rbloom@apg-1.ARPA (Robert Bloom AMSTE-TOI 3775) (08/05/85)
I'm depressed.
I've been attempting to determine just how I can best upgrade my
office computer. (I work in a U.S. Army RDT&E organization.) I
thought I was in good shape when the Army signed a open contract
to buy Intel 310 systems, but there is a problem. To get the
capability I want, I need to spend over $50k if I go with the
equipment listed on the (mandatory!) Army contract.
I have a fairly good idea that the capability I want is available
for much less than the aformentioned $50k - but I don't know
quite where. Therefore, I would like to solicite responses from
anyone of what I should mention as alternatives to my puchasing
agent when I go in to fight the mandatory part of the contract.
I need names, addresses, specifications, prices and everything
else available to get the best available system that meets the
requirements and is the least expensive. (I'm a taxpayer too!)
I just don't believe the 310 is it.
The remainder of this message contains what I am using now, my
upgrade requirements, what I have to buy from the Intel contract
to meet those requirements, and some possible alternates to the
Intel system.
My current system consists of a NorthStar Horizon w/18M HD, 5
Televideo terminals, a NEC printer, a IDS dot-matrix printer and
a Hayes modem. It is running a multi-user OS ('TSS/C' - probably
quite close to MP/M) with WordStar, dBase II, Mex, and SuperCalc
as the main applications software. This system meets my require-
ments except in the following areas: it is too slow under load [5
users on one Z80!], does not have enough user terminals [has 5, I
need 8], the disk space is marginal [has 18M, I want ~30-40M),
and communication with remote systems is awkward [I had to hack
it badly to get it to work at all].
The two printers and modem will be used on the new system - if I
can also use the 5 terminals that would be even better. The
Horizon main frame and HD I suspect must go.
Requirements (in order of priority)
1) must run WordStar, dBase, and SuperCalc (I had enough
trouble training my people in these, I don't want to start over!)
2) shared files (single-user access to any r/w file, locked
to other users until released, multiple access to any r/o file.)
3) queued output to 2 printers
4) two multiple access commo ports to the outside world -
one 9600 baud direct connect, one dial-up. (dial-IN access NOT
required!)
5) adequate processing speed for all users (TSS/C's major
problem is speed - I will buy all the speed improvement I can.)
6) 8-simultaneous users (single-tasking ok) with access from
each user's desk. Reset of 'hung' users w/o system reboot.
7) 3MegBytes HD storage per user, not including system and
program storage. (I figure a minumum of 30M, 40M desired.)
8) Tape backup system for HD
Note that my current system satisfies the first 4 items above; I
will not accept a 'new' system that does less that the above even
if it does that faster!
Intel 310 configuration:
The basic problem with the 310 is that it is a UNIX box and
cannot satisfy #1 above in multi-user. Therefore, one needs to
run the applications at the workstations, not in the central box
- and that means using pc's. (The Wyse 1100 pc is included in
the contract for just this purpose.) To satisfy #2 above, the
pc's must be netted to the central HD via a network of some type.
So, the configuration looks like:
8 Wyse 1100 pcs @ $1,926 (IBM-clone, 265k, 2 floppies)
8 Personal Network Interface Interface Unit @ $1,650 (this
board connects the pc to the OpenNET LAN, the cheaper NIC steals
memory from the pc stopping it from running dBase)
9 10 foot Transceiver Cables @ $70 (+ $15/10 foot over 10')
1 10 port Intellink @ $1,695 (central node on LAN)
1 Intel 310 4-user @ $11,245 (4-user includes 80286, 1MRAM
and 40MB HD, smaller systems don't)
1 Ethernet commo controller @ $1,795 (connects 310 to LAN)
1 Tape subsystem on expansion chassis @ $3,339
The total (includes transportation and installation but WITHOUT
SOFTWARE) is $45,617. A 'OpenNET' configuration is slightly
more expensive than the 'Intellink' configuration cited above.
Software would easily push it over $50k as one needs 8 copies of
WordStar, dBase and SuperCalc.
As I see it, a TurboDOS or similar system (NorthStar Dimension?)
that has multiple processors would be best for this application.
Something on the order of (pure guesses on the $ amounts):
Main Frame/HD/master processor - $5,000
Tape drive added to main frame - $1,000
16-bit slave processors - 8 x $1,500
RAM disk for speed - $2,000
3 more terminals - 3 x $700
Comes to a total of 'only' $22,100 w/o software. That's less
than HALF the above and does the same thing. (except run UNIX,
but running UNIX is a nonrequirement.)
So, anyone have any ideas of what and where I could get something
better rather than spending $50k of 'your' money? Please reply
directly to rbloom@apg-1, I will synopsize results and post
later. This is strictly a request-for-information and does not
obligate anyone for anything and does not represent nor indicate
U.S. Army policy. Names used above are copyright somebody else.
-bob bloomBicer.ES@XEROX.ARPA (08/06/85)
I think you have perfectly described a Compupro 816 system (Viasyn as they are called now). I suggest you contact Gifford Systems (look at a recent Byte magazine for their number, if you can't, let me know). These are one of the fastest and most reliable machines on the market. Jack Bicer BICER.ES@XEROX.ARPA
LIN@MIT-MC.ARPA (Herb Lin) (08/07/85)
I think you have perfectly described a Compupro 816 system (Viasyn as
they are called now). I suggest you contact Gifford Systems (look at a
recent Byte magazine for their number, if you can't, let me know). These
are one of the fastest and most reliable machines on the market.
Gifford Systems is no longer selling S-100 Compupro stuff; they seem
to have abandoned that market.
Herbjeffm@mmintl.UUCP (Jeffrey Miller) (08/07/85)
* I'm a firm believer in networking micros rather than using a central multi- user micro with terminals. You can get a massive increase in performance and usefulness that way. I suggest getting a network server with software and a large hard disk. Novell software seems to provide the greatest file and record locking capability of the popular packages and can run on a wide range of manufacturers' hardware. You can get cheap PC compatibles and you'll only need a network interface card (besides the usual stuff) in each. This will let you run the software required by your specification. Some software has network versions. Those programs you mention probably do. Each micro is also capable of standalone operation in this configuration versus the central multiuser config. You should be able to find 8-bit networking software if you prefer, but since the programs you mention also have 16-bit versions, you may find more available in that world. ************************************************* * Jeff Miller * * Multimate International Corp. * * 52 Oakland Avenue * * East Hartford, CT 06108-9911 * * UUCP: * * ...!seismo!utah-cs!utah-gr!pwa-b!mmintl!jeffm * ************************************************* (The usual exclaimers) *