Question

SQL Anywhere database clients receive time out errors

Asked by: allysonhouston

W2003 sp2 running SQL Anywhere version 8 database clients are receiving failed connections and time out errors. We've reinstalled Sybase on DB server, changed switch port and cable, removed teaming software and add on dual NICS, reinstalled application on Citrix application server (XenAPP 4.5), removed dual NICS and teaming software from Citrix server (all HP 1u). Receive error when logged in on system console and execute application directly from desktop (outside Citrix). This application runs successfully in a test Citrix environment and ran successfully in the production farm until the end of May. We had the network sniffed and discovered problems with Broadcom drivers and they have been upgraded. The problem is worse in the morning than in the afternoon. This server supports a loan documentation system that is used by 150 bank branches.  It happens on both thin client and PC hardware. Is it possible  we applied a Microsoft patch that upset the apple cart? Should I just rebuild the db server?

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Asked On
2009-09-16 at 10:42:41ID24737177
Tags

SQL Anywhere

,

time outs

Topics

Sybase Database

,

Windows 2003 Server

Participating Experts
1
Points
500
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: mrjoltcolaPosted on 2009-09-19 at 10:51:49ID: 25373816

Could it be that you are reaching maximum connection count for your configuration?

http://groups.google.com/group/sybase.public.sqlanywhere.general/browse_thread/thread/3c2bc6f7230bb403

I don't have version 8 around to test with, but with newer versions, the server has a -gm switch that sets the max concurrent connections.

http://dcx.sybase.com/index.php#http%3A%2F%2Fdcx.sybase.com%2F1100en%2Fdbadmin_en11%2Fgm-database-dbengine.html

What are the parameters you use to start ASA?

 

by: allysonhoustonPosted on 2009-09-21 at 04:23:36ID: 25381770

I haven't seen the -gm switch in version 8 and am reluctant to believe sessions changed so significantly in May that we're overwhelming the max sessions. ASA8 starts up with max concurrent users of 500 and we rarely have more than 50 sessions at any one point in time. We backed out the one patch that could have even remotely been the cause (MSDTC) to no affect. Looks like a rebuild. We're getting hardware ready to set up a test server on the side. We'll cut it temporarily to production and test for 24 hours.

Sybase analyzed the DB traces we executed. Said they saw network disconnects. Our vendor analyzed the ODBC traces and saw the same. Through all of the network changes we fixed our core system which was crashing for several branches a day. At least I accomplished that. Thanks for your insights - and how's the Jolt Cola? That stuff is bad for you, you know.

 

by: allysonhoustonPosted on 2009-09-21 at 04:29:32ID: 25381800

parameters : -c 750m
-x TCPIP
-n CONSUMER

Nothing fancy. Dual processor 5u server w/9 gbs of memory.

 

by: mrjoltcolaPosted on 2009-09-21 at 09:50:02ID: 25384886

Given your statement about 50 sessions, I'm in agreement, max sessions should have nothing to do with this, unless there was some sort of misconfiguration or bug where sessions weren't propertly dropping.

So to be clear, based on Sybase' analysis, did you resolve anything?

I agree, I'd be looking into the network / firewall. Could simply be good old congestion and consumer grade network links.

 

by: allysonhoustonPosted on 2009-09-21 at 10:04:26ID: 25385051

Based on Sybase's comments, I forced our network guys to keep digging. That's when they discovered the new Broadcom driver and upgraded every affected server. That's how we fixed our core application. The firewall was the first thing I tried to no avail. I would believe the consumer grade network links except that they are the same circuits as we had prior to May. I have a meeting tomorrow to push the rebuild but I'm giving you the points anyway just because your ideas all coincided with mine. I can only hope the rebuild does the trick so I can get back to my real job. Thanks.

 

by: mrjoltcolaPosted on 2009-09-21 at 10:12:26ID: 25385141

Good luck!

 

by: allysonhoustonPosted on 2009-09-21 at 10:21:14ID: 25385226

Thanks !

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