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DentalMac2 · Oct 4, 2003, 01:36 AM

I will set up a network in my new dental office this December and am trying to decide on what machine to use as the server. Should I use a new PB 1Ghz or a PM? If I got the PB I would get the 5,400rpm drive.

I will have five terminal computers (PM G4's) running OS X. I use a proprietary dental app which is basically a glorified database program. In the near future I will add digital xrays and an intraoral camera which means I will be working with jpgs smaller than 1MB.

The server will be in my private office and will receivce very light use by me while others are on the network.

I will be wired for gigabit ethernet. Also, my dental app will run in Classic but from time to time I will need to boot into OS 9. (There is a modem issue with Classic.) So, OS 9 boot is a must.

I currently use my Pismo 400 as my server and have only one PM G4 networked to it (100base). At times the terminal app seems slow. However, having the PB as the server is nice because I can take the computer home, which makes it nice when I receive emergency calls.

ghporter · Oct 4, 2003, 08:34 AM

Use the PowerMac for the server. It's not a question of load or anything else like that to my mind, but rather more of a "why use a portable as a server?" You will itch to move that PowerBook around-after all, it IS a portable computer-and you will find it a real pain the fourth or fifth time you have to move your gigabit cable.

By the way, don't forget about HIPA requirements. Do not be tempted to make your network wireless, even in just a small segment, without buying a serious security solution for it.

LfGrdMike · Oct 4, 2003, 11:30 AM

why do you need a server you could hook everything up to a router and use an iMac as a gateway to send files to and backup.

DentalMac2 · 02:48 PM

Originally posted by GHPorter:
Use the PowerMac for the server. It's not a question of load or anything else like that to my mind, but rather more of a "why use a portable as a server?" You will itch to move that PowerBook around-after all, it IS a portable computer-and you will find it a real pain the fourth or fifth time you have to move your gigabit cable.

By the way, don't forget about HIPA requirements. Do not be tempted to make your network wireless, even in just a small segment, without buying a serious security solution for it.

GHPorter, as you seemed to imply I am concerned that the PB might not be able to handle the load. With my current two computer setup having the Pismo act as the server enables me to bring my work home or to the coffee shop. This is very convient for me. Also, if I receive emergency calls on the weekends I have access to some patient information. When I go digital with xrays and an intraoral camera, having access to the images will be a nice convenience.

During the day, the portability is a non-issue since I will be treating patients and will have computers in my dental operatories.

Yeah, HIPPA is a pain. I call it the HIPPA Headache. In the past I did have a wireless network but it was too slow because with my computer positioning I could not get a strong signal. But the Airport works just fine at home!

So, will I not see a significant speed difference between the PB and PM? The speed is somewhat important to me.

ghporter · Oct 5, 2003, 10:13 AM

It really sounds like you're more interested in shared storage over the classic "server" model. To me it makes more sense to use a stationary computer as a resource that's available to everything else on the network, than to use a portable. Further, you can get a PowerMac that runs much faster than a PowerBook, so sharing its resources would be easier on everyone. Don't forget that the hard drive in the PowerMac can be upgraded to 7200RPM, making it faster overall, even compared to the PowerBook with the same clock speed. In terms of shared resources, the CPU has less to do with apparent speed than the throughput potential of the drive/RAM/network setup.

DentalMac2 · Oct 5, 2003, 11:51 AM

Glenn,

Thanks for the input and explanation. I will go with the PowerMac. I really like the portability I have now but since I back up daily and take the discs home with me I will still have access to patient info.

Also, since my terminal PM G4 is a little pokey and since I will be adding more terminals, I will take all the speed I can get. Furthermore, I don't want my receptionist to have to tell a patient on the phone to wait because "the computer is running slow today."

I guess I'll just have to buy the PB for myself.