 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Appendix A - Installing Quantrac 2005 on Networks with a Dedicated Filer Server A-¹
APPENDIX A
Installing Quantrac 2005 on Networks with a
Dedicated File Server
Many of our customers have been told by network “experts” and others, that in order to run “networked”
programs (such as Quantrac’s ), a dedicated FILE SERVER computer and expensive networking
software must be employed. Fortunately, this is not necessarily true. Where a system with tens or
hundreds of computers all networked together would probably require special hardware and software, a
system in the typical Quantrac 2005 environment does not. In fact, we have found that the elaborate
networking configurations are actually detrimental to smooth Quantrac 2005 system operation and
maintenance. Listed below are some of our thoughts and opinions on this subject:
1)
Microsoft Windows 95, 98, and NT4, 2000, XP, XP Pro, and Millennium all have networking software
built in. There is no need to purchase Novell, LANtastic, or any other networking software! There is
no need to purchase a dedicated network server computer! The included Microsoft networking
software is termed “peer to peer”, where all computers on the network are equal customers or
servers. With peer to peer networking, any or all computers on the network can be servers. In
addition, all of the computers on the network can be used by an employee (unlike a dedicated server
computer, which may not even have a monitor).
2)
If the Quantrac 2005 server software and the database files are located on one of the ‘user’ computer
systems in a peer to peer network (not a dedicated database server system), that system’s speed
may be as much as 10 times quicker than the other computers on the network. This is due to the
database being on a local disk drive (within that computer). All other computers on the network must
retrieve the data via the network hardware and wiring in your office, therefore the speed of these
other systems is limited by the speed of the network.
3)
The newer network hardware “1000 base-T” is now very inexpensive so all small businesses can
justify and purchase this technology. The older technology “10 base-T”, is pretty much obsolete and
the 100 Base-T is close on its heels. If you are putting together a new network, we highly
recommend the 1000 base-T hardware. For existing users, stepping up to the faster 1000 base-T
networking will result in a 5X to 10X increase in speed for Quantrac 2005 workstations. Call us if you
have any questions about hardware.
4)
We recommend that the person in your office with the most intense Quantrac 2005 operation be
located on this computer. (i.e. your Customer Service Rep. Or Dispatcher would have the Quantrac
2005 Server program and database located on his/her computer) This computer “shares” the
database on the network for the other computers on the network to use.
Quantrac fully supports Quantrac 2005 in a Windows NT Server or Novell NetWare environment.
However, due to the inherent complexities of Novell networks, we are only able to provide limited
assistance with network installation/configuration/troubleshooting. We recommend that you have access
to competent network professionals in your area to assist you with these issues.
|
 |
|