jed@mb2c.UUCP (John Duncan) (07/27/85)
' We now have our small network operating with 3 512K Macs, a LaserWriter, and a 1MB Mac/XL running MacWorks and XL/Serve. For those who havn't heard of it, XL/Serve allows the other Macs on AppleTalk to share the 10MB disk on the XL. The disk is divided up into up to 16 partitions, which can be any size up to 2MB. The partitions can then be "mounted" on any Mac in the network (including the XL) and accessed in the same way you access the internal/external Sony. Also included is a cache technique which uses some of the XLs memory to save frequently accessed disk data to cut down on disk reads (but not writes). There is one caveat with mounting disk volumes, and that is that a volume can only be mounted as Private (writable) on one Mac at a time. Only Shared (write- protected) volumes can be mounted on more than Mac at a time. This seems like a small problem, but looms larger when you begin to figure out where to put the files to maximize the usage of the cache, and minimize the usage of the space on the hard disk. It seems that certain files just have to be on a writable disk. Ideally what would work best (it seems now) for us would be to have one big system file with lots of fonts and DAs on a Shared disk, along with all of the applications that we use. The LaserWriter, Imagewriter, Laser Prep, and Finder could all be there too. Then each Mac would only have to keep one writable disk mounted with the Scrapbook, Notepad, Clipboard and for use by the applications as work space. This idea collapses immediately. The LaserWriter file must be writable and on the same disk as the System file. So everybody gets their own System file. This turns out not to be so bad, since the System files can now be customized to each user's preference, but it still uses up a lot of disk space. ***FLAME ON*** Now here's the ridiculous part. Many applications require that they reside on writable volumes, regardless of whether the System file is on a writable volume. MacWrite 4.5 refuses to run at all. MacPaint seems to work OK until you try to Cut or Copy and then it won't. MacDraw works sort of until you try to print. Microsoft Word just won't. Surprisingly, MacTerminal works OK, except for a message about the clipboard when you start up. MS Basic, MS Multiplan, and MS Chart work great. ***FLAME OFF*** I assume that other file servers have similar problems, any solutions from other AppleTalkers? What applications are Server-Friendly - in particular, we will be needing a Database program soon. John Duncan (mb2c!jed) Michigan Bell (313) 986-9002