Optimising your network to ensure that MYOB Accounting Plus runs at peak performance

Networking with MYOB Accounting Plus Overview > Putting it all together > Optimising your network
Optimising your network

Because Accounting Plus relies heavily upon your network to accomplish its tasks, it's important that your network is set up to run as fast as it can. Even the slightest drag upon your network's resources might slow down the processing of the tasks you perform in Accounting Plus. Use the topics in this section to give your computers and network a performance checkup before you begin using Accounting Plus.

On your computers' hard disks

Note: What is file fragmentation?

Fragmentation is a frequent condition in a computer in which files are separated on a disk into small, separated fragments.
File fragmentation is a natural consequence of creating, deleting or modifying files on a disk over time. When a file is saved on a crowded disk that no longer contains contiguous blocks of free space large enough to hold it, the file is automatically split into two or more chunks, or fragments, and placed on separate parts of the disk. If left untreated, file fragmentation can slow down a disk's access speed.

  • Even if you have plenty of hard disk space on your computers, you can still experience file fragmentation. To avoid this condition, optimise your hard disks from time to time. Several programs, such as Disk Defragmenter, are available to help you optimise your hard disks.
  • On the computer that will be used to store your Accounting Plus company file, check to see whether additional shared files or databases on that computer are accessed by the computers on the network. If such files do exist, keep in mind that the increased activity on the hard disk may slow the performance of the disk. You might want to consider moving the files to other computers on the network.

Note: Windows NT hard disk performance tips

If the computer on which your Accounting Plus company file is stored uses the Windows NT operating system, there are a few extra items on your hard disk that you might want to check. A Windows NT computer will run faster if:

Its hard disk uses the SCSI parallel interface. SCSI (Small Computer System Interface; pronounced "scuzzy") is a parallel interface for attaching peripheral devices to computers. Another type of disk, IDE, isn't as fast as a SCSI disk.

Its hard disk is partitioned. Windows NT takes less time to work on a computer with a large hard disk when the hard disk is partitioned into a number of smaller drives. There is an entire sector of the software industry devoted to utilities that help you partition your hard disk.

The partition on which the company file is located uses the NTFS file system. The NTFS (New Technology File System) is the standard Windows NT file system. Other types of file systems such as FAT and HPFS aren't as efficient as NTFS on Windows NT.

In your computers' memory

Note: Windows NT memory performance tips

If the computer on which your Accounting Plus company file is stored uses the Windows NT operating system, there are a couple extra memory items that you might want to check. A Windows NT computer will run faster if:
EDO memory chips (SIMMs) are used instead of "regular" RAM SIMMs. EDO (Extended Data Out) SIMMs are newer and faster than other SIMMs. (Note: Be sure your computers are compatible with EDO SIMMs before you attempt to switch to EDO RAM.)
The RAM cache size is set at 512K or higher. A RAM cache is a reserved section of the computer's main memory that's used to store frequently used data for quick access. Refer to your Windows NT documentation to learn how to increase your RAM cache.

On your network