talmage@bu-it.bu.edu (David Talmage) (05/05/89)
Summary: Unsatisfactory NFS performance through a BICC 1125 Multiport Repeater. A while ago Chris Wilson, munnari!adl.austek.oz.au!cwilson@uunet.UU.NET, asked us about problems with Suns and ShineNet ethernet repeaters. His problem description was so close to the one we had then at lti that I wrote to him to learn more. Below is Chris's reply: >I now have some more information on this. The ShineNet repeaters are >based on BICC repeaters and the problem is common to all of them. The >cause is the different crystals controlling the timing in the >repeaters and the ethernet interfaces on the Suns. Both are in spec >but at opposite ends of the allowable range. Hence the problem. I have >information from both Sun Australia and my local supplier of the >ShineNet this is the problem. Some guy in Holland also had the same >problem and was also told it was the crystals. >BICC have been talking to Sun about this and have an alternative >crystal set available for their repeaters (according to Sun) which >fixes the problem. ShineNet are preparing a crystal set at this very >moment and it should be available soon. So I have the same diagnosis >and solution from 3 sources. I suggest you contact whoever supplied >your BICC and ask for a replacement crystal. On the ShineNet repeaters >the crystals are alleged to be field (user?) replaceable, >Chris Wilson >Austek Microsystems Pty. Ltd. >Technology Park >Adelaide, SA 5095 One telephone call to BICC later, I disovered that what Chris said is true. BICC sent a loaner 1125 for me to use while mine is repaired under warranty. Sho' 'nuf, when I put in the new 1125, network performance improved tremendously! David Talmage David W. Talmage, Systems Programmer ...!{buita,bbn}!lti!talmage Language Technology, Inc. talmage%lti.uucp@bu-it.bu.edu 27 Congress St., Salem, MA 01970 (508) 741-1507