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To: nexus-gaia@netcom.com (Nexus-Gaia List)
Subject: another article on setting up your own service...
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From: "Torin/Darren/Who Ever..." <torin@netcom.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Jun 1994 04:24:41 -0400
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I don't agree with everything written here, but it's still pretty good.
------- Forwarded Message
Date: 10 Jun 1994 08:41:37 +0000
From: mpdillon@coho.halcyon.com (Michael Dillon)
Subject: Re: How to become an Internet Provider?
> Myself and a few friends were discussing what it took to become a
> provider (dial-up using terminal emulation, SLIP, and PPP).
>
> Any ideas on the hardware it would require to support say 50 concurrent
> users?
A network of 486 and/or Pentium machines running BSDI UNIX. Price for BSDI is
$1000 for the first copy on CD-ROM, all source code included and all the usual
pd apps as well. Additional machines are licensed for $200. Multiple machines
means better protection from system failure and irate customers if you
carefully organize for the unexpected. At $200 per for additional machines,
it is reasonable to use BSDI for terminal servers (SLIP/PPP) as well as
real work machines such as a dedicated news server. BSDI can also act as a
router using supported synchronous communications cards and supports the
Cisco HDLC protocol.
Point Lynx or Mosaic at www.bsdi.com for more info or else browse their
ftp archives at ftp.bsdi.com for features guides and tech specs.
Another winning point for 486 hardware is it is cheap, readily available
and readily repaired. One thing you absolutely do not want to have is
unhappy customers who rely on *YOU* as their Internet connection but can't get
on because your fancy server is down waiting for spare parts or a support
engineer to show up.
>
> What about server preference (Sun, HP, DEC, ...)
>
>We figured something like a Sun SPARCserver 20 (61 or 502MP) with 32MB
>of RAM and around 9-10 gig of disk
>(dont plan to allow users much long term storage)
Give the users a /scratch directory with no quotas mounted on a separate
hard drive. Then delete anything that is three days old or if the partition
goes above 90-95% then start deleting the oldest stuff to free up space.
If somebody fills this partition to 100% it really doesn't have any effect
on the normal operation of the system.
>
>Additionally, what recommendations for routers, etc ?
Either use BSDI or use a brand your Internet connection is comfortable with
If you have router problems, it is good to be able to get support from BOTH
the manufacturer and your Internet connection. Be a good customer for them
and they will be good to you when the chips are down
>
>I've seen some advertised that are supposed to take care of the SLIP/PPP
>conversation without using much server resources. How
>efficient/reliable are they? What about SCSI connected async ports ?
>
If you don't go the BSDI route, then at least use terminal servers that
support SLIP/PPP in the server. SCSI async is a nice idea, but the
Ethernet connected terminal server is proven technology. Remember, you are
selling reliability to your customers, otherwise they will leave in droves
for your competition.
>We'd like to be able to support dial-in access using Hayes V.FC 28.8
>modems.
28.8K modems is an excellent idea now that WWW browsers like Mosaic and Cello
have caught on. Just make sure that your supplier quotes you the exact price
including shipping, etc... that will be required to make those modems
v.34 compatible. The v.34 spec may be finalized this month. Also make sure
that you will be able to upgrade the modems ONE AT A TIME!!! so you don't
have to shut down your modem pool to do an upgrade. Best would be if Hayes
or whoever will ship replacements BEFORE you send back the old ones.
>
>What does it take to actually get connected to the Internet, who do
>we call, average prices for a T1, etc ?
Start by talking to Alternet/UUNET. Also look at PSI and anyone else who is
a member of CIX and has good support near you. For a list of CIX members
look at the July/August 1994 Internet World magazine. BTW, you *MUST*
subscribe to this magazine if you are gooing to run an ISP service.
>
>Are there any FAQs or other documents for info of this type?
If you find one, please e-mail me
>
>Any and all comments/info is appreciated. Flames are too, as long as
>you point me in the right direction afterward :-)
>
>Please email to: tpbrown@picard.infonet.net
I've taken the liberty of posting because I believe that the time has come
for many hundreds if not thousands of small ISP's to start up. The Info
Highway hype in the media has made Internet access quite an easy thing to sell.
- --
Michael Dillon Internet: mpdillon@halcyon.halcyon.com
C-4 Powerhouse Fidonet: 1:353/350
RR #2 Armstrong, BC V0E 1B0 Voice: +1-604-546-8022
Canada BBS: +1-604-546-2705
------- End of Forwarded Message