HALLAM@v1.physics.oxford.ac.uk ("Phillip M. Hallam-Baker") (08/23/90)
Here's another for Inmos. I have just recived a glossy describing a SCSI TRAM module. The question is what can I do with it? At present we are running an array of transputers off a VAX via a Caplin QT0 board stuffed into the Q-bus. This has a number of disadvantages, not least being that the DEC pricelist quotes several limbs for Q-bus machines especialy those with worthwhile processors. I would much rather buy a 3100 and run the network off the SCSI port. Caplin showed us their HEX system which can do the job but seems to be designed more with locking the user into Caplin hardware than anything else. By the time the board was mounted we could have bought another Q-bus. Specificaly can I boot a network of transputers from a VAX via this SCSI TRAM ? I would also need to be able to communicate with the SCSI device via a driver on the VAX - although this dosn't look too hard as DEC give a device driver prototype for the SCSI. If booting is a bit too much how about use providing a file server? both together would be ideal of course... Has anybody seen or used this device? All comments would be welcome If anybody knows of another product that does fit the spec I'd be interested. Phillip Hallam-Baker ZEUS group Oxford University Disclaimer : the usual.