System Administration

System Administration

This page is under construction. I plan to put in (currently not yet in HTML format):

Interesting links (man-pages, OS info, ...)
The rationale behind our (BIOMATH) harware/software choices
A log of all our sysadmin activities, including an overview of all installed software
Guidelines for users (welcome to the BIOMATH computer infrastructure, how to choose a password, ...)
...

A short list of password selection hints

In the following Request For Comments sent to BIOMATH, different issues regarding a standard PC architecture for use within BIOMATH, are raised. Particularly important is compatibility with both Microsoft NT and with Linux (in particular, Red Hat Linux with Metro-X X server).

Geldhof's price list dd. 11/97 (temporary version hacked from a defunct RTF file): HTML, gzipd PostScript

Finally, taking into account availability, price, ... constraints, the following configuration was selected:

CPU: Intel Pentium 200MHz MMX (gzip-ed PostScript)
Cooling: Pentium 133-200 heatsink
PCI Processor Board: ABIT AX5 Processor Board with 512kb cache (gzip-ed PostScript)
Central Memory: 64 Mb EDO SDRAM DIMM 168 pins 100MHz 10ns
Video Card: Number Nine I-128 Series 2 with 8Mb H-VRAM (gzip-ed PostScript)
Video Screen: Nokia 447Xi 17" Monitor (gzip-ed PostScript)
SCSI controller: Mylex PCI Ultra SCSI controller KT-930 Flashpoint LT Narrow kit (gzip-ed PostScript)
SCSI Hard Disk: 3.2 Gb narrow ultra-SCSI Quantum Fireball ST (gzip-ed PostScript)
Ethernet Controller: 3COM Etherlink XL PCI 3C900-COMBO (gzip-ed PostScript)
Floppy: Samsung FDD 1.44Mb
Keyboard: Cherry QWERTY w95
Mouse: Logitech 3 button serial mouse "Mouseman" (gzip-ed PostScript)
Case: Midi tower ATX

Currently, we are investigating SVGA LCD projectors for use with NT/Linux PC's as well as with video recorder and SGI workstations. Starting from a comprehensive overview:

Boxlight, probably the best value for money. They also have an impressive XGA projector compatible with SGI, PAL, XGA, ...
NEC MT800

Installed Software (on hobbes)

MHonArc2.1, a mail to HTML convertor is now installed on hobbes

Hans Vangheluwe --- June 1996