Hoi Ali,

Thanks for replying.

> This parameters will be ignored FB or any 32bit application.
> 819TonePages are out of range. (<10,000 suitable for <=FB1.x)
> 1 GB RAM for any allocation to sorting???
> 4 GB RAM for sorting operations???
>
> Jan, 32 bit executables can addressed only in 32bit range.
> FB cannot use this limit totally for sorting only.

I see your point. However, since FB is able to use >2GB files (by
utilising 64bit 'addresses'), it being a 32bit app does not necessarily
mean it is unable to address anything beyond a 32bit address. If it can
do it on disc, it can do it in memory I would say.

> if you want high performance, use hardware RAID systems.
> in high possibility your SATA RAID system is software based.

I am using a 3ware 3w7000 series SATA RAID controller. I'm running
Firebird 1.5.1 (Debian Sarge package).

> First, can you show us your DB design and usege strategy to improve
> your performance?

The DB design is of course important. However, in this case the amount
of records to read can be quite large for most queries. The DB is
already fully optimized, its just dealing with quite a lot of data...

I am looking for a way to make best use of the available RAM (8GB).
Either I can do that by using FB's built-in mechanisms such as the
different caches. This would be my ideal situation. I could also put my
hopes in the Linux caches...

Another approach would be to split the DB in two parts, and storing the
part that is searched most on a RAM disc. This will create cross
references between the two DBs. While it would be interesting to sort
out, I much prefer to keep focessed on the application.

Any more thoughts are very welcome!

cheers,
Jan


--

A journalist once asked the late Gandhi what he thought of the western
civilization. Gandhi replied: "Western Civilization? That would be a
good idea!".

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