ruffwork@orstcs.cs.ORST.EDU (08/12/87)
I an discussion about the problems with diskless workstations Hugh LaMaster (lamaster@pioneer.arc.nasa.gov) responded : >Another approach to the diskless workstation (which I currently attribute to >an employee of DEC) is to view it as a window server: You have enough >horsepower in your diskless machine to run windowing, ... I have a question - does anyone have experience in this type of setup? We are about to invest in a multi-Sun setup and were wondering if it would be a better utilization of resources to go the traditional way (a large Sun 3 server and a bunch of diskless Suns with lots of real memory then swap over the net) or with a windowing setup (with a REALLY maxed-out Sun 3 or 4 and a bunch of diskless Suns with enough real memory to run X windows and/or News). Of course the intended use is important: we plan this for use by our AI research group, so will have several people at a time running Lisp (Kyoto or Lucid most likely). We also plan on putting them on their own separate ether cable (so it does not swamp our main dept. net). Has anybody done the windowing setup yet? Any feelings on how it would work? It seems like it would solve the typical "cp" and "make" problems that I always hear about, but does it introduce new problems? Please mail to me directly and I'll summarize... Thanks for the info (in advance), --Ritchey Ruff ...{tekecs,tekchips}!orstcs!ruffwork ruffwork%oregon-state@csnet-relay ruffwork@cs.orst.edu <-- when a fuzzball recognizes us!!! (If it bounces back, try again (or post it)...our mail path is rather dynamic while we are in the process of climbing aboard the Internet)
ron@topaz.rutgers.edu (Ron Natalie) (08/14/87)
I'm not sure there is any real trade-off to be had. The cheap Sun 3/50 is usually maxed out at 4MB in most configurations. Most people who demand preformance do exactly what you suggest, run multiple windows out to various more powerful machines. It is not easy to load a 3/50 up with more memory (we'd love it if it were) and the other Sun's (yes I know about 3/60's) that can accomodate more memory at the workstation cost a substantial amount of money. -Ron
ruffwork@orstcs.UUCP (08/14/87)
Sorry if you have tried to send to me and the mail bounced, but we are in the process of climbing on the Internet and our sendmail.cf is causing us pains...try mailing to either ruffwork%oregon-state@csnet-relay.ARPA or hp-pcd!orstcs!ruffwork sorry about this, --ritchey ruff