Single Workstation or Client Server? | The KH Solution | CHAMP Architecture | KH Features | Server Configurations |
Client Configurations | Remote Access | Access Authorization & Control | Activity Logging | KH Programming API |
Subscription Pricing | Download PDF

When A Single Workstation Isn't Enough...
Many libraries first offer hands-on searching to their end-users at a dedicated, stand-alone workstation in the library. As user demand grows, adding an additional standalone workstation is a simple way to accommodate the growth, albeit at a significant cost and with substantial operational limitations.

As users demand more immediate access, from their office, lab and home, new technology solutions are needed. These solutions must satisfy multiple criteria - ease of installation and maintenance, economy of acquisition and operation, and high performance in both local and remote environments. Aries' Knowledge Host Client/Server architecture offers attractive options for the library that is now faced with expanding their literature access services to a growing user population.

... Client/Server May Be The Solution
A typical literature database search requires computer processing of large amounts of text information. When the physical database and the searching program are both in the same computer (e.g., on a standalone workstation), this process can be quite efficient. But when the database and search program are separated across a network (as in earlier file server solutions for network access), search times can become unacceptable. Slow network connections, especially with dial-in modems, can make file server access completely impractical.

Client/Server architecture solves this performance problem by keeping all search computing on the server computer that has direct access to the database. The "client" workstation captures the user query, transmits the query (containing a relatively tiny amount of data) to the server. After running the search, the server computer sends back the search results to the client workstation (again, a relatively small volume of data). The small volume of transmitted data makes client/server both "network-friendly" (valuable network bandwidth is preserved), and high performance on slower modem connections.

Knowledge Host Client/Server architecture splits database searching and workstation interface functions. TCP/IP protocols span local and/or wide area networks.

The Knowledge Host Solution
The Knowledge Host client/server computing environment offers efficient, flexible and comprehensive access to Knowledge Finder® medical literature databases across local and wide area networks. Traditional database search and access functions are partitioned to optimize use of system resources. Compute-intensive database search processes run on powerful central network servers. Sophisticated client software provides intuitive user query formulation, browsing control and content presentation at distributed network workstations. Data compression and TCP/IP protocols minimize demands on valuable network bandwidth.

Use of industry-standard communications protocols, hardware platforms and operating systems makes Knowledge Host the distributed architecture of choice in small and large institutional network environments. The innovative modular architecture offers economical entry-level server configurations. At the same time, it assures highly cost-effective upgrade and system expansion options to support very large network service demands.

Knowledge Host incorporates the acclaimed Knowledge Finder search methodologies and database technologies. These include Fuzzy and Boolean logic free-text searching, thesaurus browsing, search results relevance ranking, integrated bibliographic and full-text database access, and highly compressed space-saving database configurations.

CHAMP Architecture for Scalable Growth
A Knowledge Host server system may be configured with single or multiple server systems (a complete computer system - a server "node") and/or processors (collectively, server "elements"). When configured with more than one server element, Knowledge Host uses Aries' Clustered Host Asymmetric MultiProcessor (CHAMP) architecture. CHAMP provides modular growth, redundancy and reliability configuration options. As your search service requirements and loads grow over time, you can increase processing capacity by:

• Adding CPU(s) to an existing machine.
• Adding additional, similar machines.
• Adding additional, dissimilar machines.

Configuration of multiple systems in a CHAMP cluster is simple, requiring only the specification of a single parameter in a configuration control file.

Knowledge Host will run efficiently and economically on a single computer system with one CPU.

In a single system/multiprocessor configuration (e.g., dual CPU Pentium, quad CPU SparcStation, etc.), Knowledge Host automatically detects and takes advantage of the multiple CPUs, and shares processing load between the CPUs. Scheduling efficiency is high, and almost linear performance gains are achieved as CPU multiplicity increases. Since the incremental cost of multiple CPUs in a single system is significantly less than single CPUs in individual system configurations, substantial server capacity can be achieved in a cost-effective manner.

In a multiple system configuration (i.e., multiple computers) each system runs an independent copy of the Knowledge Host server software. Configuration parameters cause each server node connected to the same network segment to automatically synchronize their operations. Subsequently, client search sessions are automatically routed to the server then handing the lightest processing load.

Additional CPUs and systems can be added in a simple, "plug-in" fashion, as server loading and client demand increase. Since existing server elements do not need to be replaced, substantial economies can be realized over an extended system lifetime.

Knowledge Host performance in CHAMP or single system configurations is substantial. For example, a single CPU Pentium 133/Windows NT Server configuration with 64MB of RAM should adequately support 10 concurrent workstation sessions. A dual Pentium Pro 200 system with 96MB RAM should support 40 concurrent sessions. Each additional concurrent session requires approximately 1.5MB RAM.

Knowledge Host Client/Server Features
Knowledge Host has been designed specifically to meet the needs of both small and large institutional network environments, with a scalable, economic, low overhead design strategy. The table below lists important features and their significance.

Features & Benefits
Comprehensive Server Platform Support	Knowledge Host server software runs on most of the popular platforms used by institutions. Setup and operational costs are reduced, and installation times are shortened.
Cost-Effective System Clustering	Run your Knowledge Host with a single system or many. CHAMP provides a unique combination of cost-effectiveness, system performance, and almost unlimited system growth potential.
Windows and Macintosh Graphic Client Interface	Satisfy all your users with the interface of their particular choice. The intuitive interface minimizes learning times and training costs, and increases user satisfaction.
High Performance Search Software	Even demanding, large database, multiple term searches complete rapidly and efficiently. More users can conduct more searching in a shorter period of time.
Full Knowledge Finder Function	All functions of the Knowledge Finder search software are supported, including Fuzzy, Boolean and Thesaurus searching, with relevance or recency results ranking.
Minimized Network Bandwidth Usage	Extensive data compression and efficient messaging protocols minimize incremental network traffic, and simultaneously improve client response times and performance.
Simplified Installation	Installation of Knowledge Host is straightforward and quick. Installer software is downloaded from Aries’ Internet site in minutes, assuring latest version availability at all times. With only prior knowledge of their basic server/network technology, administrators can install Knowledge Host and have it running with minimal time, effort and complexity.
Flexible User Administration and Accounting	Use the standard Knowledge Host administration and accounting services to get up and running quickly. For flexibility, program and tailor your own interfaces to let Knowledge Host integrate with your existing institutional databases, files and procedures.

Server Configurations
The Knowledge Host search server can run on several standard hardware and operating system platforms:

• Intel^® Pentium^®/Pentium Pro^® with Windows^TM NT/NT Server (v4.0/later).
• Sun^® SparcStation^®/Solaris^® (v2.5/later)
• IBM^® RS/6000^® with AIX^® (v4.2.1/later)
• Apple^® Macintosh^® PPC (System 7.5 or later).
• Linux (e.g., RedHat Linux 5.1).
• Support for Digital Unix is also planned - please contact Aries for details.

Client Configurations
Knowledge Finder client software is available in "native" mode for Windows and Macintosh workstations. Knowledge Finder can also be run on UNIX platforms using appropriate emulator software for Windows or Macintosh applications. Minimum recommended configurations are:

• Windows 3.1, 3.11. 95 or NT, running on 80486 or later machines with 8MB RAM (16MB recommended for Win 95 and NT). WINSOCK TCP/IP support required.
• Macintosh OS 7.5 or later, running on 68030 or later machines with 8MB RAM (16MB recommended). MacTCP^® or Open Transport 1.2 (preferred) required for communication.

Remote Access
Because Knowledge Host minimizes network bandwidth usage between server and client machines, it offers an ideal solution for wide-area remote access. Whether your remote clients connect by WAN network, ISDN or modem (14.4KB minimum recommended), communication delays are minimized, and remote searching becomes a practical reality.

Access Authorization & Control
Knowledge Host provides a variety of access controls to simplify system administration:

• System access may be constrained by client IP domain address.
• Automatic controls assure that concurrent use license requirements are observed.
• Optional user name/password access controls are available.
• Straightforward programming API lets you create your own, customized authorization interface.

Activity Logging
All search session activity can be logged by Knowledge Host. Standard logging captures search session duration and source, number of searches conducted, and number of summary and full documents viewed. Sessions statistics are output in a "tab-delimited" format, which can be easily imported into your customized analysis and reporting tools (database, spreadsheet, etc.).

Knowledge Host Programming API
Aries offers a technical programming interface to Knowledge Host functions. This API (Application Programming Interface) lets system developers tailor a search system interface to their unique requirements. The API includes functions to:

• Initiate and terminate search sessions.
• Select database to be searched.
• Submit search requests and receive search results lists.
• Submit document requests and receive document data.

Subscription Pricing
Knowledge Host Client/Server solutions are available as part of all Network-level subscriptions to Knowledge Finder databases. There are no additional charges (one-time or recurring) for either the server or client software from Aries. Typical all-inclusive subscription prices are:

• The complete Unabridged MEDLINE database, 1966-present, monthly updates, Knowledge Host server software, Local Holdings software, magnetic hard drive upload rights, Windows and Macintosh Knowledge Finder client software (for an unlimited number of workstations), three simultaneous users - $4,725 annually (shipping included).
• CINAHL, 1982-present, monthly updates, Knowledge Host server software, Local Holdings software, magnetic hard drive upload rights, Windows Knowledge Finder client software (for an unlimited number of workstations), four simultaneous users - $2,145 annually (shipping included).