More networked computers or fewer computers?

[Darren Sugden]

At the moment I am running 8 computers (including the computer running FS). I
am thinking of reducing the number of computers on the network to reduce
the noise, heat, the time spent getting all the computers runing and simply
increasing space.

I am just wondering whether there is a 'sweet spot' in the number of
computers to run?

Would the performance be the same,let's say by having just 5 conputers on the
network, but each running more programmes? By having fewer computers on
the network, would this speed up communication between the programmes?

Whereabouts is the trade off?

I am tentativley thinking of substituting 3 computers for 1 lap top running a
wireless connection and a number of programmes which at the moment are
being run by a dedicated computer.

Regards,

Darren Sugden

A320 Builder

www.sugden.karoo.net

[Kester Meijer]

Sweet Spot:
Hard to say where the sweet spot is. My cockpit is at a total of 5-6
computers there seems no need for more (yet).
I use two laptops which reduces the heat and the noise significantly.
For an overview see my computer setup at http://fly.ekezz.com and click on
the button PC Setup

Wireless:
I can run the pm Instructor laptop wireless, but once I dock it to my cockpit
it is wired. Wireless will work fine. I prefer to have all computers
wired.

Three to one laptop:
Depends upon all the programs you want to run on this machine (which
are....?)
Most laptops can have two screens attached so screen space should not be a
problem.
As you can see in my setup, the FS computer is the most powerful.
The others have video-boards which can handle OpenGL (never buy a radeon 7000
;-)

Hope this helps some, feel free to ask more questions.

_________________
Kester Meijer
http://www.ifsbi.org - for cockpit builders information
http://fly.ekezz.com - to see my cockpit construction