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Ongoing severe network share performance issues - Server 2008 R2

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    #16
    Re: Ongoing severe network share performance issues - Server 2008 R2

    Chris,
    If you can set the database(server part) up on a windows(any) machine? Make sure it has an unfettered connection, fully shared. from a workstation with runtime, connect to the data and see how fast it is. With 7 users, I personally would use runtime and shadowed on any more than 3 users.

    If this runs fine, you can further test with more work stations. If tests are positive, then you know it is a server issue or similar and not to do with the application itself.
    Dave Mason
    [email protected]
    Skype is dave.mason46

    Comment


      #17
      Re: Ongoing severe network share performance issues - Server 2008 R2

      Chris, I installed a new NAS for a customer over the weekend and moved the master DB to it from one of his workstations (he has no server) which was previously acting as the Alpha server.

      On first test the system was running like a dog with 3 legs e.g. 40 seconds to open a form, 20 seconds to perform a search. On delving into the NAS configuration I discovered that opportunistic locking was disabled. Once enabled I found everything sprang into life.

      Comment


        #18
        Re: Ongoing severe network share performance issues - Server 2008 R2

        Thanks for all your comments, I plan to attend site tomorrow to do some troubleshooting with all of your tips.

        WokingJon - the only information I found was to disable opp locks, as with Server 2008 R2 running SMB2 it is enabled by default. I did try running with SMB1 and disabling oplocks to no avail.

        I have found the majority of the clients do not have shadow copy enabled and their network does have a couple of hidden hubs behind desks which could be contributing to the issue...

        Comment


          #19
          Re: Ongoing severe network share performance issues - Server 2008 R2

          Ok, I set some time aside this evening;

          1. Re-ran through this article for SMB and Oplocks; http://www.dataaccess.com/whitepaper...adcaching.html
          - I noticed no improvement so backed out

          2. TEMP SERVER - Created a local copy of the Alpha data on a workstation, instant snappy response, shared this folder and pointed another workstation runtime to it, same sluggish performance as it is when running from the server
          - Rules out any network issues

          3. Only had 2 workstations on the network
          - Ruled out network saturation and too many concurrent users slowing it down

          4. Checked share permissions on the Alpha folder
          - Domain Users have full access

          5. I didn't try installing the runtime to a folder other than program files - unsure what difference I would see here

          6. Firewall / AV and online backups disabled


          Helllpppppp :) :)

          Some of the forms have over 70 thousand records, could some archiving be done? could there be any coding issues?

          As it worked fine on Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP and the only difference is files shares - I was really hoping it would be SMB versions or oplocks. But nope.

          Are there any upgrade paths for this? V12? Alpha Anywhere? As I said I am new to Alpha, however I love the idea of having a web front end for this, it feels dated to me as it is. I would love some advice or guidance. Is an upgrade path to a web app an easy experience? costly? Anyone want to do it for me? :) That would almost certainly rule out any performance issues and to be honest I want to upgrade their app server to 2012 and continue with a Windows 8 desktop roll out.

          Many thanks everyone

          Comment


            #20
            Re: Ongoing severe network share performance issues - Server 2008 R2

            How about adding Win2003 to the VM and running Alpha in Terminal Services. I do this with MS Access and get 40 concurrent users.

            Comment


              #21
              Re: Ongoing severe network share performance issues - Server 2008 R2

              I did think of that, as it runs fine locally on my 2008 server I could just install TS role and get going.. however that would just be a workaround :(

              Comment


                #22
                Re: Ongoing severe network share performance issues - Server 2008 R2

                On 2008 you can publish as app only, no need for full desktop. I used it a lot with customers that have old PC's. One install only! Network traffic drop to next to nothing. But then you have the license's to deal with.

                Comment


                  #23
                  Re: Ongoing severe network share performance issues - Server 2008 R2

                  The only frustrating part here is the Alpha database has links to send emails and open sage located on their local computers.. grrrr

                  Comment


                    #24
                    Re: Ongoing severe network share performance issues - Server 2008 R2

                    I was following this thread, but I was confused your first input, which I didn't understand.
                    2012 R2 Hyper-V host running virtual Windows Server 2012 R2 Domain Controller with a Windows Server 2008 R2 application server to host Alpha Five.
                    Why do you use Windows Server 2008 as an application Server?

                    OK, I am not a server administrator in our office, but last month I installed an Windows Storage Server 2012 here, because our Linux servers are to slow.

                    When I tested the Window-Server I had some issues which I discovered by two tools, which were helpful. I have just copy the application files to the Windows-Server nothing else, no Alpha Software.

                    1. Look at the Computer Management, Windows Logs, Application. This Information could be very helpful. my last issue is an vss error, which is very hard to discover.
                    2. Look at Microsoft Network Monitor which is free and analysis any network traffic from the client to server in detail. We discovered the reason, why Linux is behind Windows.

                    I guessing your problem is an access violation, but I have no idea why.

                    Cornelius

                    Comment


                      #25
                      Re: Ongoing severe network share performance issues - Server 2008 R2

                      Chris,
                      Running external Apps are a problem. With TS it's almost an 'all in' proposition with full desktop rather than single app publication. Citrix does this but it's out of my budget.
                      What is the Alpha app doing?

                      Comment


                        #26
                        Re: Ongoing severe network share performance issues - Server 2008 R2

                        Chris. Time to go back to basics. If you have 2 workstations attached, your server config is over the top.
                        Build yourself a simple config, with one of the workstations as a server, then add RT to BOTH. See how that affects performance.
                        See our Hybrid Option here;
                        https://hybridapps.example-software.com/


                        Apologies to anyone I haven't managed to upset yet.
                        You are held in a queue and I will get to you soon.

                        Comment


                          #27
                          Re: Ongoing severe network share performance issues - Server 2008 R2

                          Thanks for everyone's help.

                          So far I have re-configured every client with Alpha and setup a new shadow copy using Network Optimisation. Also given each client a clean up. We recently rebooted a couple of old switches/hubs and have not had a problem since, we are going to get these replaced. Currently running a trial or PRTG Network Monitor to see if anything else suspicious is going on. Been ok since switch reboots.

                          Have also deployed Alpha via Server 2008 RDS RemoteApp for trial. Very fast but some users will have limited functionality when it calls for a local install of Outlook to send an email I think.

                          Comment


                            #28
                            Re: Ongoing severe network share performance issues - Server 2008 R2

                            That similar to our experience. Our office and workshop are in some rooms with separated power connections.

                            In the past our switches stop working time to time and we hat to reboot them. Therefor our electrician installed an equipotential cable between to power connections. (translate from Google, sorry). In my words, that is a ground line cable. We were able to measure some high voltage at shielding of the network cable. Sometimes, when we unplugged a network cable, some sparks were noticed.

                            Since this installation we have no trouble with our switches. The voltage measure is very low

                            Comment


                              #29
                              Re: Ongoing severe network share performance issues - Server 2008 R2

                              Chris I know this maybe a reach but it sounds like a network issue period. Change the nic cable on the server 1st use a new one. It could be a switch problem as well as they can be intermittent issue. I would setup with new cable and one workstation with a test switch and try. Plus I do not know what network overhead the the dbf files need over the network but maybe there is some issue there with server 2012. I would be willing to bet if this was MSSQL there would be no problem. I am heading on a major network towards Citrix setups and have legacy programs needing to run I hope this will not be an issue for me on that install.
                              Nicholas Wieland
                              LedgerSuite.com Corp
                              [email protected]
                              http://www.ledgersuite.com

                              Comment


                                #30
                                Re: Ongoing severe network share performance issues - Server 2008 R2

                                Nicholas,

                                dbf files over a network have been working fine for longer than mssql or current servers have been out. Alpha with shadowing took a lot of screen work off the server and thus off the network, so basically it is data being transferred to the workstations and back.

                                Now we have nice cat5/cat6 cables and hubs/switches. I rand dbf and access tables over stranded wire that ran from pc to pc to pc from a server which may also be a pc. They performed very quickly.

                                Most apps I worked with were clipper and VB based apps at the time.
                                Dave Mason
                                [email protected]
                                Skype is dave.mason46

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