🚀 go-pugleaf

On Sun, 18 Nov 2001 18:29:03 GMT, rob@robwilson.demon.co.uk (Rob
Wilson) wrote:

>Thank you to all of you that have helped so far.
>
>I am looking for connecting up to 36 computers to the internet, of
>which only 16 are likely to ever be connected.  The possible
>connections are currently ADSL (not good enough for gaming due to
>contended uplink aswell as downlink), 256k leased line (expensive in
>comparison to ADSL) or multiple ISDN connections.

    With a proper ADSL provider the contention issue is a non-issue.
However, it is generaly recognised that ADSL (because of the delays
through the modems etc) doesn't have as good a 'ping value'  for games
as ISDN or a leased line.

>
>Currently I think that my ideal solution will be to have ADSL
>(2mb/256k) for internet (browsing / downloading) users, complemented
>by multiple ISDN connections for gamers, particularly for tournaments.
>By my reckoning, since each player usually uses 25kbits up/down, this
>leaves me with 5 players per ISDN connection.  So 3 ISDN connections
>will give me 15-16 players online for gaming.
>
>Q1: How do you connect the ISDN connections together (bonding), I have
>heard about bonding routers and the rumour that bonding 2 connections
>is cheap enough, but 3 is expensive??  Would anyone know prices
>(prefably UK prices) and part numbers for such equipment?  I have
>heard of dual bonding 64kx2 ISDN, but I *think* I want 3x128k single
>channel ISDN connections.

   With difficulty.  Many ISPs have problems handling 2 ISDN channel
bonding, let alone more than two.  We (Easynet) have done some work on
getting more than 2 ISDN channels bonded, but don't expect this to be
included in a 'standard' package.  Your costs, of course, increase
with each channel bonded, as each channel is treated by your telco as
a separate phone call.

   3x128k bonding implies 6 x standard ISDN phone costs.  Have you
included that in your calculations?
 
>
>Q2: Would I need 3 accounts with an ISP, one per ISDN connection?  
 
  No - this would require a special account if the bonding is to work
correctly.  Otherwise you would be facing a lot of probs with routing.

>
>Q3: Will the routers automatically release connections when demand
>drops?

   Depends on the units involved.

>
>Q4: When a router picks up / drops will there be any connection issues
>(lag in a game) during this time?

   Yes - there is *always* a slight load when the characteristics of a
route changes.

  However, I have to point out that unless this is set up with a great
deal of care your ISDN call costs could easily soar into the
stratosphere.  Automatic ISDN calling is, unless carefully controlled,
a sure fire way to lose a lot of money to the telco.

>
>Q5: Can I make most of the machines point to the ADSL connection and
>only 16 point to the ISDN dynamically (by a firewall or some non-cable
>solution)?  This is so I can change which machines are connected to
>where without pulling cables?!

   Getting ADSL and ISDN to work together, from a routing point of
view, is somewhat of a black art.  Most of this is down to the current
limitations of the BT Ignite ADSL package.


   Perhaps you should talk to a number of providers about this idea.
A good provider should be able to steer you round some of the nasties
and suggest ways of getting this to work without dropping you into
bankruptcy.

  I hesitate, in this forum, to suggest that one of the people you
talk to might be Easynet (because I work for them) but if you need
introduction to some Pre-sales guys who have their heads screwed on
right let me know.  You will find (I think) that the providers who can
deal with this are few and far between, but honesty compels me to
admit there are others out there!

    Regards,
            Harry.