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From: mikel@cynet.net.au
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Date: Fri, 27 Dec 1996 12:50:34 -0800
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Subject: Re: Multi port serial cards
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Jacob Suter wrote:
> 
> > Now, I would like to hook about 50 modems
> 
> ugh... 50 modems on a unix box?  Ugh!!!
> 
> Buy a portmaster, its a whole lot better for that job.
> 

Yes the portmasters are perfect for this job.

The pros:  

(1) Easy to set up (REAL EASY)
(2) Reliable (no HDDs etc)
(3) Redundant (you have to buy at least two pm25's to get 50 modems)
(4) Compatible (PAP, CHAP, Passthrough, Standard logins, rlogins,
RADIUS)

The cons:

(1) You don't "have unix power to the serial port) ie, if the portmaster
doesn't have something you want, you can't create it.
(2) More Expensive (In Australia anyway, compared to stallions)
(3) Just as awkward (maybe slightly neater.  not much though)


It is a tough decision.  If you are really comfortable with unix, go
with a good stallion board with multiple 16 port modules.  If you are
not so comfortable with unix serial communications, a PM2ER-30 with a
PM25 would do you well.

Good luck


Mikel.