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Each of these
computer configurations (A, B, and C) is appropriate for a certain client size,
i.e.. configuration A for 1 - 100 precincts, etc. Or you tell me:
what determines which client employs which of the configurations A through
C?
Nel Mike is the best person to tell you
about performance issues. It never seems completely related to the number
of precincts but to the tasks the computer has to do. I've asked him a few
times about it so maybe I can relate it in his terms.
Here goes:
Damn near everything that we run out
there can be handled by a Small Scale Configuration A
machine. One exception would be a large central count site (12+
CC AccuVotes) where you might want to have a separate Medium Scale Config B
machine. It has 128MB RAM, one 6.4GB EIDE hard drive, and a ZIP Drive for
backup.
The Medium Scale Config B
machine is for people who want redundancy. It has a redundant
power supply and a RAID5 array of four 9GB SCSI hard disks.
It also has 256MB RAM and a DAT Tape drive for backup. It has space
for a second processor, but it's not loaded. Second processors usually
slow processing down unless your running high graphic content floating point
software. Its over powered for uploads and reporting, but just right for
Central Count. This unit may be sold to an account who thinks they need
something bigger than a mini-tower to run "ELECTION SOFTWARE!!!"
The Large Scale Config C
machine is an "over-the-top" machine. This unit has every bell
and whistle in it. It's for those customers who have nothing but money
coming out of their ears and want to flaunt it. Totally unnecessary for
actually running elections but a very impressive piece of equipment for
customers to ogle.
GEMS is a very process-efficient
program. Running on Windows NT helps. We already provide 128MB of
RAM on the unit which is usually enough to do most jobs. But if you wanted
it to do more, and do it faster, the memory can be increased for a price.
The only other item that is totally up to the customer is screen size.
Right now we offer 17", and 21" monitor upgrades (at a price of
course).
Hope this helps you and anybody else
who always wondered. Mike is free to rebutt this if he wants to challenge
my accuracy of this picture.
Ian
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