UPDATE (3-4-2008)
This document was created YEARS ago, and reflects the way my sim was setup back in 2001 :-) ALL computing hardware in the sim has been updated, and will be reflected here once things are up and running. The network diagram will change quite a bit and much of the hardware will be consolidated through the use of multiple output graphic cards, video multiplexers, etc.
The way you wire up your sim is important, even in where you plug in certain systems. You will generally want to plug the monitors for your instruments, into a single surge protector so that they can be wired to the avionics switch. This diagram shows how all the computer hardware in my sim is being wired. Not shown, is a power bus that will be used to power multiple semi-low voltage devices such as fluorescent lights and LEDs.

Computers:
Diagram ID |
System Specs |
Installed Software |
Usage |
C1 |
Sony Vaio
1.5 GHz Pentium 4
256 MB RAM
60 GB Storage |
- Windows XP
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002
- WideServer
- America Online 7.0
- Squawkbox
- Roger Wilco
- FSUIPC
|
Primary flight computer containing flight environment. |
C2 |
Compaq Armada M700
450 MHz Pentium 3
64 MB RAM
5.19 GB Storage |
- Windows ME
- Wideclient
- Project Magenta
|
Captain's PFD/ND. A similar setup will be used for the Co-Pilot's PFD/ND. |
C3 |
Compaq Presario 5240
400 Mhz K6
64 MB RAM
9.5 MB Storage |
- Windows 98
- Wideclient
- Project Magenta
|
EICAS |
C4 |
Not yet Purchased. Will most likely be 1 GHz. |
- Windows XP
- Wideclient
- The 777 Collection
|
Secondary EICAS |
C5 |
Not yet Purchased. Will most likely be less than GHz. |
- Windows XP
- Wideclient
- Project Magenta
|
CDU |
Monitors:
Diagram ID |
Size |
Usage |
M1 |
Not sure... but an LCD projector would be preferrable if one can be obtained. |
Primary flight computer containing flight environment. |
M2 |
19" (15.5" left-to-right") |
Captain's PFD/ND |
M3 |
15" KDS Flat Screen |
EICAS / Secondary instruments |
M4 |
15" |
Secondary EICAS |
M5 |
19" (15.5" left-to-right") |
F/O's PFD/ND |
M6 |
5" (from CSI) |
CDU |
S1:
All computers systems are plugged into this surge protector. You may want to place some computer systems on different surge protectors so that any problems with the surge protector will not put all of your computers at risk.
S2:
S2 is the surge protector for all avionics view screens. The switch for this surge potector can be wired to the electrical system or avionics button to provide off/on capabilities for these instruments.
S3:
All remaining items are plugged into this surge protector
H1:
This is a D-Link 10Base-T Ethernet based HUB which allows all the computers in the sim to be connected. This hub only makes provisions for 5 computers so any more than that will require you to daisy chain hubs.