pmb@sequim.com (Peter M. Black) (04/24/91)
For a 8 user system running SCO Xenix, how does a 386 SX compare to a 386 DX? Does Xenix benefit from hardware caches - memory & hard disk? Typically, several users would be running VP/ix word processing and several Unify (rdb) under Xenix. Peter M. Black, Peter M. Black Real Estate Co., Inc. P.O. Box 2227, 315 E. Washington Street, Sequim, WA 98382 Voice (PST): (206) 683-1171 or 800-962-7307, FAX: (206) 683-5415 E-Mail: uunet!sequim!pmb
usenet@carssdf.UUCP (John Watson) (04/26/91)
In article <25@sequim.com>, pmb@sequim.com (Peter M. Black) writes: > For a 8 user system running SCO Xenix, how does a 386 SX compare to > a 386 DX? Does Xenix benefit from hardware caches - memory & hard disk? Yes YES do use the DX, & DO use a cacheing disk controller with 2 or 4 Meg of disk cache. Also don't overlook the use of the 486's. For under 2500 a dealer can get a nice 486 w/ 64K hardware cache that will blow away the 386's. If you actually have 8 active users you do need all the horsepower you can get. The SX is for single users only (IMHO). If at all possible, get your supplier to take responsibility for the combination of disk controller/disk/ CPU. I have had a lot of trouble with combinations that refuse to work. There is no good reason, some just don't work. John Watson (self employeed)
chip@chinacat.Unicom.COM (Chip Rosenthal) (04/27/91)
In article <25@sequim.com> pmb@sequim.com (Peter M. Black) writes: >For a 8 user system running SCO Xenix, how does a 386 SX compare to >a 386 DX? Does Xenix benefit from hardware caches - memory & hard disk? You know - the cheapest thing you can do to get better system performance is to install UNIX instead of XENIX. The $200 price difference to get SCO UNIX is a fraction of what a cacheing controller will cost you. Some other brand UNIX will be even cheaper. Even if you've got XENIX applications you should consider UNIX. SysVr3.2 has very good XENIX compatibility. I know one person (hi Barton) who picked up all his XENIX apps - from COBOL to communications programs - and dropped them on a Compaq Systempro EISA machine running UNIX. Not a hiccup. The second cheapest thing you can do is add memory. A 386SX makes a fine single-user system (the X pig notwithstanding). I would be nervous about running eight users on an SX unless you are only going to have one or two active at a time. I think a memory cacheing motherboard is a win. However, I can still get lotsa good work done on a plain old 386 noncacheing system. I think disk cacheing controllers are helpful in limited situations. I don't use them - I'd rather throw the memory into the system and increase the number of disk buffers. I do know somebody who runs his news filesystem off a cacheing controller, and it works really nicely. He can batch up full newsfeeds with nearly zero disk activity. Also critical - pick a good serial card. There are good ones and there are crap ones. And my least favorite card is probably the one with the highest unit sales. I would recommend - a) get UNIX b) get at least a 386/20 system c) get a faster and/or cacheing motherboard if you can afford it d) bag the cacheing disk controller e) gobs and gobs of memory - at least 8M to start f) get a good serial card -- Chip Rosenthal 512-482-8260 | Unicom Systems Development | I saw Elvis in my wtmp file. <chip@chinacat.Unicom.COM> |
dan@dyndata.uucp (Dan Everhart) (04/28/91)
In article <1964@chinacat.Unicom.COM> chip@chinacat.Unicom.COM (Chip Rosenthal) writes: > Also critical - pick a good serial card. There are good ones and > there are crap ones. And my least favorite card is probably the one > with the highest unit sales. I'd like to hear your opinions (and other people's opinions) about which serial cards are good and which are crap, Chip. I know that adding ports is looming in the near future and I'd like to start collecting information. -- Dan Everhart Dynamic Data & Electronics dan@dyndata.uucp 7107 179th St SW dan@dyndata.celestial.com Edmonds, WA 98026, USA {camco,eskimo,fluke}!dyndata!dan
neal@mnopltd.UUCP (04/29/91)
->For a 8 user system running SCO Xenix, how does a 386 SX compare to
->a 386 DX? Does Xenix benefit from hardware caches - memory & hard disk?
->Typically, several users would be running VP/ix word processing and several
->Unify (rdb) under Xenix.
Surely you jest. One Vpix user doing WP (heavy Desk top publishing) is
enough to eat a 386. Two sounds like slow death. Add Unify and I think
you are in big trouble.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neal Rhodes MNOP Ltd (404)- 972-5430
President Lilburn (atlanta) GA 30247 Fax: 978-4741
emory!mnopltd!neal
gatech!emory!mnopltd!neal
------------------------------------------------------------------------------