TEUN@HTIKUB5.BITNET.UUCP (09/30/87)
> So far BI-bus VAXen use the DEBNT as their Ethernet interface. > This device has been flamed more than ones on INFO-VAX, > i.e. things like "the worst performing Ethernet controller Digital ever made, > on the best bus they ever made". > > At the VAX Question-and-Answer Session in Rome (DECUS Europe, september 10), > the panel claimed a new device is available (called DEBNA?). It would replace > the DEBNT free of charge for the machines with Digital maintenance contracts. > Has anyone seen this critter? Yes. Our local field service just replaced our DEBNT with a DEBNA last week. The FSE didn't know much about the technical/performance difference(s) between the two interfaces. It did seem to be more than just microcode or e-net interface chip differences, though: the component layout and count and chip types on the two boards were `completely different', except of course for the BI interface glue. We haven't had the DEBNA in long enough for me to be able to make any observations about efficiency/speed, etc. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I have at least one of each kind of ethernet (and CI, for that matter) interface that DEC sells to the public (DEQNA, DEUNA, DELUA, DEBNT, DEBNA, with a VAXstation-2000 on the way). I have no performance figures for any of them (lack of time, mostly). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ My local office in Blue Bell PA, USA is ordering me three boards for the various 8XXX systems that I have. You will probably have to PUSH the local office to get the board. A good reason to push is if you 'lose' all the LAT connections to a 8XXX system for 'no apparent' reason. This has been listed as one of the problems with the DEBnet board that the DEBNA board fixes. There has been NO date set for when I will have my boards. Good luck with your local office. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Bij dezen deel ik je mee dat je "niet van mij" gehoord hebt (dus je source niet verder verspreiden) dat bovengenoemde vervanging in het kader van een FCO zal plaatsvinden. (rough translation: the replacement will happen as an FCO; you din't here this from me) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Look in one of the most recent DECUS symposium reprints about problems encountered in large 8700 VAXcluster startup. The author expounds upon a few problems with the DEBNT and DECs solutions. The author seems to be happy now. He works for a major insurance firm in New York/New Jersey area. Hope this will help. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I believe it's been shipping with new systems for a while now. Existing systems (with DEBNT) were to upgraded. Call ur local sales rep as he should know about it. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ all respondents: Thanks; Teun Nijssen BTW, you will all remember the security-problems in VMS 4.5 (keywords: mandatory-patch, NASA cracked, loginout checksums etc) Yesterday a news-program on the Dutch television (thats Dutch, not German) showed how the German police raided the Caos Computer Club in Hamburg. This was the club of crackers implicated in the drama by that famous mail calling for physical harm to be exercised against two rats.