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From: wetter@tybalt.caltech.edu.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Faster networks
Message-ID: <2706@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu>
Date: Fri, 15-May-87 21:44:05 EDT
Article-I.D.: cit-vax.2706
Posted: Fri May 15 21:44:05 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 16-May-87 17:24:15 EDT
References: <347@aucs.UUCP> <5777@eddie.MIT.EDU> <350@aucs.UUCP>
Sender: news@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu
Reply-To: wetter@tybalt.caltech.edu.UUCP (Pierce T. Wetter)
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Organization: Calfornia Institute of Technology
Lines: 62
Keywords: Networks, Appletalk, Ethernet, SCSI

>
>While I agree with the use of PhoneNet instead of Appletalk cabling,
>I don't think his solution is very well suited to a university environment.
>We want to provide our users with a variety of software packages for
>doing the usual wordprocessing, graphics, programming, etc type of
>applications.  With a shared hard disk, the programs can all be put
>on the server and made available to users via appropriate network
>commands.  In my opinion, it is impossible to manage software on
>20 different hard disks and keep the machines always functional.
>Users fill untended hard disks very rapidly, and often delete things that
>shouldn't be deleted.  It would certainly provide the best performance,
>but by far the worst management headaches.
>
>
>Is Apple/Macintoshes that far behind in networking that a similar
>approach couldn't be achieved with 20 to 30 Mac's, or even more
>as campus wide networks become more common?  I love my Mac SE (with HD),
>but as far as networking is concerned, Mac's seem to have a long
>way to go.

     Here at caltech we have the opposite situation. The PC lab has 40 pcs
each with their own hard disks which are continually reset with Fastback. The
Mac lab on the other hand is set up to run off Apple's fileserver, AppleShare.
     Personally, I would rather have 15 hard disks, one for each mac. 
Unfortunately, Apple gave us neither 15 hard disks nor 15 external drives. Thus,
the fileserver seems to get a real workout. Personally, I don't feel the mac
is behind as far networking is concerned. In fact when one considers that all
macs come complete with a network card installed, (as opposed to the PC's). THe
real limitation of the Mac as far as networking is concerned is the speed of the
Apple talk network. (the file server ranges from a little slower then a floppy
to a lot slower) the other limitation is the face that it is impossible to boot
from a fileserver, meaning you always need at least one floppy which has the
correct software on it.
    _ONe_ fileserver is nice as a distribution point, but individual hard disks
are better.

    Pierce Wetter


	Them Toad Suckers

How 'bout them toad suckers, ain't they clods?
Sittin' there suckin' them green toady frogs!

Suckin' them hop toads, suckin' them chunkers,
Suckin' them a leapy type, suckin' them flunkers.

Look at them toad suckers, ain't they snappy?
Suckin' them bog frogs sure make's 'em happy!

Them hugger mugger toad suckers, way down south,
Stickin' them sucky toads in they mouth!

How to be a toad sucker, no way to duck it,
Get yourself a toad, rear back, and suck it!
		-- Mason Williams

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wetter@tybalt.caltech.edu

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