Network Latency and Bandwidth Requirements between Clients and Servers¶
aPriori tests network latency as Round Trip Time (RTT) with the ping command between the aPriori client and the aPriori Customer Support database server.
| Measure | Required | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Latency (round trip) | 100 ms | <= 25 ms |
| Bandwidth | 500 kb/s | 1500 kb/s |
Latency generally has a greater impact on performance than bandwidth. The impact of high latency is increased when you analyze large assemblies.
If latency is greater than recommended for remote users that are frequently accessing aPriori and analyzing assemblies, aPriori recommends a multi-database deployment.
If latency is greater than required, aPriori recommends a deployment with local databases for groups of users, with aPriori Scenario Sync to share data between the databases. This deployment approach allows a global user population to have a consistent and shared view of component costs.
The Effect of Latency on Performance¶
The performance of aPriori software depends on the latency of your network connection, that is, how fast your network can transfer data between the client and the server. The client queries the server for costing data, and the results are saved to the server. The longer it takes for data to transfer between the client and server, the longer the costing operation takes.
Network latency depends on several variables including:
- Network infrastructure
- Distance to the server
- Amount of simultaneous network traffic
- Communication cost of the software operation
During an aPriori installation, due to the number and unpredictability of the variables, it can be difficult to predict the architecture that is required to ensure reliable performance. However, as the table shows, there are some general expectations for performance based on geography.
| Server | Client | Client | Client |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America | Europe | Asia | |
| North America | Good | Acceptable | Poor |
| Europe | Acceptable | Good | Poor |
| Asia | Poor | Poor | See Users in Asia |
Good performance is adequate for most operations.
Acceptable performance includes some performance issues, but the software works as expected. Consider solutions for better performance based on the operations that your company performs. For more information, see Operations That Require Better Networks and Solutions for High-Latency Network Connections.
Poor performance falls below User expectations and network errors may occur. Alternative solutions are recommended. For more information, Solutions for High-Latency Network Connections
Users in Asia¶
Network quality in Asia varies greatly by country and region, and often the distances can be quite large. For this region, the following is proposed.
- Good performance: Servers as close as possible, in the same country.
- Acceptable performance : Servers in the same country
- Poor performance: Servers in a different country
Operations That Require Better Networks¶
The required latency also depends on the amount of work that the end user is doing. Certain operations require more communication with the database, especially when using large numbers of parts. If the latency is poor, performance suffers more when:
- The bill of materials is large, perhaps loaded through PCBA or Wire Harness.
- The deployment includes large numbers of configured Digital Factories.
- A search includes many parts.
Solutions for High-Latency Network Connections¶
These are solutions available for users that experience poor performance due to latency:
- Place an additional server closer to the users. This data may need to be synchronized with other data in the global environment.
- Set up a shared cache for all users in an environment. This approach allows caching operations to take place in off-hours on one PC, rather than for all users during working hours.
- Create a remote desktop environment close to the server for remote users. if the number of remote users is small, this approach may be the most cost-effective solution.
- Use the aPriori cloud solution.
For a better understanding of the causes and solutions for any performance issues that you are experiencing, contact the aPriori Customer Support team.