From: jwinstea@fenris.claremont.edu (Jim Winstead Jr.)
Subject: Re: multiuser, multidisk questions from novice
Organization: Harvey Mudd College, WIBSTR
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 20:52:08 GMT

In article <133895@lll-winken.LLNL.GOV> blair@lll-crg.llnl.gov (Gary Blair) writes:
>Please excuse any of the following that may be FAQs.  If they're all FAQs,
>please direct me to the FAQ list. 

One or two might have been FAQs, but they're all good questions - you
can find the FAQ for other details on tsx-11.mit.edu in
~ftp/pub/linux/docs.

>I have a ISA 486/33 system with a 200Mbyte HD and 4Mbyte RAM.
>
>1. What compiler, if any, is needed to compile/install Linux?

You don't need a compiler to install Linux.  To be able to compile
your own programs, etc, and recompile the kernel, you can grab the
latest 'port' of gcc from the archive sites.

>2. Is Linux a true multiuser, password protected system?

At the risk of offending USL, Linux is a Unix(tm)-like system.
Standard 'unix' security features are present.  (Using unix in the
broad, Kleenex- and Xerox-like sense here.)

>3. Is is possible to connect other PCs/terminals via serial lines to
>allow multiple simultaneous users?  Any suggestions on how to do
>this?

Yes, this is possible.  It's a matter of setting up the write
/etc/inittab entries for the additional incoming lines.  You would
probably want to just hang the terminals/PCs off the other end of a
null-modem cable.

>4. If (3) is possible, any ideas on what performance will be like?
>Users will be doing simple things, not massive compiles.

I don't have an real similar basis for comparison, but running X and
haqving 3-4 processes running on my 386/25 with 8 megs is more than
satisfactory.  The only problem I could see you having is with only
having 4MB ram - if it's possible to upgrade, I'd recommend adding
another 4MB.

>5. Is is possible for a Linux partition to coexist with a DOS 
>partition on the same disk?  How easy is it to switch between the
>partitions?

Linux can coexist happily with DOS on the same hard disk.  To switch
between operating systems, you can simply use a boot-time selector
such as shoelace, bootany, or LILO (recommended).  It's quite painless
once you get it up and running.

>6. Is is possible to move files between DOS and Linux?

Yes, Linux can mount MS-DOS disks and partitions just like the other
filesystem types it supports.  That allows for relatively seamless
access to MS-DOS files.  There are also a collection of programs
available called Mtools which allow copying to/from DOS filesystems
and manipulating them in other ways.

>7. Would it be possible to install a second hard disk dedicated to Linux?
>How do I indicate that Linux is to be booted from that disk?

I have Linux installed primarily on a second hard drive - I have a
very small (less than 1/2 meg) partition on my first hard drive
devoted to holding the Linux kernel and the LILO programs - it mounts
the root partition from the second drive, and other partitions from
there, too.

It's hard to explain in a nutshell how to do it without going on for a
bit, so just be assured that if you do make the move to do so, there's
people around that will be willing to guide you through it.
-- 
                                    +      Jim Winstead Jr. (CSci '95)
                                    |      Harvey Mudd College, WIBSTR
                                    |   jwinstea@jarthur.Claremont.EDU
                                    + or jwinstea@fenris.Claremont.EDU