Very slow fp

[Nancy Palmquist]

Rick Hane wrote:
> 
> On our network (win2000 pro) we currently use filepro 4.05.  The filepro
> directory resides on one of the servers on the D: drive in a shared folder
> called filepro.  Yes there is a folder d:\filepro\filepro. The workstations
> have their own fp directory witha mapped drive to the D:\filepro on the
> server.  All works great and has for years.
> 
> Problem, I needed to set up so I could run fp directly on the server at
> times.  So I created the following batch file....
> set PFNET=ON
> set PFSYNC=ON
> set PFDSK=D
> set PFPROG=D:
> set PFDATA=D:
> set PFDIR=/filepro
> set PFCMARK=80
> set PFRETRY=20
> p dbs
> cd\
> cls
> 
> Although this works it is gawd awful slow.  Any thoughts as to what is
> wrong.
> 
> BTW, yes we have fp network version 5.0.13 and have just purchased fpODBC
> but have not had time to install the 5.0.13 yet.
> 

Get out your stop watch and time like this:

>From when you hit batch file and the menu is displayed:

Select Inquire Update on the filePro main menu and when the file
selection list is displayed:

Select one file, how long till screen list is displayed:

Select screen and how long till Record Selection Menu:

Select any record and from the ENTER SELECTION how long till the cursor
appears to enter data.

Press ESC, how long till the cursor is back at ENTER SELECTION:

put in Add Mode and add a record and time from ESC to the cursor on the
next record.

Different things are happening at each step.  

>From P to Menu it is loading runmenu.  
>From menu choice to filename list for clerk it is loading dclerk.  
>From filename to Record Selection menu it is loading screens,processes
and all the file related stuff.

The Add records time would be influenced by the PFSYNC=ON setting.

Make sure that you have not loaded so much stuff into your clients that
the speed is caused by swapping the memory to the hard drive something
you always want to avoid if possible.

On my Windows Network systems, we have discontinued the practice of
installing the runtimes on the client.  The speed is totally acceptable
with all the \fp stuff installed on the server.  The biggest improvement
in speed would be looking at your network speed and upgrading to the
latest and fastest switches, cards and cables.
This is a cheap upgrade and can make a big difference.  Hard drive speed
is next but if you are using a WIndow 2000 server I would guess this is
a newer system and would be within current standards.

I would still notice an issue with heavy processing or large reports
that are run from a client would be significantly slower than if they
are run from a server but this only applies to a peer to peer setup and
not a true Client-Server.

Now I hope this helps.  

Nancy

-- 
Nancy Palmquist 
Virtual Software Systems
PHONE: (412) 835-9417			Web site:  http://www.vss3.com