[olug] RAS for dial-up ISP question

[Phil Brutsche]

Charles Bird wrote:

> thanks for the input...i guess i have one more question on this sorta
> thing...at an ISP they have a t-1 that comes in to the building and a
> multiplexer divides the t-1 into around 48 channels(phone lines)
> right?

A digital T1 gives you 24 channels.  There's a variant called the E1 
used outside the US that gives (I think) 32 lines.

> so people can dial one access number to reach the ISP. Is there
> another route to do this on a less expensive line? I dont really
> wanna shell out 600-800 per month on a t-1. I want about 24 lines for
> starting. then maybe more if all is working in my favor.

Looking back at your original email you REALLY want a T1 if you want 24
lines.  Going by cost per "telephone line" alone:

An analog line: $40/mo
An ISDN circuit: $80/mo
A T1 circuit: $600 - $800/mo

An analog line give you a single channel.  $40 x 24 = $960/mo
An ISDN circuit gives you 2 digital "B" channels.  $80 x 12 = $960/mo
A T1 gives you 24 digital "B" channels.  $600 - $800 per mo.

For reference, digital lines can run at either 56kbit or 64kbit.

If you don't care that won't be able to get much more than 33.6kbit on
your dialup connections you can do it with modems.  But they can be a
hassle if they break.

I still haven't covered equipment costs, or little details like the fact
that a T1 gets priority over analog if they break.  Dunno about the 
rules regarding ISDN.

An "all-in-one" Cisco solution is called the AS5300.  But you still need 
a second T1 (or maybe you want a data/"voice" combo T1 - adds to the
price!) for your dial-up users to get out to the internet.  Not to 
mention something to handle authentication requests, etc.

> I am reluctant to talk to cox or quest yet as I'm not sure what i
> really need yet and I dont want to deal with sales people.

-- 

Phil Brutsche
phil at brutsche.us