K4FCG NODE PHOTOS

(NOT THAT EXCITING, SORRY. CLICK THE PHOTO FOR FULL SIZE SHOT)

   This is the hub of my home network.  The object to the right is a D-link DI-704 router/hub.  The object standing next to that is the Surfboard SB3100 cable modem.  The CATV cable enters my house, and enters a splitter which sends the signal to all the televisions and the cable modem.  The Cable modem converts the CATV digital signal to something computers can understand (similar to a dial-up modem).  The cable modem is then connected to the router/hub via a CAT5 cable.  The router/hub does several things.  First and foremost, it is a hardware firewall which prevents outside hackers from accessing computers on my home network.  Secondly, it splits the internet connection, which allows all connected computers (I have 5) to use the same internet connection.  Thirdly,  it allows all my computers to see each other, so I can easily transfer files between them and share the same printer.  Finally, it automatically routes all incoming connect requests on port 5995 (the DX cluster port), to the Cluster node computer.  The computer you see in the picture belongs to my wife.

   These are the three computers I use.  The one on the right is my primary computer, a 1.2GHz Athlon machine with 20Gb hard drive and 512Mb of RAM.   I use this computer for web surfing, gaming, and just about all the applications I use live in this box.

   The computer in the middle is the Node computer.  It is a 150MHz Pentium with 1.2Gb hard drive and 48Mb of memory.  The limited resources are plenty because I only use it to run Wincluster Lite.  This computer runs 24/7 and shares a UPS with the modem/router to keep the node running during short power failures. 

   The left most computer is a 166MHz Pentium with four 2Gb hard drives and 64Mb or memory.  I run Partition Magic on this computer which allows it to boot up with multiple OS.  I presently only use Win 98 on this computer but plan to install Linux at a later date.  I use this computer for Ham Radio applications including Logger, Clusterbuster, and CT. 

   Finally, I use Windows 98 on all my computers, except my wife's, who has Windows XP.  We will probably be putting Win 98 on her computer as well, as I have discovered that XP is a real dog (in my opinion).  Windows 98 seems to be the most stable OS, not counting Windows 2000/NT. 

   Finally, this is a shot of my desk, showing my small station and the two monitors.  I have a switch which allows the Node and Ham computer to share a monitor.  You can also see my IC-706 and LA-1000 amplifier which I use with my stealth 40m vertical.