Re: Linux betas NT in TPC testing, running Oracle8

jedi_at_dementia.mishnet wrote in message ...
>On 13 May 1999 10:23:20 -0600, Bob Hauck <bobh_at_wasatch.com> wrote:
>>cbbrowne_at_news.hex.net (Christopher Browne) writes:
>>
>>> On Wed, 12 May 1999 13:52:10 -0500, nik <ndsimpso_at_ingr.com> wrote:
>>
>>> > I'd like to see you run a full feed (35K+groups, 2GB & 1.5-2million
>>> > articles inbound/day) on a 486 with any OS. If you seriously think
>
> My introduction to Usenet was via a Waffle based BBS
> that was running QNX on a 386. The problem with Usenet
> full feed is the storage requirement, no the CPU.
>
I setup my first USENET server in 1988 using a MODEM for the connection and UUCP for the feed with BNEWS software, I agree that CPU is not the main factor, but requirements for a full feed today do exceed what can be done on a 486 based systems for a variety of reasons:

1. Very few 486 systems have PCI, and on those that do the implementation sucks. SO you don't have enough I/O bandwidth available.
2. The memory capacity of 486 systems is usually too small and the interface to slow to handle the memory bandwidth requirements.
3. A 486 simply doesn't have enough grunt to handle the load, You really do need at a bare minumum a Pentium Pro lcass machine to handle a full feed and readers today. -- Nik Simpson