Scalability and availability

J

Jørgen

Hi,

Currently we're looking at the growth potential for
Project Server (2003). We're estimating that there will be
500-1000 users whereas ca. 10% will be demanding users
(project managers, PMO, Executives).

Currently we're having two dell poweredge 2600 boxes (dual
2.2 ghzm 2 GB memory, RAID 5 disks etc.) where one is
acting as the SQL server and the other box is doing the
rest (incl. Sharepoint).

I've been reading the Configuration planning guide but it
seems to be in an unfinished state as there are little
actual performance numbers for the configuration scenarios
mentioned.

I have a feeling that this environment will not be up for
the challenge of running 1000 users and I'm afraid that
the initial hardware and software configuration might not
scale properly.

I was wondering if there was someone out there that might
give some input on how the hardware should be initally
configured. As in should we get another two boxes for
redundancy and load balancing? Should we get a box for
running the View Service? Should we get a box for running
Sharepoint?

I know the requirements are woolly but an estimation and
some hints would be highly appreciated.

Cheers,

Jørgen
 
B

Brian K - Project MVP

Jørgen said:
Hi,

Currently we're looking at the growth potential for
Project Server (2003). We're estimating that there will be
500-1000 users whereas ca. 10% will be demanding users
(project managers, PMO, Executives).

Currently we're having two dell poweredge 2600 boxes (dual
2.2 ghzm 2 GB memory, RAID 5 disks etc.) where one is
acting as the SQL server and the other box is doing the
rest (incl. Sharepoint).

I've been reading the Configuration planning guide but it
seems to be in an unfinished state as there are little
actual performance numbers for the configuration scenarios
mentioned.

I have a feeling that this environment will not be up for
the challenge of running 1000 users and I'm afraid that
the initial hardware and software configuration might not
scale properly.

I was wondering if there was someone out there that might
give some input on how the hardware should be initally
configured. As in should we get another two boxes for
redundancy and load balancing? Should we get a box for
running the View Service? Should we get a box for running
Sharepoint?

I know the requirements are woolly but an estimation and
some hints would be highly appreciated.

Cheers,

Jørgen
Click to expand...

As you start to get toward the 1000 end I would add another box and put
it in a load balancing situation with the existing Project Server/WSS
box. I would also offload the Views Processing and Session manager to
another server. This would be similar in nature to Profile 5 but
without the split database. If you start to see that SQL is the choke
point in a system performance problem then you might think about
splitting the databases.
 
G

Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]

Jørgen:

The two-box scenario should support up to 1000 users, however the most
important thing you can do is make sure that you have as big and
unobstructed a pipe between the Project Server box and the SQL box as
possible. If you can isolate a network segment between them, do it. If you
can run gigabit between these two with dual NICs set to full-duplex and
teamed, do it. Your next best strategy is to offload the Views Notification
Service. Put this on a single processor box as it's not multiprocessor
aware. You're better off deploying with the Views Notification Service
offloaded, than trying to do it down the road.




Hi,

Currently we're looking at the growth potential for
Project Server (2003). We're estimating that there will be
500-1000 users whereas ca. 10% will be demanding users
(project managers, PMO, Executives).

Currently we're having two dell poweredge 2600 boxes (dual
2.2 ghzm 2 GB memory, RAID 5 disks etc.) where one is
acting as the SQL server and the other box is doing the
rest (incl. Sharepoint).

I've been reading the Configuration planning guide but it
seems to be in an unfinished state as there are little
actual performance numbers for the configuration scenarios
mentioned.

I have a feeling that this environment will not be up for
the challenge of running 1000 users and I'm afraid that
the initial hardware and software configuration might not
scale properly.

I was wondering if there was someone out there that might
give some input on how the hardware should be initally
configured. As in should we get another two boxes for
redundancy and load balancing? Should we get a box for
running the View Service? Should we get a box for running
Sharepoint?

I know the requirements are woolly but an estimation and
some hints would be highly appreciated.

Cheers,

Jørgen
 
B

Brian K - Project MVP

Gary said:
Jxrgen:

The two-box scenario should support up to 1000 users, however the most
important thing you can do is make sure that you have as big and
unobstructed a pipe between the Project Server box and the SQL box as
possible. If you can isolate a network segment between them, do it.
If you can run gigabit between these two with dual NICs set to
full-duplex and teamed, do it. Your next best strategy is to offload
the Views Notification Service. Put this on a single processor box as
it's not multiprocessor aware. You're better off deploying with the
Views Notification Service offloaded, than trying to do it down the
road.
Click to expand...

For sure if you have the money to do it now then I would offload up
front. I was thinking of budgeting, etc for if they only have enough
for the inital 2 box now and wanted to upgrade later. :)
 
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