Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!think.com!spool.mu.edu!munnari.oz.au!goanna!pnm From: pnm@goanna.cs.rmit.oz.au (Paul BIG-EARS Menon) Newsgroups: comp.protocols.appletalk Subject: Re: Webster Multiport Gateway opinions wanted Message-ID: <6004@goanna.cs.rmit.oz.au> Date: 28 May 91 12:56:22 GMT Article-I.D.: goanna.6004 References: <1991May24.124056.12175@DMI.USherb.CA> Distribution: all Organization: Comp Sci, RMIT, Melbourne, Australia Lines: 121 Marc, I couldn't reach you by mail, so I'm posting to news... In article <1991May24.124056.12175@DMI.USherb.CA>, mazu@roselin (Marc Mazuhelli) writes: > Hi there NetLand, > > I am considering buying a Webster Multiport Gateway for our network. > > We already have a GatorBox with GatorShare and GatorPrint (which we > would keep), but we are gradually switching to CAP. > > Before I decide, I would like to know a few things: We currently have 3 in our dept. I evaluated the MultiPort Gateway some time ago (early '90), putting it through some really exhausting benchmarks. It was then known as the MultiGate (and still is to some :-)). The MultiPort limits were determined. Melbourne Uni and Webster modified the SW almost immediately. From then on, the MultiPort, in my opinion, works well within its limits under student lab loads (read - ANYWHERE). What happens in our student labs? Everyone hops onto the file server(s) at almost the same time, creating worst case conditions for about 15 minutes (we have Encores as CAP file servers - they'll pump out AFP packets before you ask for them). If the MultiPort can put up with that, it can put up with anything. > > 1) will the AFP servers simulated by GatorShare be made available to > the LocalTalk Macs hooked-up to one of the 4 LocalTalk ports of the > MultiPort Gateway? (I don't see why not, but who knows? - I know it > adds a lot of network traffic, but it would be just until we switch to > CAP and AUFS) Can't answer that, we don't have those drinks at RMIT. I assume it can, the MultiPort seems to handle most Applish protocols. > > 2) I know it can be configured using an HyperCard stack; is it easy to > set up and configure (compared to a GatorBox which I already know) Can't tell you about the comparison, but I used to enjoy keying the config DIRECTLY into the gateway. Since Ethertalk Phasor II, I'm stuck with Hypercard. The config could (and should) have a friendlier user interface, or the choice of direct config. It was so much fun. I just liked the low level, direct control. This is from someone who enjoys Smalltalk - yich! > 3) I think it downloads its code from a Mac or a Unix box (like the old > GatorBox); it that reliable? Does it always come back on line > *without user intervention* after a power failure? Not sure here, we don't get that many power failures (avg once a year). I know you can configure it to search for a config (boot) host on power up. Right now I have that part disabled. I like to know explicitly when there has been a prob. Sure this can cause probs, but like I said, once a year? > 4) Since one box will handle 4 LocalTalk segments, if the box breaks > down, it affects a lot of people (and I will be in trouble, since I > will be the one they come yelling to...); so is the box as reliable as > Webster tells me it is (both hardware and software) You bet. At one stage last year I took note of how many days it had been running, how's 95 days without a restart or reboot? The only time it does get rebooted is for a SW upgrade. Once you have gotten over the painful configuration session (making wise choices), you can literally forget about it's existence. It purrs along without a fuss. I only wish some of our other equipment could behave like this. I've frequently found no real need to rush into upgrading the SW, there has never been an 'emergency upgrade'. You can take your time. That reminds me, now System 7 is in, one of these days I'll have to type 'make' for CAP 6.0 on our Encore 4.3 machine (so stressful). What I'm not looking forward to is the port to our System V Encore, it's a monster (well, it was the last time !) > 5) 2 EtherRoutes would provide support for 4 LocalTalk ports at a lower > cost and potentialy more reliability (1 failure affects only half the > people) but with less LaserWriter security (which we need) and without > a few other things like async appletalk; is the higher price of the > Webster box worth it? With its DMA design, would 1 Webster box be as > fast as two EtherRoutes? Dunno, all I can say is, the DMA makes a difference. The HW and SW have been squeezed to the max by Melbourne Uni & Webster. > > 6) Is async appletalk really usable? (probably not a 2400bps, but what > about 9600?) I played with it on a 2400 modem line from home. Don't expect miracles, hyperspace doesn't exist. I've tried a 9600 local (serial) line, it's workable, but again don't expect the moon. What do you want for 9600 bps? > > 7) Support by Cayman is pretty good; how does Webster's support > compare? I know they distribute their software updates by anon ftp > and provide support via e-mail but I would like to know if they really > answer our questions with real solutions and in a timely manner. You join a mailing list. Melbourne Uni & Webster aren't the only ones who'll respond to your queries, you get advice and experiences from anyone on the list who wishes to post. And they DO listen. They do respond - quickly. The mailing list is a good idea, Australian mobs can get pretty rowdy when something's wrong - good incentive for a fix :-). if you're on the internet - you can ftp directly for upgrades (and more). I say all this as a satisfied Webster customer. Good Luck, Paul Menon, Dept of Computer Science, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, 124 Latrobe Street, Melbourne 3001, Victoria, Australia. pnm@goanna.cs.rmit.oz.au PH: +61 3 660 3209