From owner-freebsd-isp Fri Feb 16 14:48:19 1996 Return-Path: owner-isp Received: (from root@localhost) by freefall.freebsd.org (8.7.3/8.7.3) id OAA13286 for isp-outgoing; Fri, 16 Feb 1996 14:48:19 -0800 (PST) Received: from etinc.com (etinc.com [165.254.13.209]) by freefall.freebsd.org (8.7.3/8.7.3) with SMTP id OAA13281 for ; Fri, 16 Feb 1996 14:48:09 -0800 (PST) Received: from ppp-082.etinc.com (ppp-082.etinc.com [204.141.95.142]) by etinc.com (8.6.12/8.6.9) with SMTP id RAA03570 for ; Fri, 16 Feb 1996 17:50:14 -0500 Date: Fri, 16 Feb 1996 17:50:14 -0500 Message-Id: <199602162250.RAA03570@etinc.com> X-Sender: dennis@etinc.com X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Version 2.0.3 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To: isp@freebsd.org From: dennis@etinc.com (dennis) Subject: Re: Frame Relay and FreeBSD Sender: owner-isp@freebsd.org Precedence: bulk Louis continues... >No, you're missing the point. > >In my original message I pointed out that the cost of a dedicated >Ascend Pipeline 50 LS56 is very close if not cheaper than the cost of >the synchronous interface for a PC platform and the associated >external CSU/DSU. > >The moving parts refer to the disk drive in the PC that loads the OS >that makes the interface do anything useful. If you only have one >machine, then the failure of the disk isn't any big deal. If, on the >other hand, you have a local ethernet with a handful of machines on >it, why would you tie their functioning to a realtively delicate >platform with moving parts? But your router DOESNT DO A DAMN THING (sorry) without a server, so you still need a host with moving parts....so you're saving nothing. >You only need a working CSU/DSU that conforms to the relevant Bellcore >specs. I don't know why you'd believe the external CSU/DSUs are more >reliable since they all use the same VLSI these days. Im glad that its that easy. All products are created equal, so just buy the cheapest thing available. Simple world you have. Standalone enclosures are more reliable, its easier to resolve problems, almost always have more features, and dont have the heat and noise issues that "integrated" ones. Integrated ones have space limitations so they often leave out protection circuitry in external ones. >It absolutely is more reliable; the performance of your entire network >doesn't depend on the functioning of a UNIX box with disk drives, etc. >When there's a power failure, I don't want the connectivity to my >network to fail until someone comes along and types 'fsck -y' on the >console to reboot the gateway. Too bad for your customers. My UNIX gateway's been up since August without a crash. But I guess a slower, more costly solution would make me feel better :-) db ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Emerging Technologies, Inc. http://www.etinc.com Synchronous Communications Cards and Routers For Discriminating Tastes. 56k to T1 and beyond. Frame Relay, PPP, HDLC, and X.25 for BSD/OS, FreeBSD and LINUX