Re: How many modems ?
On Mon, Sep 22, 1997 at 03:05:35AM -0500, Dave Cinege wrote:
: >Do yourself a favor, if you want a terminal server, buy a terminal server.
: >
: >If you need a good number of modems, pick up a used Livingston PM2 or
: >PM2e. If you need to support a large userbase, consider a PM3
: >or an Ascend Max.
:
: Why? My linux RADIUS termserver works great. Runs solid state out of ram,
: boots off a floppy. (Or a flashram card if thats what you wanna use)
Linux isn't exactly optimized for use as a terminal server... I'd rather
concentrate on QoS, instead of concentrating on the cheapest solution
around.
It's not even really that much cheaper. Consider what it costs to build...
Linux Server [1] - $3000
Cyclades 48 Port [2] - $3402
48 Modems ($125 * 48) - $6000
Another Linux Server[3] - $2000
-------------------------------------
Total $14402
Livingston PM3 w/50 Modems $11800
Linux Server [4] - $2000
--------------------------------------
Total $13800
Oops, the digital solution (i.e. the PM3) is cheaper. Here in Bell
Atlantic-land, PRI's cost $435 a month. Livingston has support for NFAS
coming shortly, so you can use 47 B channels over a pair of PRI's. You also
have 3 hot spares in the PortMaster. Take a look at what the POTS lines
cost you with the Linux+Cyclades solution, and you'll see that it's not
worth it, since with PRI, you can also provide ISDN services.
As an added bonus, the PM3 is a nice, small rack mountable unit. That
Linux solution would be a monstrosity of cables, power strips, and home-grown
racks to keep the modems from falling all over themselves. Probably a
fire hazard too.
Linux is a wonderful OS. It's great at being a server for numerous
applications, including classic Internet related services, as well as file
& print (Samba and Netatalk), databases (mSQL, MySQL, Flagship, others),
workstation applications (CAD, software dev), and network management
(scotty + tkined, SNMP, sniffit, tcpdump). It *can* also be used as a
router or a terminal server. However, it certainly does not excel at
either task.
[1] A studly enough box to support 48 modems.
[2] According to the Cyclades web site
[3] You'll need another one to handle mail, web, dns, etc...
[4] As advertised recently in the isp-services mailing list.
--
Jason Costomiris <>< | "VMS is about as secure as a poodle
jcostom@sjis.com | encased in a block of lucite....
http://www.jasons.org/~jcostom/ | .... about as useful, too."
#include <disclaimer.h> | --some guy I read on Usenet
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