Bob wrote:
[...]
I think our requirements are very simple:
o the simpler, and more traditional console-like, the better
o we want consoles and no other functionality
o we do not want anything Windows-based
o preferably without any sort of hard drive or other failure-prone
components
o all of the terminals will be connected to Visara boxes
o they need to be coax-attached (we do not want to be at the mercy of
our IP network.)
o they should be able to display multiple sessions (max 4) concurrently for
operator monitoring
o they should be able to support multiple sessions (10) that the Visara
controllers allow us to put on one coax
o must work with LCD screens
o support standard mainframe keyboard
o no mouse required
o something that will last us another 15-20 years like the 3471's did
o we are considering Visara's UTC-L devices (any experience with them?)
Any other suggestions on devices that you use and like?
I think, your requirements are not possible to fit:
(the answer are 1:1 with the requirements)
1. There are no more "traditional consoles". Of course, many 3278-like
are still in use, but you cannot buy anything new.
2. OK
3. If you want something brand-new (not from second-hand), then you have
very limited choice: Windows-based PC or Linux-based PC (rare).
4. See above. PCs are not so failure-prone, I buried more terminals than
PCs in my operations room. YMMV.
5. Well. Don't ask us, read Visara documentation or ask Visara guy...
6. NO WAY. Maybe Visara still support it, but no one else. Any
COAX-based device belong to history. BTW: You can have your own
*physically separated* ethernet newtork. The protocol would be TCP?IP,
but it doesn't hurt. Eth. switch (good one) costs less than $100.
7. You can have multiple sessions on any PC. As much as you want.
8. 10 or 4 ?
9. Every current PC does work with LCD.
10. What does it mean ? "Mainframe" layout ? Well, you can simply map
the keys as you want, or buy a keyboard looking like real mainframe
keyboard. The keyboard costs approx. $100-200, while regular PC-keyboard
approx. $10.
11. OK, no mouse. THe price will be a little bit higher - special
requirement <vbg>
12. One of my PC's works as a console/terminal for 8 years. I've got it
from someone, who disposed old equipment. Pentium 166. Still working.
But seriously: Nobody could give you such warranty. Lifetime in IT is
much shorter.
In general you have three choices:
1. Simply agree with nowadays world, forget about COAX, hard terminals
and start using PC, ethernet, etc.
2. Buy some equipment on second hand market. It could be set of 3174's,
2074's (it is PC and supports ethernet connections only) or Visara's and
some 3278 "hard" terminals.
3. Do nothing and live with your equipment as 10 years ago.
HTH
--
Radoslaw Skorupka
Lodz, Poland
--
BRE Bank SA
ul. Senatorska 18
00-950 Warszawa
www.brebank.pl
Sd Rejonowy dla m. st. Warszawy
XII Wydzia Gospodarczy Krajowego Rejestru Sdowego,
nr rejestru przedsibiorców KRS 0000025237
NIP: 526-021-50-88
Wedug stanu na dzie 01.01.2007 r. kapita zakadowy BRE Banku SA (w caoci
opacony) wynosi 118.064.140 z. W zwizku z realizacj warunkowego
podwyszenia kapitau zakadowego, na podstawie uchwa XVI WZ z dnia 21.05.2003
r., kapita zakadowy BRE Banku SA moe ulec podwyszeniu do kwoty 118.760.528
z. Akcje w podwyszonym kapitale zakadowym bd w caoci opacone.
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