Networking P.C directly to a 2 node cluster

[N.P]

We have Win XP P.C and often we download Giga bytes of data from the VMS systems over the internet.

We are thinking of connecting a high speed line. But it is proving very costly. Instead of that is there a way to connect the P.C directly to the VMS system instead of through the net. The basic need is File transfer and secondary need is to have more VMS terminals for people to view and work on using SSH or something else.Again the first concern is file transfer.

The system is configured for TCP/IP but not sure whether the the two nodes communicate over DEcnet or TCP/IP (Ethernet over 8 port switch is used for communication). Please put any source of information or site we can refer for more info.

[Ian Miller.]

A another gigabit ethernet interface installed in the VMS system (if its a alpha) connected the PC directly or using a switch to allow other PCs.

Current versions of TCPIP Services for OpenVMS can do ssh.

[Andy Bustamante]

You can connect your PC to the 8 port switch and reach the VMS systems. Your ftp sessions will run locally. DECnet and TCP/IP can both run over your switch, as well as SCS, which is the cluster communications protocol.

On the PC side you can use ftp for file transfer. Another option is to use Pathworks (now Advanced Server) on the VMS systems. This provides file share services compatbile with the file sharing on your PC.

[N.P]

So with regards to what Andy and Ian are explaining. Is the following diagram setup acceptable.

Our objective is to avoid additional cost and keep the setup simple.

Please take your time and let us know,if you have suggestions and if there would be any bottle necks. From the discussion above one point is clear that the