[cobalt-users] NO SDSL

[George Simpson <gasjr4wd@xxxxxxx>]

Howdy folks!

I have a huge networking problem...and need any help I can get. Sorta not
cobalt related, but help is help. We use a Qube 2 for a firewall and also
have a raq 2 for a few little hosting sites...non profit...also use a
Appleshare for file server (ASIP).

Our new office/production site lease has been signed, and NOW our SDSL
provider changes their story and tells us that we are not with in the limit
for SDSL. T1's are way over priced for what we need to do. All I need to do
is give internet access, host our little site, and be able to transfer files
to and from clients and vendors. We are a small printing/desktop pub shop,
leaning more toward desktop pub for other large publishers. Our SDSL 256
line in the other office is fine for that...and at $150/month we can't knock
it. We are told that the only way to do it at the new office is: lease a
fract T1 ($220), that comes with a min of 8 phone lines ($21 each=$168), and
then the SDSL ($150) and run the SDSL over the T1. (Total of $538/month) The
powers that be and I both agree this is crazy. I thought if you had a T1,
that WAS your internet link. Not to mention we do not need 8 phone lines!

Is there anyway we can get around this? I was thinking some kind of direct
link to our other site and just use that dsl line? Do you think if we
somehow dial a analog modem in to our ASIP server in the other office, use
the server there, it will be fast enough? If not ASIP, would New Sun/Cobalt
product better fit this? I haven't went that route yet, haven't needed to,
but I have been in digest mode in this list anticipating it. Any other
flavor of Linux box?? Something??? I remember reading some time ago about
people who have a...like a private dsl, between offices that run on extra
phone lines that used to be used for direct lines to alarm companies. I just
can't remember where now. It seemed neat, but was just one of those little
conversation things in the office. They pay $20/month for the line.

For now it is OK to keep the old office with the DSL, but in the perfect
world everything would move to the new office.

If it maters, the offices are about 15 miles apart, and I am told the new
office is 90,000 (wow) feet from the point of the switch. (or what ever it's
called)

Am I just screwed?

TIA!


-- 
Thank You,
George



"Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine."
Lord Byron