Date   : Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:53:50 +0200 (BST)
From   : johan@... (Johan Heuseveldt)
Subject: Possibly available: SJ FDFS

Hi Jonathan,

On Sun 08 Apr, Jonathan Graham Harston wrote:
> Johan Heuseveldt <johan@...> wrote:

> > > Chap called Steve Wiseman (steve@...) mentioned that he
> > > probably has a FDFS amongst some other stuff available in a clear-out
> > 
> > What is it?
>  
> I contacted the poster and it turned out to be an empty case :(

Chris Whytehead was generous in given the links to some info on both
the FDFS and HDFS. But so far I haven't found a picture of the FDFS on
his web site.

I assume there is space for the floppy drives in the case?
Will it cater for 2 or 4 floppy drives, and what physical format?
5 1/4 or 3.5 or even a combination?

According to the documentation I found there, floppy drives may also be
of quad density - I think 5 1/4 was meant -  but I've no idea of 3.5
ones can be used as well. Bit rate/speed is different?

As I use floppy drive with my MDFS as wel, an enmpty case can still
be usefull. If the case is in the style of SJ - which FDFS wil be by
definition :-) - it would be a nice gadget as well.
If you still have it, I can give it a good home here!
Or should I contact Chris W.?

<http://acorn.chriswhy.co.uk/docs/SJR/SJR_FDFS.pdf>



> > I do have a MDFS with a hard disc unit. With it came two guides in 4-ring
> > binders. I have the feeling both are incomplete.
>  
> Two? I only have one. Or do you mean two copies of the same
> manual? There should be ten chapters and about 600 pages in total.

I've just spend some time to investigate, and the results will come soon
after this, as it is quite lengthy.

In short the are an old and new one in terms of both layout and contents.
Some information overlaps. A lot of general info in 'old' is not there
anymore in 'new'.

The 'new' one contains 320 pages, definitely not (about) 600!

> > A FDFS is mentioned, but still I have no idea what it is. Is it a file
> > server - like the MDFS, or is it something to complement the MDFS, my MDFS
>  
> The FDFS is the Floppy Disk File Server, a two-generation
> predecessor to the MDFS - the Multiple Disk Filer Server.

A title page in one of my ringbinders ('old') says:

  Modular Disc File Server


> SJ started with file server code running on a MZ80. Then came the
> FDFS, a floppy disk only dedicated file server. Then came the
> HDFS, the Hard Disk File Server, a hard drisk only dedicated file
> server. 

And an inbuilt Tape Drive Unit. (see documentation referenced now)

<http://acorn.chriswhy.co.uk/docs/SJR/SJR_HDFS.pdf>  

> Then came the MDFS which could use floppies and hard
> drives (and a tape drive), the peak of SJ file servers.

I find that a bit confusing:

  * The HDFS is a TWO processor design. (both 6MHz Z80's)
  * Software is developed in a high level language. (Pascal)
  
Both seem (to me) a further step after MDFS?
But perhaps the MDFS remains more popular than the HDFS for its price tag???
No doubt you are right! :-)

Thanks.


Greetings,
Johan

-- 
Johan Heuseveldt <johan@...              >
  aka  waarland

  The best place is a Riscy place
 
Confusticate and bebother these dwarves!