Emtex Processing Speed
How can you speed up the processing speed of your Emtex system? Emtex is a complex software suite which requires a high-performance PC. Here are some rough guidelines to enable you to provide Emtex with the resources it needs for FAST processing:
How can you speed up the processing speed of your Emtex system? Emtex is a complex software suite which requires a high-performance PC. Here are some rough guidelines to enable you to provide Emtex with the resources it needs for FAST processing:
- OPERATING SYSTEM - Windows 2000 (Professional or Server), Windows XP Pro and Windows Server 2003, 32-bit versions ONLY supported. At this stage, Vista and Server 2008 are NOT supported. Windows Server 2003 is recommended for client/server setup, as Windows XP does not allow enough open incoming ports to service clients.
- CPU - A dual or even quad core CPU, at least 3Ghz+ with Hyperthreading DISABLED in the BIOS. Hyperthreading has been shown to preclude Emtex from using multiple CPUs. With Hyperthreading turned OFF, Emtex will run separate threads on separate CPUs, distributing the load evenly across the physical processor cores in your system. We've seen a Hyperthread enabled machine, running at 100% on a single CPU, turned into a non-Hyperthread machine, where each of the physical four cpu cores is idling at around 30%. Performance almost doubled.
- MEMORY - Allow 4GB for the OS and Emtex to co-exist without paging. There's no point going any higher as a 32-bit OS doesn't support more than 4GB.
- DISK DRIVE - The best you can buy! We've found that by replacing a 7500rpm drive with a high-performance 15000rpm drive, performance can TRIPLE. Emtex is a very disk intensive product, with DISK almost always being the performance bottle-neck.
- TEMP (VDD) FILES - should be directed to the (FAST) local disk for LAN-based machines. (They're easily reproduced anyway, if required.) We've seen processing speeds DOUBLE, even with "standard" local disk drives, by switching VDD files to the local drive.
- VIRUS/Spyware scanners should be tested carefully for their impact on Emtex' processing speeds. Sophos is one product known to consume 100% of the CPU for excessive periods, when Emtex outputs to PDF for example.
- CLIENT/Server - Emtex can expand to a full client/server setup, where the server is dispatching jobs to run on client PCs, allowing for virtually unlimited expansion. One site in USA runs over 100 production printers at rated speeds, via their Emtex client/server setup.
