Table of contents

• Preface
• CPU
• Memory (RAM)
• Video cards
• Sound devices
• Hard disk
• Motherboard
• Power supply
• USB cabling and hubs
• Input devices

Preface

• This article discusses important guidelines concerning choosing major hardware parts when planning an installation of a SoftXpand host computer.
• In general, the better/stronger/faster the hardware is, the better is the SoftXpand workstation user experience. Be advised to purchase the most cost effective equipment for your SoftXpand host.
• SoftXpand may be installed onto any standard computer. For a basic 2 workstation deployment it requires the following hardware configuration as a minimum in order to achieve reasonable performance and stability.
  
  • CPU: Intel P4 1300MHz or equivalent AMD processor.
  • Memory: 512MB of physical memory.
  • Video card(s): One dual video card, or two single display cards that support the Windows XP Multiple Monitors feature. If you have any concerns, check the card’s manual and consult with your vendor.
  • Power supply: At least 300W total power rating.
  • USB: at least one free USB port.
• Preparing a SoftXpand host computer is much the same as constructing a standard personal computer. Take the same common designing requirements into consideration but remember that SoftXpand creates a simultaneous multi user environment, so the number of running applications is multiplied by the number of workstations in the cluster.
• In order to make an educated decision about choosing hardware, start with asking questions that will help you clarify your expectations. Be advised to read the complete article before answering and making decisions.
  
  • How many workstations will be connected to the host? Will all the workstations be used simultaneously? Will all workstations demand approximately the same share of central resources or perhaps some of them will require more than the others? This should be considered when choosing a CPU and memory.
  • What types of applications will be used? Standard Office and Internet applications do not demand the same hardware resources (CPU, memory, video card, hard disk) comparing to professional (Picture & video editing, Programming, Graphic design, Mathematical calculating) applications. This should be considered when choosing CPU, memory, video card, and hard disk.
  • Do the applications require high 3D graphical performance (Graphic design, 3D games)? This should be considered when choosing video cards and may also affect the demands for CPU and memory resources, depending if the video card enables using the SoftXpand Native video mode. More information and guidelines for running multimedia applications is SoftXpand can be found here.
  • Are you planning to install one or more sound system(s) onto the host? Will you be using PCI or USB devices? This should be considered when choosing a motherboard and planning the USB equipment deployment. Currently, SoftXpand supports standard stereo sound devices.
  • Will you need to connect peripheral devices directly to the host or to the workstations (Printer, Flash drive, Scanner etc)? This should be considered when choosing a motherboard and when planning the USB hubs and cabling deployment.
  • Do you have special Human Interface Devices (Trackball, Touchpad, Joystick, and Gamepad)?
  • What type of connectors will the workstation’s monitors have (VGA/DVI)? This should be considered when choosing video cards.
  • What are the physical distances between the host and the workstations? This should be considered when choosing video cards. VGA cabling may be extended to greater distances than DVI cabling.
• Before answering these questions, let's first discuss the major elements that personal computers contain and their direct influence on your success in the SoftXpand host deployment.

CPU

• Based on the performance demands of the applications that will run at the same time on the host, in relation to the number of workstations in the SoftXpand cluster, the selection of an appropriate CPU influences the performance of the system.
• Up to date Dual/Quad core CPUs offer increased PC performance. Many up to date applications are designed to run on a multi thread processor. The SoftXpand multi user environment is designed to use the multi thread technology. SoftXpand makes the most of Dual and Quad core CPUs.
• The Total demand for CPU resources also depends in the type of video card(s) that will be installed. Please read the Video card section.
• For a basic 2 workstation setup, you need an Intel® Pentium® 4 1300 MHz or equivalent AMD processor.
• For a basic 4 - 6 workstation setup, an AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800 or an Intel Pentium D 820 will deliver sufficient processing power for standard Office and Internet use.
• For an improved CPU performance, in order to run applications that demand much processing power, install the best cost effective CPU you can afford.

Memory (RAM)

• The total memory that is available for applications running on Windows XP is the sum of physical memory + page file. This article discusses the physical memory only. For additional information about Virtual memory, click here: RAM, Virtual Memory, Page file and all that stuff.
• The memory type and size may be limited by the capabilities of the chosen motherboard and by the Windows XP 32bits built in limitation of up to 4GB* RAM. By definition, all the memory parameters are important for building the right system, but, this document covers only the aspect of quantity and not other aspects such as speed, type etc.
• For a basic 2 workstation setup, you need 512 MB of physical memory.
• As a rule of thumb:
• For basic Office and Internet use, each workstation requires 256 MB of physical memory, so a basic 6 workstation setup will need having 1.5 GB RAM installed on the host.
• For 2D editing applications, video, and 2D games, each workstation requires 384 MB of physical memory, so a basic 6 workstation setup will need having approximately 2 GB RAM installed on the host. .
• For an improved memory performance, increase the total physical memory, up to the Windows XP Pro 32bit limit of 4 GB.
• Click on the following links to learn how to fine tune the computer’s physical memory management: 4-Gigabyte Tuning, /3GB, 4GT Technical Reference, PAE X86 Technical Reference.

Video cards

• Each workstation requires an available VGA, DVI or TV-out video card port in order to connect the monitor. The video card may be an on-board, PCI, PCI Express, or AGP.
• The video card must support the Windows XP Multiple Monitors feature. Check the card’s manual and if you have any concerns consult with your vendor.
• A cost effective choice will be to use dual display video cards. Using dual-head video cards enables using fewer slots. One dual-head video card serves two workstations.
• Many applications are designed to use the video card's own processing unit (GPU), thus putting less load on the computer's CPU.
  The SoftXpand Native video mode driver enables better user experience and overall computer performance by directing the load onto the video card, thus freeing the host's CPU.
  SoftXpand Native video mode driver achieves maximum performance with all NVIDIA and ATI dual head and single head video cards.
  Native mode supports advanced video features and Direct X.
  SoftXpand can apply the Native mode with most brands of single head video cards.
• SoftXpand works better with advanced NVIDIA video cards (5, 6, 7, 8 series and higher) and ATI video cards, but also enables working with non NVIDIA, ATI dual head cards using its Safe video mode. The SoftXpand Safe video mode uses Graphic Emulation over CPU to enable using non NVIDIA or ATI dual head models. Working with Safe mode requires having additional CPU resources.
  Safe mode does not support advanced video features and Direct X.
• When choosing video cards, consider the graphical performance needs according to the type of applications that will be used on each workstation. One or more workstations may be used run graphic design CAD applications or 3D games, while the other workstations may be used for standard Office and Internet applications. Different video cards may be installed onto the host in order to serve different uses.
• If you are considering using an on-board video card together with peripheral PCI/PCI Express/AGP cards, make sure the motherboard’s BIOS enables this function. Check the motherboard manual and if you have any concerns consult with your vendor.
• Various video cards have different output ports. The ports may be any combination of: VGA, DVI-D (digital only), DVI-I (digital & analog), or TV-out. Choose video cards with ports that match your monitors. DVI-I output may be converted to VGA using an adapter. In general, VGA cabling costs less than DVI cabling and may be extended to higher distances.

Sound devices

• Typically, most standard motherboards include one sound device. Adding additional PCI sound devices is possible only if there are available slots on the motherboard.
• If you wish to assign sound devices to workstations, take into consideration that the physical distance between the host and the workstation may make using PCI devices difficult because of the need to extend sound cabling.
• Using USB sound devices is recommended. Typically, they are automatically recognized by Windows XP and do not require special manual configuration. Please read the USB cabling section.
• Currently, SoftXpand supports standard stereo sound devices.

Hard disk

• In general, a high I/O speed improves performance on any computer. If you are planning on running applications that require high I/O speed, consider installing two or more hard disks configured to work in RAID 0. Click here for additional information about RAID.

Motherboard

• Before choosing the motherboard, take into consideration all the hardware aspects that were already mentioned earlier.
• We cannot recommend any specific motherboard model or chipset. Because of the high pace new motherboards are released to the market, any specific recommendations made today could be obsolete before this article gets to you.
• The choice of a motherboard depends directly on the components that will be installed onto it. The Major components are: CPU, Memory, Video card(s), Hard disk, and Sound card. Combining all the above mentioned considerations will narrow down the options to help you make the right choice.
• Make sure the motherboard supports the CPU you are planning to install onto it. Consider an optional CPU upgrade.
• Make sure the motherboard supports the amount of memory you are planning to install onto it. Consider an optional memory upgrade up to 4GB.
• Make sure the motherboard supports the type and number of video cards you need. It must have a sufficient number and type of slots to connect the video cards you want and any additional PCI devices you plan to install.
  Each workstation requires an available VGA, DVI or TV-out video card port in order to connect the monitor. The video card may be an on-board, PCI, PCI Express, or AGP. Using dual-head video cards enables using fewer slots. One dual-head video card serves two workstations.
  If you are considering using an on-board video card together with peripheral PCI/PCI Express/AGP cards, make sure the motherboard’s BIOS supports this configuration. Check the motherboard manual and if you have any concerns consult with your vendor.
• If you are planning to install additional PCI devices, make sure the motherboard has a sufficient number of PCI slots.
• Implementing a hardware RAID 0 solution requires having a hardware controller. A RAID controller may be built in the motherboard or added as a PCI card.
• Although it is not required, it is recommended that the motherboard will have as many USB ports as possible. Every workstation in a SoftXpand cluster requires its own keyboard and mouse. You may also wish to connect additional USB devices. The USB cabling system may be extended and divided using USB cables and hubs but it may be convenient to connect some of the devices directly to the host if possible.

Power supply

• Selecting a power supply is an important aspect to consider when preparing a SoftXpand host computer.
• Every device that is connected directly to the motherboard consumes its electricity from the computer power supply. When designing the SoftXpand host, choose a power supply that can support all the devices that will plug into the expansion slots and USB ports.
• The main specification of a power supply is the total output capacity in watts. The standard power rating label may be misleading. Click here to learn about selecting an appropriate power supply for a SoftXpand host computer in a MiniFrame Knowledge Base article.
• For your convenience, for a basic use SoftXpand host, to avoid having to calculate the exact power supply consumption, we offer the following table to help you choose the appropriate power supply. If you are planning using high performance video cards or other devices that may consume much electric power, please read the Knowledge Base article before choosing a power supply.

USB cabling and hubs

• Every workstation requires its own keyboard and mouse. One workstation (typically the nearest to the host) may use a PS2 keyboard and mouse set. The other workstations must use USB keyboards and mice.
• You may also wish to connect additional USB devices (sound, flash drive, printer, scanner, etc). Every peripheral device must be connected to its own USB port. Most up to date computer systems include up to 8 USB ports, so if you install 2 or 3 workstations and place them next to the host, you may not have to expand the USB system.
• If you deploy 6 workstations using only USB devices and also wish to connect a USB printer cable to the host, and separate USB sound devices for each workstation, and a Flash drive for each workstation, the required total number of USB ports is: (USB Keyboard X 6) + (USB mouse X 6) + (printer X 1) + (USB sound device X 6) + (Flash drive X 6) = 25 USB ports.
• Also, in a six workstations deployment you need to take into consideration the aspect of physical distance. You may prefer to place the workstations away from the host.
• Use USB cables for extending the distance of a workstation from the host to up to 5 meters. For extending the distance between 5 to 20 meters, use and chain only active USB Extender cables.
• Connect an Active Self Powered USB hub to each USB end point next to the workstations. Two workstations may share one 4 port hub if you wish to connect only a keyboard and a mouse to each workstation. Assigning one 4 port Active Self Powered USB hub to each workstation will allow connecting additional peripheral devices.

Input devices

• If needed, one set of PS2 keyboard and mouse may be connected to the host. All the other sets will have USB connectors.
• Wireless input devices may be used as long as their receiving unit can be connected to the host.
• SoftXpand does not support using advanced input devices applications that expand the keyboard and mouse features beyond the standard use.
• Human Interface Devices (Trackball, Touchpad, Joystick, and Gamepad) may be connected to the workstations USB hubs.