🚀 go-pugleaf

If you are trying to keep costs real low, you might want to look at the
ET or sdl serial cards.  They allow your computer to act as the router.
some of the cards have builtin CSU/DSU or you can get a BAT EZ-FT1 for
around $300. Cisco  2501 routers seem to be running around $1,200 used.

If you start off with external modems (limits you to 33.6), the BB2016
will work for the first 16 ports, though either the cyclades or comtrol
16 port controllers would be better, though more expensive.

You will want 64 or 128MB RAM.

If you are sufficiently rural and want to start small, you might want
to use a 56K line to start.  Also check on ISDN.  In some areas, ISDN
is affordable, in others, a T1 will cost less the the ISDN.

It might not seem much, but if you are the only game in town (only local
call) you can probably support 3-6 lines.

see www.amazing.com/internet/ for the internet FAQ, if you haven't seen
it already.

> I and a few business friends are interested in starting an ISP for a
> rural area and have looked at tons of information about setting it up
> and due to a particulary bad year we aren't going to have the funds
> necissary to spend on starting the ISP.  We have a Pentium Machine
> though we figure after two years we can goto a SGI workstation but we
> are worried about the first year fee and also the router and cisco. 
> Anyone have any ideas or suggestions on ways to raise the money to
> provide the cost, maybe even stories from expierence.  That or does
> anyone have any used equipment they are conisering selling?
> 							Eric
> 


-- 
Richard Shetron  multics@wizvax.net multics@hermes.acm.rpi.edu
                 What is the Meaning of Life?
There is no meaning,
It's just a consequence of complex carbon based chemistry; don't worry about it
The Super 76, "Free Aspirin and Tender Sympathy", Las Vegas Strip.