Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!daver!bungi.com!news From: kls@ditka.Chicago.COM (Karl Swartz) Newsgroups: comp.sys.nsc.32k Subject: Re: ET532 Message-ID: Date: 29 Apr 91 19:07:02 GMT References: <<9104221326.AA23689@mozart.convex.com>> Sender: news@daver.bungi.com Lines: 67 Approved: news@daver.bungi.com On Mon, 22 Apr 91, Jon Loeliger writes: > Perhaps now that so many boards are up an running, people are > more interested in newer boards like the ET532. One problem as I see it is ... software! The ET532 may do all sorts of great things but it won't do 'em without some software to drive it. Yes, there is the kernel that runs on the board though I'm thinking more of all the networking code. Does Minix have it? I've heard rumors of somebody working on Minix TCP/IP but I'm not sure it's out there yet, and it certainly isn't on the pc532 version. Unix can do it but at this point that only helps a few Finns. (No offense.) Unlike the CPU, most of this work can be done in advance since all but the actual device drivers are hardware-independent. You don't even have to stick with local loopback tests -- use SLIP or PPP on some of those 8 serial ports! On Sat, 27 Apr 91, Rick Rodman writes: > The $550 SCSI/Ethernet adapters sound very expensive for what little > hardware. And Dave Rand replies: > The *BARE BOARD* will be in this price range, for the first few > units. The ... first run of boards ... cost the most. Dave, you're saying the first few Guinea pigs eat the fixed cost for all the follow-ons? I'd be willing to invest a larger chunk up front if I'd get a piece back on the first production run to end up paying my fair share of the thing. But paying a big chunk up front so someone else can get a free ride on the production boards? Doesn't sound like a very good deal to me. > Simple fact is that a small run of boards will cost $2000-2500 for > 5-6 boards. Or $333-500 per board. And the marginal cost for additional boards is on the order of $250 each (more than the pc532 because of the gold- plated edge connectors). So if the first production run is 20 boards, charge $270-300 and rebate the difference to the few "investors" who funded the initial board run. > It can also be used as a SLIP-to-ethernet packet router with up to > 16 serial ports. The value of a co-processor to unload much of the TCP/IP protocol processing is not to be underestimated. And for driving serial ports, running SLIP, PPP, or just as plain old terminal or modem connections. To me, at least, the design is certainly appealing for this reason in spite of what seems like quite a bit of hardware for "just an Ethernet board." One question, however. As I recall, those serial ports have minimal or no modem control. If true, their use for a router would be rather diminished since one would expect most SLIP or PPP to be over modems, especially if there's an Ethernet to be had. Right? Bottom line, for me, is that I'm interested in an et532, but not until I see some networking software that will be able to grow into it, and I'd only be willing to participate in the prototype run if I thought there was going to be an equitable sharing of fixed costs with the big production run. -- Karl Swartz |INet kls@ditka.chicago.com 1-408/223-1308 |UUCP {uunet,decwrl}!daver!ditka!kls |Snail 1738 Deer Creek Ct., San Jose CA 95148 "It's psychosomatic. You need a lobotomy. I'll get a saw." (Calvin)