Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 11:30:40 -0600 (CST) From: Joe Greco <jgreco@brasil.moneng.mei.com> To: taob@io.org (Brian Tao) Cc: hackers@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Microsoft "Get ISDN"? Message-ID: <199603181730.LAA25980@brasil.moneng.mei.com> In-Reply-To: <Pine.BSF.3.91.960318112705.379X-100000@cabal.io.org> from "Brian Tao" at Mar 18, 96 11:58:21 am
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> On Mon, 18 Mar 1996, Joe Greco wrote:
>
> > > consumer. I agree with you, an ISP who sticks a bunch of high-speed
> > > serial ports connected to a bunch of Bitsurfrs to provide ISDN access
> > > is just asking for trouble.
> >
> > Why is that? People keep telling me how the Portmasters can handle 115200
> > on all ports simultaneously... what's the difference between this and
> > hooking up a bunch of 28.8's?
>
> Actually, I was referring specifically to the situation with ISDN.
> Instead of having a pile of serial controllers, a pile of Bitsurfrs, a
> pile of power bars, a pile of serial cables and a pile of phone
> cables, get yourself a Portmaster with BRI cards or if you're a larger
> operation, something like an Ascend MAX series and run BRI's and PRI's
> right into the box. Looking at our machine room, the most problematic
> area is the nest of cabling and wires between the modems, the
> Portmasters and the bix blocks. I'd love to be able to plug a single
> cable into a PRI port and be able to run 23 B channels from there. No
> fuss no muss.
Okay, I'll agree that a stupid ISP could make a stupid mess... however I
think I'd shoot for the rack mount version of the UTA-220's. That's just a
matter of choosing wisely.... obviously it's always in your best interests
to come up with as clean a solution as possible.
The RM versions of the UTA-220 are cheaper too.
Basically I will probably never get past my distaste of any sort of
equipment where I have to take down multiple circuits to get my hands on a
single device. That's one of the reasons I don't like in{t,f}ernal modems
and ISDN PRI gizmos, etc.
> > > However, for a workstation or PC at home,
> > > a serially-connected ISDN TA will work just fine. Heck, I can even
> > > connect a 28.8k modem to the POTS jack on my Bitsurfr as a dialin port
> > > and keep my analog voice line free.
> >
> > Yes, that is quite attractive :-)
>
> I forgot... I also have a regular analog phone connected to the
> modem, which serves as a second voice line. :) For the price, a
> Bitsurfr is flexible and ideal for casual home use.
Yes, that is quite attractive :-)
Been thinking about dumping my POTS service at home (yes, yes, I know the
dangers of being without power and only having an ISDN circuit..).. :-)
First I actually have to get something beyond an XT laptop though.
... Joe
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joe Greco - Systems Administrator jgreco@ns.sol.net
Solaria Public Access UNIX - Milwaukee, WI 414/546-7968
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