Date : Mon, 09 Apr 2007 18:21:29 +0100
From : christopher.whytehead@... (chris whytehead)
Subject: Possibly available: SJ FDFS
Hi Johan
> 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 :(
I did the same and was told it was an empty case with an experimental power
supply in it, so I turned it down.
>
> 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.
That is because there isn't a picture of one :-) My policy is that I am
cataloguing my collection, this is to ensure that what I write up is as
accurate as possible and a true description of what I have, other peoples
may be different but the one I actually exists. It means I can go back and
check it to answer a query etc. Unfortunately I don't have an FDFS so It is
not described on Chris's Acorns. The nearest you are going to get from me is
the picture on page 2 of the brochure.
BTW I have an HDFS and it is on the backlog of items to document. But it
weighs a ton (not literally) and I need some space before I start
dismantling it. Have a look for it in 6 months or so ;-)
>
> 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?
If you look in the brochure the FDFFS appears as a file server unit with no
drives, up to 4 5.25" drives can be connected to in. In the picture you can
see 2 x twin 5.25" disc in separate enclosures.
>
> 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 not have the FDFS enclosure (see above). Again if you look at the
picture there would be nowhere to put the drives so it would not be much
use. If you really want it contact Steve Wiseman directly, but I think he
will have skipped it by now.
>
> > > 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.
The Tape Drives in the HDFS and MDFS are there for backup. It would be
highly irresponsible to run a file server without running regular backups.
>
> 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!
>
>
>
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