cmb@GARNET.BUCKNELL.EDU (Christine Miller Buffinton) (06/10/91)
I would be very appreciative of information anyone could provide regarding comparison of internal and external SCSI disks. We need to purchase a new file server to expand storage on our network of 40 workstations. The machine must have an ATR connection, so the 425e is out of the question. The 425t with 1.3 GB of external storage and the 425s with 1.3 GB of internal storage are two possibilities. The first option is $7,000 (list) less expensive than the latter. Does the internal disk have any clear advantages in terms of file access time or other characteristics pertinent to how the machine will function as a file server? In other words, is there any good reason to spend the additional money? Christine Buffinton Director, Center for Computer-Aided Engineering and Design Bucknell University cmb@apollo.bucknell.edu
thompson@PAN.SSEC.HONEYWELL.COM (John Thompson) (06/11/91)
> We need to purchase a new file server to expand storage on our > network of 40 workstations. ... The 425t with > 1.3 GB of external storage and the 425s with 1.3 GB of internal > storage are two possibilities. The first option is $7,000 (list) > less expensive than the latter. Does the internal disk have > any clear advantages in terms of file access time or other > characteristics pertinent to how the machine will function as > a file server? In other words, is there any good reason to > spend the additional money? I don't know the SCSI speeds between internal and external buses on the 400 series, but I can only see three reasons for getting a 425s rather than a 425t -- o You need the fast graphics from the Personal Visualization System. This may actually be a moot (mooter?) point with the new CRX displays. o You need the [E]ISA-bus for peripherals. o You need to hang an ungodly amount of disk space off a single-point-of- failure node. You can put about 9 GB of disk space on a 425t node, and with extran controllers, you can put about 27GB on a 425s node. IMHO, anyone who hangs more than 10GB on a node is asking for failures. -- jt -- John Thompson Honeywell, SSEC Plymouth, MN 55441 thompson@pan.ssec.honeywell.com When in danger, when in doubt -- run in circles, scream and shout.