Date: Thu, 15 May 1997 10:45:01 -0700 (PDT) From: Jim Shankland <jas@flyingfox.com> To: dennis@etinc.com, didier@omnix-net.com, steve@visint.co.uk Cc: isp@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: interface card to connect 64k..256k to connect to internet Message-ID: <199705151745.KAA15436@biggusdiskus.flyingfox.com>
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dennis@etinc.com writes: > Also there exists the question: > > Since Saturn's are selling for about $12,000., is there still a market > for Mercedes or Porche..or even the Toyota Camry? > > For a 56kbs line thats going to be 10% utilized, you are > correct...perhaps the price isnt worth it. However, note that the > lowest end Freebsd router can be built for about $900. and is much > more functional and powerful and expandable than any of the above > mini-routers you mentioned. Hmm. I assume you're not seriously claiming that the Livingston OR-HS, say, can only handle a 10%-loaded 56 Kb line. But are you saying it can't handle a full T1, as it's advertised to be able to do? I'm not trying to bait anyone, by the way, just to elicit information. My question, more precisely framed, is this: Suppose I have a FreeBSD box, appropriately configured for my needs, and I want to interface it to a high-speed (well, up to T1) serial line. I could: (1) buy a card from ET or SDL, and plunk it into the FreeBSD box; or (2) buy a low-end T1 router, and connect it via a crossover 10Base-T cable to its own Ethernet card in the FreeBSD box. (Ought to be able to gang 2-4 of these low-end routers onto one Ethernet interface in the FreeBSD box, also.) In the past, one argument for option (1) has been that it was considerably cheaper. This price difference is now much reduced, perhaps even eliminated if you consider the integrated-CSU models. (And the Pipeline 130 gives you a BRI port you can use as a backup link.) So my question is: what are the best arguments in favor of option (1)? Note that the question is not FreeBSD vs. no FreeBSD. It's more nearly a choice between an "outboard" WAN interface, and one installed directly into the FreeBSD box. Jim Shankland Flying Fox Computer Systems, Inc.
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