35007_321@uwovax.uwo.ca (Gord Nickerson) (09/29/90)
> I'm considering the use of Lantastic to network 4 or 5 of 386SX Clones. > > 1) Have you installed it. ? > 2) Did you have any problems > 3) Would you buy the product again ? > 4) Has management of the network been easy ? > 5) Have you had any problems with the network software ? > 6) Would you like some features that aren't there ? > 7) Are you using the Voice Board ? 1) 386 server with esdi 330 meg disk and 2 meg memory, upgrading to 4meg wd ethernet cards, serving network of 15 pc's, 5 286's and 1 386, main applications are wordperf 5.1, communications and dbms 2) very few - it has crashed on occassion, had to increase number of file handles, network sessions, buffer sizes, etc. 3) yes - but only the adapter independent nos version 4) so far yes but haven't installed individual user id's yet 5) print spooler very slow - we have 4 printers attached to a Logical Connection box and are only using lpt1 from the server. Suggest using all three supported lpt ports for increased speed. Extensive disk activity (i.e. using fastback to back up a local machine to server or file archiving) can cause worperf to timeout on disk writes. Also if too many of the same thing is done, i.e. a lab in which everyone loads wp 5.1 at the same time - the collisions seem to take forever to resolve 6) network cache and ram print spooler (announced in version 3.0 on order) 7) no - not recommended, eats disk space and what's wrong with TEXT?? - finally - lantastic would be very suitable for your application. NOTES: 4.77 machines are too slow whereas with a 386 the network disk is as fast or faster than my local disk ( a 28ms 40meg seagate) so suggest only 286 or better on network. put as much money as possible in hard disk on server and memory, we are using a 16 mhz 386 and there is plenty of cpu cycles for the network because the applications software uses the local nodes, but a larger (800 meg) and faster (16 ns) hard disk with 4 megs (for cache ,etc) would make the network even better. the mail utility in lantastic is the pits, suggest using a third party mailer like MAILCALL, etc or learn netbios programming...The Lantastic manual is a joke (NO INDEX!) and so far i have not found a book on lantastic (help anyone?). Next project is to mount TCP/IP on the network and link to the campus backbone for ftp ing and telnet ing..
WANCHO@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL ("Frank J. Wancho") (09/29/90)
Gord,
You will like version 3.0. Much more robust, and the new manual has
an index! Consider checking into their *very* active (now free) BBS -
602-293-0065 ...up to 9600 bps.
The mail function has also improved. You can also grab LANUT200.ZIP,
containing a bunch of handy shareware utilities.
Next project is to mount TCP/IP on the network and link to the
campus backbone for ftp ing and telnet ing..
Similar plans here for the offices, but put TCP/IP only on the server,
running through a second card, mostly for mail. Details not yet
worked out.
--Frank