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Here's what you
need to serve Clients & Profits For
Clients & Profits Classic X, Clients & Profits Pro X, and Job
Tracker X, you need a stand-alone file server to store your Clients & Profits
database. Since the file server isn't processing data, the server's
only function is to send data to users and save their work. So
there's no real need to buy the fastest, most expensive server
you can find. Instead, a reasonably-priced, moderately-powered
Mac or PC should handle the needs of your Clients & Profits
users well.
Since Clients & Profits X: Enterprise Edition is a client/server system, it uses the file server to process the data as well as store it. Therefore, the file server needs to be much faster, have more RAM, and have a larger hard disk. With Clients & Profits X: Enterprise Edition, a more robust server can handle a greater number of concurrent users. And due to the higher work loads, the system would benefit from fault-tolerant options like hot-swappable drives, power supplies, and other components. You can expect to spend $3,000-$6,000 on a file server for Clients & Profits X: Enterprise Edition.
For the optional My Clients & Profits! X server, all you
need is an older Mac or PC with enough RAM to run Clients & Profits and a
full-time LAN connection to the file server. Since My
Clients & Profits! X doesn't typically handle large volumes of work, it sits
idle much of the day. That's why a used, hand-me-down Mac or PC would be a
good choice for these systems.
Mac
OS X Server or Windows Server 2003? In general
terms, both file servers are about the same in terms of speed
and reliability. In the past, OS X Server was not cross-platform compatible, but as of OS X Server 10.4.4, that issue was resolved. System managers can now choose whichever server they are more comfortable administering.
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The tables below feature typical configurations for running Clients & Profits Classic X, Clients & Profits Pro X, Job Tracker X, Clients & Profits X: Enterprise Edition, and the My Clients & Profits! X web server:
|
C&P
Classic X/C&P Pro X/Job Tracker X |
|
|
|
Specifications: |
|
|
|
Computer
model (minimum) |
PowerMac G4/Intel iMac
|
Pentium 4/Pentium D
|
|
Processor
speed (minimum) |
1GHz
|
2.5GHz
|
|
RAM
(minimum) |
1GB
|
1GB |
|
Operating
system
|
Mac OS Server 10.4.4+ (for cross-platform access)
|
Windows
2000 Server/
Windows Server 2003 |
|
Free
hard disk space
|
2GB |
2GB |
|
Ethernet
network (minimum) |
100 |
100 |
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Performance
notes: It is highly recommended use a server dedicated
for Clients & Profits X. The Clients & Profits Database
Guide has detailed technical
information for managing and troubleshooting databases.
The Installation
Guide has step-by-step
instructions for configuring your server for Clients
& Profits X.
|
|
C&P
Pro X/Job Tracker (MySQL) |
|
|
|
Specifications: |
|
|
|
Computer
model (minimum) |
PowerMac G4/Intel iMac*
|
Pentium 4/Pentium D
|
|
Processor
speed (minimum) |
1GHz |
2.5GHz |
|
RAM
(minimum) |
1GB
|
1GB |
|
Operating
system
|
Mac OS Server 10.4+
|
Windows
2000 Server/
Windows Server 2003 |
|
Free
hard disk space
|
2GB |
2GB |
|
Ethernet
network (minimum) |
100 |
100 |
|
MySQL note: MySQL Community Server 5.0 can be used to host a C&P database.MySQL Enterprise is not necessary. The Installation
Guide has step-by-step instructions for configuring MySQL
for Clients & Profits X.
|
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Clients & Profits X: Enterprise Edition X |
|
|
Specifications: |
SQL Server 2005*
|
|
Computer
model (minimum)
|
Pentium 4
|
|
Processor
speed (minimum) |
1GHz
|
|
RAM
(minimum) |
1GB
|
|
Operating
system (minimum) |
Windows 2000 Server/
Windows Server 2003 |
|
Free
hard disk space
|
2GB |
|
Ethernet
network (minimum) |
100 |
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Performance notes: Since Clients & Profits X: Enterprise Edition X utilizes Microsoft SQL Server 2005, that database system will dictate how your server should be configured. It may require faster processors, more RAM, and more storage to support more concurrent users. The specifications listed above should adequate handle the work load from a typical 25-user Clients & Profits X: Enterprise Edition system. An experienced DBA should determined the appropriate hardware/software configuration based on your shop's realistic needs and expectations. Check the Microsoft
SQL Server web site for
specific hardware requirements.
* Mac OS
X users can only access SQL Server 2005 using the Actual
Technologies ODBC driver (not included; available for $29.95
per user from www.actualtechnologies.com). The Installation
Guide has step-by-step instructions for configuring
MySQL for Clients & Profits X.
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My
Clients & Profits! X web server |
|
|
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Specifications: |
|
|
|
Computer
model
|
iMac/Mac Mini/MacBook
|
Celerdon D/Pentium 4/Pentium D
|
|
Processor
speed (minimum) |
1GHz
|
2.5GHz
|
|
RAM (minimum)
|
1GB
|
1GB |
|
Operating
system
|
OS X 10.3
OS X 10.4
|
Windows XP/2000 |
|
Free
hard disk space
|
120mb |
120mb |
|
Ethernet
network (minimum) |
100 |
100 |
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Performance notes: My Clients & Profits! X is a self-contained
web server, so no special hardware or system software is required.
It does not need server software (e.g. OS X Server, Windows Server 2003). Since My C&P! X isn't multi-threaded (i.e.,
it handles only one user request at a time), the web server
computer does not need to be especially fast; however, a faster
computer will handle more remote users that need access to
the C&P database at the same time. The My C&P! X web server
stores no data locally; that's why it requires a full-time
connection to the Clients & Profits file server. The web server
also needs a fixed IP address. My Clients & Profits! X can be
available 24 hours a day except during the nightly backup,
when it will shut itself down with Clients & Profits automatically.
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These general recommendations are
only suggestions. Your performance will vary based
on number of concurrent users, the availability and speed
of your network, the file server's work load, and the capabilities
and limits of your computer hardware. Hardware configurations
should be researched and evaluated by an experienced computer
professional, who should make buying decisions on your
particular needs, environment, and resources. Clients & Profits,
Inc. can not be responsible for how well Clients & Profits
performs in your environment. |
Special notes:
 For
better performance, use TCP/IP instead of AppleTalk, IPX, or other
network protocols.
UNIX/Linux-based
file servers and network-attached storage (NAS) devices, such as Snap
servers, are not recommended for hosting your database.
Fast
Ethernet (i.e., 100baseT) is recommended for improved throughput over
the older 10BaseT and is preferable to wireless connections as well.
Clients & Profits should not be accessed using Personal File Sharing,
since it can't handle the volume for more than a few concurrent users. It
is also particularly vulnerable to system problems that cause data
corruption.
Be sure to incorporate a backup solution which allows for restoration of any copy within two weeks and take copies offsite periodically.
Remote access via Citrix or Windows Terminal Services is not supported. |
