Re: Informix 5.07 to 7.22

In article <32FBB3D1.2329@xnet.com>, "WIlliam J. Mitlyng" <wmitlyng@xnet.com> writes >I am looking for any advice to prompt moving from a 5.x system to a 7.2x >system. As I understand it, the 7.x system will decrease the performance >of the server unless I am running multiple cpus. If this is not the case >or given a multiple cpu machine, I am looking for a strong argument for >or against migrating to 7.2x. Please send me whatever thoughts you may >have on the subject. > OK here goes - I assume you are using INFORMIX-4GL or INFORMIX ESQL/C. i.e. each running program under version 5 has haS its own associated sqlturbo process. This does not occur under version 7. Version 7 has a pool of virtual processors which each run multiple threads of execution. UNIX only sees ~15 processes i.e. one process per virtual processor. This means that there is less context switching between UNIX process and instead stiches between threads which is much faster. Also since there are less processes less memory is used. >I am looking at a large system 300+ users (not an enormous amount of >data ~3GB). I appreciate the improvements in the backup facilities for >ONLINE. I also appreciate the increased functionality. I have to weigh >this against the case of considerable QA as well as some code changes. I >also appreciate that this is old technology: does anyone have or know of >software that will no longer be compatible with 5.x? > Any well written code should be compatible - I ported 3 large-ish applications in 1 day - literally just a recompile then the users tested it for 2 days and they have been live ever since. I know this is not the way to do it but the client gave me not choice. They had been told by Informix that there should be no problems. >I am not trying to find someone to make up my mind for me. I simply do >not have enough information inhouse to make a compelling argument for or >against 5.x or 7.2x for an OLTP system that is performing relatively >well. > 7 will (in theory) scale better as you get more users on the system. >BTW, I did have a DSS machine with 4 CPUS and 512 MB of ram that runs >like a dream under 7.2x. > >I am running HP machines using HP-UX 9.04 through 10.20 with Windows >3.1, Windows 95 and Windows NT clients. > >Any information would be greatly appreciated. -- David Williams