Postgresql is a very efficient database and will run using scant amounts of memory and cpu power in a satisfactory manner with the right indexes. Postgresql was originally developed for UNIX, and it will perform much better in a Mac, Linux, or Unix environment than under windows. It has been ported to window, but Postgresql's root are in UNIX.
If the Postgresql database were running under a Mac, Linux, or Unix environment, you could access it locally using a socket connection from your windows computer. It can also be accessed over TCP/IP remotely. Postgresql default configuration after an install runs over a socket connection as localhost, so you would need to change settings in the postgresql.conf file to allow access remotely via socket/tcp/ip or remotely using tcp/ip. Its been some time since I connected to Postgresql using VFP, but I wrote a simple VFP application some years ago to do inserts, deletes, updates, and select that worked very well using Postgresql's ODBC driver to access the postgresql database on a Linux server from windows XP Pro clients. The Postgresql folks do a good job of keeping their ODBC drivers fresh, so all you would need to do is find and install the Postgresql ODBC driver on the windows clients, and you should be good to go. If you decide to use the default configuration running Postgresql under windows 7 as localhost, the critical path for the system spec. would probably be satisfying window 7 hunger for plenty of resources. LOL You could run Postgresql in Ubuntu Linux, for example, and have your window 7 clients hosted in the Linux box by Virtualbox, (eg virtualization), so that everything is on the same computer. If I went this way, I would be sure the motherboard and cpu supported the new virtualization features offered in todays motherboards and cpus and had enough memory. Also, I would over-spec then new computer; because, after you have things up and running you are like to find new was to use the computer and Postgresql. So far as memory is concerned, I would start with 4gb or less, and add additional memory if needed, but I would be sure the motherboard supported at least 16 gb of memory. Its hard to come up with a minimum computer configuration to run Postgresql; because, there are too many variables that come into play. Regards, LelandJ On 11/16/2009 10:24 AM, John Weller wrote: > Thanks Leland. As I'm in the UK most of those suppliers are out of my reach > (unfortunately<g>). > > The main thing I am looking for is some idea on amount of RAM. I forgot to > add to my initial post that the OS will be Windows 7. I'd love to go down > the Linux route but don't have enough (any) experience with it and couldn't > agree to support it in a commercial scenario; also it doesn't support VFP. > > Regards > > John > > John Weller > 01380 723235 > 07976 393631 >> >> Essentially, this is the workstation I put together recently >> for myself. If you or your client have the time, and don't >> mind getting your hands a little dirty, you can put together >> a fairly nice workstation for around $950.00 or so; mouse, >> keyboard, video console and video card not included. The >> motherboard may have all the video hardware you need already >> built in, but if not, you can alway add a video card. Once >> you have the basics in place, it's easy to upgrade/replace >> components that wear out or become obsolete. > > [excessive quoting removed by server] _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: [email protected] Subscription Maintenance: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech Searchable Archive: http://leafe.com/archives/search/profox This message: http://leafe.com/archives/byMID/profox/[email protected] ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
