From: rz10010@rzaix315.rrz.uni-hamburg.de (Monika Schwarzbach)
Subject: Re: EISA server with 8-bit SMC clients
Summary: query value EISA server with 8-bit client network
Keywords: EISA server 8-bit user performance
Organization: Regionales Rechenzentrum der Universitaet Hamburg
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 92 16:43:01 GMT

In article <robinson.717822557@knuth> robinson@knuth.mtsu.edu (David Robinson) writes:
>From: robinson@knuth.mtsu.edu (David Robinson)
>Subject: EISA server with 8-bit SMC clients
>Summary: query value EISA server with 8-bit client network
>Keywords: EISA server 8-bit user performance
>Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 03:09:17 GMT

>We are putting together specifications for a new server for our Novell
>lan.  We're running 2.15c right now, but will probably upgrade to 3.11
>this fall.  Our current network consists of about 30 users,  all 8-bit
>NIC clients (our current server contains 2 8-bit Western Digital
>(ahem, SMC NICs)

>2)  We'd also like to put a 1.2 Gigabyte or better disk in this new 
>server.  Would we be advised in specifying SCSI or ESDI controller
>for this disk?  EISA concerns we should be aware of?  Any brands we 
>should specifically avoid?   Until we go to 3.11 are we asking for
>trouble aiming for such a large disk?  I'm assuming we can break it up
>into multiple volumes...

>3)  I've been told to get as much memory as we can afford to stuff into
>this server... I'm planning on 32Mb, 'cause i'm greedy.  Am I also 
>being unreasonable?

>%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
> David Robinson                         |   robinson@mtsu.edu
> Automation Librarian                   |   615/898-2572 (voice)
> Middle Tennessee State University      |   615/898-5551 (FAX)
> Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132          |   P.O. Box 13  (snail)
>%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Sorry, some bad news:-(

You are too greedy, if you really want 32 MB memory in your server, you have
to choose an EISA machine or a microchannel server. There are some things
to consider:

EISA machine + ISA disc controller + > 16MB = doesn't work, ISA controllers
                                              are doing 24-bit DMA !!!
EISA machine + EISA disk controller + > 16MB = should work, but I haven't
                                               tested it
Microchannel + microchannel controller + > 16MB = works fine

So, do you really need so much memory? Do you have access to the NW 3.11
installation manuall? There are some calculation examples how much memory 
the server needs. (I can help via fax, if you like.)

Big discs are no problem with 3.11. I would prefere an SCSI-controller, for
you can put up to 7 devices on it, e.g. streamer, cd-rom etc.

I hope this helps a little
Monika
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*  Monika Schwarzbach       * e-mail : rz10010@rzaix315.rrz.uni-hamburg.de   *
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