OSX Server 10.2.6 slower then ASIP6.3.3 on Dual G4, WHY?

[dragonmac]

😥
Ok I’m exhausting all options since Apple Tech Support is no Real help. I should have just bought an Xserve instead of the software. I will try to keep this simple but it won’t be easy because you need to know all that I’ve done till now.

Specs- I have an AGP Giga Dual G4-450 Mac 100Mhz Bus 1MB L2 cache on each processor and 856MB RAM. ATTO PCI pro UL366 SCSI Card w/ Attached Tape Drives.
Specs- Since removed to eliminate outside Hardware problem. 1. A B&W apple 2940 SCSI card. (startup disk ASIP was OEM 9.1GB B&W SCSI drive and card had firmware fix from apple installed) 2. A Grappler 930U(Attached Tape Drives) also firmware up-to-date add extension to OSX for recognition in Retrospect.

I had originally installed ASIP 6.3.3 under Mac OS 9.1 the last supported config. and was running the file, web, print, mail, MM (Macintosh Mgr) and Windows SMB server on it. I finally said lets go to X and start getting that Dual speed boost. I also had Retrospect 5.0 running nightly backup scenario.

Purchased OS X Server 10.2.3 about 2 Months ago and it has been nothing but a nightmare. First I followed the migration instructions to the letter. I even spoke to Apple First before doing the migration and even during the setup on some config questions because the assistant was not as clear as to what it wanted and/or would do. All Group Data was lost in MM I manually re-entered. I turned on all the services listed above from ASIP, except Web. There where some issues of home directories and mail server data locations that where custom (not the default locations). I also updated ALL SW updates to 10.2.6 w/all security fixes.
Yes it worked and Mail appeared to be faster to some users. The File Server was Painfully slow at times which I found to be the problem with the slow printing as well since linked graphics must be pulled from the server for every file we use (BTW mainly Quark, Photoshop, Ill.) All clients except one are 9.1 to 9.2.2.

OK after many talks with Apple and much frustration we decided to reinstall CLEAN and input the data in by hand. Only 30 users with various groups and privileges data plus MM users double work, print servers. Easy sure Apple. 😯

So I got a new drive for one of my artists and took another 9.1 GB SCSI drive and did a FORMAT (9 drivers avail) and install. BTW I have 2 ATA/100 drives on the 66 bus and now 2-9.1 SCSI drives on the 2940. The Atto still has 2 tapes on it. I also took out the 930U and left 2-tape drive off. Went through the massive reentry process and restarted my services all again except Web as listed above (no DNS, DHCP, etc.) STILL not up to par with the same complaints from users and me.
The following is the list of fixes I tried to get better performance:
1. Removed Journaling from all drives.
2. Switched Both SCSI drives to New ATTO Card Pulled 2940. Only 1 PCI in now no Tapes.
3. Retrospect was never installed under the clean install.
4. Trying to remove all needs of AppleTalk on server. (Still 2 old printers that don’t except LPR to fix) no Printers Shared AT, only LPR and SMB too server.
5. All user go through password server.
6. Local DNS server has Right Settings for server IP.
7. No updates except the 10.2.6 have been installed.
8. Pulling my hair out, shoving it in the OSX server Box and sending it back to Apple. 😆

As you see I have done a lot to try to fix this the final step is to remove SCSI and AT from the Server which will be really hard or go back to ASIP6. (I might install onto an ATA for startup if it’s recommended by others) I need Help here of any kind or clue as to what I can do to HACK or whatever to AFP services to work as fast if not faster on this DUAL processor Mac.

[dragonmac]

8)
Hi Troll,
As far as the Link Speeds an Network Config goes I’ll go into more details later but it is a switched network. Server is on a Giga Switch and is at full Duplex last I cheaked.
The ASIP system is intacted cause I have had to return to it several times. I also want to put some hard numbers together for Apple so I’ll try to get this all by fri. or over the weekend.
I’ll look and post log entries later.
Since DNS is on a separate Mac running QuickDNSPro i’ll make those entries there. The only thing I fear with DNS is that it is a Public DNS Server. I don’t want to have private network information on it for a public Domain but OK. I’ll get it done and see how it goes.
BTW Hackers can Tunnel that info out of DNS servers and try to pass through NAT networks. 😈

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