Unisys Sets Record SAP R/3 Benchmark with SQL Server 7.0 on Windows NT

Strategic Insights -

Unisys Corporation has set a new SAP R/3 standard application benchmark record for Windows NT platforms using the SQL Server 7.0 database environment. The record-breaking performance was achieved on Unisys Enterprise-class Windows NT QS/2 servers, which delivered an average dialog response time of 1.91 seconds while supporting 2,400 sales and distribution (SD) benchmark users. This achievement represents a significant milestone in the demonstration of the power of Unisys' Windows NT servers for enterprise-class solutions. The results were obtained by configuring a three-tiered solutions environment running Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Microsoft SQL Server 7.0, and SAP R/3 Version 3.1. The test environment consisted of a database server, dialog servers, update servers, a message/enqueing server, and benchmark driver servers, all connected to a high-speed network switch.

Key Takeaways:

  • Unisys sets a new SAP R/3 benchmark record with 2,400 sales and distribution (SD) benchmark users supported, achieving an average dialog response time of 1.91 seconds.
  • The record-breaking performance was achieved on Unisys Enterprise-class Windows NT QS/2 servers using the SQL Server 7.0 database environment.
  • The test environment consisted of a three-tiered solutions configuration, including a database server, dialog servers, update servers, a message/enqueing server, and benchmark driver servers.
  • The systems were connected to a single Cisco Catalyst 5500 high-speed network switch, running switched ports at 100MB/second full duplex under TCP/IP on an Ethernet network.
  • Unisys' Enterprise-class Windows NT QS/2 servers used the new Intel Pentium II Xeon processor technology, featuring four 400 MHz CPUs and 4 GB of RAM per system.

Statistics:

  • 2,400 SD benchmark users supported (a new record)
  • Average dialog response time: 1.91 seconds
  • Database server: Unisys QS/2 with four 400 MHz Intel Pentium II Xeon CPUs, 400 MHz clock speed, and 4 GB RAM
  • Dialog servers: 16 servers, each with six 200 MHz Intel Pentium Pro CPUs, 16 KB L1 cache, 1 MB L2 cache, and 1 GB RAM
  • Update servers: 4 systems, each with four 400 MHz Intel Pentium Pro CPUs, 32 KB L1 cache, 1 MB L2 cache, and 4 GB RAM
  • Message/enqueing server: One system with six 200 MHz Intel Pentium Pro CPUs, 16 KB L1 cache, 1 MB L2 cache, and 1 GB RAM
  • Benchmark driver servers: 4 systems, each with six 200 MHz Intel Pentium Pro CPUs, 16 KB L1 cache, 1 MB L2 cache, and 1 GB RAM

Sources:

  • M2 Presswire, "UNISYS: Unisys servers set record SAP R/3 benchmark with SQL Server 7.0 on Windows NT" (15 September 1998)
  • Unisys Corporation, "About Unisys"
  • Unisys Corporation, "Contact: Oliver L. Picher"