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Date:      Wed, 03 Mar 1999 19:58:36 -0700
From:      Chris Tubutis <chris@tci.com>
To:        Annelise Anderson <andrsn@andrsn.stanford.edu>
Cc:        freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG
Subject:   Re: The Power to Serve?
Message-ID:  <36DDF6DC.D0C750DB@tci.com>
References:  <Pine.BSF.3.96.990303175447.5356A-100000@andrsn.stanford.edu>

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Annelise Anderson wrote:
> 
>         I'm trying to figure out how to set up an ISDN line
> (since cable modems and DSL are unavailable where I live).
> 
>         The system would look something like this:
> 
>         --the ISDN line (RJ-45 jack) is connected to an ISDN
> modem.
> 
>         --the modem is connected to a computer running FreeBSD
> (3.1-RELEASE right now; P-90, 64 megs ram)
> 
>         --the FreeBSD machine and the other computers (some
> of which run Windows NT and even 98, as well as FreeBSD, about
> 6 in all) are connected by ethernet to a hub, on an internal
> 10.10.10.x network; one of them would be 100 feet away from
> the hub, the others closer.
> 
>         So, the question is what software do I run that enables
> the other computers to use the ISDN line by dialing the ISDN
> modem?  It would always be dialing the number--the ISDN isp.
> 
>         Probably the FreeBSD machine needs to run natd and
> ppp as server, which seems to have provision for remote dialing.
> 
>         I'm not sure how I'd get another FreeBSD machine or the
> computers running NT/98 to dial the modem and get connected
> (at the same time) or use a connection already established.
> 
>         I'm not looking for detailed steps, just a general
> overview of the framework.
> 
>         Thanks--
> 
>                 Annelise


I do something kinda sorta similar at home:

Incoming ISDN line --> Ascend P75 ISDN *router*

LAN connection of the P75 -->  hub

All my 'puters are hooked to the hub and use the router as the default
gateway.  I can run NAT on the P75 if I so choose.

In your case, have the modem connect to a single computer; run some sort
of IP forwarding/routing software on this computer; all computers connect
to the hub; the computers without the ISDN modem set their default gateways
to the IP address of the computer with the modem.  IOW, the 'puter with the
modem becomes the router for your network.  Depending on your requirements
and resources, you may or may not need to run NAT on the router.  A drawback
of doing something like this is the fact that the machine with the modem
needs to be up and connected for any other machines to get out over the
network.  Of course, you're going to have to design some sort of TCP/IP
network regardless of what you do (but that should be obvious by now :).

ct


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