The purpose of this checklist is to provide useful tips for ensuring that your in-house network operates optimally. The operation of your network has a direct effect on performance of robust applications such as Rapattoni Magic.
IMPORTANT: This document should be read and implemented by a qualified network administrator only.
If there are any questions regarding the implementation of any of these procedures, please contact the Rapattoni Network Support department at 1-866-730-7115.
- Make sure that a local DNS server is installed and running on your network server. If using Windows server software without Active Directory Services, you may need to add a static host record for your server manually. If using Windows Active Directory Services, your server should already be listed in the DNS service. In either case, the host record IP address should be an internal, private network address.
- If using DHCP make sure that the DNS server is defined in the network scope. If using static IPs without Active Directory Services, you need to add a static host record for your server manually. If using Windows Active Directory Services, your server should already be listed in the DNS service. In either case, the host record IP address should be an internal, private network address.
- Eliminate any unnecessary network protocols. Make TCP/IP the only protocol if possible.
- Install the latest network interface card (NIC) drivers from the manufacturer. Do not use the default Windows NIC drivers. They will not take advantage of any special hardware acceleration that your NIC might have.
- Make sure the server is plugged into at least100Mb switch. It is not necessary to use managed switches. If experiencing Magic errors, take the NIC off of auto-sense and manually specify the NIC to 100Mb, full duplex.
- If running Windows Server, maximize data throughput for network applications. To do this, right click on "My Network Places," double-click on your network connection, and go to properties of "File and Print Sharing." Set the radio button to "maximize data throughput for network applications."
- Verify that the SQL server is on the same IP network as the workstations. Rapattoni Magic does not perform well when the SQL server and workstations are located on two different network subnets with a router linking the two.
Items to Check on the Workstations
- Make sure to add the local DNS server IP address in the TCP/IP settings of the workstation.
- Eliminate any unnecessary network protocols. Make TCP/IP the only protocol if possible.
- Install the latest NIC drivers from the manufacturer. Do not use the default Windows NIC drivers. They will not take advantage of any special hardware acceleration that your NIC might have.
- If possible, put all users' Ethernet connections on the same switch that the SQL server is connected to.
- If users are connected to a 100Mb switch or higher and experiencing random errors, take the NIC off of auto-sense and manually specify the NIC to full duplex.
- Ping the server by name (not by IP address). If the workstation takes more than one second to respond, it could be an indication that DNS is not properly set up or working correctly on the Windows workstation. It could also be an indication that the TCP/IP stack is corrupted on the workstation and the network components may need to be re-installed.
- Make sure that the proper SQL client is installed on each workstation. Also make sure to set "TCP/IP" as the default protocol in the Client Network Utility. If using the SQL 2000 client, disable the check box that states "dynamically determine port". Finally, make sure that your workstations are on the same SQL service pack as your SQL server.
- Verify your workstations have not been upgraded from a previous operating system. Rapattoni only supports workstations that have clean installations of Windows XP or higher for Magic 9.Any workstations that are exhibiting problems using Magic 9 and were upgraded from a previous operating system should be reformatted and have its operating system reinstalled cleanly.
Network Components to Check
- Make sure your office is wired with Ethernet wire with a rating of category 5 or higher. Category 4 is not rated for 100Mbps and will cause packet loss across the network. Make plans to re-wire your office if category 4 wiring is currently installed.
- Try to use tested, store bought cables. If using homemade cables, make sure to test them with a cable tester.
- Upgrade all network hubs and 10Mb switches to 100Mb or higher switches. You may use unmanaged switches, since they provide the necessary performance to run Rapattoni Magic 9.
- Use a freeware utility like netIQ's Qcheck to verify that the network is performing at proper speeds. Your network should be able to support at least a sustained 20Mb throughput for best Magic performance. You can download Qcheck from their Web site here: http://www.netiq.com/Qcheck/default.asp.