# Optimization of tabs vs flows for performance

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/optimization-of-tabs-vs-flows-for-performance/75363>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [17 February 2023 18:34 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/optimization-of-tabs-vs-flows-for-performance/75363 "2023-02-17T18:34:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![RayMN](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/raymn/32/11043_2.png) [@RayMN](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/RayMN)\
**Post date:** [17 February 2023 18:34 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/optimization-of-tabs-vs-flows-for-performance/75363/1 "2023-02-17T18:34:05Z")

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From a performance perspective: Is there a difference between having fewer tabs with lots flows in them vs lots of tabs with only a few flows in each.

From a "usage" I would prefer the latter of course,

I currently have 4 servers with 3 instances of Node-RED running on each. We are moving to a new environment and I would like to condense it down to 2 server (PROD and non-Prod) instead of one per environment like we have today. Each instance has about 5 tabs in each each environment, which would make the non-prod instance have about 15 tabs on it.

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**Author:** ![ghayne](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/ghayne/32/39_2.png) [@ghayne](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/ghayne)\
**Post date:** [17 February 2023 18:37 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/optimization-of-tabs-vs-flows-for-performance/75363/2 "2023-02-17T18:37:39Z")

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Each tab is a flow, do you mean nodes?

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**Author:** ![RayMN](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/raymn/32/11043_2.png) [@RayMN](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/RayMN)\
**Post date:** [17 February 2023 18:39 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/optimization-of-tabs-vs-flows-for-performance/75363/3 "2023-02-17T18:39:54Z")

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True ... I kind of think of a flow is a "unit of work" with an input and some number of nodes following and possibly a response, Where as a Tab would consist of multiple "related" flows. ... am I the only one that sees things this way? Is there a better name for what I'm calling a "flow"?

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**Author:** ![ghayne](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/ghayne/32/39_2.png) [@ghayne](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/ghayne)\
**Post date:** [17 February 2023 18:47 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/optimization-of-tabs-vs-flows-for-performance/75363/4 "2023-02-17T18:47:27Z")

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OK, I understand what you mean.

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**Author:** ![knolleary](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/knolleary/32/3_2.png) [@knolleary](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/knolleary)\
**Post date:** [17 February 2023 18:59 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/optimization-of-tabs-vs-flows-for-performance/75363/5 "2023-02-17T18:59:48Z")

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> [@RayMN](#):
>
> Is there a difference between having fewer tabs with lots flows in them vs lots of tabs with only a few flows in each.

Nothing that I'd expect you to notice.

There is a small memory overhead for each flow/tab, but should be inconsequential in the big scheme of things

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**Author:** ![RayMN](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/raymn/32/11043_2.png) [@RayMN](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/RayMN)\
**Post date:** [17 February 2023 19:04 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/optimization-of-tabs-vs-flows-for-performance/75363/6 "2023-02-17T19:04:31Z")

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Thanks Nick,  
That was my gut instinct as well, just wanted to be sure. 🙂

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [3 March 2023 19:05 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/optimization-of-tabs-vs-flows-for-performance/75363/7 "2023-03-03T19:05:06Z")

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