[K12OSN] Client RAM question

[Jim Kronebusch]

I will be eager to hear results with the Opteron systems, something that
could support 80+ users would be incredible.  I can just see the looks
on peoples faces if I could turn the 30-40 computer lab presentations
into 80-100 computer lab presentations.  That cost savings would be
phenominal.

-----Original Message-----
From: k12osn-bounces at redhat.com [mailto:k12osn-bounces at redhat.com] On
Behalf Of Julius Szelagiewicz
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2004 9:27 AM
To: Support list for opensource software in schools.
Subject: RE: [K12OSN] Client RAM question


On Mon, 29 Mar 2004, Jim Kronebusch wrote:
> I have been watching this thread and will just throw in some of my 
> observations from my testing (I don't have a actual lab in use yet so 
> take this with a grain of salt). 1. Largest speed gain is in network 
> speeds 10MB crap, 100MB great, 1GB awesome
> 2. Next best gain is in video for apps like tux math and type, I
haven't
> had time to find the best cards, but video cards make a huge
difference.
> I can have 2 machines with 128MB RAM and with 100MB connections and
tux
> math is perfect on one and unusable on the other, only difference is
> Video Card.
> 3. RAM seems to be optimal at 128MB.  They turn on with 32MB, they
work
> with 64MB, they make me happy with 128MB.
> 4. Processor is not too important, I have used a 180MHZ machine side
by
> side with a 800MHZ machine and as long as other variables like RAM,
> Video, Network are same, so is everything else.  With that said don't
> take this to an extreme and throw in your 66MHZ boat anchors, I am
sure
> anything slower than 180MHZ will start to lag, and keep in mind that
> there is reliability problems with stuff that was around in 1988 :-)
>
> As far as server side goes I have seen plenty of postings here backing

> up 100-128MB per client on the server.  I have also seen plenty of 
> feedback recommending SCSI, I myself prefer a SCSI Raid5 for any 
> server that sees a lot of data access.  I have also seen that Dual 
> processors are a must with over 15 clients but have not seen any 
> feedback about the effects/advantages of quad processor machines.  In 
> the dual 2.XGHZ range with SCSI Raid 5 and 4GB of RAM I have not seen 
> anything backing up the ability to serve any more that 40 concurrent 
> users.  From that point on it sounds like clustering or load balancing

> is the ticket.
>
> But keep in mind, I have no idea what I am talking about :-)

Oh yes, you do, Jim.
	There was not mention of 4 processor systems, because they seem
to be not cost effective when the limiting factor is memory, not
processing power.
	I have very high hopes for an Opteron based system - a dual Xeon
2.4GHz with 4GB runs ok (30% - 50% use) with 34 users, so I think that a
dual Opteron could get me to 80+ happy users with 12 or 16 GB. julius


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