[NTLUG:Discuss] Any ISP's out there?

[Shane Wickson]

On Wed, 16 Feb 2000, Hector M Banda wrote:

> Which is the best rated equipment for ISP ( Digital and Analog)
>  TOTAL CONTROL (3COM-USR), EQUINOX, LUCENT or  NORTEL NETWORKS equipment?

Where I last worked we were really fond of the Lucent PM3 (PortMaster
3).  They'll handle any line configuration from POTS to PRI.  Stay away
from Shiva LanRovers, which are good boxes but cost *way* too much.  The
Total Control boxes are good too, but nearly as good as the Lucents.

> Which company offers the best tech support without ripping you off?

The PM3s were the easiest to use, I know that much.  I didn't do that
sorta stuff when I worked at an ISP, so I don't know.

> What would it be a good server recommendation ( as far as RAM, PROCESSOR,
> etc) to handle about 300 or 400 workstations having this         server as a
> firewall thru IPCHAINS?

You could probably throw any old Pentium at this problem and do just
fine.  Optimize the kernel as a router and not a host (kernel config
option) and you might get some better performance out of it.  As always,
the more RAM the better.

*NOTE* - this is all my unbridled opinion, and most of the specifics about
the remote access servers came from Jon Miller, who is better at
remembering that kinda stuff than I am. :)

Shane