MSF in ASP.NET running slow when deployed on IIS webserver

Question

I am using the express edition of MSF. Most recent, I believe 3.0.2. I have been developing my ASP.NET application on my local workstation. The model runs smooth and as desired. However when I install the project on an IIS webserver the model takes too long to solve. Processor is running at 25%. After minutes I just need to kill the application pool. On the webserver machine I obviously also installed the express edition. Am I running into licensing issues? Do I need to make specific settings at IIS level? I really have no clue whatsoever. Any help is appreciated.

Answer 1

Can you provide a description of the type of model you are solving? For example, you may want to include the solution report.

Nate

Answer 2

Sure,

Below the output when I run the model on my local workstation:
When I deploy this website and this model to IIS on a webserver it will take too long to solve.

{===Solver Foundation Service Report===

Date: 1/23/2012 9:06:07 AM

Version: Microsoft Solver Foundation 3.0.2.10889 Express Edition

Model Name: ConcheModel

Capabilities Applied: MILP

Solve Time (ms): 52

Total Time (ms): 78

Solve Completion Status: Optimal

Solver Selected: SolverFoundation.Plugin.Gurobi.GurobiSolver

Directives:

Microsoft.SolverFoundation.Services.Directive

===Solution Details===

Goals:

MinimizeTotalProductionTime: 3375

 

Decisions:

Allocation(1, 1, 1): 6000

Allocation(2, 1, 1): 0

Allocation(3, 1, 1): 0

etc...

Answer 3

some more information on the model:

Only three constraints are defined. One goal.Input date consists of 3 metrics. On a local workstation the model will solve in milliseconds. When deploying to IIS it takes seconds to minutes.

Any help is appreciated. still.

Answer 4

Hi there, is there any chance of providing the log for when you solve under IIS?
Thanks, Nate

Answer 5

Hi Nate,

Thanks for you suggestion.
When running under IIS i get the report below (eventually with expected results).
Apparently another solver is selected than on my local system?
Do I need to install the Gurobi solver on my IIS system?

===Solver Foundation Service Report===
Date: 2/10/2012 4:25:47 PM
Version: Microsoft Solver Foundation 3.0.2.10889 Express Edition
Model Name: ConcheModel
Capabilities Applied: MILP
Solve Time (ms): 109434
Total Time (ms): 109655
Solve Completion Status: Optimal
Solver Selected: Microsoft.SolverFoundation.Solvers.SimplexSolver
Directives:
Microsoft.SolverFoundation.Services.Directive
Algorithm: Dual
Arithmetic: Double
Variables: 420 -> 420 + 458
Rows: 458 -> 458
Nonzeros: 1470
Eliminated Slack Variables: 0
Pricing (double): SteepestEdge
Basis: Current
Pivot Count: 323
Phase 1 Pivots: 0 + 0
Phase 2 Pivots: 323 + 0
Factorings: 10 + 0
Degenerate Pivots: 240 (74.30 %)
Branches: 3454
===Solution Details===
Goals:
MinimizeTotalProductionTime: 3375

Decisions:

Answer 6

The difference in solver explains the difference in running times. How did you install MSF on your IIS server? Did you use the MSI or did you just copy binaries?

You may want to review the information on this MSDN page and see if you need to configure your application to select the Gurobi solver. I would not have thought this was necessary since Gurobi is supposed to be selected as the default MILP solver, but following the instructions here cannot hurt

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff524508%28v=vs.93%29.aspx: