> Hi
> As I must make a URGENT decision about which SQL database I must switch my
> major client to I would like confirmation of the following.
> 1. Can a Firebird database succesfully be run on Win 98 as FILESERVER

(Peer

> to Peer)?
>
> 2. Can this Win 98 Server also be used as a workstation at the same time?
> How would I manage that? (With GREAT difficulty<g>)
>
> 3. What are the minumum requirements per FileServer and per Workstation?
>
> 4. Anything else I should know, especially about a low level/low cost
> installation, such as the one I plan here?
>
> JVZ Systems CC Customised Software - When it needs

Hi Johan,

We develop point of sale software and about 25% of our installatons use a
DBServer/Workstation combo. Ususally, this is either where the FB server
and pos application are running on a stand alone computer (not networked) or
where there are at most, 3 pos workstations and one of them is acting as the
"master" computer running the FB service.

When we switched to FB (IB6 OE initially) we never, ever considered using
Win 9.x for this type of "combo" station running both the FB service and the
POS software. We have always used Win2K pro and more recently, XP Pro as
the combo computer. Some installation use Win2K/XPPro all around and some
use Win 98 for workstations except for the one doubling as a database server
which would be Win2K/XPPro. The computer that doubles as a db server also
gets at least a half gig of memory while regular workstations get 128 MB
RAM. We have not had any problems as far as stability.

If the client wants more than 3 workstations or the restaurant has an
exceptional amount of transaction volume, we insist on a stand alone
database server in the back office. Of course, we ALWAYS recomend having a
separate database server in the back, but as you know, some customers are
more cost conscious than others and its good to know that FB works great
either way for us.

Have a great day,

Lee