BusinessObjects Enterprise

[TheGoldMineGuru]

Not sure if this is the forum for BOE, but I thought I would try. We are spec'ing out a server that would handle a full BOE install. We are particularly interested in how to setup the disk drives.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MJRBIM]

What relase of ENTERPRISE are you installing...?
What is you license model - NAMED or PROCESSOR...?
What is you maximum user base...?
What is your anticipated reporting load (Hourly/Daily/Weekly/Monthly)...?

The BO-XI sizing guide is a good tool to start you in the right direction, you can find it at -

http://support.businessobjects.com/communityCS/TechnicalPapers/boe_xi_sizing_recommendations.pdf.asp

 

[TheGoldMineGuru]

Thanks! I should have added that info already.

Version: BO-XI
Licensing: Per CPU, 1 CPU License
Max User Base: Low at first, maybe 100 max.
Active Users: Low at first, possibly 5

Reports are all generally small and fast to run. We want a machine that will expand to a 2 CPU license along with that increased processing and active users.

The sizing guide is very good to estimate needs for RAM and CPU, but not for disk arrays. Out initial approach is to have 4 drives as follows:

1) OS
2) BO Install
3) Temp Files used by BO (questionable if needed)
4) Uploaded files - Reports, Word Docs, Excel, etc.

Our server will have 4GB Ram, fastest Intel CPU available, with Windows 2003 Standard Edition. The Disk drive config is what we need to nail down.

Again, thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
As to BOE's files, I, personally would place the FRS set ( Input and Output) on a separate file server and I would use a database that is not on the BOE box as well ( we use Oracle)..That way, come disaster to your BOE box, you can reinstall BOE,point your Input and Output servers to the file system location , connect to your database and off you go..no harm, no foul.
( Of course you would back up the database and the FRS files every night)
Unless you have heavy computations in your Crystal Reports( usually not a good idea, let the database handle that), CPU speed is not a real factor..
I would, instead of 2 CPUs , use 2 servers and cluster all the critical services..this will provide fail-over and load balancing capability.


Just my 2c







To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."

 

[TheGoldMineGuru]

Thanks Turkbear 2Cents can be worth a lot!

When Clustering the services, does that require a 2 CPU license? I was under the impression we had to put the BOE on the same 1 cpu box because of our 1 cpu license.

We will be using a separate Web App Server as well as a separate MSSQL box so that part we got covered.

Thanks!

 

[MJRBIM]

Yes, clustering requires additional CPU licenses...but is a best practice for a mission-critical application.

 

[TheGoldMineGuru]

Well I know I do not have approval for a second CPU license. Our existing usage would not warrant it.

So back to the original question of configuring a stand-alone BOE server install across multiple drive arrays. Any recommendations?

Thanks

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
Much like your original idea..

C: OS related Only ( and those BObj. components that do not give you choice)

Place the TEMP files for the various services and the location of the Cache Server files on one drive
Input/Output set on another to reduce some contention ( but with only 1 controller, it is probably not a real issue).
Place the BObj. Program files on a 4th drive..


So,4 drives..OS, TEMP and Cache, FRS, Program files..







To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."