bob@astph.UUCP (Robert Ford) (01/28/91)
We are currently using multiport serial boards from Comtrol and Equinox to serve terminals (mostly Televideo 950s) to 386-based UNIX machines running ISC 2.2 UNIX. The UNIX boxes are interconnected via ethernet, running TCP/IP. For the most part, we have been satisfied with the intelligent multiport serial cards, especially with their low cost per port (about $50/port for 16 ports). However, we have experienced some board failures recently that have undermined our confidence in their reliability. Also, we are concerned about the number of slots they consume if we want to attach 64 terminals to one box (not to mention the extra cpu load). We are currently doing some research on ethernet terminal servers, multi- plexers, and asynch terminal concentrators. We are wide open in terms of directions to move, but obviously want to find the solution that provides the best performance, reliability, and flexibility at the lowest possible cost. We have been somewhat dismayed to find the the cost of an ethernet terminal server is 2-3 times as expensive per port as a multiport serial board solution. The asych terminal concentrators seem almost as expensive. So, we could use some guidance. 1. What are the pros and cons of each alternative? 2. With each solution, what would bear the most load (cpu, network, etc.)? 3. Which manufacturers are the best and most reliable? 4. Any comment on whether we should go with stand-alone or chassis-based servers/concentrators? 5. Does anyone know of a terminal server that will give us <$100/port? Thanks for your help. Bob Ford -- Bob Ford (814) 234-8592x36 INTERNET: astph!bob@attmail.com UUCP: attmail.com!astph!bob Philadelphia Phillies
root@equinox.UUCP (Super user) (01/30/91)
In article <109@astph.UUCP> bob@astph.UUCP (Robert Ford) writes: > >We are currently using multiport serial boards from Comtrol and Equinox >to serve terminals (mostly Televideo 950s) to 386-based UNIX machines >running ISC 2.2 UNIX. The UNIX boxes are interconnected via ethernet, >running TCP/IP. > >For the most part, we have been satisfied with the intelligent multiport >serial cards, especially with their low cost per port (about $50/port for >16 ports). However, we have experienced some board failures recently that >have undermined our confidence in their reliability. Also, we are >concerned about the number of slots they consume if we want to attach >64 terminals to one box (not to mention the extra cpu load). > >-- >Bob Ford (814) 234-8592x36 >INTERNET: astph!bob@attmail.com UUCP: attmail.com!astph!bob >Philadelphia Phillies Are you having trouble with the Equinox MEGAPORTS ? What kind of problems are you seeing? Are the boards just 'dying'? BTW, I see that you're ordering the Equinox Megaplex 96-port card cluster controller. Glad to see that we had a product that suited your needs... For a cheap terminal server, you might look at Chase Research. I don't know the price on the server, but their serial cards are cheap. I used to work with the guys who started the chase office in the US. They're nice guys--even gave me a Chase T-shirt at Uniforum. Equinox sells a LAT Terminal server, but TCP/IP isn't available (yet). Give me or our technical support a call if we can help on the board failures you've been experiencing. Regards, Wolf