CLAYTON@XRT.UPENN.EDU ("Clayton, Paul D.") (10/27/87)
Turn around time for a change. We have just received from the local office, the DEBNET replacement interface called the DEBNA. The first thing I noticed is that the card etching STILL says DEBNET, but the locals boys said the difference is elsewhere. Fine, prove it was my response. Up to this point, we had/have been subjected to losing ALL LAT connections AT LEAST once a day, on a good day. On a bad day, you spent a considerable amount of time in the computer room. The only way to correct the LAT problem was to take the system down and reboot. VERY COSTLY for us. DEC said the DEBNA would save the day. WRONG!!! First we have three 8XXX systems and all three had the LAT problem. The local office only ordered two DEBNA's. When asked why, the response was that they are hard to come by, being manipulated by the New England crowd. I gave up and turned the two 8700's over for the upgrade (?). They have been in for 9 days and I have had one replaced, with the one that WAS to go into the 8530, and had three MORE LAT dumps. I have also had the other 8700 CRASH with a system service exception which is unexplained at this point. It is also interesting to note that being manipulated by New England GUARANTEES a prolonged DOWN TIME, as the replacement board has to flown in. And to think I am paying $256K/year for 7X24 coverage with four hour response time. I wonder what percentage is reserved for FED-X charges? Its a shame I can not bill DEC the $11K/HOUR (in round numbers) that I lose in revenues when a machine goes down. MY QUESTION: Has ANYONE else had similar problems and what is your local office telling you is wrong?? The bottom line for me today, is why not TRASH the 8XXX systems and get 78X systems that WORK with UNIBUS interfaces that have been around for DECADES. Do the maintenance with third party vendors for cost reductions and not have the problems. Its been a VERY BAD COUPLE OF WEEKS, and I SEE the train behind the light in the tunnel coming at me. later.. (maybe) pdc Paul D. Clayton - Manager Of Systems TSO Financial - Horsham, Pa. USA Address - CLAYTON%XRT@CIS.UPENN.EDU