Alleged 1GB limit on Xenix.

I promised to come back to the list following concerns expressed on GP-
UK about a Xenix 1Gb limited which might effect large user of AAH 
Meditel System 5.

I am please to say we have now completed investigations and can provide 
solutions which can breech this limit. If indeed in ever actually 
existed.

Firstly, if a limit existed it applied to the size of a single file 
system under Xenix not to the size of disk that Xenix could use or to 
the total disk storage on a Xenix system. Xenix installations can, and 
usually do, consist of more that one file system. 

A 1Gb on the size of a file system constraint would have imposed a 
limited on the amount of patient clinical data which could have been 
stored using the current version of System 5 which requires all patient 
clinical data to be in the same file system. Note. System 5 Programs, 
standing data (like read code and drug data) and other AAH Meditel 
applications (like fund holding and links) do not have to be in this 
file system.

Our work has confirmed that Xenix and System 5 will allow a second or 
subsequent file system to be AT LEAST 2GB. This removes any practical 
risk of large customers running out of disk space.

There is a limit of 1GB on the root (first) file systems. However, even 
at present most of AAH Meditel System 5  customers have configurations 
with patient data in a second file system often on a second disk and we 
are now confident that this can be of at least 2GB. You should note that 
2GB represents the limit of current testing and we have no reasons to 
believe that larger disks won’t also work.

I have some concerns that this matter was raised on GP-UK (and other 
public and semi-public forums) before the company had time to 
investigate what was a complex matter. Experience has taught us that 
statements on issues like this are best made on the basis of careful 
testing and not just on the basis of perceived wisdom or the theoretical 
position. This takes time. 

I resent the view of some customers, that the best way to get a response 
is to go public. I can understand that customers want a rapid response 
to a matter which they think may be mission critical but what they need 
is an accurate answer and a solution that works.
I had some personal health concerns recently. My GP couldn’t give the 
immediate reassurance I would have liked, She wanted to complete some 
investigations first. Maybe I would have got better service if I’d 
written to all her partners, half the rest of the practice team, The 
Health Authorities, the CHC, The patients participation group and posted 
my concerns on a few likely looking online services. I didn’t, I waited 
and (I hope most of you will be please to hear) discovered that my 
condition wasn’t life threatening and was amenable to treatment. Ho hum.
>

Ewan Davis
[log in to unmask] - Bromsgrove, UK

Managing Director AAH Meditel Ltd - Supplier of EMR Systems.
[log in to unmask] Voice +44 (0)1527 579414 Fax +44 (0)1527 
837287


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