Thin Client Server Capacity PlanningDos and Don’ts Practical Tips

Processors

Using thin Clients? Confused about Server capacity?

Memory

Hard disk

Networking

Operating System

Applicable to any Thin Client Server (Win/Lin) Applicable to any Technology RDP or vSpace

Not applicable for DB or email Servers.

Can You spot the Planning problem

in this pic?

Wrongly planned server horrorsUsers think that Thin clients are slow or unstable,

Where as culprit is Server or IT Infrastructure

THEBiggest Mistake

Lower Ram, Biggest Problem kills performance, overburdens CPU and also

kills your Hard-disks

THEDeliberate Mistake

Desktop OS is for DesktopCannot efficiently manage multiple simultaneous

users. Never use Desktop OS for Server.

Another Mistake

lower CPU power, lower performanceeverything hogged up, overall performance is

down.

Most Ignored Mistake

Bad networking, erratic behaviourThin Clients (seem to) hanging.

Slow performance (on few Thin Clients).

Most Common Mistake

Cheap Motherboard, big RiskWrong Motherboard cannot get best out of

Best CPU or Best RAM.

SillyMistakes

Small mistakes, big disastersA bad Power supply, or chassis or air conditioning,

Earthing (ground) can create big disaster

General Guidelines & Thumb rules

• 1 Core CPU for every 10 normal users. • 2 GB RAM for each core of CPU. • 150 kbps bandwidth per user session. • Always use Server Class Board & OS. • Power conditioning & UPS is must. • Buy fastest HDD, (SAS recommended) • Regularly monitoring (CPU, RAM, HDD). • Understand “Scale Up” and “Scale Out”

Ram Calculation for Server

• 2 GB Ram for Base OS of the Server. • Add 200 MB for each User Session. • Add 40% Buffer for Occasional loads. • Eg : for 50 users

• 2000 MB for base OS • 10000 MB for User Sessions (200 x 50) • 4800 MB Buffer • Total RAM required: 16,800 MB ram.

Ram Calculation Per User Session

• Benchmark is 200 MB for each User Session.

• Give a normal Desktop PC to few users, monitor operation for entire day(s).

• Check maximum ram used during the period. • This is your RAM required per User Session, for that

type of users.

CPU power Calculation

• Benchmark is 2Gb ram for each Core • Benchmark is 1 Core for each 10 users.

Which ever is more.

• 16 GB Ram (as in example), which is 8 Core. • 50 Users (as in example), which is 5 Core.

8 Core CPU required

HDD: SAS is always better than SATA

• Disk Reading/Writing is most important task in Thin Client server’s Role.

• 15000 rpm of SAS v/s 7200 rpm of SATA • SAS is more stable and reliable than SATA • SAS has longer life @ higher temperatures,

more suitable for server. • Much higher data transfer rates.

Other Best Practices

• Always use Server class Chassis and power supply.

• Always use Server Operating System.• Use Disk Mirroring. • Always keep a backup server (low configuration

is Ok) • Properly secure your Server OS (user rights and

permissions)

Enjay Thin ClientsThe best Thin Clients in India

www.enjayworld.com