RE: [cobalt-users] Email monitoring; Internet access restriction

[Seth Mos <knuffie@xxxxxxxxx>]

At 05:19 PM 8/23/00 -0500, you wrote:
> Seth,
>
> > Any ethernet to ISDN router will do.
> > I have used 771 and 775 cisco models at work.
> > But I have also hooked up a external ISDN TA to the serial port.
>
> I noticed that the Ciscos will do dynamic bandwidth allocation;
> I assume that this means use both B channels if available, but
> drop one (or even both) temporarily if voice calls go in or out
> based on user preference. (Please let me know if this is right).

True. I used the POTS port on the rear of the 775 every now and then. IT 
will drop the second line yes. You can also make it do the dynamic bandwith 
allocation (eg 2 channels when neccesary but found this behaviour to be 
erratic.

I made a php script instead that connects to the 775 router and shows if 
the line is up  and i could connec/disconnect the lines of the 775. This 
proved to work much easier. :-)

> But would an external TA do this, or would it expect the user to
> generate the multilink/drop channel instructions some way? I
> must confess to being rather ISDN ignorant, but I'm working to
> fix that.

Some External TA devices are smart enough to do that.
Multilink PPP is something device must do. And it is in no way forced by 
using a serial port. The serial port does not know it actually has 2 lines. 
The device contains the logic.

> How do I find out whether I need an S/T interface or a U interface
> on the router? I assume that the only people qualified to tell
> me this are the techs from the telco that will install the line,
> right?

Yup in america it is more common that the router contains the NT1 
(terminal) however in Europe most telco's provide the NT1 and you use a 
router that does not have a built in NT1

> Also, based on your knowledge of the market today, can you (off
> the top of your head) recommend any particular brands/models
> that I should research? ISDN not being that common, I'm having
> a little bit more difficulty self-educating myself than on
> other topics.

A cisco 775 is ok or 771 if you don't want the analogue ports.
You can also opt for the versions without the hub.

> > The qube has a intergrated firewalling system in the
> > administrator menu just for that problem.
>
> While I'm hanging my head in shame for having forgotten this,
> I should note that when I first got my Qube, I saw the firewall
> section but could find no docs on how to use it, how to create
> or edit rules, etc. Could you point me in some useful direction?
> I will of course continue looking on my own...

The firewalling howto on www.linuxdoc.org can show you some basics.
It is luckily not difficult. there is inline help available within the 
admin part of the firewall.
Or so I thought.

Bye

--
Seth
"Have you gone mad?"
"Well, yes, but that's beyond the scope of this email."