How to enhance Endpoint Central server performance?

Description

         On any given day, IT admins would opt for a server that performs efficiently. Server performance is crucial to every organization as it directly impacts the delivery of business critical services. Enhance the performance of your Endpoint Central server to avert the bottlenecks and prevent the outages. 

         Here are a few steps to achieve optimal levels of Endpoint Central server performance in your network :

Implementation from Endpoint Central server

         The following best practices need to be implemented from Endpoint Central server -

 
 
Reduce the load on your server by using Distribution Servers

         The load on server increases when all the agents contact the server simultaneously for replication of patch or software binaries which potentially leads to bandwidth bottleneck. Therefore, it is highly recommended to use 1 distribution server for every 1000 computers that you manage. Besides, it is ideal to use a distribution server when you have limited WAN bandwidth or when you have more number of computers to manage, say, greater than 10.

No. of computers
Degree of efficacy
1 - 3000
Moderate
3001 - 15000
High
> 15000
Very High
 
 
Run server maintenance regularly

         It is all the more beneficial to run Endpoint Central's server maintenance automatically. Along with server optimization, database maintenance will reindex the EndCentral tables in order to optimize and improve database performances.

No. of computers
Degree of efficacy
1 - 3000
High
3001 - 15000
High
> 15000
Very High
 
 
Distribute Automated Patch Deployment (APD) task evenly

         Create an APD task in such a way that the target computers are grouped and each group has a different deployment window for carrying out the task. This way, the load on Endpoint Central server will be reduced and the bandwidth consumed will be less. For example, when you create an APD task for 1000 computers, create it in such a way that 500 computers carry out the task during deployment window A and the other 500 computers during deployment window B.

No. of computers
Degree of efficacy
1 - 3000
Moderate
3001 - 15000
High
> 15000
Very High
 
 
Increase the refresh interval

         The default refresh interval is 90 minutes. Once in every 90 minutes, all the agents post data to the server. The load gets heavier on the server as it time-consuming for processing huge chunks of data. Raise the default refresh interval and let the server breathe. Contact Endpoint Central Support for assistance on this.

No. of computers
Degree of efficacy
1 - 3000
Low
3001 - 15000
Low
> 15000
Moderate
 
 
Host patch and software repository on a different computer

         In order to reduce the load on the disk in which Endpoint Central server in installed, it is highly recommended to place the patch repository and software repository on a different computer.

No. of computers
Degree of efficacy
1 - 3000
Moderate
3001 - 15000
High
> 15000
Very High

Implementation from server-installed machine

         The best practices mentioned below should be executed on the machine in which Endpoint Central server is installed -

 
 
Configure RAID array for read/write speeds on database

         It is pivotal to configure the RAID array properly for increasing the read/write speeds to a disk. The optimal configuration level is 50% Read - 50 % Write. RAID (Redundant array of Independent Disks) is also a means of data backup during events of drive failure.

No. of computers
Degree of efficacy
1 - 3000
Low
3001 - 15000
Moderate
> 15000
Very High
 
 
Use high speed network connections

         Primarily, it is crucial to have a high speed network connection for faster rendering purposes.

No. of computers
Degree of efficacy
1 - 3000
Moderate
3001 - 15000
High
> 15000
Very High
 
 
Do not use file indexing or file compression on DC installed drive

         Windows file indexing service indexes files and folders that slows down the rendering speed of files dramatically. File compression stores files in a smaller size to save space.

         It is not recommended to use file indexing service and file compression on the drive where Endpoint Central is installed as this would consume a lot of time in fetching the files. Right click on the drive and select Properties. From the General tab, turn off the indexing service and from the Advanced tab, turn off file compression.

No. of computers
Degree of efficacy
1 - 3000
Moderate
3001 - 15000
Moderate
> 15000
Moderate

Best practices while using SQL server

         It is highly recommended to follow the below-mentioned practices when MSSQL is used -

 
 
Use the Standard/Enterprise edition of SQL server instead of Express edition

         Express edition limits the maximum size of your database to 1 GB and utilizes a maximum of 4 cores which relatively slows down the speed of your server to a crawl. The SQL server might stop working if the number of managed computers increases. Therefore, it is recommended to use the Standard/Enterprise edition for increasing the speed at which your server operates.

No. of computers
Degree of efficacy
1 - 3000
Very High
3001 - 15000
Very High
> 15000
Very High
 
 
Ensure that Endpoint Central and MSSQL database are present in different computers

         If you are using MS SQL database, ensure that Endpoint Central and MSSQL database are present in two different computers, as in, write to different drives, for reducing the load on a single hard drive. This way, the performance of the server can be improved.

No. of computers
Degree of efficacy
1 - 3000
Low
3001 - 15000
Moderate
> 15000
High