Windows Server Administration Tasks
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1. Create a full backup at least once per week. Big Business saves ALL data in one file (YourCompany.4DD), usually kept in the Server folder, in the Data folder, or in a Shared folder. Quit out of Big Business Server to flush all unsaved changes. Then, copy your Company file to removable media (Zip, Jaz), backup media (DAT, CDR) or a laptop, which can be taken off-site.
2. Keep server hard drive(s) defragmented. To prevent fragmentation, maintain at least 25% free space at all times. For Windows NT, add a disk utility like (www.execsoft.com) Diskeeper Server($399)/ Workstation ($75)/ Lite ($0) to defragment the disk(s) on a regular basis. Windows 2000 includes a Disk Defragmenter. Check free space and fragmentation at least once per month.
3. Compact or Rebuild your Company file periodically. Big Business includes Big Business Tools for repairing and optimizing Company files. See the Tools Help file for instructions and details. Compacting removes deleted records and reindexes the file. Recovering repairs and optimizes data. Both operations create a new data file and can be run unattended (overnight). Run Tools once per quarter (every 3 months) or more often for fast-growing files.
4. Check memory usage and allocations. As your data file grows, increase the Cache Memory setting on BB Server. Cache Memory is set from the File menu > Database Properties > fifth tab (do not make other changes, especially to Platform settings) by entering a number of KB (the default 32,768 is 32MB or 32 x 1024KB) in the range of one-half to double the size of the data file. Access the Task Manager by right clicking on the task bar to monitor memory usage. Add RAM and update the Cache Memory setting as necessary, as your data file grows.
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