[Tip] Smart client connection troubleshooting

by David Workman
Data Mosaic

1- Check minimum system specs. java version, operating system, RAM, etc. Mac OS 9 and Windows 98 won't cut it. Older versions of java are problematic in various ways depending on the version. 128M ram on a mac G3 processor running OS 10.4 will probably choke on servoy as well.

2- Connection speed. A broadband connection is highly recommended. All those tab panels send out a lot of sql queries for data. Distance from the server also factors in when it comes to the user perceived speed.

3- Check that their browser is auto starting the downloaded jnlp file. Some browsers don't automatically run the file on download which means it will have to be dbl-clicked manually to launch things.

4- Weird behavior after a major solution release or servoy update. Fix: clear the java cache.

5- Check computer and office firewalls. Servoy uses specific ports (defaults: 8080 and 1099) which have to be open to TCP/IP traffic on both the user and server sides of things.

6- Virus checkers can block smart client from loading depending on how aggressive they are set. Norton on PCs seems to default this way nowadays.

7- Esoteric: I have had it happen that a router with out of date firmware was the cause for clients not connecting. On the servoy forums there have been similarly wacked out examples posted over the years. If this comes up, you're in IT hell. We've been there and back a few times already so the way is well paved :)

8- First load: keep in mind that the first time a user loads your application it is a LOT slower than subsequent start ups.

9- Just because you are using Servoy-the-most-advanced-development-platform-in-the-world-today doesn't mean you can't manage to create some fantabulous method or solution that literally won't run on anything less than a Cray supercomputer because of your own brilliance. I speak from experience....