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From: brinsmead@calgary.UUCP (Mark Brinsmead)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: 16 Meg Ram Disk
Message-ID: <1042@vaxb.calgary.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 29-Jul-87 16:04:12 EDT
Article-I.D.: vaxb.1042
Posted: Wed Jul 29 16:04:12 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Aug-87 08:11:29 EDT
References: <8707250357.AA12024@wmcs.uucp>
Organization: U. of Calgary, Calgary, Ab.
Lines: 55
Summary: Maybe I can shed some light...

In article <8707250357.AA12024@wmcs.uucp>, csrobe@wmcs.UUCP (Chip Roberson) writes:
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> >From: ihnp4!alberta!calgary!stone@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU  (Glen Stone)
> >Subject: 16 Meg Ram Disk
> >
> >Right now development is concentrated on the ST SCSI. The ram disk
> >will be a box that hooks into the hard drive port...yes yes, you
...
> Does one hook their hard disk into your box?
> 

Glen Stone has not been seen around lately -- rumour has it that he
took a spill on his motorbike recently, so it might be awhile before
he's back on the net. 'Course he might also be reading this almost as
I type...

   In any case, as I understand what he has told me about his planned 
device, it is meant to be a SCSI device just like any other, so you
can daisy-chain with another hard disk, just like normal. (I've not
got a hard-disk myself, but I understand that thisis how multiple HD's
work on Atari.)

> Does it require software or is it a total hardware device? (hope, hope)!
> 

   It is meant to be a completley hardware device. Just plug it into your
SCSI port and use as any other harddisk. (It WILL need the same amount
of software as you will have for a SUPRA or other harddisk.)

> I thought the 256k and 1Meg chips had different pin-outs and sizes!  Is
> this true?  If so, how are you getting around these physical differences?
> 

   This could be a problem... I think Glen is still unsure whether the
ramdisk should be sold as a unit or a kit consisting of some custom
chips and instructions on how to connect them. The kit approach would
surely be cheaper, but few people will be keen on soldering HUNDREDS
of chips by hand.

> If this is cheap enough, it could become a great plus for UNIX lovers.
> Having a completely external ram disk...

   It won't be so lousy as a swap device for a sun workstation either,
and I dont think Glen has forgotten that. As for cheap, we'll have to
see how much the custom chips and PC-boards cost... 


				Mark Brinsmead @ University of Clagary

-------------------------------------------

Disclaimer: I really have nothing to do with Glen's project,
            I just think its a great idea, and have talked 
            about it with him. I really don't KNOW anything!