The information in this article applies to:
This article provides an introduction to client/server computing and STI Server.
Because there are multiple layers or components involved in networks and client/server computing, we need to break down each component to give you an idea of how the architecture works. Before we can discuss Client/Server architecture, we need to define a few terms and concepts.
Servers are computers or processes generally dedicated to managing disk drives (file servers), printers (print servers), e-mail (e-mail servers), faxes (fax servers), etc. Because the term "server" can refer to different items, it can be confusing.
A client is the second half of the client/server model. Clients rely on servers for resources or services, such as files, devices and even processing power. The workstation from which you operate the software is considered a client.
Client/Server Architecture is a network architecture in which each computer or process on the network is either a client or a server. This architecture is sometimes referred to as a two-tier network architecture with the server being the first tier and the client being the second tier. Typically, there is a "one server" to "many clients" relationship. For example, an Internet Web Server is a server whereas the various browsers that connect to it are considered clients.
Think of the client/server relationship in this way: a client requests services whereas a server provides services.
There are two components when using Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Client Server Version software applications:
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STI Server |
STI Server is the database server software that is used in conjunction with the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Client Server Version software applications. The STI Server is provided on a separate CD-ROM. |
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Client Server |
The Client Server Version of the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software applications is a special version of the standard software applications that is used in conjunction with STI Server. This version of the software relies on STI Server to accommodate the sophisticated interaction between STI Server and the Client Server Version of the software. |
Before you can understand how the "Client/Server Method" works, you need to understand how the "Standard Method" of networking works. The following diagram compares the differences between the two methods:
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Standard Method |
When using the "Standard Method" of accessing data, an application deals with files directly. The application uses the operating system's redirector to handle file handling requests. A redirector is the operating system's software used for communicating over a network. This method works well up to a point; however, as more users access the same data and network traffic increases, overall performance decreases. |
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Client/Server Method |
When using the "Client/Server Method" of accessing data, applications deal with the database server which takes care of the file handling requests directly. The database server contains the "intelligence" needed to process requests from clients, interact with the relevant data files, and respond to those requests. Requests for opening files, locking files, deleting files, etc. are handled by the database server. The advantage of this design is that the database server is far more efficient and intelligent, allowing multiple network requests and responses to be grouped and coordinated, thereby minimizing network traffic and maximizing overall performance. |
In the above diagram, notice the thickness of the Request and Reply arrows. The "Client/Server Method" reduces the amount of information flowing back and forth over a network thereby greatly improving performance.
The following are reasons why a firm would want to implement our CSV software instead of our standard multi-user software.
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Speed |
The predominant reason for upgrading to the Client Server Version of the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software is SPEED. Local Area Network resources are used more efficiently thereby providing faster performance. In addition, STI Server Version 14.3 features Accelerator technology to dramatically increase the speed at which Tabs3 and PracticeMaster reports are generated. Detailed information is available in KB Article R11142, "Tabs3 Performance Comparisons." Performance on your network will vary depending on hardware, networking software, and activity. |
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Reliability |
STI Server Version 14.3 utilizes Transaction Processing, an advanced database technology for maintaining the consistency and integrity of your data. STI Server also includes an Auto-Recovery feature to safeguard your data in the event the STI Server software is not shut down correctly (i.e., due to power loss, hardware failure, etc.). Furthermore, by replacing the standard network redirectors with the STI Server software, file handling operations are more reliable. |
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Convenience |
Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Client Server Version 14.3 software features HotBackup technology, allowing full backups of your data to be made while users are accessing the software. An integrated scheduling system means HotBackups are automatically performed without any administration necessary. |
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Scalability |
The Client/Server architecture scales well, particularly when compared to similar increases on a standard network. If you add 10 users to a standard network, performance degradation is substantially greater than when adding 10 users to a network using client/server technology. |
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Efficiency |
STI Server takes advantage of additional memory and multiple CPUs on the server if available. By working directly with STI Server, file handling operations are performed more efficiently thus providing better use of your resources and ultimately yielding faster performance. |
With the release of the Windows Client Server Version 14.3 software came the availability of several key features, meant to increase the efficiency and reliability of your Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software.
The Tabs3 Accelerator and a PracticeMaster Accelerator run on the server, working with your Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software to dramatically improve performance when generating reports and statements.
Accelerators improve performance by accomplishing two main goals:
In addition, Accelerators incorporate multi-threaded processing techniques, giving them the ability to process multiple users' reports simultaneously. More detailed information can be found in R11182, "Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Accelerators."
Transaction processing is used to ensure that all operations of a given database transaction completely succeed, thereby guaranteeing that the database remains in a consistent, reliable state. A database transaction is a collection of operations grouped together into a single unit. For example, updating a statement encompasses many operations (i.e., updating the client ledger, updating receipt allocation, updating productivity, moving each item from the work-in-process file to the archive files, etc.), but these operations are all grouped together and considered a single database transaction.
STI Server also includes an Auto-Recovery feature that will automatically be performed if the STI Server software is not shut down correctly. In the event that a database transaction was interrupted, the Auto-Recovery feature "rolls back" the database to its previous state before the database transaction began. This ensures the safety of your data, and minimizes any chance of data corruption.
More detailed information on Transaction Processing and Auto-Recovery can be found in R11175, "Transaction Processing."
HotBackup utilizes Transaction Processing to allow data file backups to be performed without anyone exiting the software, thus allowing daily work to continue. The following features of HotBackup were implemented to increase the convenience and efficiency of your Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software:
More detailed information on HotBackup can be found in Chapter 5 of the STI Server Manual and R11193, "HotBackup Overview."
Here's a sampling of what users of our CSV software are saying about it:
"We have seen a positive difference after upgrading to the Client Server Version of the software. Our check and bank reconciliation have sped up significantly. Even the deletion of entries is now instant. Overall, the increase in performance has been 50 percent or greater."
Bookkeeper, Raleigh, NC
5 attorneys, 15 total staff, 13 workstations"Since upgrading our software to the CSV version, the speed of our monthly processing time has been cut in half. We love it!"
IT Director, Green Bay, WI
20 attorneys, 60 total staff, 55 workstations"Because of the size of our database, the CSV version of our software allows us to process reports and other multi-user functions 60 percent faster than before."
Partner, Albany, NY
12 attorneys, 22 total staff, 22 workstations"I've noticed quite a bit of difference in speed since upgrading our software to the CSV version. Reports and statements are processing up to 70 percent faster."
Billing Clerk, Los Angeles, CA
13 attorneys, 35 total staff, 35 workstations
STI Server Software is based on the client/server technology developed by FairCom Corporation (www.faircom.com). The FairCom client/server technology uses an engine that has been refined over twenty-five years thus offering the reliability and stability required of critical back office systems. This technology utilizes efficient programming algorithms to provide exceptional performance. These servers support up to 1,024 connections to the database and offer maximum data throughput regardless of the number of users connected. Multi-threading capabilities take advantage of multiple CPUs on the server. All disk I/O is performed by STI Server, taking full advantage of sophisticated data and index caches, thereby minimizing network traffic for maximum performance.
One important reason we selected the FairCom Server was for its ease of use. Many firms have limited Information Technology (IT) resources and are not eager to allocate resources required for configuring and monitoring a database server. The FairCom solution requires minimal administration and maintenance. It requires a limited amount of system resources, thereby minimizing the need for costly hardware upgrades. Although a faster CPU or multiple CPUs will provide faster processing times, the hardware requirements for the server are relatively modest. Furthermore, migrating STI Server to a new computer is very easy to do.
Another reason that we selected the FairCom Server is because Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software also utilizes FairCom's c-tree file handling system. Working with the same company that designs the file handling system provides a huge advantage because unlike many other client/server technology providers, no data conversion is required.
Selecting FairCom also permitted us to offer a client/server solution for two different platforms: Windows and Novell. Furthermore, the Client Server Version of the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software applications can be accessed by Windows-based ODBC-compliant applications (Read Only) using the FairCom ODBC Driver.
The FairCom client/server technology allows us to offer solid "out-of-the-box" performance for both large and small firms. The database is automatically self-tuning, compensating for the variations in numbers of users and connections. The scalability, minimal administration, reliability, faster throughput and reasonable pricing of the FairCom Server made it the ideal choice for our STI Server Software.
In summary, the following reasons are why we selected FairCom as the backbone of our client/server products:
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Reasonable Pricing |
STI Server and CSV applications are affordably priced and cost much less than the competition. The cost of STI Server is much less expensive than competitive client/server products from other companies such as Microsoft and Oracle. |
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Stability |
Software Technology, Inc. has used this technology in-house since 2000 and has found the technology to be very stable and reliable. |
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Ease of Use |
Once installed and operational, STI Server is transparent to the user. No data conversion is required, and there are no users or workstations to configure. |
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Minimal Administration |
Installation is quick and simple. Anyone with a basic understanding of computers can do it. Once up and running, STI Server requires no regular maintenance. |
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Supports Multiple Platforms |
STI Server is available in two versions: a Windows version and a Novell version. |
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Minimal Hardware |
A minimum 133 MHz CPU is required. When using the Windows version, STI Server must be installed on a computer running Windows 2003/2000 Server, Windows 2000 Workstation, or Windows XP Professional. When using the Novell version, STI Server runs as an NLM (network loadable module). Specific requirements are listed below. |
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Capitalizes on |
STI Server will take advantage of multiple processors on your server. It can also be configured to take advantage of additional memory. |
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Easily Grows With Your |
There is no workstation setup required. Adding new users causes little to no performance impact. Adding or changing workstations requires no additional administrative tasks. Upgrading your server is easy to do. |
The Client Server Versions of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software applications will not improve overall WAN (Wide Area Network) performance and should not be considered a viable solution for sluggish WAN performance. The Client Server Versions of the software are designed primarily for a Local Area Network.
It is important to note that increases in speed will be most noticeable with complex tasks such as report processing and updating statements. These increases are realized when performed by workstations accessing the data over a Local Area Network. Although there will be performance improvements in most tasks, be aware that the Client Server Versions of the software will not noticeably increase the speed of basic data entry.
Furthermore, tasks performed on the server will always be faster than those performed across a network. This is true with or without STI Server.
Client Server Versions of all Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software are available for purchase. This includes the multi-user versions of Tabs3, PracticeMaster, Tabs3 Trust Accounting Software (TAS), Tabs3 Accounts Payable Software (APS), and Tabs3 General Ledger Software (GLS). In addition, Tabs3 Custom Report Writer and Tabs3 General Ledger Custom Report Writer are also available in Client Server Versions. The Client Server Version of Tabs3 is available for the following timekeeper levels: 5, 9, 19, 39, 99, and 999. Note: The CSV versions have a 90000 series serial number. All software must have 90000 series serial numbers in order to integrate with one another.
When purchasing the Client Server Version of the software, you must also purchase the STI Server software as well as one year of maintenance. Licensing and pricing is based on a per connection basis. STI Server is available in 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, and 1024 connection versions. The term "connection" refers to the communication or link to the STI Server that is established for each application a user is running.
STI Server Version 14.3 and later requires four connections for overhead purposes as discussed in the following. These connections are reserved by STI Server and cannot be used by other users.
For example, suppose a firm has 8 users. All 8 users have PracticeMaster running at the same time (i.e., 8 connections), 4 of the same users also have Tabs3 running (i.e., 4 more connections), and 1 of the users also has APS and TAS running (i.e., 2 more connections). With the 4 additional connections required by STI Server, this results in 18 combined Tabs3 and PracticeMaster client server version software applications (i.e., connections) running at the same time on the network (8 + 4 + 2 + 4 overhead = 18). In order for this to occur, the firm would need to have a minimum server connection level of 32.
To use STI Server software, the following system software and hardware is required:
Novell NetWare Disclaimer: The following Version 14.3 features are not compatible with Novell NetWare: Transaction Processing and Auto-Recovery, the Tabs3/PracticeMaster Accelerators, STI Director, and HotBackup. As a result, these features are not available in the Novell Version of STI Server.
Client Server Version software (CSV) is designed so that it can run on modest server hardware but can take advantage of more powerful servers.
Keeping these requirements in mind can help you maintain a high level of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster performance.
Detailed CSV troubleshooting and technical information is available in KB Article R11176, "CSV Troubleshooting and Technical Information."
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