Dialup router?

[ProviaFan]

I've got a small local area network of two computers, with one sharing the internet connection. The problem with this, of course, is that if the server goes down or locks up, that disables internet access for the other computer. Thus, I've been looking for a solution that's a little more reliable than a 500mhz celeron with Win2k Server and RRAS.

Unfortunately, Google hasn't been a lot of help (quite possibly I've just not been searching with the right terms). The only router I've seen so far that would work well would be a Cisco 805, but unfortunately that's a bit beyond my budget. Is there anything that you all can recommend that would work ok but be a little lower in cost? Thanks.

 

[rw120555]

By dialup, do you mean something with a 56K modem? If so, Netgear has the RM356. At $300 list, it seems ridiculously expensive to me, but maybe it is better than a Cisco. Netgear also has some ISDN routers.

 

[ProviaFan]

Yes, I'm using a 56K dialup connection, since ISDN would be way too expensive (and I'm not even sure it's available), and also Cable and DSL are not available.

One thing I wondered is if it would be possible to use a cable/dsl router/firewall/switch box with a serial port for a backup modem connection, and use it only for demand-dialing the modem connection? (without using the broadband features)

 

[JackMDS]

It is not a problem. Some of the Entry level Cable/DSL Routers has a serial port for backup.

Example:
$55 - SMC 7004ABR BARRICADE 4-PORT CABLE / DSL ROUTER WITH PRINT SERVER.

You need to buy an external 56K modem to use it (shop carefully you can find one for $35 - $50).

Example: $43 - HAWKING PN5614KV 56K V.90 / K56FLEX DUAL MODE DATA / FAX / VOICE EXTERNAL MODEM .

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
It is not a problem. Some of the Entry level Cable/DSL Routers has a serial port for backup.

Example:
$55 - SMC 7004ABR BARRICADE 4-PORT CABLE / DSL ROUTER WITH PRINT SERVER.

You need to buy an external 56K modem to use it (shop carefully you can find one for $35 - $50).

Example: $43 - HAWKING PN5614KV 56K V.90 / K56FLEX DUAL MODE DATA / FAX / VOICE EXTERNAL MODEM .

Thanks! That looks like something that will work great, and it's affordable too.

 

[rw120555]

Another great suggestion, Jack, I'm glad you jumped in before jliechty bought one of those $300 Netgear gizmos! I wonder how, or if, they even sell any of those? I bet a lot of this old technology stuff just sits around on their shelves and they hope somebody will still buy it. Kind of like how old, slow memory chips cost more than more modern stuff.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: rw120555
Another great suggestion, Jack, I'm glad you jumped in before jliechty bought one of those $300 Netgear gizmos! I wonder how, or if, they even sell any of those? I bet a lot of this old technology stuff just sits around on their shelves and they hope somebody will still buy it. Kind of like how old, slow memory chips cost more than more modern stuff.

Hehe, I wouldn't get some big expensive thing like that right away. Anyway, it's rather easy to see how dated the Netgear thing is, considering that it has a 10mbit/sec ethernet switch. :Q

 

[ellisz]

Has anyone actually got this to work? I had researched the WABR model that is wireless and some people had problems with the network going down every few hours and I had not read of anyone being able to get the dial up network configured correctly. I really wanted this but the reviews kept me away. I did not know you had to have an external modem though. Seems like a dial up network is not very common

I actually bought a D-Link 614+ wireless router at BB for $100. I was going to try this with ICS software to share the dialup connection. I only have a laptop that will use the wireless connection it will only be occasional. It is a P150 so it is slow anyway. I am not sure how easy this will be to set up because I have not read to many people doing this either.

Any good reviews of the SMC dial up network? The print server would be nice too. I have not opened my wireless server so I can still take it back ...

Thanks

 

[2canSAM]

Another option you might want check out is Freesco

I am currently running this using dial-up and serving two networks. One with 5 Window Machines and the other with 2 Linux Machines. It has been super reliable. As a matter of fact it only goes down if I lose power for more than 10 minutes. Super easy to set up and will also be your DCHP, WINS,DNS, Web, Time, Print, Ftp server.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: 2canSAM
Another option you might want check out is Freesco

I am currently running this using dial-up and serving two networks. One with 5 Window Machines and the other with 2 Linux Machines. It has been super reliable. As a matter of fact it only goes down if I lose power for more than 10 minutes. Super easy to set up and will also be your DCHP, WINS,DNS, Web, Time, Print, Ftp server.

Yea, I'm starting to think more along those lines. Of course, an inexpensive used PIII PC would be bigger, noisier, consume more electricity, and would be a bit more expensive than a router, but you can't run ECCp on a router (AFAIK). That pretty much settles the matter right there.