Re: [WinMac] Film Bureau and Platforms

Daniel L. Schwartz(expresso[at]snip.net)
Tue, 21 Sep 1999 08:35:59 -0400

        First off, I would think very carefully about iMation Color Central: I'm
unimpressed with its features for the US$5,000 price.

        Next, I would leave out NetWare, because Mac file service is an
afterthought. I would also leave out OpenVMS because of the lack of Mac
file support.

        This leaves 3 options: NT, AppleShare Server IP; and the unix variants
such as MacOS X Server (BSD) and Linux.

BACKUP AND ARCHIVING:
---------------------

        I wouldn't bother with the unix variants because of the lack of decent
backup software - "tar" doesn't bother to store file hierarchy, i.e. all
files are stored flat. This is a *major* flaw with using OS X as a
departmental server: Unlike NT, which has always had basic backup software
included plus a full spectrum of ISV's (Independent Software Vendors)
selling much better backup software.

HARDWARE:
---------

        That leaves us down to NT vs ASIP... These are really your only realistic
choices. I just installed a new G4 this past Friday, and I was singularly
unimpressed with if I were installing it as a server compared to (for
example) the Compaq ProLiant. The lack of PCI option card slots, plus the
lack of PCI option card choices for servers definitely weighs towards
NT/x86 or NT/K7.

        Two very important components that are missing from PowerPC Macs are
robust multiprocessor support and ECC memory (Error Correcting Code)
memory. Using multiple CPU's allows for less expensive overall
configurations. For example, just yesterday I purchased for $550 a new
DIGITAL Server 5200 w/dual Intel Pentium II 266, 64MB RAM, CD, 10/100
ethernet & Dual Adaptec 7880 U/W SCSI channels. Just add hard drives & NT,
and you have a server.

        ECC RAM allows for single bit errors to be detected AND corrected, and two
bit errors to be detected with the memory controller issuing an exception.
Without ECC, you still have parity memory available, which allows for
single bit errors to be detected. The next step down is plain memory, which
is only what all PowerPC Macs use and support. Without any parity support
in the memory controller, even a single bit soft error will bring down the
machine.

NETWORK SUBSYSTEM:
------------------

        Here, it's a virtual tie for this important subsystem: Good PC
motherboards and the PPC Macs have 10/100 ethernet built in; plus Gigabit
ethernet is a viable alternative for both platforms. Here is where switched
100 megabit ethernet comes in handy - Extending the life of 100 megabit
ethernet hardware.

DISK SUBSYSTEM:
---------------

        This is the singularly most important component of a server, and what
separates a server from a rebadged workstation. For example, there are *no*
RAID controllers for Macs - RAID is implemented on Mac on the driver
(software) level. With NT, you have software RAID formatting software
included in Disk Administrator, plus you have a plethora of hardware RAID
controllers. Ironically, some of the largest selling RAID controllers are
made by Adapcrap, err, Adaptec; but at MacWorld the rep told me there are
no plans for porting the AAA-13x series to the Mac.

        My personal favorite RAID controller: The three channel Mylex DAC-960 -
It's reliable, and the i960 RISC processor on it handles the parity
calculations without bogging down the host CPU. You can even boot from it,
although I don't recommend doing this. It's easy to set up a nonstop 1/8th
terabyte array with nine 18 gig hard drives - Seven drives are for storage,
the eighth is for parity, and the ninth is for a hot spare. That's right:
If a drive goes down the RAID controller just keeps motoring along, and
then the array is rebuilt using the hot standby drive with the priority you
choose - All without skipping a beat, let alone (gasp!) rebooting.

RECOMMENDATION FOR DEPARTMENTAL SERVER:
---------------------------------------

        Dual PII CPU with 512 MB of ECC RAM, Mylex DAC960 RAID controller with 4
MB of RAM, nine 18 MB hard drives for 1/8 terabyte protected storage, and a
DLT for backups; plus NT4/Server with Service Pack 5, UltraBac backup
software, and either MacServer IP or ExtremeZ-IP for Apple Filing Protocol
over IP (AFP/IP) support for improved sustained file transfer speed.

        Cheers!
        Dan

At 01:20 AM 9/21/99 -0700, you wrote:
>Hi Rod, i think you should probably ask the mailing list this
>question. i've forwarded it, for your convenience.
>
>--Darryl
>
>> From graphics@point.com.au Mon Sep 20 23:07:30 1999
>> Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 16:08:37 +1000
>> From: point graphics <graphics@point.com.au>
>> Organization: point graphics
>> To: lee@darryl.com
>> Subject: www.darryl.com/winmac/index.shtml
>
>> Dear Lee,
>> Please assist me in a major decision facing the future of a film bureau.
>>
>> We are considering upgrading our server to Mac OSX/ Windows NT/ Novell
>> Netware.
>> Networking 6 Macs and 2 PCs with 100BaseT.
>> Using Color Central.
>>
>> Q1. Which platform is faster?
>> Q2. Why?
>> Q3. Which platform provides more stability?
>> Q4. Why?
>> Q5. Which is the most compatable?
>>
>> Thanking you in advance.
>>
>> Rod Waller
>> Australia

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