All Archives / aussie-isp / 1997-02
<<< Date >>>
Permanent Link
Date: Sun, 02 Feb 1997 10:01:03 +0800
From: Michael Malone
To: aussie-isp
Message-Id: <199702020201.KAA12726@creole.iinet.net.au>
In-Reply-To: <Pine.LNX.3.93.970202111509.6338M-100000@byteback>
Subject: Re: [Oz-ISP] Telstra timed local calls.
No followups recorded.


> P.S. is anyone out there running a Linux ISP ?

As a previous poster has pointed out, we base our network
around Linux. Linux machines are employed as both servers
and terminal servers. Our typical terminal server is a
pentium with 64M of RAM and six to eight stallion boards
connecting to racks of Netcomm or Vortex modems. We have
found this to be extremely stable, flexible and obviously
the best value for money in per port costs.

As an aside, one linux machine (grunge) is a P100 with 64M
of RAM and 240 modems attached to it. It actually runs fine,
except after any reboot/shutdown, when all 240 modems come
back on line at once. The machine can't handle this. We've
found that up to 128 lines is the perfect maximum.

The major advantage we've found with Linux (besides price!)
is its stability and the ability to heavily customise. For
instance, we were able to modify the kernel to do packet
accounting when that was the rage. Updates occur at least
as quickly as any of the commercial solutions. Upgrading
with RedHat is now a dream :-)

I wouldn't recommend it unless you're willing to learn a lot
about the OS itself; its still an operating system for
experts. But even this is changing, with configuration and
administration tools being developed world wide.

Hmm. I'm sounding like an ad! Suffice to say, its works for
us and works very well. Its proved a better solution than
dedicated terminal servers, but is still cable heavy. If
the price for integrated solutions such as the Portmaster
or Ascend drops below AU$30K per 60 ports, we'll probably
be moving on.

MM


----
Email "unsubscribe aussie-isp" to m a j o r d o m o @ a u s s i e . n e t to be removed.

<<< Date >>>
This page was automatically generated, based on a complete record of postings made to the nominated list. Copyright issues, blame or gratitude belongs to the entity that wrote the content.