[sci.skeptic] New product announcement: NFSper

nelson@sun.soe.clarkson.edu (Russ Nelson) (10/15/90)

FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION			OCT 14, 1990


ESP Software
11 Grant St.
Potsdam, NY 13676


ESP Software would like to announce their newest product, NFSper.
NFSper is a NFS server with an order of magnitude better performance
than any existing NFS server.  NFSper uses a proprietary technique to
cache NFS requests on the client before they are transmitted to the
server.  Lab tests have shown that the NFS packet are available on the
client an average of 100 microseconds before the client sends the
request.  Under test conditions, we have observed packets a full 250
uSec before the request transmission!

NFSper avoids paradoxical effects by caching the packet rather than
actually upcalling it.  If the request packet falls on the floor, or
the client fails to carry out its intent to send the request, then the
client will never request the packet from the cache.  Of course, in
the case of high network loads or indecisive software, NFSper will
rapidly fill your cache, removing any performance advantage.

NFSper comes with programmers guidlines for stern, decisive coding.
The sooner a decision is made to request a packet, the sooner NFSper
can start sending the reply.  We have found that most software makes
this decision soon enough, but new software should of course take
advantage of this new technology.

We are currently working on TelePathWay, "All the Network without all
the wiring."  TelePathWay does away with the need to run coax or
twisted pair.  TelePathWay plugs into the AUI port found on most
Ethernet equipment.  You must supply your own telepath.  Deliveries
are expected by 4Q91.


				Direct all inquiries To:

				Russell N. Nelson, President
				ESP Software
				11 Grant St.
				Potsdam, NY 13696

				(315)265-5655



--
--russ (nelson@clutx [.bitnet | .clarkson.edu])  Russ.Nelson@$315.268.6667
It's better to get mugged than to live a life of fear -- Freeman Dyson

pcg@cs.aber.ac.uk (Piercarlo Grandi) (10/24/90)

On 14 Oct 90 23:11:39 GMT, nelson@sun.soe.clarkson.edu (Russ Nelson) said:

nelson> ESP Software would like to announce their newest product,
nelson> NFSper.  NFSper is a NFS server with an order of magnitude
nelson> better performance than any existing NFS server.  NFSper uses a
nelson> proprietary technique to cache NFS requests on the client before
nelson> they are transmitted to the server.  Lab tests have shown that
nelson> the NFS packet are available on the client an average of 100
nelson> microseconds before the client sends the request.  Under test
nelson> conditions, we have observed packets a full 250 uSec before the
nelson> request transmission!

Such blatant advertising! Not to mention that the technology used by ESP
may be infringing on the original rights held by Prof.  Donald Knuth for
anticipative algorithms (the so called 'Pasadena street' style), as
described in ACP vol. 1, chapter on coroutines.

It is also true that Dr.  Isaac Asimov, the distinguished inventor of
tiotimoline, the intensional solvent, may have also a valid claim to
rights on anticipative technologies.

I cannot resist mentioning a major player in this market, which is
rumoured be on the verge of adopting 'not responding -- still trying' as
corporate trademark (unfortunately for them quick research has revealed
that many of its competitors have already adopted it, at least in
spirit), and maybe make a major product name change, something along the
lines of "Archeological File System".
--
Piercarlo "Peter" Grandi           | ARPA: pcg%uk.ac.aber.cs@nsfnet-relay.ac.uk
Dept of CS, UCW Aberystwyth        | UUCP: ...!mcsun!ukc!aber-cs!pcg
Penglais, Aberystwyth SY23 3BZ, UK | INET: pcg@cs.aber.ac.uk