dfutche@relay.nswc.navy.mil (01/09/91)
We are in the process of trying to upgrade our on-line disk capacity and are becoming frustrated with the conflicting information we have received from the various suppliers of Sun-compatable disks and controllers. We would appreciate any advice or enlightenmentthat anyone would like to offer. We are currently configured with a 4/370 serving a combination of 8 4/65 and 3/60 diskless work stations. The server has 3 disks consisting of 2 Fujitsu Eagles controlled by a single Xylogics 450/451 and an 892 megabyte Hitachi controlled by a Zylogics 7053 (smd-4). Our original plan was to add an IPI controller and 2 gigabytes of disk storage. We have found at least one vender who says they can provide this solution at what we believe is a reasonable cost. However acording to our Sun representatives, the IPI controller is not supported on the 4/370. Is this true? Does anyone have any experience with an IPI and the 4/370 configuration. Info on reliability and the availability of maintenance would be especially appreciated. In addition to the controller question, we have received mixed signals concerning the disk capacity issues. Do the large disks (2 gigabyte range) have real performance and reliability problems? We will probably want to get rid of the 2 small Fujitsu disks in order to accomplish the upgrade and therefore less than 2 gigabytes of new storage would not be worth the effort or expense. Sun's proposals so far would involve purchasing 2 or 3 disks to achieve this goal. As their disk prices seem to be considerably higher than those quoted by the third party vendors, we would like to know if the trade-offs are justified. Our priority in this purchase is increased disk storage, but we would of course like to get as much performance as we can aford. Again, we would appreciate any information you might have on ipi and 4/370 compatability as well as any other disk expansion options you can point out. Thanks in advance. Debbie Futcher (dfutche@relay.nswc.navy.mil)