Performance tuning UNIX systems using the nice command

[regic]

Unlike workstations, servers usually have precisely defined purposes and, therefore, are easier to tune. For example, the primary responsibility of a Web server is to receive and satisfy browser requests from the Internet. Similarly, a file server must quickly and accurately dispense the files being requested. In both cases, the server shouldn't have tasks that are normally assigned to workstations.

If a server is dedicated to one primary function, such as a Web server, edit out any other services from the configuration files. Often, a Web server runs the ftp, nfs, dhcp, dns, and other daemons that aren't necessary. The less that a machine must share, the more responsive its primary tasks are. As a bonus, there is also greater security, because there are fewer holes available to hack....

full article: http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/es...01TuneUnix