Re: DSL good enough to run a small server on?
André Bell wrote:
>
> My local phone company sends me ads every week for a dsl account and I'm
> wondering if it is good enough to run a small server on since it is 24
> hours direct connection and "50 times faster than 28k".
>
> Something about the pricing and the offer make it seem too good to be true.
> I'm thinking maybe dsl only allows one connection through one dsl modem
> instead of multiple connections that can be achieved through
> server/hub/router. I'm only guessing since I know nothing about dsl.
>
> Are there manholes I need to watch out for? Should I instead get a 4-8 port
> ethernet hub and digital lines and a partial t1 line whatever that is )I
> know what t1 is I don't know what a _partial_ t1 line is). I read about
> this at http://www.draper.net/RedHat-FAQ/DOCS/tips4.html
>
> Thanks!
>
> Andre'
> p.s. I'm not trying to create dial up access, I simply want to provide
> virtual domain web and ftp space to a targeted group of surfers via my
> server. Do I still need ports and hubs and routers for this?
___________________________________________________________
I have been running a low impact test bed server (ADSL connection) at
http://www.advance-computing.com for about 8 months now. It is primarily
being used to work on software collaboration for development of a web
based accounting system and is eventually to be a startup site for my
own retail site. It is fully functional and works exactly the same as my
previous remotely hosted site. I am currently setting up my retail
shopping cart system using Minivend. This entire server and site is 100%
Microsoft free! It operates as a fractional T1. It has the capability of
bandwidth up the 1.5Mbs both ways, though I am currently using only
about 256kbs bi-directional. I does operate in burst mode. The site is
set up in this fashion. My server is connected to and Orkit FastInternet
modem. I use the term modem as that is the common reference. The Phone
company rep who installed it says it is really an ethernet bridge router
with a dedicated connection (PHONE SPEAK :-). It does run on the basic
phone line that also handles my regular telephone connection and also
serves as my dedicated fax line. The signal is piggybacked over the
spare pair of lines that were already available, on all lines as far as
I know. It is switched to my ISP hosts ATM trunk at the phone companies
central office. My ISP handles the site static addressing and also
provides dns servers and the gateway addressing. I own and operate my
own domain with several systems (my office intranet) connected via my
main server.
That's all the tech poop. The really important things are:
1. It has not crashed since I installed it in January 99.
2. I have never suffered any mail losses either on my SMTP system or
from the SMTP server provided by my ISP.
3. IT ONLY COST $99.00 FOR THE MODEM AND INSTALLATION!
4. IT ONLY COSTS ME $78.00 PER MONTH TOTAL; FOR THE EXTRA PHONE SERVICE
AND THE ISP!!!
GTE is my phone company in Plano, Tx. and my ISP is August Associates in
Irving, Tx.
The real drawback to using this type of connection is your location
relative to the location of the phone company central office. If you are
more than 15,200 feet away you will not have good service, though it may
still work. The closer you are together the better. The other thing is
the willingness of your ISP to allow a dedicated server with static
address capability. Most of them will not allow it. Fortunately my guys
are Linux friendly and VERY helpful.
I hope my experience helps you. If you have specefic questions I will be
glad to answer them. Good Luck!!
--
John Foster
AdVance-Computing Systems
jfoster@augustmail.com
ICQ# 19460173
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