jalsop@aesat.UUCP (John Alsop) (02/18/85)
We have a number of Multibus based Unix systems using the 3COM 3C400
controller, and plan to add some additional units. Can anyone provide
information on possible sources for lower cost components?
Specific needs are:
Ethernet transceivers (must work with 3COM board)
Ethernet cable
Transceiver cable
For comparison, 3COM's prices are $450, $7/meter, and $100, for the above
items.
Thanks in advance,
John Alsop @ AES Data Inc.
{allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!aesat!jalsoprpw3@redwood.UUCP (Rob Warnock) (02/19/85)
+--------------- | Can anyone provide information on possible sources for lower cost components? | Specific needs are: | Ethernet transceivers (must work with 3COM board) | Ethernet cable | Transceiver cable | For comparison, 3COM's prices are $450, $7/meter, and $100, for the above | items. | John Alsop @ AES Data Inc. | {allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!aesat!jalsop +--------------- For comparison only (I have no connection with them), TCL's prices respectively are $232.80, $19.95 + $4.10/meter, and $40-100 (depending on length and whether it's Teflon). These are US$ quantity one prices, F.O.B. TCL. [Address: TCL Inc., 41829 Albrae St., Fremont CA 94538, (415)657-3800.] These are the "stinger" or "vampire" type transceivers, with a spring-loaded "energy" stinger. You will have to specify whether you want version 1.0 or 2.0 transceivers, and "heartbeat" or not (I don't know which the 3Com board needs, but TCL will know). p.s. They also make a multi-port transceiver multiplexer (like a DEC DELNI) that goes for $442 + $100/port (i.e. $1242 for 8 ports). They can be stacked two deep, or a maximum of 64 ports per actual Ethernet transceiver (or can be used stand-alone, without a coax). I don't know how that compares to the DELNI. Rob Warnock Systems Architecture Consultant UUCP: {ihnp4,ucbvax!dual}!fortune!redwood!rpw3 DDD: (415)572-2607 USPS: 510 Trinidad Lane, Foster City, CA 94404
skip@gatech.UUCP (Skip Addison) (02/23/85)
As has been mentioned by someone else, TCL transceivers are reaonably priced
at about $230 each or ~$150 each for the multiport variety. When I buy cable,
I usually buy from my local cable supplier like Anixter. Belden has been one
of the leading manufacturers of Ethernet, but they recently put a quality
hold on the coax because the innermost foil would bond with the dielectric,
making it difficult to remove for transceiver installation. Berktec and others
also make the coax. I usually pay 70 to 80 cents a foot for the stuff in
1000 foot rolls.
We have about 150 transceivers installed on many networks with several miles
of Ethernet coax; I tend to shop around.
I would NEVER buy one of the transceivers that requires cutting the cable for
installation. We never have any problems with the vampire taps.
--
from the DMZ of Skip Addison
The Office of Telecommunications and Networking
Georgia Tech, Atlanta GA 30332
CSNet: Skip @ GATech ARPA: Skip.GATech @ CSNet-Relay.ARPA
uucp: ...!{akgua,allegra,amd,hplabs,ihnp4,seismo,ut-ngp}!gatech!skip