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Macintosh on an NT network

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5 replies

by mr. origami

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.
NT4 sp6a. 10 Mac OS8.6 and OS9 clients. Mac network access has been gradually slowing. Macs crash/lock up. Why? How to optimize SFM? Or is this simply a "bonus feature" of using Macs on an NT network? Any URLs would be helpful to explain to me and my boss why this is occurring. Rest of network is fine (PCs). This 1 NT server that serves the Macs houses a hardware two hardware RAID-5s. Large graphics files, lots of file copy/disk IO, Mac fonts stored on server and accessed via Adobe Type Managerrunning on each Mac client. Also - very large print jobs on this NT box from the Macs. NT bos has dual PII 233s and 512MB RAM. Paging file and Spool directory moved to D-drive (separate physical disk from C). D is also part of one of the RAID-5s.

5 replies

by charleskin

Sounds like you're in a pre-press environment. Ran similar situation for years and know what you are talking about. Several items strike me as possible issues.
1) the box you are using for your server is underpowered. You are running and demanding a lot with it. You are using it as a File, Print and Data Server! That's a bit much to ask from any server.
2) Macintosh's basically broadcast and tie up the network with information constantly. Now add the bonus of drawing fonts from the server and add the sending of files to be ripped, plus several Mac's maybe downloading at the same time and you are pushing your bax to the limit. As you know graphic files and jobs are getting bigger all the time.
Do you have a RIP tower or is the ripping done internally?
If at all possible consider getting a second NT box to act as your data and file server, and keep your existing box as your print server. I assume you are using a 3rd party print server from someone like HeidelbergUSA,have you upgraded to the most recent version? Also consider upgrading to Win2K server. It seems to be a little more robust and manages resources more effectively. Keep me up on this issue, I would like to hear how you are doing.
Charleskin

by mr. origami

We do not use a 3rd party print server - just File/Print Services for Mac. We have a Mac 9600 that does the ripping. As this NT box has the huge RAID5, we can keep it as a file server. This NT box does a lot. Stores image files (TIF), layoutfiles (Quark/Photoshop), print ques to an HP LasetJet 5000 and Xante ColorLaser, houses all Mac fonts, runs Acrobat Distiller to convert PS files to PDF. What would you suggest? Installing how many more NT servers - and each doing specifically? In otherwords - what is the best way to split all these tasks between multiple machines?

(Rated unacceptable just because it's not "solved". I appreciate the dialogue and will close the Q when I have a plan.)

by charleskin

My suggestion:
Buy one more NT box, use this to handle your print queues.
Continue using your existing NT box as a data and application server.
I really need more info to effectively help you. Contact me: charlesk@neways.com.

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