Low Cost Hardware Model
Alternate Hardware Model
Results
After examining more than one solution (Software, Hardware , Combination)
- Software Solution goes for pc2gether,– Cost reduction in the model is ~48%.
- Hardware solution goes for Applica,-Cost reduction in the model is 26.3%
Cost per student/User (including Hardware, Windows XP, Office License):
Using PC2GETHER = 1456 L.E.
Using Applica Hardware = 2211 L.E.
Description of the solution (Pc2gether) :
Software allows the usage of a single CPU to be used by up to 5 users in the same time by attaching input and output devices (Monitors,VGA Cards, USB keyboards, USB mice) to make them able to use completely different and independent software, sharing the same network connection(Network Card). It saves 43.75% in cost. Please see the below figure 1
Comparison (Regular setup /New hardware for five users model)
| Regular Setup per Five student | New Hardware Model per Five users |
| 5 CPU (Processor/Memory, Hard Drive) | 1 CPU |
| 5 Monitor | 5 Monitor |
| 5 Keyboard | 5 Keyboard |
| 5 Network Card | 1 Network Card |
| 5 Cable Sets | 1 Cable Set |
| 5 VGA card | 5 PCI VGA Card |
Cost
Cost of the Software License 100USD
System Requirements
Max. USB cable length is 30 meters.
Hardware :
1- CPU : Pentium 3, 500MHz or higher
2- RAM : 256MB+62MB for each additional user (4 user configuration will require 512MB)
3- Hard disk : above 20GB
4- PCI slot : 3 slots (four users setup)
5- AGP slot : at least 1
6- USB port : 3 ports (four users setup)
7- USB keyboards
8- USB mice
Software (operating system):
1- Windows 2000 Professional/Server
2- XP Professional/Home All languages
3- Any application that works for those operating system
Cost reduction
If we consider :
1- PC from the local market with 3000LE
2- Monitor 15” for 900 LE
3- USB Keyboard 45 LE
4- USB mouse 25 L.E.
5- USB hub 60L.E.
Then the cost of four users PC will be
| Regular Five PCs | New Model Five users |
| 3000 L.E. * 5 = 15,000L.E. | 7,280L.E. Details 3000 L.E. for the host (main PC) 4 monitors (900L.E. * 4) = 3600 L.E. 4 USB Keyboard (45 L.E. *4) = 180 L.E. 4 USB Mice (25 L.E. * 4) = 100 L.E. 4 PCI VGA card(10USD * 4)=40USD=280 L.E. 2 USB active Hub ( 60L.E. *2) = 120 L.E. S/W License 100USD=700 LE |
| | |
Percentage cost reduction 48.5%
Performance Comparison
We are testing the solution on HP Vectra VL 420
1- P4 2.00GHz
2- Windows 2000 Professional – Service pack 4.0
3- 256 MB RAM
4- 40 GB HD
WAITING FOR ONE MORE PCI VGA CARD, AS ALL OF YOU KNOW
Applica’s Solutions:
Applica u4g
Description of the solution (Pc2gether) :
Hardware and Software allows the usage of a single CPU to be used by up to 5 users in the same time by attaching input and output devices without the need of any special VGA cards (important in the maintenance process of any one of the PCI VGA cards damaged).
You attach a card to the main computer, and that card is connected to each of the station with there device. As shown in the figure
System Requirements
1) windows 2000/XP
Price
Upon a phone conversation with Mr. Albert at Applica and explaining the need and the volume, he said that the complete solution for 4 users will cost 1250USD minus 40% discount, and he make it even cheaper if the students are close to each others.
U4G is not listed on the web site, Applica company recommends it.
Then the cost of four users PC will be
| Regular FivePCs | New Model Five users |
| 3000 L.E. * 5 = 15,000L.E. | 11,055 L.E. Details 3000 L.E. for the host (main PC) 4 monitors (900L.E. * 4) = 3600 L.E. 4 Keyboard (20 L.E. *4) = 60 L.E. 4 Mice (15 L.E. * 4) = 45 L.E. Applica solution 750USD = 5250 LE |
| | |
Percentage cost reduction 26.3 %
Other Alternates
1) www.PC2gether.com
4) http://www.dansdata.com/easyclone.htm (http://www.cablesdirect.co.nz/browse/easyclone.htm)
5) http://www.connectworld.net/cgi-bin/iec/ADP6070
URL discussing first two solutions: http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,15794,00.asp
And Please find the comparison
| Name/URL | 1)pc2gethre.com | 4) EasyClone | 5) PC Duplicator | ||
| Max. No of users | 5 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Supported operating systems | Windows 2k/XP | Windows 2k/XP | Windows 98 | Windows 98/ME | |
| Price (USD) | ? waiting for a reply | 750 | Stopped Business(USD169) | 89 | 95 |
| Type | Software | Hardware/Software | Hardware/Software | Hardware/Software | Hardware/Software |
| Recommendation | | 1-Some Motherboards Or Dell computers (good Hardware) | | | |
| Cost Reduction | 44% | 30% | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Cost/Seat | 1456 L.E. | 2211 L.E. | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
N.B. 1 USD = 7 L.E.
N.B. There is 17” used monitor (sony,Siemens) for 350L.E. and the supplier said they look like a brand new monitors
New Model using ARM Processor
http://www.advantagesix.co.uk/products.html
Userful.com
Is Linux Distro. that support more than one user to work on the Same CPU , with using the usual set of PCI VGA cards, and USB input devices.
Betwin is another Linux Distro that support same same concept many PCI VGA and USB input devices
May be I did not mention here, that I'm one of the first people that worked on HP441 project, and Arabized it to be used in Schools at Egypt, and worked with HP Research and Development Center in Palo Alto-USA to certify the Arabic HP441 against HP standard, and my work succeeded to pass their certification
and I helped in porting the HP441 code to support SATA harddrives
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