How we did it
By David StromWe connected each jukebox to a Dell Dimension 200-MHz server with 64M bytes of RAM and a 2G-byte SCSI magnetic hard disk, using an Adaptec 2940 PCI SCSI adapter.
The Dell ran Windows NT Server Version 4, with Service Pack 6. The server was connected to a 10M bit/sec Ethernet network, and we copied files to the jukebox media from four Windows clients running 98, NT and Win 2000.
We ran Jukebox Manager Software from Point Software for each jukebox in turn. We also compared this setup with the Plasmon/Allstor NetReady Unix-based server, connected to the Plasmon jukebox. We examined the way each jukebox loaded and unloaded media, how useful each front panel controls were and what information was reported by the jukebox to the management software.
We also examined the amount of time each server took to copy files from a number of workstations, along with the perceived time to log on to each box and bring up a directory listing in Windows Explorer. In addition, we looked at how each performed playing multiple 10M- to 30M-byte MPEG movies across the network.
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Strom was the founding editor in chief of Network Computing magazine and published his own essays called "Web Informant." He can be reached at david@strom.com.
Interactive Scorecard and NetResults
See how we scored various DVD-RAM jukeboxes - and check how the results would change if you adjust the importance of various criteria.
The software side of DVD jukeboxes
A DVD jukebox is only as good as the software that drives it, so you'll want to try a few different jukebox management software products before you move your library onto the production network.
Plasmon's AllStor NetReady server
Comes with its own built-in Web server.
