tlarson@polyslo.CalPoly.EDU (Ted E. Bear) (04/02/91)
Here is what I want to do:
I would like to find an X server that will run
under PC-DOS so that we can connect a PC to a Sun Sparcstation
to run the client programs. All the CPU of the client would
be on the Sparcstation and not on the PC. The PC simply formats
the graphics, etc. The PC is a 386 w/VGA, so it could in theory
handle the graphics intesity of X. It would turn my PC into a
sort-of X terminal onto the SPARC. Ideally, I would like to run
this over a 38400 serial link to the SPARC, but if it is totally
impossible, an ethernet connection could be made to the SPARC.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how I could make this dream
a reality? I have heard that there are some software vendors that
sell packages that do something similar to what I am describing, but
I don't know who they are or how to contact them. What is the
cheapest way to solve this? Are there any public domain packages that
will do it?
- Ted | tlarson@polyslo.calpoly.edu
| saturn!ted@polyslo.calpoly.edu (HOME)
fangchin@elaine46.Stanford.EDU (Chin Fang) (04/03/91)
In article <27f7c992.67be@petunia.CalPoly.EDU> tlarson@polyslo.CalPoly.EDU (Ted E. Bear) writes: > > Here is what I want to do: .... he wants to use his 386 PC as a X terminal to Sun Sparcs. > sell packages that do something similar to what I am describing, but > I don't know who they are or how to contact them. What is the > cheapest way to solve this? Are there any public domain packages that > will do it? > You only mentioned that your PC is a 386 with VGA. If your hardware meets the following specs, with less than $400 YOU CAN RUN X and CLIENTS RIGHT on your PC!! No need to pay company like QuarterDesk and the like for some MSDOS things. CPU: 80386 16 Mhz and above (387 not necessary for X11R4) Memory: 8 Megs HD : 110 Megs minimum. Any interface is fine but preferably SCSI Adaptec 1542B recommanede A good choice is Conner 200 Meg IDE (yes, I said IDE to save your money, SCSI adapter costs money to buy, IDE adapter is dirty cheap) Monitor: NEC Multsync II or compatible, if possible, go for hi-res larger ones like Multisync 4D VGA : ET4000 based with one meg display memory Let's see what we are getting into. A 16 Mhz 386 motherboard is like $700 or less these days, 8 Megs memory costs $320, HD assuming you use Conner, $800, Monitor $400, VGA $200. So for $1060, and $380 for a 2 user license ESIX System V, R3.2 Rev D, you have everything you need for running X. Afterwards, since you are on Internet, ftp Thomas Roell's super fast X386 386 specific X11R4 server and then your display speed will on par with a Sparc 1's under medium load. Definietly faster than MSWindow 3.0! I know so, because I am typing this message from a xterm on my 3yr old 386 20Mhz without cache. If you buy 16Mhz with 32k cache, you will have better performance than mine. If you want to use X, the best environment is UNIX. No matter what other people say, PC Magazine and it's editors have no place in the world of X windows. Bill Gates? Neither! (I know he owns part of SCO, but many people, including myself, dislike if not hate SCO UNIX) For programming, UNIX is a much better environment than the initially easier MSDOS, but after you have paid the price of learning, I think a full UNIX environment will be much awarding. Look at my signature, I am not even a CS major. (but I program in C exclusively and am working in my school's academic info center as an assistant SA) Chin Fang Mechanical Engineering Department Stanford University fangchin@leland.stanford.edu