🚀 go-pugleaf

We are on the verge of installing an ethernet local area network with a
Sun SPARCserver 370 at the hub.  While we had originally planned to
purchase the 370 in a 32-Mbyte, 2X688-Mbyte SMD configuration, it was
pointed out to us by one of our board members that we could save great
gobs of money by buying a starter 370 workstation (8-Mbyte, 327-Mbyte
SCSI) from Sun and then adding RAM and large capacity disks from third
party vendors.

Is this a mean thing to do to Sun?  Or do people do it all the time?  And
if everyone does it, what third party vendors have been found to be
reliable?  Also, what do people do for service contracts?  One for Sun and
one for the add-on equipment, or a fourth party service contract (such as
Motorola?) to cover everything.

I'm new to this newsgroup and appologize if this topic has been covered
recently.  The world of third party equipment seems to be very large and
ever-changing.  My biggest fear is saving capital at the expense of costly
maintenance and frequent downtime.  Perhaps it would be useful to others
reading this bboard if we could compile some statistics and first hand
reports on a variety of third party sources of RAM and large capacity
disks (among other equipment).  If so, I will post a summary of any
responses I receive.

Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

Patrick Goebel--romeo@lindy.stanford.edu
Network Administrator
CASBS