specs

[Marty Hoag]

   Michael Grobe responded directly to my note about specs and has kindly agreed
to allow me to post his note with some follow-up questions to the AG-TECH list
(I'm trying to weigh what sometimes seems like conflicting suggestions, lack of
my own knowledge, other experiences).  

   I appreciate the help. 

   In the note below: > >  is from my original note.
                      >    is Michael's response.
                      ***  is my follow-up

Michael Grobe wrote:
> 
> yo:
> >
> >    The Access Grid is evolving so we seek to keep as much flexibility as
> > possible.  If possible the PCs should be rack mountable with a tower or
> > mini-tower being second choice.
> 
> or FIRST choice if you are expecting to use these systems for something
> else later...like someone's desktop.
> 
>   While three different operating systems are
> > being used, the system hardware should all be supported by Red Hat Linux 6.1
> > (please note any exceptions).
> 
> you might have to go to 6.2 to get native SB 512 Live! support.
> 
> >    Two of the systems are 2-processor SMP configurations and two are single
> > processors.  All four should have 256 MB of RAM,
> 
> i don't think the vid capture machine needs this much memory....nor does
> the Gentner control machine.

*** Right, maybe the single processor systems could be 128 MB then?  I was 
*** looking for some uniformity and backup options.

> 
>  8-9 GB hard disks, with basic
> > systems being similar.
> 
> or...dual 9GB hard disks if you want to use Norton Ghost or equiv. to
> make a backup copy of your disk just prior to showtime...as suggested
> by Russ of BU.  that way, if disk failure, just crack the case and
> swap drives.

***  Does Ghost work on all three operating systems?

> 
>   We will use an 8x2 KVM console switch to control the PCs
> > so only two monitors, keyboards, and mice are needed.
> 
> i don't think the console switch is a good idea....i think Russ said
> the same....i think you don't have time to switch screens during
> emergent situations.
> 
***  Hmm - it is a trade off of real estate for monitors vs. access
***  and flexibility.  I wonder if criteria might differ for a more
***  intense set-up like a Chautauqua site vs. a conference room? 

> > Base/Common Configuration (Differences noted below)
> >
> > 800 MHz Processor (price breaks may make other speeds interesting)
> >         (note that the display and video pcs must be 2-processor SMP)
> 
> i wonder if the display machine needs to be dual CPU IF ddvic gets
> to working.

*** Bob or others who have used ddvic?  Is 800 MHz overkill?
> 
> > 256 MB Memory
> > 8 or 9 GB Disk Drive and controller
> > Display adapter (see special notes on Display and Video Capture)
> > 1 PCI-128 Sound Blaster (audio machine will have more)
> > 1 10/100BaseT Ethernet Card (e.g. Intel PCI Pro/100)
> > CD-Rom Drive
> > 3.5" Floppy Drive
> > Note: It has been suggested that the Intel VC820/CC820 motherboards
> >       with the faster buses and AGP 4x would be desirable.
> >       Specify motherboards used.
> 
> but remember that the 820 based Dell Optiplex 300s did NOT work with
> more than 2 display cards.
> 

***  We only have 2 cards specified at most.  Or do you mean display heads?

> > 1. DISPLAY COMPUTER
> > OS:  Windows 2000 Professional
> > * 2-Processor SMP *
> > Display Adapters:
> >    AGP Matrox Millenium G400 DUAL HEAD 32 MB (replace base)  and
> >    PCI Matrox G200 Quad Display 32 MB (specific model?)
> 
> you want to drive 6 projectors?  i THINK you can saturate a PCI
> bus with 2 PCI video cards driving full out....so running 4 seems
> iffy....so why not run 2 single head G200s?
> 

***  Good point.  Bob had suggested using an AGP card and a PCI card.  
***  I'm not sure we'd ever need more than 4 displays (3 projectors) for
***  the current system so maybe a dual-head G400 AGP and another dual-head
***  card would suffice.  Is there extra overhead for unused display outputs.
***  Is the G400 AGP only?  Do we want the 360 MHz RAMDAC 32MB card listed
***  as Millennium G400 MAX (G4+MMDHA32GR)? 
***  Should we get only a two-head PCI card (and if so the G200 or something
***  else that is known to work with W2K?

> > 2. VIDEO CAPTURE COMPUTER
> > OS:  RedHat 6.1 Linux (we will install)
> > * 2-Processor SMP *
> > Display Adapter:  1 AGP Matrox Millenium G400 DUAL HEAD 32 MB (replace base)
> > Video Capture Cards:
> >    4 Hauppage Win/TV-radio PCI Model 401 video capture cards (with S-Video)
> 
> note that "with S-VIdeo" means there is no RCA plug on the card...i
> thought it meant "both RCA and S-Video" connectors on the card.
>

***  Hmmm - not sure about plugs but the WinTV-radio (401) that Bob mentioned 
***  is supposed to have BOTH composite video and S-video input.  Are you
***  saying we need a conversion cable if we want to hook up a camera with
***  composite video using an RCA phono type plug?  Or that it won't work
***  at all?   I remember some discussion on the list about it but thought
***  specifying the model number should help.

 
> > 3. AUDIO CAPTURE COMPUTER
> > OS:  RedHat 6.1 Linux (we will install)
> > 1 Processor
> > Audio Cards:
> >    3 PCI-128 Sound Blasters Total (base + 2 more)
> >
> > 5. Miscellaneous
> > 2 Monitors (compare price 17" CRT and 15" LCD - capable of at least 1024/768)
> 
> i'd say you want at least a  19" monitor on the  DRM....and maybe
> vrm as well....and maybe even arm....especially if you expect to
> run tkMOO on these systems for operators.  i don't see much reason to
> skimp on these things...your operators may need all the help they can
> get   :-)
> 

***  Good point.  But won't the display machine be limited to 1024x768 anyway 
***  and isn't that where all the action is (well, the auto-started mud)?
***  What screen configs are folks using?  Again, this could be a "real estate"
***  vs. intended use sort of thing.

> > 2 Keyboards
> > 2 3-button Mice
> 
> get more of these if you don't use a switch.....which you shouldn't IMHO.
> 
> :michael grobe

***  Thanks again Michael and all!   Marty