rbloom@APG-1.ARPA (Robert Bloom AMSTE-TOI 3775) (08/05/85)
I'm depressed. I've been attempting to determine just how I can best upgrade my office computer. (I work in a U.S. Army RDT&E organization.) I thought I was in good shape when the Army signed a open contract to buy Intel 310 systems, but there is a problem. To get the capability I want, I need to spend over $50k if I go with the equipment listed on the (mandatory!) Army contract. I have a fairly good idea that the capability I want is available for much less than the aformentioned $50k - but I don't know quite where. Therefore, I would like to solicite responses from anyone of what I should mention as alternatives to my puchasing agent when I go in to fight the mandatory part of the contract. I need names, addresses, specifications, prices and everything else available to get the best available system that meets the requirements and is the least expensive. (I'm a taxpayer too!) I just don't believe the 310 is it. The remainder of this message contains what I am using now, my upgrade requirements, what I have to buy from the Intel contract to meet those requirements, and some possible alternates to the Intel system. My current system consists of a NorthStar Horizon w/18M HD, 5 Televideo terminals, a NEC printer, a IDS dot-matrix printer and a Hayes modem. It is running a multi-user OS ('TSS/C' - probably quite close to MP/M) with WordStar, dBase II, Mex, and SuperCalc as the main applications software. This system meets my require- ments except in the following areas: it is too slow under load [5 users on one Z80!], does not have enough user terminals [has 5, I need 8], the disk space is marginal [has 18M, I want ~30-40M), and communication with remote systems is awkward [I had to hack it badly to get it to work at all]. The two printers and modem will be used on the new system - if I can also use the 5 terminals that would be even better. The Horizon main frame and HD I suspect must go. Requirements (in order of priority) 1) must run WordStar, dBase, and SuperCalc (I had enough trouble training my people in these, I don't want to start over!) 2) shared files (single-user access to any r/w file, locked to other users until released, multiple access to any r/o file.) 3) queued output to 2 printers 4) two multiple access commo ports to the outside world - one 9600 baud direct connect, one dial-up. (dial-IN access NOT required!) 5) adequate processing speed for all users (TSS/C's major problem is speed - I will buy all the speed improvement I can.) 6) 8-simultaneous users (single-tasking ok) with access from each user's desk. Reset of 'hung' users w/o system reboot. 7) 3MegBytes HD storage per user, not including system and program storage. (I figure a minumum of 30M, 40M desired.) 8) Tape backup system for HD Note that my current system satisfies the first 4 items above; I will not accept a 'new' system that does less that the above even if it does that faster! Intel 310 configuration: The basic problem with the 310 is that it is a UNIX box and cannot satisfy #1 above in multi-user. Therefore, one needs to run the applications at the workstations, not in the central box - and that means using pc's. (The Wyse 1100 pc is included in the contract for just this purpose.) To satisfy #2 above, the pc's must be netted to the central HD via a network of some type. So, the configuration looks like: 8 Wyse 1100 pcs @ $1,926 (IBM-clone, 265k, 2 floppies) 8 Personal Network Interface Interface Unit @ $1,650 (this board connects the pc to the OpenNET LAN, the cheaper NIC steals memory from the pc stopping it from running dBase) 9 10 foot Transceiver Cables @ $70 (+ $15/10 foot over 10') 1 10 port Intellink @ $1,695 (central node on LAN) 1 Intel 310 4-user @ $11,245 (4-user includes 80286, 1MRAM and 40MB HD, smaller systems don't) 1 Ethernet commo controller @ $1,795 (connects 310 to LAN) 1 Tape subsystem on expansion chassis @ $3,339 The total (includes transportation and installation but WITHOUT SOFTWARE) is $45,617. A 'OpenNET' configuration is slightly more expensive than the 'Intellink' configuration cited above. Software would easily push it over $50k as one needs 8 copies of WordStar, dBase and SuperCalc. As I see it, a TurboDOS or similar system (NorthStar Dimension?) that has multiple processors would be best for this application. Something on the order of (pure guesses on the $ amounts): Main Frame/HD/master processor - $5,000 Tape drive added to main frame - $1,000 16-bit slave processors - 8 x $1,500 RAM disk for speed - $2,000 3 more terminals - 3 x $700 Comes to a total of 'only' $22,100 w/o software. That's less than HALF the above and does the same thing. (except run UNIX, but running UNIX is a nonrequirement.) So, anyone have any ideas of what and where I could get something better rather than spending $50k of 'your' money? Please reply directly to rbloom@apg-1, I will synopsize results and post later. This is strictly a request-for-information and does not obligate anyone for anything and does not represent nor indicate U.S. Army policy. Names used above are copyright somebody else. -bob bloom
Bicer.ES@XEROX.ARPA (08/06/85)
I think you have perfectly described a Compupro 816 system (Viasyn as they are called now). I suggest you contact Gifford Systems (look at a recent Byte magazine for their number, if you can't, let me know). These are one of the fastest and most reliable machines on the market. Jack Bicer BICER.ES@XEROX.ARPA