Multi User - Database In The 'Cloud'

[BelmoreBoy]

Hi

we run sellerdeck 2013 with 4 extra users, biggest frustration we have is speed for users logged into the 'main' pc's database during busy periods with all users inputting orders and editing catalog etc.


what i was wondering is has anybody ever attempted to sit the sites folder somewhere other than the host pc? either on an external drive attached to the network or access it via a cloud based sharing service such a google drive?

Be interested to hear if this is possible and if it would it make navigating the the database any more effective

Thanks

[chris ashdown]

Are you using a stand alone server at present? we have run 7 operators on V11 without much problem. but only use one operator to have admin rights to modify the site

I have considered putting a solid disk in the server to speed things along just for actinic and may go that route next time I upgrade

[completerookie]

I've already moved to an SSD
it made a big difference to my actinic installation

[fergusw]

I've already moved to an SSD
it made a big difference to my actinic installation

I couldn't agree more. I've converted most of our teams machines over to SSD and it's given all our machines a completely new lease of life, particularly for disk IO intensive programs like SellerDeck......

[NormanRouxel]

Me too re SSD's. I've had them in both of my development systems and a laptop for about 2 years year now and the big increase in speed is well worth the additional cost. No significant wearout in that time.

The Cloud may be a great buzzword but it's not the place to keep a heavily used multi-megabyte database and a swarm of ancillary files. Especially if the processing of that data takes place on a desktop.

[fergusw]

The Cloud may be a great buzzword

Reminded me of a very apt saying: "I can hear the Bees, but I'm not seeing any honey!"

Re: Hosting in the "cloud" - short answer would be no.

Re: Hosting on a network device - not tried this myself, however with suitable NAS configuration and network performance it may possible.

My recommendation would be to stick a SSD into the server (and on slave machines too if you can!) and make sure all devices networking to the server are wired* on a fast, efficiently configured network.

[Mike Hughes]

I'd agree withe above too. 'Cloud' storage is for accessibility and safety. Not for speed.

SSDs make a huge difference to the general responsiveness of PCs. As does lots of memory. If Sellerdeck ever appears slow then my priorities would be:

1. make sure you aren't loading external scripts / images/ trackers / etc in preview mode.

2. Add more DRAM (use 4GB minimum - Only costs about £25).

3. Switch to an SSD.

Mike

[BelmoreBoy]

SSD drive next on my list
running quad core with 16 gb of ram on the main database pc hoping we should see some better load up time on 'user' pcs - these are also quad core with 8gb ram.

Any suggestions for brand and spec of ssd? seems to be some good priced samsung and ocz drives around.

Hope this makes sellerdeck better to use in multi user environment - if not i hear (a different ecommerce platform) calling me!

[fergusw]

I try and buy an SSD that comes with data transfer cable kit - it makes ghosting your current drive over to new drive a snap! Then you just swap out the drives and carry on as normal.
My usual preference is to find a supplier selling them using SellerDeck!

[BelmoreBoy]

Hi fergus

are you running ssd alongside standard hard drive?
eg sellerdeck with sites folders and windows on ssd as boot disk
and standard drive for all other storage etc

[fergusw]

No, I am swapping like for like hard drives in my machines. 250Gb minimum SSD drives.

We use a high-end network NAS storage for all share files internally, therefore the capacity on individual users machine's drives does not have to be HUGE.
Swapping for SSD is easier and more straight forward in my experience than hanging two or more within the same box. I guess it depends on your own setup and requirements.

[NormanRouxel]

I always have separate drives for the operating system and another for data. Although you could partition an SSD to look like a system and a data drive the cost of 64Gb or 80Gb boot drives is low enough to have a separate small system drive and a 256Mb one for data.

Having a completely separate data drive has another advantage. If a main system fails (motherboard / processor / whatever), that data drive will work immediately in another system. A system / data partitioned drive won't as you can't move a boot disk from one hardware environment into another.

I've just relocated to Turkey for the summer, and brought a 480Gb Crucial M5 SSD containing all my data with me. Plonked it into the desktop I keep here and was up and running within minutes (after it had installed numerous Windows / Adobe updates) .

[Duncan Rounding]

I've just relocated to Turkey for the summer...

So if it's Turkey for the summer, does that mean it's Edinburgh for the winter??!!

[completerookie]

PcPro tested SSD's and recommends the Samsung 840 Pro (review in march 2013)

256gb came at about £150