Web Capacity and Throughput Guidlines
Alexander Muse , September 25, 2007
What does it mean that your web site can handle 50 ‘transactions’ per second? The general rule of thumb is that 1 transaction per second maps to 1000 users based on the following model of user behavior (your results may vary):
- 1000 users
- 10% peak concurrency
- 100 simultaneous users (10% of 1000)
- 100 seconds per request per user (36 requests per hour per user)
- 100 simultaneous users/100 seconds per user per transaction
- 1 transaction/second.
So if your website can handle 50 transactions per second you could assume it could handle 50,000 users. Of course, if your traffic is related to say a television show you could easily expect this model to be wrong. Why? The traffic is queued to your promotion. For example, we host a podcasting application for Nip/Tuck and as soon as the show ends and our promo appears before the commercial we see a huge spike in traffic. Now 1 transaction per second maps to 100 users ~ a 10x decrease in user count.
Windows Vista SP1 Beta
Alexander Muse , September 25, 2007
Brandon LeBlanc wrote about his experience with Vista in a post yesterday (reprinted here):
Today Microsoft is releasing the Beta of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 which was announced by Nick White few weeks ago. I’d like to take the opportunity to share my very own experiences with Windows Vista SP1 Beta running on several PCs of my own.
I decided to test SP1 on a variety of hardware which allows me to test a variety of scenarios:
- Desktop PC (Custom-made) running Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit.
- Laptop (HP tx1000) running Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit.
The most common way the user will get SP1 will be through Windows Update. That is how I installed SP1 on the HP tx1000. Before getting to the SP1, a series of 3 prerequisites had to be installed first (It was 3 for me since I’m running Windows Vista Ultimate, but users who aren’t running Ultimate or Enterprise will only have 2 to install since BitLocker is not included in the other Windows Vista SKUs). I talked to Product Manager David Zipkin who explained what these prerequisites are for. The first prerequisite includes updates to the servicing stack. The second prerequisite is an update for BitLocker-capable PCs (Windows Vista Enterprise and Windows Vista Ultimate) to ensure proper servicing of Bitlocker. And the third and final prerequisite includes some updates to Windows, necessary to install and uninstall the service pack.
With me being a power user, I went into the Windows Update control panel to install the service pack and prerequisites manually but most users have Windows Update configured to automatically install updates and so the prerequisites-like other updates-will automatically install, typically overnight.
Once the prerequisites are installed, you will then be able to proceed with updating to SP1 via Windows Update. David told me that Microsoft also intends to release some of these prerequisite updates ahead of the service pack, as part of normal monthly updates, so you shouldn’t see all these when you install the Service Pack.
When SP1 shows up in Windows Update, it does so as an “important update” and gives a size range from 51MB - 679.6MB. For me, the download of the service pack through Windows Update occurred relatively fast so I assume the size of SP1 is more on the lower end rather than the high. While SP1 is installing, I was able to continue working without any issue. Once SP1 finishes installing, Windows Update alerted me it must restart to finish the installation, allowing me to finish up my work to restart my PC.
On my Desktop PC, I decided to give the standalone installer for SP1 a try. The standalone installer is the version of SP1 offered as a single downloadable file in x86 and x64 flavors. Since I am running at 64-bit on my desktop PC, I chose the x64 standalone installer for SP1.The standalone installer is mainly used by IT administrators in a corporate network environment to roll out via SMS or other 3rd party management tools. In the case of Windows Vista SP1, the size of the standalone installer is noticeably larger than previous Service Packs in part due to the fact it accommodates for the 36 basic languages supported Windows Vista and all Windows Vista SKUs. This should make it easier for IT administrators to roll SP1 out to PCs running different languages on different SKU’s on their network. 1 file does it all. My experience installing SP1 with the standalone installer versus installing SP1 through Windows Update was pretty much the same, except the standalone installer also took care of installing the prerequisite packages for me.
With Windows Vista SP1, there have been several improvements to my user experience I think are worth sharing. The first thing I noticed after installing SP1 was the logon experience when logging into Windows Vista. In entering my password, and logging into my account, I noticed improvements to responsiveness that weren’t there before. On my desktop PC (which is joined to a domain) the improvements to the logon experience are even more noticeable. The delay between pressing CTRL-ALT-DELETE and getting the password prompt is pretty much gone.
After logging in to my PC - visually I saw no changes to the desktop shell. However, I did take notice to some minor tweaks to the UI in a few areas after some digging around. For example, the Search option has been removed from the Start menu. More on this later…
There is also a new option in Windows Vista’s Disk Defragmenter allowing you to choose which volumes you would like to defragment. On my desktop PC, I have two drives. With the changes noted here - I was able to choose specifically to defragment my second harddrive. This worked great.
And in the BitLocker Control Panel - users of Windows Vista Enterprise and Ultimate are now able to choose which drives to encrypt. Previously, the user was able to only choose the drive that contains Windows Vista (the boot partition).
Outside these minor tweaks to specific areas of UI - I didn’t see much new in the way of UI in SP1.
I’ve also taken notice to improvements in overall responsiveness of my PCs. Improvements were also noticeable in resuming from Hibernation or Sleep on both my desktop PC and laptop running SP1. I discovered copying files from one directory to another is a bit faster. And on my laptop - battery life seems to be improved since running SP1. I have also noticed that transferring files to my shares on my Windows Home Server are a bit faster than they were previously without SP1. Overall performance in accessing my mapped network shares is improved as well. I store quite a bit of data on my Windows Home Server so this was a huge plus for me. These are just some of the performance improvements I’ve seen running SP1 so far.
Back in June, I wrote about my experience running a dual-monitor setup with Windows Vista. Several readers commented on issues about connecting an external monitor up to a laptop running Windows Vista. SP1 includes improved reliability in connecting an external monitor to a laptop. Users can expect a better experience connecting an external monitor to their laptops as I’ve had a much better experience myself.
My wireless network experience is improved on my laptop. Prior to SP1, I had been experiencing issues in losing connectivity on my wireless home network and having to repair the connection (especially after resuming from Sleep or Hibernation). Since SP1, I’ve not had to repair my connection once.
After upgrading to SP1 on my two PCs, I’ve had no issues with any of my applications. On my HP tx1000, the VeriSoft Fingerprint software and HP Pavilion Webcam both continue to work great. Certified for Windows Vista apps Trend Micro AntiVirus 2007 and CorelDraw X3 also continue to work great as well. All of the new Windows Live betas released a few weeks ago (including the new Windows Live installer) work as advertised. Even the Windows Home Server Connector Console continues to work great.
Microsoft has recently published a KB article outlining changes to Windows Vista’s desktop search in SP1 but I’d like to elaborate a little bit based on my own experience with the changes. Windows Vista SP1 allows the user to change their default desktop search provider from the built-in Windows Desktop Search that ships with Windows Vista to another 3rd party desktop search provider. As noted above, the Search option has been removed from the right side of the Start menu. Users will also notice “See all results” has disappeared when doing a search via the Start menu. Instead, you will see “Search Everywhere”. Search Everywhere will launch whatever is the user’s default desktop search program. In Windows Explorer, users will also see a “Search Everywhere” option in the toolbar as well.
These are just some personal notes on experiences I’ve had so far. Moving forward with SP1, expect to hear more on my experiences in the coming months. Microsoft is continuing to improve the user experience with Windows Vista both by SP1 and updates from Windows Update. Several months ago I wrote about how much I love Windows Update. Windows Update continues to offer updates to the user experience. Microsoft continues to pump device driver updates out to users through Windows Update as well. For me, it is exciting to see Microsoft continuing to utilize the potential Windows Update has in improving the Windows Vista user experience and SP1 is just one part in that plan.
Mark Cuban goes Mac ~ Bye, bye Vista!
Alexander Muse , September 21, 2007
What do you get when you combine Vista and Outlook? According to Mark Cuban you get a “disaster!” He solved his problem by purchasing a Macbook. Congratulations Mark! Read more from his post titled, “Once you go Mac“.
Back in 2003 I did the same thing, trading my Sony Viao in for a PowerBook. I am on my second Mac laptop and plan to purchase a new one after Christmas. Anyway, I could never move back to PCs…
Our Delivery Philosophy ~ Empowerment!
Alexander Muse , September 19, 2007
Last month we wrote about the two major types of IT outsourcing in the SMB space ~ outsourced talent and outsourced IT management. Next I thought it might be helpful if we explained our delivery philosophy. In a word we call it empowerment.
In more traditional models one or more ‘client’ resources are required to manage the ‘outsourced talent’. Most clients fail to effectively manage third-party resources, but in rare cases you will find highly effective managers who succeed. We believe that in either case the business loses. Specifically, in the first scenario the client isn’t likely getting what they need and in the second scenario the client is likely getting what they ‘want’ but as the song goes not what they need.
What do I mean? Simple, imagine an organization where everyone must operate on tight deadlines, deal with difficult customers and utilize computers to produce quality results. Sound like an operation you are familiar with? When your employees come to you and explain that they are going to miss their deadline because they are dealing with difficult customers you likely don’t have much sympathy. But what do you say when they suggest that their computer is the problem? If you have either an effective or ineffective manager you have a problem. Everyone has the perfect excuse to miss their deadline. Since you understand customers you won’t accept that excuse, but since you don’t understand computers you may be more likely to accept it as an excuse.
What if you empowered end-users by making them responsible for keeping their tools (i.e. technology) in good order? You already require them to keep their car running (most of your employees don’t fix their own cars), you require them to keep their phones working (most of them don’t know how to fix phones) ~ why not place the burden on them to keep their primary tool up and running?
When a business owner hires Architel he is making a decision to empower his end-users to engage directly with Architel. He can redeploy his effective or ineffective manager back into his organization and now users are responsible for their own success. How does this work? Users can be a computer’s best friend or worst enemy. Users that are responsible for results and cannot blame ‘technology’ are far more careful about their systems. They keep their data on the server (i.e. where it is backed up, not on their hard drive), they don’t load crazy screen savers, download various games and videos and they report issues faster and with more clarity.
Even here at Architel we have clients who don’t buy our delivery philosophy and you can see the results in their tickets. First, if their users enter tickets (often they will ask the manager to enter them for them) the information in the ticket is vague and confusing, such as “it’s broken, fix it now!!!!!!!” If I was an engineer taking this ticket do you think I would be excited? This user sounds mad and there is nothing I can do to help before calling him. Guess what? When we do call him back he doesn’t answer his phone, he is getting coffee because ‘it’ is broken. The user walks through the halls chatting with his coworkers explaining how ‘it’ is broken again and how he is going to miss his deadline. When he returns to his desk he might return the engineer’s call, but he will likely get voice mail and he will leave a nice message. Soon a day has passed and the user’s manager will stop by and ask him why he has built a castle with coffee cups in his cube. The user may then explain that the IT guys are to blame. You see, he isn’t responsible for getting back to work. The manager then calls our CEO who apologizes and our engineers figure out that the user had downloaded the new version of IE and his legacy application won’t work on IE7. Ug! Who told him to download new software?
Companies where the owners insist that users take responsibility have employees who are empowered to solve their own issues. They enter tickets that are detailed and specific. They escalate within our organization quickly. They take the time to make sure their issues are getting addressed in a positive and productive way. They don’t add to the problem by using their business ‘tool’ for whimsical or personal reasons. What kind of company do you want to run? One where the employees have excuses or one where the employees have the tools they need to succeed?
Talk like a pirate day at Architel!
Alexander Muse , September 19, 2007
Lest ye forget, it’s ‘Talk Like a Pirate Day’! Learn more here. Need some more help:
Programming Note: Yahoo! is buying Zimbra!
Alexander Muse , September 17, 2007
FYI - Yahoo is buying Zimbra, read about it here.
Warning: Microsoft is updating your PC without permission!
Alexander Muse , September 14, 2007
There are many reasons your IT department may decide to delay or avoid a specific Windows Update. Your company may use a legacy or custom application that needs to be tested with each update before applying it company-wide. Microsoft is no longer giving your IT department a choice, instead, according to Scott Dunn of Windows Secret’s, Windows Update has start “altering files on users’ systems without displaying any dialog box to request permission. Microsoft is patching [Windows] silently, even if auto-updates have been disabled on a particular PC.” Read the full report here. [via]
The Architel Turn-up Process Explained!
Alexander Muse , September 13, 2007
For those of you who are interested here is a basic outline of our new client turnup process:
Phase One: Documentation and Provisioning (Weeks 1 & 2):
- New Client Kick-off meeting Project Manager and Senior Engineer hold introductory meeting; gather additional basic information regarding the business. Determine desired use of Architel Online Backup, Spam Filtering, etc. and other projects.
- Deliver Client Information Form and begin collecting information
- Client ID Creation. Client is assigned a unique ID within our ticketing systems.
- Schedule resources for all turn-up phases
- Client Support Systems Provisioning. Accounts and turn-up project is created in Basecamp, a new Client Wiki is created, and accounts are created within Archite’s ticket management system.
- Asset Tags. Order asset tags for all technology related assets.
- Remote Power Control. Order APC Master Switch(s) for the client – remote power cycle to be used for server/network hardware.
- Monitoring System. Order server for client. Load monitoring software on system.
- Internal Notification. All Architel technicians are notified of new client and are aware that users may begin to call the help desk.
- Conduct conference call one week after kick-off to check status on Phase I tasks.
- Senior Engineer Site Visit and Network Audit. Senior Architel engineer visits site and conducts a basic audit of the network.
- Schedule end user support training
- Complete Client Information Form
Phase Two: Site Preparation for Support (Week 3):
- Installation of remote power control system. APC Master Switch will allow our remote technicians to power cycle your hardware in the event of a system failure or problem.
- Installation of Monitoring Server. The server is physically connected to client’s network and awaits configuration.
- Install remote control software on each desktop
- Install trouble ticket icon on each desktop.
- Delivery of Second Welcome Letter.
- Greet and train each end user on how to obtain and escalate support
- Create catch-all email account for all users.
- Activate Monitoring Server.
- Complete implementation of server and Internet monitoring and notification.
- Notify Proactive team of new customer and place them in the server, backup and anti-virus system rotation.
Phase Three: Turn-up Certification (Week 4):
- Document asset information including serial numbers and other related information on Client Inventory sheet.
- Complete and certify all aspects of Client Wiki and Support/Recovery Plan.
- Close Turn-up project in Basecamp.
Network Security and Remote Access
Alexander Muse , September 13, 2007
Looking for a new firewall? How about a VPN device? We recommend Cisco to our clients. Why? Cisco’s firewall products are enterprise class, well supported and highly reliable. We don’t recommend Watchguard or Sonicwall. Why? Well, they don’t work well. They were originally designed for small business with generally inexperienced IT support. They are missing many key features. They often have strange problems that their own support teams have problems understanding (that is when you can get them on the phone). Their support teams are small and usually under trained on their own product set.
Just take a look at customer’s issues with SonicWall:
- SonicWall Pro 200 VPN Nightmare
- Odd SonicWall behavior
- SonicWall Content Filter Mess
- SonicWall Tech Support Sucks
- More on SonicWall’s filtering issues
And here are a few about WatchGuard:
Anyway, do yourself a favor, stick with Cisco when it comes to firewalls. The Cisco product is about the same price as the Sonicwall and Watchguard solutions.
Free T1s for Architel clients? Let us know what you think.
Alexander Muse , September 13, 2007
Architel’s customer base has grown considerably over the years and as a result we have a decent statistical sample size to help us figure out how to make our business more efficient and as a result our client’s happier. Based on our latest findings from this data we are considering offering free T1 internet access to our clients.
Reason No. 1: Our latest discovery centered around the fact that our clients use more than 15 different ISPs for internet access. During any week we are dealing with one or more ISPs, specifically their a) abuse team (mostly spam related issues), b) billing department, c) DNS support group and d) service interruption line. If you have ever tried to calls your ISP you know what a pain this can be ~ multiple that by more than 100 clients and you would have a full-time job.
Reason No. 2: More than 80% of our clients use our online backup service (perhaps because it is free), but those backups require the internet to work well. More and more providers are starting to throttle connections and we are seeing more and more backups taking longer and longer. We have augmented our backup solution to complete an on-site backup first and then a remote, online backup, but we began to consider the cost of provisioning a T1 to each client and realized the cost was fairly reasonable.
So we ask this question, “If we were to offer you, our client, a free T1 to the Internet would you be interested? You would have to pay the cost of the local loop ($300/mo. + tax) but we would cover the cost of the internet access. Interested?”
