Summary:  We need to get a step function gain in the speed of
filemaker imports using version 7 server.  Takes 36 hours now.

Expectations. We've done google searches, we've found general info
about system requirements, we're way beyond that.  We need either a)
someone who has in depth experience with FM7 imports and has tried
hardware to improve performance, or b) someone who has got the FM7
experience but is very specialized in understanding speed issues with
database imports.

So far we've tried FileMaker support but they say, try a faster hard
drive, get more ram, etc. Duh. Of course. But before we rip our
servers out for new ones we need to know what our chances are of
getting 36 hours down to 24, or 12, or even 6.  Hmmm. 3 hours would
make us Sooooo, happy. :-)

Pricing:
hard to price this question.  I've priced at $50, it might be an easy
find. I'll happily tip big or whatever is needed if there's a solution
that will take a few hours work of someone needs more. I dont want to
put up a big amount and then have solutions similar to what Filemaker
support gave us.

Limits. This is a hardware question. We are reasonable sure that we've
done all the right things on software. (turning everything else off,
trying variations of improrting with indexes off, then turning on,
etc. If you think you have a software solution then please tease me
first so I can tell you if we  think we've already tried it).

Details:
Below are some details that might be useful about our current system:


 

System Specs for Import:

FileMaker Developer 7.0v2 (latest patch)

Database ? Single File

67 tables

80+ layouts

Total Size of compressed imported file ~500-600 MB

 

Important bits in BOLD, but its all here in case they ask questions?

 

Processor
 
Manufacturer
 Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.20GHz
 
Clock Speed
 3.2GHz
 
Manufacturer
 Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.20GHz
 
Clock Speed
 3.2GHz
 
 

Available Memory
 29.77 %
 
Page File Size
 2461.9Mb
 
Available Page File
 70.46 %
 
Virtual Memory
 3484.9Mb
 
Available Virtual Memory
 58.51 %
 
Memory Slot 1 [CHANNEL A DIMM 0]
  512Mb
 
Memory Slot 2 [CHANNEL B DIMM 0]
  512Mb
 

 

Drive
 Type
 Drive Size
 Total Available Space
 User Available Space
 
C:
 NTFS
 232.7Gb
 166.9Gb
 65.84Gb
 
E:
 NTFS
 74.49Gb
 13.04Gb
 61.45Gb
 
F:
 NTFS
 111.7Gb
 53.83Gb
 57.95Gb
 
I:
 FAT32
 18.54Gb
 4.237Gb
 14.31Gb
 

 

Type
 Description
 
Disk Drives
 Maxtor 7Y250M0 232.8Gb
 
 
 ST380021A 74.52Gb
 
 
 WDC WD1200JB-00CRA1 111.7Gb
 
 
 Apple Computer_ Inc. iPod IEEE 1394 SBP2 Device 18.62Gb
 
Display Adapters
 NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 128Mb
 
Floppy Disk Drives
 (Standard floppy disk drives) Floppy disk drive
 
IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers
 Intel(R) 82801EB Ultra ATA Storage Controllers
 
 
 Primary IDE Channel
 
 
 Secondary IDE Channel
 
 
 Intel(R) 82801EB Ultra ATA Storage Controllers
 
 
 Primary IDE Channel
 
Keyboards
 Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
 
Mice and Other Pointing Devices
 HID-compliant mouse
 
 
 PS/2 Compatible Mouse
 
Monitors
 Default Monitor - (Standard monitor types)
 
Sound Devices
 Creative SB Live! Series (WDM)
 
USB Controllers
 Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D2
 
 
 Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D4
 
 
 Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D7
 
 
 Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24DE
 
 Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller

Thanks!