skype is dave.mason46

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Network optimization Shadow Database (first time)

                          The note about the script_play() function was using it with scripts that are inside an AEX that loads with the load_library() function. Since I attach multiple AEX files to the adb - I don't know whether A5 is using this function to load the other libraries or not. Does anyone know?
                          Robin

                          Discernment is not needed in things that differ, but in those things that appear to be the same. - Miles Sanford

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Network optimization Shadow Database (first time)

                            Originally posted by MoGrace View Post
                            The note about the script_play() function was using it with scripts that are inside an AEX that loads with the load_library() function. Since I attach multiple AEX files to the adb - I don't know whether A5 is using this function to load the other libraries or not. Does anyone know?
                            Have you specified additional files to copy on the refresh page?NetworkOptAdditionalFiles.png
                            Al Buchholz
                            Bookwood Systems, LTD
                            Weekly QReportBuilder Webinars Thursday 1 pm CST

                            Occam's Razor - KISS
                            Normalize till it hurts - De-normalize till it works.
                            Advice offered and questions asked in the spirit of learning how to fish is better than someone giving you a fish.
                            When we triage a problem it is much easier to read sample systems than to read a mind.
                            "Make it as simple as possible, but not simpler."
                            Albert Einstein

                            http://www.iadn.com/images/media/iadn_member.png

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Network optimization Shadow Database (first time)

                              Nice catch Al, I did not pick up the idea she was using aex files.
                              Dave Mason
                              [email protected]
                              Skype is dave.mason46

                              Comment

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