# Database on networked server **URL:** \ **Category:** Get Help\ **Created:** [March 15, 2023, 6:26pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/database-on-networked-server/1095 "2023-03-15T18:26:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Janus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@Janus](https://speciforum.org/u/Janus)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2023, 6:26pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/database-on-networked-server/1095/1 "2023-03-15T18:26:23Z")
I’m running a MariaDB database on a networked server, and Specify 6 on my machine. It works fine, execpt queries with 1000+ results of are incredibly slow. Is there a tweak to make this go faster? ---
**Author:** ![Grant](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/speciforum.org/grant/32/4255_2.png) [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2023, 6:56pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/database-on-networked-server/1095/2 "2023-03-15T18:56:39Z")
Hi @Janus, Could you share more information about the version of Specify you are using along with screenshots of the query you are having performance issues with? ---
**Author:** ![Janus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@Janus](https://speciforum.org/u/Janus)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2023, 9:03am UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/database-on-networked-server/1095/3 "2023-03-16T09:03:17Z")
Server: Windowsx64, 32GB Ram MariaDB v10.11.2 Workstation: Windowsx64 32GB Ram Specify 6.8.3.0 I have had both DB and Specify running on my workstation and there is no great delay. Of course larger queries can take a second or two, but generally opening things also runs slower over the network. Queries seem to run fast (0.13 seconds for the attached screenshot), but loading the result display (208 rows and 17 columns from the same Table) took 1 minute 18 seconds. Also opening Data Sets takes a long time. I’ve tried the speed between the server the Database runs on and my workstation. It transfers a 129 MB file in a minute 12 seconds. ![Spec_query](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/specifysoftware/original/2X/2/24cf61e93a093c66f90f42728fa3463d7e03674c.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Grant](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/speciforum.org/grant/32/4255_2.png) [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 2:54pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/database-on-networked-server/1095/4 "2023-03-22T14:54:32Z")
Hi @Janus, Using Specify 6 over a network can introduce a performance loss over using it with a local database. This is impacted by a number of factors, including the performance of the machine hosting the database, the network, and how busy the database is. Some queries are more intensive on the server, particularly when running a query on a tree such as the Taxon tree in your screenshot. We recommend that users have the Specify database server on the same network as the computers that access it. A major advantage of Specify 7 is that it can be hosted on the same server or network as the database leading to significantly improved performance in comparison to remotely accessing a database using Specify 6. You may need to work with your IT department to find ways of improving network performance for use with Specify. At its core, Specify sends data to and receives data from the MySQL database server. Speed and performance is largely dictated by the proximity, network, and performance of the server it is connected to. Let me know if you have any questions or if you would like to go more in-depth into potential solutions! We are happy to assist you or your IT department in setting up Specify 7! ---
**Author:** ![Janus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@Janus](https://speciforum.org/u/Janus)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2023, 12:30pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/database-on-networked-server/1095/5 "2023-03-30T12:30:43Z")
I guess I’ll have to set up Specify 7. Does it run on windows? ---
**Author:** ![Grant](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/speciforum.org/grant/32/4255_2.png) [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2023, 1:17pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/database-on-networked-server/1095/6 "2023-03-30T13:17:07Z")
Hi @Janus, We recommend installing Specify 7 inside of Docker. We have instructions available below: > [@Specify 7 Installation Instructions](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-7-installation-instructions/755): > > Recommended Specifications Creating a Database Before you can proceed with any of these installation instructions, Specify 7 requires that a database has already been created in Specify 6. These Once the database is created, you will no longer need to use or have access to Specify 6, except when [adding new collections](https://speciforum.org/t/add-a-division-discipline-or-collection/883), disciplines, or divisions to the database. Once Specify 6 is installed, you will need to use the [Specify 6 Wizard](https://speciforum.org/t/specify-setup-wizard/240) to create the database: Once that is complete, you can c… You just need to install it on the server with your database or on the same local network, then make it so that users can access it in the web browser. A significant advantage in addition to the performance increase is that it can be accessed in the web browser with no software to install on your computer! The installation process usually requires the IT department to get things set up at first. We also offer [hosting services with the Specify Cloud](https://speciforum.org/t/what-is-specify-cloud/714) if you are interested in us managing the server for you. ---
**Author:** ![Janus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@Janus](https://speciforum.org/u/Janus)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2023, 3:18pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/database-on-networked-server/1095/7 "2023-03-30T15:18:22Z")
I tried checking the “Dockerized compositions” link earlier. Doesn’t seem to work? I get a 404 error. ---
**Author:** ![Grant](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/speciforum.org/grant/32/4255_2.png) [@Grant](https://speciforum.org/u/Grant)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2023, 4:08pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/database-on-networked-server/1095/8 "2023-03-30T16:08:40Z")
Hi @Janus, You will need to send us your GitHub username so that you can gain access to the repository. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/specifysoftware/original/2X/1/18a843c97bc32b40e8ad0e035755bc88ffaacaf7.svg) [@system](https://speciforum.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 8:48pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/database-on-networked-server/1095/9 "2025-07-17T20:48:01Z")
Closed on July 17, 2025, 8:48pm UTC This topic was automatically closed 7 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.