Networking AT-class computers for image distribution

Using the prototype electronic document storage and retrieval (EDSR) system as a testbed, the Ethernet-based image transmission protocol is demonstrated to be a fast, reliable, and efficient mechanism for transmitting document image files among AT-class computers. The principal bottleneck in the server´s performance, i.e. the rate at which data are read from the optical disk via the SCSI host adapter, has been identified and corrected. The transfer rate is expected to increase from approximately 60 kb/s to approximately 480 kb/s, and 800% improvement. A method is suggested for designing a network to support multiuser access to a document image database on optical disks. Depending on the final service rate and the rate at which actual users request images, a network with up to five servers should be able to support from five to ten users per server.<>