TOPdesk 64-bit version

Since the release of TOPdesk 4.2, a 64-bit version has been made available. That sounds interesting enough, but there appear to be a few questions on the subject. How does it differ from the 32-bit version? Is it faster? Is it worth switching over? Do you have to comply with certain conditions? This article will address a number of these questions. What is 64-bit?
The 64 in the 64-bit refers to the word length used by a computer processor to perform calculations and address memory locations. In this case, numbers with a length of up to 64-bit can be processed simultaneously. For years now, the 32-bit version has been sufficient enough to address the maximum memory of approximately 4 GB (232). With the current applications, however, the

MSSQL 1.5 GB

4 GB
JRE 1.5 GB

Windows 500 MB

TEXT: FENNEKE GONGGRIJP

maximum memory is no longer sufficient due to the increased capacity of 64-bit processors about 16.3 exabyte (264) which, in practice, boils down to almost an infinite amount of memory.

than you did for 32-bit, while addressing the same information. If there is insufficient memory available on the server, a 64-bit environment can then work to your disadvantage.

Memory usage
The main advantage of using 64-bit servers is that they can address larger amounts of memory. The disadvantage, however, is that you need more memory

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Addressing more memory to an application does not always mean that it will increase the performance. You always require a certain amount of memory space to run the application. When sufficient memory is available, addressing more memory will not help you to work faster and it will take up unnecessary space in the system.

has increased due to plummeting prices and technical progression. The 64-bit version now offers the following possibilities: Running TOPdesk on a 32-bit Operating System (OS) A 32-bit OS can only run the regular 32-bit version of TOPdesk. The maximum memory that can be addressed to TOPdesk on a 32-bit OS is approximately 1.5 GB, which, due to limitations within Windows, cannot be increased, even if more memory is available. The majority of TOPdesk clients, however, will not experience any problems with this amount of memory. In the table, you can see the guidelines for selecting the optimal memory setting for your situation. Running TOPdesk on a 64-bit OS A 64-bit OS can run both a 32- and a 64-bit version of TOPdesk. The 32-bit TOPdesk runs well on a 64bit OS; however, because a 32-bit Java version is still used, there is a limit to how much memory can be addressed. This limit is approximately 1.3 GB for a 64-bit OS, which means that a 32-bit version of TOPdesk runs perfectly on a 64-bit environment, but does not reap the benefits that a 64-bit environment offers. As mentioned above, more memory can be addressed in a 64-bit environment, but it also uses a relatively larger amount of memory. Consequently, a TOPdesk version running on a 64-bit environment with a little over 2 GB of addressed memory will be able to support as many users as a TOPdesk version running on a 32-bit environment with 1.5 GB of addressed memory.

For a Java application like TOPdesk, the maximum amount of addressed memory is 32 GB (32768 MB) in a 64-bit environment. This amount of memory is not realistic for TOPdesk, so, in practice, approximately 3 to 5 GB will be used. This memory should be available on the system; otherwise, it will lead to performance loss.

How does this work in TOPdesk?

The amount of memory that TOPdesk requires to function properly, is strongly dependent on the number of persons simultaneously using the system, as well as the systems being used. For each user, TOPdesk keeps track of which screens are open and what is displayed in them. You could say that the amount of available memory for TOPdesk determines how many people can work in TOPdesk simultaneously. By the time the required memory approaches the limit of available space for TOPdesk, outdated information is more frequently disposed of. This disposal is at the expense of TOPdesks performance, and the user will notice that the response time of the system becomes slower. Indeed, this is the most frequent cause of performance problems within TOPdesk.

Guidelines for addressing memory

TOPdesk contains a setting that determines the maximum amount of memory that can be used, which you can read more about in the TOPdesk Management manual. In the table on the next page, you can view the guidelines for the memory setting for your TOPdesk environment, in relation to the number of simultaneously logged in and active users. If you notice that your TOPdesk environment is responding slower than you are used to, it is possible that the amount of memory addressed is not sufficient for your situation. When in doubt, you are more than welcome to contact the TOPdesk Support department.

Where can I get the TOPdesk 64-bit version?

The main advantage of a 64-bit TOPdesk is that more users can use TOPdesk simultaneously. However, this is only an advantage if you are approaching the 1.5 GB limit in your 32-bit environment. Installing a 64-bit version of TOPdesk could then be beneficial. For the transfer to the 64-bit version of TOPdesk 4.2, you will require sufficient available memory.

TOPdesk versions
TOPdesk has developed a 64-bit version as a response to two changes. Firstly, more people are simultaneously using TOPdesk; secondly, the available memory

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Users*
<20 <60 <100 <150 >150

32-bit OS/32-bit TOPdesk

512 MB 1024 MB 1536 MB -

64-bit OS/32-bit TOPdesk

512 MB 1024 MB 1340 MB -

64-bit OS/64-bit TOPdesk

2048 MB 3072 MB Consult TOPdesk Support

* This concerns the number of operators simultaneously using the system. In practice, this number is lower than the total number of operators. Table1: Indication for maximum memory with varying number of users.

In general, it is only useful if you have more than 2 GB of memory available for TOPdesk. You should also take the current imports via ODBC links into account. Microsoft no longer fully supports these links for 64-bit systems, which might result in a TOPdesk consultant having to transfer these links for you. This is why the 64-bit version is not available for download on the Extranet. Our TOPdesk Support department would be happy to help you fully comprehend the consequences of a switch between a 32-bit to a 64-bit version of TOPdesk. You can find the technical specifications in the knowledge base on the Extranet, under 64-bit: Can TOPdesk run on a 64-bit environment? For more information and access to the download of this version, please contact TOPdesk Support on + 44 (0)20 7803 4210.

Fenneke Gonggrijp is a support specialist at TOPdesk and has years of experience in her role as knowledge manager. She particularly enjoys the challenge of translating complex subject matter into comprehensible language.

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