[WEB4LIB] Single/dual processor servers and ILLiad

[Samuel Mcdonald]

thoughts big box v. multi-boxes:
- once a big box always a big box?

- I generally think that mission critical services should be separated
  so when hardware or software voodoo pops up it doesn't ALL go down
  (risk managment!)

- depending upon your budgets, it might be easier to alternately
upgrade/replace one machine at a time (cheaper..only one discrete set of
problems at a time); also it becomes easier to retire a machine for a
backup or for a development server.   Then when Win2005(I made it up) 
comes along you can use an older machine to test compatibilites etc.

- and depending on how you hook them up to the backbone, you may have
better bandwidth as the different apps don't trip over each other in
memory management etc. and aren't trying to shove everything thru the same
pipe (delivering PDF's can be especially annoying with the multirequest
thing going on).

- I have to ask, do you have your OPAC on yet a third machine?

-Sam

On
Mon, 23 Oct 2000, Dan Lester wrote:

> I need to do some picking of the fruits of wisdom found hereabouts.
> Here's the scoop.
> 
> We're about to purchase the ILLiad system for ILL management, ILL
> requests, and document delivery.  (We're doing all three now with
> three other systems, and none are integrated. We lack the time or
> inclination to reinvent the wheel now that ILLiad is affordable)
> 
> We're also about to purchase a new webserver for the library.  If I
> were to buy two servers, they'd each run Win2K server, be on the order
> of 600mhz P3s with 256-512mb of ram and plenty of disk.  They'll run
> IIS5 for server (still really like WebSite, but....things change).
> Library server will also have a bunch of ColdFusion on it for local
> databases, etc.
> 
> However, I'm also considering buying one big box and running all of it
> on a dual processor server.  Would save some money, be one less box to
> manage, and "feels better".  However, I'm interested in the gotchas
> that I'm not thinking of.
> 
> NOTE:  Please don't bother me with why I should use **ix or any
> similar, why I should use PHP, Apache, etc.  Those aren't open for debate
> in the real world I'm operating in.
> 
> Feel free to reply privately if you wish, though I'd personally rather
> see the dialogue in public.
> 
> thanks
> 
> dan
> 
> 
> -- 
> Dan Lester, Data Wrangler  dan at RiverOfData.com
> 3577 East Pecan, Boise, Idaho  83716-7115 USA
> www.riverofdata.com  www.postcard.org  www.gailndan.com 
> 
> 
> 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Samuel J. McDonald                                smcdon at rci.rutgers.edu
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