[SunRescue] Re: fddi

[mike dombrowski]

>So, what's involved with setting up a FDDI network between my sun and 
dec
>and other unix machines?  I know I need fddi cards, but what is needed 
in
>the way of a hub or other stuff?
>
>--
>Joshua Boyd

Not much, it's simple. You need a FDDI concentrator to do it right, you 
can do a big ring but that's icky. Simply run fiber from each 
concentrator to the comp a la ethernet and you're done. I'd stay away 
from the evil Sun Sbus cards like my 501-1732 that I _still_ can't find 
drivers for and get a nice NPI. Also for dec you want a DEFTA card if 
you're running turbo channel and netbsd. Cable is butt cheap off Ebay 
as are pci cards and other stuff. If you can't find a hub off Ebay I've 
got one too many, I;d be willing to sell either a 3com 8 port or a 
Cisco 10(I think, it's 10 or 9) port. Also, IIRC you can simple cross 
the fibers between two machines like a crossover cable. I love my fddi, 
it's cheap for older comps and I hit higher transfer rates than 
switched fast ethernet. The DEC pci cards are _really_ nice. Oh, and 
one last thing, you can fit ST connectors into SC jacks no problem.

HTH
Mike