john@ai.etl.army.mil (John Benton) (11/27/89)
We are a DoD laboratory with a problem. We use TCP/IP for all our networking on workstations and minicomputers, but we have lots of MS-DOS machines around as well as McIntoshes. We want to network everybody together. Some of the constraints that we are working under are: 1. We must have compatibility with our existing TCP/IP network with the full suite of protocols available on all computers. This includes telnet, FTP, and SMTP. 2. To keep cost down, we do not want to buy ethernet boards for all the pcs and McIntoshes, though we may be able to buy some boards if many of these computers can go through one computer for net access. Most of the network links for the small computers will therefore have to be done through serial ports. 3. The proposed solution must initially be able to support connection of at least 50 personal conputers with an expansion potential for 200 connections. It looks like SLIP might be useful, although it seems as though you still need TCP/IP software on the small computers. Informed comment (i.e. experience) is preferred, but I will take any help that I can get. John R. Benton Internet: john@etl.army.mil Engineer Topographic Labs UUCP: ...!ames!ai.etl.army.mil!john Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060-5546 BITNET: john%etl.army.mil@CUNYVM (202) 355-2717 CSNET: john%etl.army.mil@RELAY.CS.NET -- John R. Benton Internet: john@etl.army.mil Engineer Topographic Labs UUCP: ...!ames!ai.etl.army.mil!john Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060-5546 BITNET: john%etl.army.mil@CUNYVM (202) 355-2717 CSNET: john%etl.army.mil@RELAY.CS.NET
snorthc@RELAY.NSWC.NAVY.MIL (11/28/89)
> Some of the constraints that we are working under are: > 1. We must have compatibility with our existing TCP/IP network with the full > suite of protocols available on all computers. This includes telnet, FTP, and > SMTP. These protocols are available from a number of sources: Phil Karn ka9q is "freely available"; FTP SW and Wollongong are highly rated commercial offerings. I would think the idea of using SMTP on PCs through very carefully. > 2. To keep cost down, we do not want to buy ethernet boards for all the pcs > and McIntoshes, though we may be able to buy some boards if many of these > computers can go through one computer for net access. Most of the network > links for the small computers will therefore have to be done through serial > ports. Well, the MACs could all share a kinetics fastpasth or gator box or some such if they are appletalked togeather. I would recommend you scrounge around an come up with the bucks for cards and thinnet. You should be able to get equipped for ~$400.00 per node for card. If you are badly strapped give me a call and I will approach management here about POSSIBLY setting you up with some of our older cards. There are constraints implied here, why do you think we aren't using them? > 3. The proposed solution must initially be able to support connection of at > least 50 personal conputers with an expansion potential for 200 connections. In my opinion this is a server issue, not a client problem i.e. do you have a machine that can provide services for 50 - 200 PC/MACs. > It looks like SLIP might be useful, although it seems as though you still need > TCP/IP software on the small computers. Informed comment (i.e. experience) is > preferred, but I will take any help that I can get. Per SLIP, good luck. As a last "informed comment" You might want to broaden your horizons a bit, your problem domain might also include: - disk sharing (nfs); - graphics (X Windows); - some or another RPC religion. It would be a shame to go to a lot of effort and settle on a solution that precludes these capabilities. Feel free to call (703) 663-7745 or write for further info. I don't really do PCs anymore, but I still keep one on my desk. I have been where you are now and wish you the best. Some of my good buddies from my Defense Mapping Agency days are at the topo labs. > John R. Benton Internet: john@etl.army.mil Stephen Northcutt (snorthc@relay.nswc.navy.mil) Fireworks: it was like bright colored crayons on paper, but it was in the sky. Hunter Northcutt, JUL 4 89, 4 yrs old.