TVLink Server
Configurations
Mid-Sized System
A medium sized system is appropriate for a TVLink franchise
wishing to provide specialized multimedia content and possibly internet
access to a few hundred consumers. A number of TVLink
users would dial in to the server. The server could provide
services such as home shopping, yellow pages, home banking, etc.
The server would typically be a Pentium class PC, >=90MHz, >=32MB
RAM, >=2G hdd, optional tape backup. The server could run Linux,
and could grow to run multiprocessor SCO Unix, and possibly tie
multiple servers. A large number of modems would feed a
cascaded multiport device, to serve 50 to 100 simultaneous users.
Internet connection could be made by ISDN, T1 or better.
Local content would be developed using HTML editors on
Windows PCs.
Click here for a diagram.
Large System
A large scale system is appropriate for a TVLink franchise wishing
to provide internet access and some specialized services to several
thousand consumers. Large numbers of TVLink users would dial
in to local point of presence modem servers, possibly provided by a
third party network service. Such a system requires multiple
networked servers and a router with T1 or better outgoing lines. The
servers would typically be Pentium class PCs, >=120MHz, >=64MB RAM,
>=2G hdd, running SCO Unix. They would be locally networked, with
high speed connections to modem servers and an Internet backbone.
Local content would be maintained using HTML editors on Windows PCs
with NFS access to the servers. Connections could also be made to
other systems such as a corporate mainframe using any protocol and
interface available to Unix.
Click here for a diagram.
Small System
A small system is appropriate for intranet and signage
applications. TVLink terminals directly connected to
a small server can provide internal information such as building
directories, patient directories, phone messages, tourism
information, product catalogs, etc. TVLinks can be connected
to a server directly using four conductor serial cabling. Such
cabling, shielded, can be run 100 feet or more. The server would
typically be a Pentium class PC, >=66MHz, >=16MB RAM, >=500M hdd,
with one or more multi port serial cards, running the Linux (POSIX
compliant Unix compatible) operating system. Content would be
developed using an editor on the server.
Click here for a diagram.
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