Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!utah-cs!seismo!hao!hplabs!sri-unix!kermit@BRL-VGR.ARPA From: kermit@BRL-VGR.ARPA Newsgroups: net.unix-wizards Subject: Re: Is there a RAM disk for 4.2 BSD ??? Message-ID: <12342@sri-arpa.UUCP> Date: Thu, 9-Aug-84 22:12:13 EDT Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.12342 Posted: Thu Aug 9 22:12:13 1984 Date-Received: Tue, 14-Aug-84 19:37:06 EDT Lines: 20 From: Chuck KennedyWe have two RAM disks on our 4.2BSD systems, one connected to a VAX 780, the other connected to a VAX 750. The RAM disks (which we call Bulk MOS units) are DATARAM BS-202 units. We originally bought some of these units to help out our PDP-11/70 systems which benefited greatly. We've had pretty good luck with the units as far as reliability, etc. Now for the bad news. The Bulk MOS units don't seem to be worth the effort for large virtual memory machines. They are not cost-effective when considered against the choice of buying another dedicated disk for /tmp space. There is some performance improvement from using the Bulk MOS since there is no rotational latency and no seek penalty. However, for the cost of a Bulk MOS unit, you can easily buy a dedicated Eagle drive and it's own controller. I certainly would not worry about disk head wear. Good luck, -Chuck Kennedy