Introduction to Data Management

Managing Data on the Tandem Systems
2-4 15873 Tandem Computers Incorporated
Figure 2-2. Multiple Requesters and Servers
S8020-005
Order Entry
(Requester)
Credit Check
(Server)
Add
New Order
(Server)
Update Order
(Server)
Database
Order Entry
(Requester)
Credit Check
(Server)
Multiple Copies
of Server
Load Balancing Most system software for the Tandem computers is constructed of small components
that can run on any CPU. These components can be added, deleted, or moved about
without rewriting any software. Application requester and server programs, like
system programs, can also be constructed in groups of small modules.
Using multiple copies of the same server, the Tandem application development
software provides an easy method of dynamically balancing the processing load
among CPUs. You can set up an application so that, as the workload varies, the
requester-server interaction balances the load across the CPUs to achieve the most
efficient use of each one. Not only does the software direct a request to the least busy
server, it can start additional servers when the load is heavy and stop them when they
are no longer needed.
In addition to dynamic load balancing, several software tools help you enhance the
performance of your system. With these tools, you can measure, analyze, and modify
system performance and determine the most appropriate hardware configurations for
the performance level you need.