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Newsgroups: comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc Path: euryale.cc.adfa.oz.au!newshost.anu.edu.au!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!news.mel.connect.com.au!munnari.OZ.AU!news.ecn.uoknor.edu!news.cis.okstate.edu!col.hp.com!nntp.coast.net!howland.reston.ans.net!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in2.uu.net!gail.ripco.com!dr From: dr@ripco.com (David Richards) Subject: Re: Alternative to Expensive Multiport Serial Boards...? X-Nntp-Posting-Host: foley.ripco.com Message-ID: <DKJ4o2.9Fp@rci.ripco.com> Sender: usenet@rci.ripco.com (Net News Admin) Organization: Ripco Internet BBS, Chicago References: <4c7oep$riv@news.voicenet.com> Date: Tue, 2 Jan 1996 01:12:02 GMT X-Ident-Sender: dr Lines: 30 In article <4c7oep$riv@news.voicenet.com>, Marines! <Marines!> wrote: > >Would this idea work? Only if you're cheap, and ignore the historical evidence that internel modems tend to be less reliable and have shorter lifespans than external. >Let's say 4 internal modems. For this setup, you need a motherboard, >8Megs RAM, case, e-net card, and a floppy drive (oh yeah, you need the >modems). Shopping mail-order, you're looking at $400-500. That works out to $100/port or more. >What am I missing here? Networks that can install a *free* Unix OS on >a bunch of low-end machines really have no need for multi-port serial >cards. They can setup a more reliable, cheaper dialup solution by >forgoing the mpsb solution, and keeping it SIMPLE! So instead of maintaing two 32 port machines, I'd have to administer 16 machines with four ports on each? I don't think so. You're ignoring the Terminal Server solution. A multiport terminal server offers 10-64 serial ports with greater fault tolerance, lower power consumption, and much less administrative overhead at about the same price per port. -- David Richards Ripco Communications Inc. My opinions are my own, Public Access in Chicago But they are available for rental FREE Usenet and Email dr@ripco.com (312) 665-0065