UPDATED: Connection options for two points in same city

[Gaunt]

I'm looking at connecting two locations in the same city for a possible business venture. This is just a small group of friends, and not a business with huge resources. I would guess we are probably 10km apart, and both sites have cable internet access. The obvious option is to set up VPN through the cable. This should work, but would be to too slow in most cases I think. Upstream is limited at about 48k/s for these connections.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to where to look for other forms of internet access that might be faster, but not overly expensive?

I realize this isn't much information to go on, but I was just hoping that someone who reads these forums may have attempted something similar to this, and might have some words of wisdom.

For reference, we are attempting this in Ottawa, ON, Canada.

 

[WholeMIlk]

Not sure on the pricing/availability up there, but I've set up plenty of VPN's through SDSL and t1 lines

 

[Gaunt]

T1 is far too expensive, especially since we'd need the connection at both ends. Haven't looked at SDSL at all, but I'll check it out this evening if I have time.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[WholeMIlk]

Where I'm located (Detroit, Michigan) you can get a T1 for around $500-600, which isn't that much if you run your phone lines through it too. SDSL solutions run around $150 for 1Mbit

 

[Gaunt]

Is there anything you can run over the regular phone lines direct to the other side, without getting service from an ISP?

$150 for 1Mbit isn't too bad at all, but I imagine that's US, and it will most likely be doubled since it's needed on both sides...

 

[WholeMIlk]

I read somewhere about a guy who setup his own DSL. I don't have the link, so I'll try and remember. What was needed was an "alarm line" to the phone company. What this is (to my understanding) is just a plan set of wires with nothing on it. I guess it is used for home alarm systems. Now I'm not sure if both lines (1 from each location) need to be run to the same CO or not. Then once he had the lines connected, he just put a DSl modem at each location? If I remember they wer more expensive than standard DSL modems, but the cost of the line is really cheap. Obviously you wouldn't have internet access through this, but it should work for a VPN...

 

[Gaunt]

Yes, a read that article as well. The cost he cited for the lines was very cheap, $20. Maybe I will have a chat with bell and see if they can arrange anything like this.

 

[Gaunt]

After checking into things a little further, I've found a couple of options.

Apparently there is the possibility of ordering some sort of "dry line", or leased line, which will give a straight connection to the other location. The distance I'm looking at is about 10-12km, so I'm unsure that I could find equipment which would operate quickly and reliably over this distance.

The other option I've seen is what the telcos call a "Private Line Service", which seems like they provide you with a direct connection to wherever you'd like, but through their networks, so distance is not a factor. Of course this is going to be much more expensive since you are taking up their network resources, and you most likely have to lease the CPE from them.

Does anyone have any more information on these two options? Is it possible to go with the first option over that distance?

Any information provided will be much appreciated.

 

[WholeMIlk]

I think the SDSL will be cheaper than a private line. I'm not sure if DSL will work o the leased line either, due to the distance? which mean you may have to go with a r atm/isdn connection. I'm thinking the SDSL is your best option if available...

 

[Gaunt]

ATM and ISDN will work over a greater distance than SDSL? Hmmm... ATM is quite expensive from what I remember, but I could definately look into isdn, although I think it might be a little too slow. I'll have to look into both of those.

Thanks again.