[RE: NT platform performance vs. UNIX & Mac]

[Ernest Perez]

Back on 8/5, I asked the list for comment about NT performance as a Web server, 
with specific focus on using it to host an INMAGIC database.

I got several requests to post a summary.  Not much response, but here 'tis.

Cheers,
-ernest

Ernest Perez, Ph.D.//Oregon State Library//perez at opac.state.or.us
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It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
     - Tom Robbins
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Ernest Perez wrote:
> 
> We are considering converting a periodicals index database from a 3
> yr.-old installation of BRS running on a 486 (33mhz) under Unix, over to
> an NT machine running INMAGIC's new Webbed version.  BRS has performed
> surprisingly well on the 486 (fast at the time), but we have a
> concurrent user license limit, and BRS/Unix is a bit opaque for
> flexibility in maintenance.
> 
> We don't have any personal experience with NT or its performance
> capability/track record.  Could Web4Lib subscribers comment upon:
> 
>   * Ideas about "multi-user capacity" of a Web server and INMAGIC on an
> NT-class machine?  I know it's a stateless connection, but what kind of
> user load 'fore performance bogs down?
>   (BTW, please, no polemics about the merits of various OSs.)
> 
>   * Learning curve and any obstacles for NT op sys?
> 
>   * Can NT work effectively on a decently fast 486, like a -66 or -100?
> Or should you really use a Pentium?
> 
>   * What to use for scripting CGIs on an NT machine?  I noted recent msg
> by Mark Ellis about using a port of PERL or Visual Basic. Any other
> candidates?
> 
> Thanks, in advance,
> 
> -ernest-----------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: RE: NT platform performance vs. UNIX & Mac 
  Date: Mon, 5 Aug 1996 13:30:12 -0400 (EDT) 
  From: John Rutherford CCSU Library 203-832-2082 
<RUTHERFORD at CCSUA.CTSTATEU.EDU>

I don't have any firsthand information on the performance of an NT
webserver vs. a unix web server. Most likely the Unix server will be
faster than the NT server, though that may not be apparent to the
user, and may not be a valid consideration in choosing a platform. I  would
say that you would be much better off with a Pentium class machine with
32MB ram minimum for NT 3.51, while a 486 could run a web server
acceptable under most versions of unix.

If you are interested in scripting languages and other tools for NT
web servers, you may want to pick up copies of Byte magazine for the
last 6 months or so. They have been running good articles documenting
many of their efforts writing cgi programs and dynamic web documents
using their NT and Unix platforms. They mention a number of software
packages (including PERL) that have been useful to them.

John Rutherford
Conn State Univ.

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    Subject: Re: NT platform performance vs. UNIX & Mac 
       Date: Mon, 5 Aug 1996 17:49:19 -0800 
       From: "Mark Ellis" <mark.ellis>
   Reply-To: mark.ellis at rpl.richmond.bc.ca
Organization: Richmond Public Library 
Ernest,

An NT based web server will run quite happily on a 486. However, if
your going to be running INMAGIC on the same machine you should
probably get a Pentium.  Use a minimum of 32MB of RAM.

Even a 486 could probably handle 20 to 30 people browsing
simultaneously, or 10 users beating on it. I would guess you wouldn't
want any more than 5 people trying to search the database
simultaneously though--assuming they're actually looking at their
results and not just trying to keep it busy.

If you've been using Unix, NT will seem really easy; but you might
miss Unix's command line facilities.  If you've been using Macs, NT's
user interface might make you a little grumpy at first, but you'll
appreciate it's pre-emptive multi-tasking and crash protection.

As for CGI alternatives to perl and VB, there's C/C++, TCL and DOS
batch files (yech!)