large web app advice; hardware

[gwu]

I am looking to setup an ASP app that will server up to 25,000 users concurrently. I understand that this can vary greatly but lets consider that it will have a good amount of asp/sql programming in the app. What is the most optimal setup:

1.One powerfull SQL server with a cluster of web servers.

or

2.a cluster of web servers with a a cluster of SQL servers that will be mirrored.

If the first option, would the SQL be a dual or quad proc. How many web servers?

thanks

 

[mrdenny]

I would recommend 2 web servers and a good SQL Server behind it. Without knowing how many SQL transactions per second I really can't give you a hardware size to go off of.

One thing to remember is that even if you are going to have 25,000 consurrent users, how much time will they be spending reading the web page, and how much time will they spend having the SQL server process the data. You will probably find that you will have mabey 3000 people per minute requesting data from the database, which breaks down to 50 transactions per second. This would make your load high on the moderate scale. If you will have less people per minute requesting data then this drops. It all depends on how much information is on the screen, and when the app goes back to the database for more info.

Denny

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

 

[gwu]

according to your figures( 3000 people per minute requesting data), what would your definition of a "good SQL Server" in terms of proc. speed and QTY?

thanks

 

[mrdenny]

Dual chip 2.8+ GHZ 2 Gig of RAM is a good SQL Server. If you are worried about needing more CPU in the future, get a server that is quad ready, so when you need more CPU power, you can just drop in the 2 additional CPUs and your off and running.

Denny

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)