i think the explanations of the plan9 model by dan and devon are excellent, i would only add a couple of other examples.
a cpu server as a remote i/o controller offering services to those who connect - for example usb or gpio access to special hardware. similarly a cpu server connected to a private LAN and (say) the internet can allow terminals or other cpu servers to import the internet if needed on one namespace, but remain completely isolated in others. i/o devices on a cpu server are owned by the hostowner of that server, but other users can be granted access using chmod in cpurc. plan9 achingly elegant, such a shame it never gained mainstream success. ------------------------------------------ 9fans: 9fans Permalink: https://9fans.topicbox.com/groups/9fans/T248f62cc83f47b6d-M9416223866cdf852e865a4ae Delivery options: https://9fans.topicbox.com/groups/9fans/subscription
