system link enquries

[fuji]

I have two computers at the moment, one is a purpose built DAW and the othetr i use for surfing and trying out downloaded software etc, i would like to hook them up using system link so that i can utilise downloaded software (vsti's and effects) without having to install it on my clean DAW, is there any possibility that viruses, spyware can contaminate my DAW through the link. Also in my DAW i have a creamware powersampler card with one s/p-dif in/out presumably i need a card in my other computer with the same i/out, can i get multiple channels of audio with just this one connection? and can anyone recommend a reasonably priced card to do the job bearing in mind i wont be sampling with it and the a/d convertors will only be used to play cds or files downloaded of the net, so no midi and minimal analog i/o required.
advice much appreciated.
peace

[at0m]

One digital channel is used for system info as sync, midi, automation etc.
The rest can be used to transport audio, so S/P-DIf is a little limited. I'd love to get some USB/firewire to ADAT IO for the laptop...

There's no risk of virusses spreading, a LAN network connection is not required. I use the LAN to share files between the machine though, so then if the laptop ever gets infected, DAW goes down with it.

Anyways, more digital IO on the other machine is a must for VST SystemLink!

[valis]

You'll want to use ADAT.

RME & Lynx are the most commonly used for systemlink devices I believe. I'm not sure if Creamware cards are compatible...anyone tried?

[Herr Voigt]

I've never tried, but I think, ADAT is ADAT, shouldn't it?

[virtualstudio]

You can use your adat out on a scope board as optical sp/dif, this works fine with my DAT recorder.

I've just upgraded to SX and I'm working to get it ok on one system now. but I'm sure I'm going to try the system link soon.

for now I'm glad I've the two systems running
with cubase vst 5.1 communicating the old fashion way throug midi (and ADAT)