Server Deployment
I am looking to begin using RGP by the end of this year. I am currently looking into options for servers. Do you have any recommended server and router configurations. I plan on running one front desk machine and a back office machine but would like the option to later install a member check in station. Also will it be possible to have the server store and host my Quickbooks Application? Is there a managed solution(like a hosted server) that might be more practical for a small facility like mine?
Comments
Any low-to-mid end server/desktop can work as your server. Ideally you want to get one with RAIDed (RAID 1, mirrored) hard drives. Then if a drive fails, it is a non-event you just put in a replacement.
But many gyms just use a moderately powerful desktop PC as their server. Depending on your IT skills, managing Windows Server can be a pain in the ass!
You do want Windows 7 (desktop or server version) - it works great with RGP.
As for Quickbooks... if you have QBs and RGP installed on the same computer (server or workstation) they can communicate.
I understand that a simple desktop will suffice as the server. I am more interested in alleviating the need to maintain a server at the facility. I am hoping to have a Cloud Server from a provider(Rackspace e.g) host my Quickbooks software and RGP. Would this work to host RGP?
I travel a LOT for work. I am hoping to easily be able to share my QB file and RGP information between my manager, accountant and myself. The ability to easily troubleshoot when necessary is also of the utmost importance.
While it is technically possible to host the RGP database on a cloud server, you'll be miserably dissapointed with performance, and thus I can't recommend it or support it. RGP was designed to run on a lan and be FAST. The open internet latency will really slow down common operations and you'll be quite frustrated.
As for QB, I have no idea if it can run off a cloud server.
With regarding to managing an RGP server onsite - it is trivial. I think I've actually had to do something "physically on" the server at my gym three times in two years. And every billing I've run monthly for two years has been via a remote login. I'm in Joshua Tree right now, and I will be running billing on Friday morning from here!
I use LogMeIn (http://www.logmein.com ) for remote access to my server and I can do EVERYTHING on it from anywhere in the world. I run billing, look at daily sales, update customers, etc. In fact, I live 600 miles from my gym - but I login 2-3 times per day to see how things are going. And your manager can have access to.
With the automatic offsite backup, your data is backed up every night without you doing anything. And should I *not* receive an automatic backup one night - you'll get an automatic notification email.
Bottom line - I wouldn't worry about hosting your RGP database at your location. It is easy to setup, and once deployed you really won't have to touch it. And using LogMeIn (or remote desktop via a VPN) you have full access from anywhere.
Hope this helps
Andy
I would assume that a server operating Windows Server software would offer many advantages over one running regular Windows XP or 7. What would these advantages be (i.e. security, speed, level of required maintenance, etc)? I have never set up a windows server before but am willing to learn how and/or hire the job done if this would be a better option for the long run.
Also, if we choose to implement RGP on a desktop operating as a server, would it be easy to switch over to a proper server at a later date?
I'd say stick with Windows 7... no reason to start with Server. It is more expensive and complicated. If you need it later, you can always add it.
There is NO advantage with Windows Server for Rock Gym Pro. Any advantages would be related to your network management in general such as file sharing, document management, printing etc.
Hope this helps
If you, an employee or a trusted customer/friend has the skill, the database for RGP can easily be hosted on a linux-based server as well. MySQL is relatively compatible with itself, regardless of operating system, so if you wanted to move from storing the database on a regular desktop to storing it on a dedicated server, it's entirely possible to import the database onto the new server. The only real issue is that there isn't any built-in RGP functionality to back up the database through Andy's service if you're running a linux-based server. I definitely agree on the RAID1 setup on the server, but strongly recommend off-site backups as well!
There is an additional risk with a Linux server. I don't test against Linux, and there are some subtle differences between Linux/Window table names n MySQL. There have been a few times in the past where I released code that didn't work on Linux, but did on Windows.
It's rare, but it has happened.
Could you give me some examples? We've been hosting the database on a linux server for around 2yrs now, and have yet to have a problem. Also, if you want someone to check for bugs in linux, let me know!
Table names are case sensitive on Linux, they are NOT case sensitive on Windows. So if I happen to mistype the case on a table name in an SQL statement - it'll work fine in Windows but break on Linux. It's happened. It's an unfortunate side effect of Window's non-case-sensitive file names.
It's more about automated testing. I have nearly 1500 automated tests against a Windows platform.
We're also successfully piloting on Linux - we already had a linux server running MySQL for out legacy system. As a small charity, we don't have funds to pay for hardware and software for windows 7. We would also be happy to help with testing.
Windows cloud are best for the professionals or for the engineers for their running online projects. These techniques are coming with new logics.
Hi Andy, please can you advise if there are any issues running RGP on W7pro with software RAID 1. We are setting a 2nd site up, initially we plan to start with a dedicated pc. Alternatively may add a raid controller if possible. Thanks
We highly recommend RAID1 - its the best way to avoid disaster when a hard-drive failure occurs. You can even splurge and get the hot swappable drives :)
As for RGP and RAID1.... the RAID drives behave like any hard drive in Windows, so RGP knows nothing about it. It's just a "drive" in Windows. Make sure you have a way to get notified when a failure occurs though, as having RAID doesn't help if nobody notices a drive as failed and then the second one fails!
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