Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!bloom-beacon!spdcc!dyer
From: dyer@spdcc.COM (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: comp.periphs
Subject: Re: backplane-less computers
Keywords: SCSI, Ethernet
Message-ID: <2908@spdcc.SPDCC.COM>
Date: 31 Mar 89 03:44:05 GMT
References: <842@mplvax.EDU>
Reply-To: dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.COM (Steve Dyer)
Distribution: usa
Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting, Cambridge MA
Lines: 24

In article <842@mplvax.EDU> cdl@mplvax.ucsd.edu.UUCP (Carl Lowenstein) writes:
>How can one connect real-world I/O devices to these boxes, when the
>device does not happen to be a disk drive, 8mm or 4mm tape, or
>terminal?  What about more conventional things such as 9-track
>magtape, A:D converters, IEEE-488 bus, CAMAC, etc.?

You don't.  You buy the more expensive versions of their boxes which DO
have a backplane.  I don't think you will find all machines sold without
backplanes, but for those applications which DON'T require the extra
expense and complexity of a backplane, it's nice to pass on the cost
savings to customers.

Your comments about a "backplane server" are interesting, though.
Rather than a uVAX-II, you could even use a PC/AT on ethernet.  I seem
to remember that folks at BBN did this for their multi-media mail
even WITH Suns with backplanes.  AT cards are cheap and readily available
and often less expensive than equivalent VME or Multibus boards.



-- 
Steve Dyer
dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.com aka {ima,harvard,rayssd,linus,m2c}!spdcc!dyer
dyer@arktouros.mit.edu