Frequently Asked Questions
(2007)
What
exactly am I getting from you?
It's not a distributed software product, but a customization
service. Typically, the system, along with its software
license, are from your existing computer fleet. You may also obtain that as a refurbished set from
us, subject to availability.
Are there any legal
and/or technical limitations?
This is fully in compliance with your End User
License Agreement (EULA) as it's no different from
its previous use as a workstation. However, being a
workstation edition O.S., it has a hard-coded limit
of 10 concurrent SMB (server access)
sessions. It's obviously not suitable for larger
size networks. Note: Unlike its server counter part,
there's no additional cost for CALs - a major plus! Why can't I just do a standard installation?
Wasted memory, slow performance, reduced
reliability, conflicts & interference from
user-oriented features, lacking specialized server management features
that are needed by IT support personnel. Security is
also a major issue with standard installation.
Why not just drop in a NAS?
The advantages are: lower cost, much higher
performance & features, easier management with familiar interface
& concept, without severe restrictions, and
absolutely no application compatibility issues.
What about Samba?
We continue to offer that, both in stand alone
install over Linux/FreeBSD, and as integrated
solutions such as: ClarkConnect. The complexity is
overwhelming and new skills are required of the
DIFA. Features and
performance are far inferior, and there are numerous
compatibility issues w/ the translation layers.
Specifically, UNIX-style permissions are crude and
dated, compared to modern ACL. Samba serves the
niche of massive user base with only rudimentary
SMB/CIFS needs, and lack a budget for commercial
NOS.
Can I use just any old station?
No. We have a specific set of criteria for
qualifying your hardware for suitability.
Our refurbished P-class servers are strictly
limited to former corporate class workhorses, with
official Bravo
approved motherboard models. Also, the
configuration of your hardware determines what kind
of server roles it
can perform.
What are the terms of your Refurb P-Class
Servers? The price
includes a nominal $65 fee covering: complete reassembly
(including CPU/heatsink), chemical clean, cosmetic
touch-up, inspection and burn-in, high ambient
temperature environmental endurance test, and
documentation of diagnostics & configurations. Essentially, you're
getting a class 1 box for $15! Warranty: 90-day.
Software install costs are extra, ranging from $60 ~
$180 depending on features and customization needed.
And terms for New E-Class Servers?
Warranty: 3-year on processor and motherboard.
1-year on the rest of system components. See details
on System
Purchase Memo.
When should I consider SBS Server instead?
Any network w/ 10 stations or more, as domain
management is almost mandatory at that point. You
should also consider it at 5+ users, if you can take
advantage of the SBS features, such as: Exchange
Server, OWA, RWW, VPN, SMTP, IIS, FTP and SQL. See
Server Roles Analysis.
Can this PMS concept & techniques be applied to
new systems? Absolutely.
We have created many purpose-built units - some
with unusual specifications: hard-drive-less,
fan-less, chassis-less, miniature embedded version, etc. Other
popular applications include: "road warrior" remote
node, custom Virtual PC host serving as light-weight
hypervisor (essentially a Poor Man's "Blade"
Server). It seems PMS would be
perfect as Virtual PC guest OS?
Indeed! In fact, the mere mentioning of 39M/350M
(mem/HD) footprint XP Pro can cause an IT guru
to faint (from sheer excitements and disbelieves).
And PMS has been available in VHD images per your
specifications for some time now. It has been a
staple tool in our in-house tech support arsenal for
over 5 years.
READ MORE
Any other unusual and creative applications of
PMS?
Numerous! Majority of them are very obscure and
particular. One of the most common application with
broad appeal is creation of a "floating QuickBooks
Seat/License" either in a dedicated old box, or a
"bare-metal" VPC guest in an existing station. Of
course, an extra QuickBooks license is still
required. This makes it accessible to different
stations serially. Can
we license the process and know-how?
Certainly. Typically it is done in a gradual and phased fashion,
starting with demo and consultation sessions, which
can be conducted in-office or remotely.
Contact us for details. |