An optimal hardware configuration enables applications to get the
greatest benefit from performance tuning. The hardware speed impacts all
types of applications and is critical to overall performance.
Why and when to perform this task
These parameters include considerations for selecting and configuring
the hardware on which the application servers run.
Steps for this task (dependent on configuration)
- Optimize disk speed
- Increase processor speed and processor cache
- Description: In the absence of other bottlenecks, increasing the
processor speed often helps throughput and response times. A processor with
a larger L2 or L3 cache yields higher throughput, even if the processor speed
is the same as a CPU with a smaller L2 or L3 cache.
- Increase system memory
- Description: Increase memory to prevent the system from paging
memory to the disk to improve performance. Allow a minimum of 256MB of memory
for each processor and 512 MB per application server. Adjust the available
memory when the system pages and the processor utilization is low because
of the paging. The memory access speed might depend on the number and placement
of the memory modules. Check the hardware manual to make sure that your configuration
is optimal.
- Recommendation: Use 256MB of memory for each processor
and 512 MB per application server. Some applications might require more memory.
- Run network cards and network switches at full duplex
- Description: Run network cards and network switches at full duplex
and use the highest supported speed. Full duplex is much faster than half
duplex. Verify that the network speed of adapters, cables, switches, and other
devices can accommodate the required throughput. Some Web sites might require
multiple gigabit links.
- Recommendation Make sure that the highest speed is in use on 10/100/1000
Ethernet networks.