curt@bsu-cs.bsu.edu (Curt R. Hastings) (07/23/90)
Here is the situation:
We want to put our programming staff on a LAN so all development and testing can be done on PC's and not on our mainframe. Here is some information
about our programming staff and current equipment:
1. 21 to 25 programmers
2. Test files ranging from 1 to 32 Megabytes.
3. Realia COBOL programs developed on PC.
4. Unshielded twisted pair is in place.
5. Development and testing will be done on the LAN. Most of the time programmers should be developing and compiling code, the remaining time
will be testing the programs using the large files.
6. Must communicate with an IBM 3084 (file transfer and terminal
emulation). (Looking at a 3174 token-ring board to comunicate with IBM
mainframe.)
We currently have nothing in place except the UTP wiring. We have several
questions about the topology and type of LAN to install. We have heard
proposals from vendors for both token-ring and ethernet. It seems ethernet
will be quicker with a few programmers, but token-ring will support more
programmers with less degradation.
Here are some of our questions :
1. What topology will best suit our needs?
2. What is a good file server? Should we look at special equipment (SystemPro
or Netframe) or will a standard 386 machine suit our needs?
3. Is Novell 386 NOS our best choice as far as an operating system?
4. Should we go diskless on our work stations? Should software and testfile
both reside on the file server or should we have local harddrives?
If anyone out there is doing what we want to do, or has any suggestions
about a solution to our requirements, I would appreciate a message.
I can be reached at 317-747-6393, or e-mail.
I can return a call to anyone with any information. ( So the call will not cost
you )
Thanks in advance,
Curt Hastings.