🚀 go-pugleaf

The computer science department at Central Michigan University is
planning to assemble a parallel processing machine based on T-800/20
transputers (IMS404-3s) and other componenets from Inmos to teach
parallel processing at undergraduate level. The plan is to use a 16-node
(4-cube) transputer network as a back end to a front end Sun 3/470
workstation via a VME bus interface card (IMSB011). The front end will
be used in a multiuser mode by connecting a number of PCs over the
Ethernet link. We have no prior experience of using/operating any kind
of parallel machine. To this end, I would appreciate it very much if
some knowledgeable expert(s) and people using such a machine, can
comment on the following planned hardware and software configuration.

Hardware:
Front-end -- Sun3/470GX-P-8 (8Mb RAM, 387Mb hard disk, 150Mb 1/4" tape
cartridge, monitor, keyboard, mouse, SUN OS)

Back-end -- Item box (IMSB211-US) for housing two motherboards 
(IMSB012-1s), each motherboard can accomodate eight T-800/20s, each
T-800/20 with 2Mb of local RAM, and the VME bus interface card.

Software:
C-environment -- Express from ParaSoft and Logical Systems C-compiler
for the Sun workstation.
Occam environment -- from Inmos for the Sun 3/470.

Are there any hidden traps? Is there a better (cheaper) way to do it?
Thanks in advance.

rattan (rattan@frith.egr.msu.edu)