Conference mvblab::alphaserver_4100

    Subtle little changes like the requirement to add a drawer mounting kit
    have been added so that it doesn't get too easy for us field grunts to
    configure systems.  Just when you thought you had it figured out they
    change the rules.
    
    ;^)
    
    In combination with the lack of an up-to-date DCU tool I can just see
    the number of customer satisfaction problems that might occur due to
    missing parts in a configuration.

    RE: FIS'd NT - 
    
    You don't have to order the FIS'd disk for the first drawer because
    it's part of the system part number.  You have to order the second
    because of a licensing agreement with Microsoft (as far as I understand
    the situation).
    
    Todd

    But, as I said, in this new SOC, the "second" drawer has the same part
    number as the first drawer.  And the long description for the part
    indicates it includes a 4.3 Gb disk with NT (even though there is no 
    place to put it until you decide on a cabinet).

  Yes, there are some new configuration rules as the SOC mentions.
  If you are ordering a new REMTA cabinet (H9A10-EL -America,AP) you 
  need to order the CK-BA30A-BA system drawer mounting kit. Likewise,
  if you are ordering the H9A10-EM cabinet, you use the CK-BA30A-BB 
  mounting kit.

  For each additional drawer that will go in the cabinet, you need to 
  order the appropriate mounting kit. 

  Like Todd said, the issue around the RZ29B-NT disk, StorageWorks Shelf
  has to do with licensing agreement between Microsoft and Digital. This
  applies to Window NT systems only. It is a FIS'd WNT disk.

  Hope it helps

  Mike

Hi,

The reason you have to order the mounting kit as a separate line item is that
for a few weeks we actually had two different mounting options. One was the
older more compact (and less costly) CK-BA30A-AA and the other was the one
developed by CSS which we decided to make generally available. At the LAST
minute the product manager decided to pull the older kit so there was no time to
react to include the mounting kit for the first drawer in the base cabinet kit.

	Dennis

    Yes, I'm beginning to see the "logic" now.  Are you saying that the old
    SBU "Compact" kit has been pulled from the product line?
    
    Also, the REAL long descriptions for the the system drawers show that
    the drawers do not include 4 GB disks.  Only the descriptions in the
    ACU/DCU claim they do. (But it doesn't say there is a disk in the
    pedestal/cabinet).
    
    Still the RZ29B-NT seems odd.  Can't be licensing, as it costs exactly
    the same as an RZ29B-VW.  Seems like a "reminder" to manufacturing in
    some way.
    
    FJP
    
    

    It's "licensing, but not as we know it" according to what I heard...
    
    With NT V4, MS require that NT-licenced systems ship with NT
    pre-installed. Otherwise you don't get to OEM NT with the system.
    
    Pre-installing NT is tricky without a disk.
    
    The same agreement also applies to other big PC players like Dell,
    Compaq, etc. Some didn't like it, to the extent that they unbundled NT
    completely 'cos they couldn't be bothered FISing it.
    
    Smaller players presumably just ignore the rules if they want to...
    
    I haven't heard any detail as to why they went for this.
    
    regards
    john

    Part of the confusion here may be due to the AS4000/4100 drawer does
    not have a internal disk bay.  You always need a StorageWorks shelf to
    connect to the hard drives.  
    
    Todd

    The part about the RZ28B-NT disk that I don't understand is:
    
    If NT can be automagically FIS'd for the system disk that is "bundled"
    with the in a Cabinet for the 1st NT drawer, then why can't this happen
    to one of the disks that you will order to be the system disk for the
    second drawer in an NT cluster?
    
    I figure it must be a "reminder" to manufacturing, but it puts a heavy
    load on the field if it isn't absolutely necessary.  (It's sure a
    suprise to the DCU developer!)
    
    It just seems strange...
    
    

Blame the guys who signed the NT FIS agreement....

The unique part number was required because manufacturing sources the RZ29B's
from a different location than the systems. If you just order a NT system and
a RZ29B there is no way for manufacturing to FIS NT on the disk because the two
line items on the order are dock merged.

	Dennis

    I figured as much and it is reasonable.
    
    But can a manufacturing type explain how the disk in the cabinet gets
    automagically turned into a FIS'd NT RZ28B-VW when an NT drawer gets
    configured in?
    
    The real question is, how many NT _single_ cpu's are hitting customers
    without an NT FIS disk?