Date   : Mon, 05 Aug 1985 13:26:19 EDT
From   : Robert Bloom AMSTE-TOI 3775 <rbloom@apg-1.ARPA>
Subject: Multiuser Micro Info Request

I'm depressed.

I've been attempting to determine just how I can best upgrade my 
office computer.  (I work in a U.S. Army RDT&E organization.)  I 
thought I was in good shape when the Army signed a open contract 
to buy Intel 310 systems, but there is a problem.  To get the 
capability I want, I need to spend over $50k if I go with the 
equipment listed on the (mandatory!) Army contract.

I have a fairly good idea that the capability I want is available 
for much less than the aformentioned $50k - but I don't know 
quite where.  Therefore, I would like to solicite responses from 
anyone of what I should mention as alternatives to my puchasing 
agent when I go in to fight the mandatory part of the contract.  
I need names, addresses, specifications, prices and everything 
else available to get the best available system that meets the 
requirements and is the least expensive.  (I'm a taxpayer too!)  
I just don't believe the 310 is it.

The remainder of this message contains what I am using now, my 
upgrade requirements, what I have to buy from the Intel contract 
to meet those requirements, and some possible alternates to the 
Intel system.

My current system consists of a NorthStar Horizon w/18M HD, 5 
Televideo terminals, a NEC printer, a IDS dot-matrix printer and 
a Hayes modem.  It is running a multi-user OS ('TSS/C' - probably 
quite close to MP/M) with WordStar, dBase II, Mex, and SuperCalc 
as the main applications software.  This system meets my require-
ments except in the following areas: it is too slow under load [5 
users on one Z80!], does not have enough user terminals [has 5, I 
need 8], the disk space is marginal [has 18M, I want ~30-40M), 
and communication with remote systems is awkward [I had to hack 
it badly to get it to work at all].

The two printers and modem will be used on the new system - if I 
can also use the 5 terminals that would be even better.  The 
Horizon main frame and HD I suspect must go.

Requirements (in order of priority)
     1) must run WordStar, dBase, and SuperCalc (I had enough 
trouble training my people in these, I don't want to start over!)
     2) shared files (single-user access to any r/w file, locked 
to other users until released, multiple access to any r/o file.)
     3) queued output to 2 printers
     4) two multiple access commo ports to the outside world - 
one 9600 baud direct connect, one dial-up.  (dial-IN access NOT 
required!)
     5) adequate processing speed for all users (TSS/C's major 
problem is speed - I will buy all the speed improvement I can.)
     6) 8-simultaneous users (single-tasking ok) with access from 
each user's desk.  Reset of 'hung' users w/o system reboot.
     7) 3MegBytes HD storage per user, not including system and 
program storage.  (I figure a minumum of 30M, 40M desired.)
     8) Tape backup system for HD

Note that my current system satisfies the first 4 items above; I 
will not accept a 'new' system that does less that the above even 
if it does that faster!

Intel 310 configuration:
     The basic problem with the 310 is that it is a UNIX box and 
cannot satisfy #1 above in multi-user.  Therefore, one needs to 
run the applications at the workstations, not in the central box 
- and that means using pc's.  (The Wyse 1100 pc is included in 
the contract for just this purpose.)  To satisfy #2 above, the 
pc's must be netted to the central HD via a network of some type.  
So, the configuration looks like:
     8 Wyse 1100 pcs @ $1,926 (IBM-clone, 265k, 2 floppies)
     8 Personal Network Interface Interface Unit @ $1,650 (this 
board connects the pc to the OpenNET LAN, the cheaper NIC steals 
memory from the pc stopping it from running dBase)
     9 10 foot Transceiver Cables @ $70 (+ $15/10 foot over 10')
     1 10 port Intellink @ $1,695 (central node on LAN)
     1 Intel 310 4-user @ $11,245 (4-user includes 80286, 1MRAM 
and 40MB HD, smaller systems don't)
     1 Ethernet commo controller @ $1,795 (connects 310 to LAN)
     1 Tape subsystem on expansion chassis @ $3,339
The total (includes transportation and installation but WITHOUT 
SOFTWARE) is $45,617.  A 'OpenNET' configuration is slightly 
more expensive than the 'Intellink' configuration cited above.  
Software would easily push it over $50k as one needs 8 copies of 
WordStar, dBase and SuperCalc.

As I see it, a TurboDOS or similar system (NorthStar Dimension?) 
that has multiple processors would be best for this application.  
Something on the order of (pure guesses on the $ amounts):
     Main Frame/HD/master processor - $5,000
     Tape drive added to main frame - $1,000
     16-bit slave processors - 8 x $1,500
     RAM disk for speed - $2,000
     3 more terminals - 3 x $700
Comes to a total of 'only' $22,100 w/o software.  That's less 
than HALF the above and does the same thing.  (except run UNIX, 
but running UNIX is a nonrequirement.)

So, anyone have any ideas of what and where I could get something 
better rather than spending $50k of 'your' money?  Please reply 
directly to rbloom@apg-1, I will synopsize results and post 
later.  This is strictly a request-for-information and does not 
obligate anyone for anything and does not represent nor indicate 
U.S. Army policy.  Names used above are copyright somebody else.

-bob bloom