Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!helios!bigmips!steve
From: steve@bigmips.tamu.edu (Steve Johnson)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.admin
Subject: Recommendations for compute-server wanted
Message-ID: <13347@helios.TAMU.EDU>
Date: 14 Mar 91 22:13:11 GMT
Sender: usenet@helios.TAMU.EDU
Reply-To: steve@bigmips.tamu.edu (Steve Johnson)
Organization: Texas A&M University, Dept of Mathematics
Lines: 26

Our department is considering the purchase of a low-cost compute-server. 
It will primarily serve 6 to 12 X-terminals and a few
dumb terminals.  I expect around 15 simultaneous users
(1 X-term may have > 1 user). NFS traffic is expected to be low.
Typical applications we currently run are Mathematica, TeX + previewers,
compilers, e-mail, and some number crunching.

An example of systems being considered are the Sun 4/75,
and the Mips 3240.  

Questions for those using either of these computers (or similar)
with X-terms: 
1.) How many X-terms is the machine supporting?
2.) How much RAM do you have?  
3.) Is synchronous SCSI a big win?
4.) What are the bottlenecks?
5.) How about low-cost multi-processors (eg, Solbourne)?
6.) What are your favorite X-terminals?

Please respond directly to me.  If there is interest, I will summarize
to the net.

- Steve Johnson, Systems Manager, Dept of Mathematics, Texas A&M University
  steve@bigmips.tamu.edu

                 I speak for myself, not my employer.