SIMS Performance

[MattGibson]

We have just upgraded from SQL 2005 Express to the Enterprise Edition and i haven't really found much difference with the performance and running of SIMS. We have a sexy HP server with a high spec The Lan is more-less all running on 1000MB with fibre switches.

 

Are there any tweaks i could do to SQL 2005 ? (what are your settings?)

Any SIMS files that could be tweaked?

 

Cheers Guys!

[AngryTechnician]

I wouldn't expect upgrading to Enterprise to yield much extra performance on its own. I think the big performance indicators for a database will be how well the actual database structure is normalised (hint: in SIMS, the answer is 'not very'), the actual size of the DB, whether it has indexes built for the right keys; all things you don't have much control over unless you fancy some completely unsupported tinkering with the DB schema, which would probably give Capita a heart attack if they caught you doing it, and break SIMS horribly if you mess it up.

 

After that, you're looking at the server hardware (which you haven't changed) and possibly the client-side application performance (again, not something you can tweak much).

[teejay]

Check you haven't got any realtime virus scan running on the database. Also, try specifically allocating memory to the SQL server helps. Another one is if you have more than 3Gb of memory you can get SQL to use it if you are on a 32-bit server. At home and can't remember exactly how to do it, but a google search should tell you.

[FragglePete]

Read on some Capita Docs a while back about not Virus Scanning the S: drive; speeds up load times of SIMS a bit.

 

Pete

[D4RREN]

This could be to do with a number of things.

 

sims.net it is quite resource demanding, what is the spec of the server.

 

also check what processes are running, CPU usage or how much sims.net is taking up.

 

You may find if you increase the virtual memory this will increase the performance.

 

hope this is of any help.

 

to stop any processes from starting in task manager just go

Start | run | msconfig.

[matt40k]

32bit your limited to 3GB really, assuming your MSSQL is config'd to use it all. I would look at 64bit. PM if you (or anyone) wants a SQL defrag script for SIMS.

[D4RREN]

If your with Capita though they do not support the 64bit platform PC's

 

So be wary of this, and also could cause problems launching 16it prgrams, I beleive that you would need to install something to get this running.

 

As even in compatibility mode this will not run.

 

 

I presume your server is Windows server 2003???

 

[teejay]

32bit your limited to 3GB really, assuming your MSSQL is config'd to use it all. I would look at 64bit. PM if you (or anyone) wants a SQL defrag script for SIMS.

 

Actually you are not, see Enabling AWE Memory for SQL Server

[teejay]

Actually you are not, see Enabling AWE Memory for SQL Server

. The problem is that up to now SIMS does not support 64-bit OS's, even on the server, but I beleive this is about to change with the November release.

[D4RREN]

As of yet Sims is not tested on 64bit platforms.

 

But I haven't heard of anyone supporting 64bit from november although if you install Installing ADPS on 64-bit server. this will enable you to use 16bit programs

[matt40k]

Capita support x64 SIMS from Aug'08, in Nov they will support x64 FMS. Check the roadmap teejay (resource 13512)

 

32bit is limited to 4GB hardcoded. You can extend it, but lets face it, it's pretty bug filled. Your also limited to how much you can give to 32bit applications. Again, it's the limits of 32bit.

[D4RREN]

Installing ADPS will still allow you to user 16bit programs on Vista and 64bit platforms

[siuko]

I'm going to be very vague with this post - as my memory seems to be useless today....

 

But from what I can remember the biggest performance increase that would probably help is that SQL Express 2005 has something like a maximum of 8 user connections. Whereas the Enterprise edition should allow you to set the number of connections you require.

 

If your old SQL Express 2005 was hitting its connection limit it would queue the requests and cause slow down.

 

So vague answer might be to check how to configure for more connections....

 

Or it might be nothing to do with that....

[DMcCoy]

sql express 2005 is only limited one cpu and 1GB RAM and 4GB DB, it doesn't have any other restrictions.

[siuko]

Doh!

 

You are correct.... my memory is very bad!

 

Microsoft SQL Server 2005: Compare Features

[matt40k]

sql express 2005 is only limited one cpu and 1GB RAM and 4GB DB, it doesn't have any other restrictions.

 

It does

As siuko said: Microsoft SQL Server 2005: Compare Features

 

I remember reading somewhere that SQL 2005 Express can't be backed up outside of mssql\backup... am I thinking of 2000 or am I talking

 

EDIT:

 

Can backup anywhere with Express.

Edited November 5, 2008 by matt40k

[MattGibson]

Cheers guys for your help, I'm going to work through and see if any of this helps.

 

One last question do you recommend i switch on AWE to allocate memory?

 

We have 4GB physical memory.

[teejay]

Yes, do this. We've had this running on this for about 18 months with no problem.

[MattGibson]

I'm Back !

 

I have noticed when a teacher loads up SIMS to take a register it can take a while to launch due to the white box that checks for updates - It stays on the screen could even be up to 5mins - 20mins! saying "Checking Digital Signature" then it evntually loads up.

 

Does any of you guys have this problem?

 

Remember the laptop is running over the wireless,

XP SP2,

RM CC3

 

Installed using latest version of SIMS via the RM Management Console.

 

Thanks Guys,

[PhilNeal]

This isn't correct behaviour so something is wrong with your set-up. A check for the lastest version of SIMS will take a fraction of a second when the config is right. It could be the anti-virus software that needs changing. As mentioned before you will find a paper in "Sticky Items" on SupportNet that takes you through the possible causes.

 

If you don't get anywhere then please contact your support provider.

[User3204]

I have noticed when a teacher loads up SIMS to take a register it can take a while to launch due to the white box that checks for updates - It stays on the screen could even be up to 5mins - 20mins! saying "Checking Digital Signature" then it evntually loads up.

 

It's definitely broken in some way. We have all staff accessing from wireless laptops, and except when there's an upgrade its seconds flashing that screen.

 

Is it just one machine, or all of them ?

 

We've seen similar to this, slow loading, but it was due to a change from one server to another, and the SIMS.INI (in c:\windows) was pointing towards \\oldserver\share\sims\setups not \\newserver\share\sims\setups, when it should really have been pointing to s:\sims\setups.

[FragglePete]

Does SIMS load eventually? Saw this behaviour following the September update, as the PC was trying to update SIMS but couldn't due to lack of Admin rights on the PC.

 

Running SIMSPERM or logging in as an admin to update SIMS solved it.

 

Just an idea

 

Pete

[EduTech]

Useful posts thanks guys.. something to keep in mind incase we have this issue.

 

We running sims on VM now.. works a treat!