Re: Would a 2nd processor really be a waste of time???? help

From: Lee and Nadine (lee.nadine_at_xtra.co.nz)
Date: 07/17/03

  • Next message: Lee and Nadine: "Re: Would a 2nd processor really be a waste of time???? help" 
    Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2003 16:52:42 +1200

    Thanks a lot for the comments Bill, has brought a few things to light.

    Appreciated.

    Lee

    "Bill Vermillion" <bv@wjv.comREMOVE> wrote in message
    news:HI5C7B.5FA@wjv.com...
    > In article <Ic5Ra.81020$JA5.1643994@news.xtra.co.nz>,
    > Lee and Nadine <lee.nadine@xtra.co.nz> wrote:
    >
    > >We are looking at different aspects on what to do about our
    > >older unix sco 5.5 server that tends to run slow at times
    > >(333mhz with 196 meg ram). using cpqmon it shows the CPU "2 sec
    > >avg" the "10 sec avg" and the "20 sec avg" as maxxed out when
    > >things run slow.
    >
    > Put 'maxed out' into real numbers.
    >
    > >One idea was to buy another processor and more ram, however this
    > >is what one supplier has told us - see below. I have no idea if
    > >what he is saying is correct of if hes trying to drum up more
    > >sales. Some ideas on what he wrote would be greatly appreciated.
    >
    > >As quickly discussed on the phone today the server is dual processor
    > >capable.
    >
    > >Your server has only 1 processor.
    >
    > >Memory is not an issue unless the system is swapping , if this
    > >was the case on your system you would not be able to login.
    >
    > That's not true. You can still log in on a system that is swapping
    > - but the login may be slow. Only when you get to the point of
    > massive thrashing do you lose any ability to log in.
    >
    > >Your system is not swapping and so is not the cause of the slow system.
    >
    > Did he check the system when it was running the slowest?
    >
    > >The server is only 333 MHz, what would a 5 year old 333 MHz PC
    > >with 75 users logged in run like?
    >
    > Well I've had systems like that with 120 users logged in - but it
    > was only 300MHz - and it ran pretty well. It had a fast disk
    > system.
    >
    > One thing I don't see mentioned is disk performance.
    >
    > Output of sar with about 10 results from about 15 second intervals
    > when the system is slow would surely help. Don't run intervals
    > less than 10 seconds or sar itself will likely impact the results.
    >
    > >The Unix system takes full advantage of Symmetric Multi
    > >Processing when the SMP license is installed.
    >
    > But your programs nay not.
    >
    > >The only advantage of this would be seen when the system as
    > >it stands gets processor bound and slows down , with dual
    > >processors the load is shared and this processor bound state
    > >takes a little longer to occur .
    >
    > >A second processor does not speed up a server but shares load at
    > >current processor speed. i.e. 333Mhz
    >
    > >It should be noted that even with a second processor the system
    > >may become processor bound very quickly.
    >
    > Was anything done to determine if the machine was processor bound.
    > That was not stated.
    >
    > >Estimated Pricing:
    >
    > >SCO Unix SMP License
    > >$2,900
    >
    > >Second 333 MHz Processor [ subject to availability]
    > >$1,000
    >
    > >Installation approximately 2 days labour [ out of hours rate ]
    > >$ 2,400
    >
    > >Plus travel and accommodation
    >
    > It's been quite typical that upgrades to older systems don't bring
    > the perfomance of a newer system.
    >
    > >As discussed this is not a very good idea due to the small
    > >possible advantage it may bring during peek usage and cost
    > >benefit. Even after installation you may find that there has
    > >been no improvement in performance .
    >
    > >Again as mentioned on the phone we need to get the new server
    > >installed as soon as possible so users can benefit from superior
    > >technology enhancements of the past 5 years.
    >
    > You need to do some more testing to find out exactly where the
    > problem lies. You didn't mention the program you used - some
    > database designs should be taken out and destroyed.
    >
    > Your question is sort of like asking 'how big a truck do I need to
    > move from xx to yy?' - without saying what you have to move.
    >
    >
    >
    > --
    > Bill Vermillion - bv @ wjv . com

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