rhealey@umn-d-ub.D.UMN.EDU (Rob Healey) (02/16/90)
In article <1093@icus.islp.ny.us> lenny@icus.islp.ny.us (Lenny Tropiano) writes: >I'm probably not the correct person to comment on this, but doesn't X11 have >quite a bit of networking code in it to handle X windows over a network >medium. Since the UNIX pc doesn't have any "great" network, other than >STARLAN, wouldn't it be wise to remove this from the X server? Could this >be done to keep the X applications and server down in size? I still don't >know if this will make it feasible for the UNIX pc. > OK kids, would all of you that have run X11R4 on a Sun 3/50 with 4M memory and NO local disks please raise your hands? I for one have done it. If a 4M sun workstation that is diskless can do it why not a 4M diskful UNIX PC? The screen is smaller so less memory there, and if you convert the server to speak a low overhead X protocol over serial lines to a program on the other end that converts from serial to net, I'm sure X11 would fit in a UNIX PC. My thoughts are: 1) UNIX PC runs a special server that speaks over serial line. 2) Other end decodes serial protocol and converts it into net requests on UNIX PC's behalf. 3) Your X apps run on a second box. 4) Perfect this and then maybe try to run both server and apps on the same UNIX PC. Idea on mythical X session. X11 window driver replaces wind.o so console interaction is very bland till the server fires up. UNIX PC login: happyX password: camper . . . Usual login stuff. . ksh-1> X3b1 -l /dev/tty000 -s 9600 . . X server startup stuff . OK <- Mr. Telebit prompt atdt1239876 CONNECT fooserver login: happyX password: camper . . big X machine login stuff . Bighonker-1>upcXconv [ options as needed] . . Server finishes initialization and Screen clears to the familiar X setup . Now we do our minimum daily requirement of X hacking! Select shutdown from X menu. Things shut down and we are left at: Bighonker-2>logout . . Disconnect mumbo jumbo. and finally, back to Mr. ksh on the local UNIX PC. X3b1 done. ksh-2> So, other than the fact that it doesn't exit, what's wrong with my idea??? -Rob