Browser hardware requirements and settings

This topic provides the following information:

Client-side hardware

Even though its web infrastructure and the web application might be optimally configured, if the client-side computer is inadequate, then the users of the client-side computer do not experience the superior performance expected of the server side. Your browser, computer hardware, and browser configurations choices affect the following:

• Workflow execution and user interaction — The mid tier web application relies heavily on JavaScript to execute all client-side workflow (active links, dynamic menus, auto-completion, and so on). In general, the browser with the fastest JavaScript engine provides the most responsive workflow execution and user interaction. For more information, see  Compatibility matrix  in BMC Remedy ITSM Deployment documentation.
• Overall performance — Faster hardware (such as duo core CPU) executes JavaScript faster, so the client-side hardware plays a central role in the overall optimal performance beyond the specific browser choice.
• Browser performance — Other hardware-dependent factors affecting browser performance include TCP socket connection and SSL negotiation. SSL negotiation is most apparent on slower hardware. When a web application is deployed on SSL, the difference in SSL negotiation can exceed 3 seconds on a single CPU versus a duo core CPU.
• Memory consumption — From BMC Remedy mid tier 7.6.04 and later, the mid tier can leverage in-memory caching by the browser. This is in addition to the standard browser caching mechanism that stores the most frequently accessed URL resources on the hard drive for faster subsequent requests for the same URL resources. Because of in-memory caching, the browser consumes more memory while accessing the mid tier than with a standard web application.
• Security setting — Adding the deployed server to the browser's list of trusted sites, especially when deployed as HTTPS, improves browser performance by removing security checking overhead.

To ensure that a browser observes the cache directives

Depending on its settings, a browser can ignore browser cache directives issued by the mid tier, resulting in poor performance.

1. In the browser, select Tools > Internet Options.
2. Click Settings in the Browser history section.
3. Select Automatically.
4. Ensure that Disk space to use is set to at least 250 MB. This is the total disk space to use for all websites.
   
   
5. Click OK.
6. Click OK again to close the initial dialog box.
7. In the browser, select Tools > Internet Options.
8. Click the Advancedtab, and make sure that the following items are not selected:
   • Do not save encrypted pages to disk
   • Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed