LANs & WANs
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Choosing a router
My company's Internet use has grown to the point that a DSL or cable Internet connection isn't sufficient anymore. We're talking
to several ISPs that say we'll need to purchase a router. Some are willing to help us with that, others say it's our responsibility.
What's the best way to go?
- Via the Internet
The two most common routers I run into are made by Cisco and Nortel. There are other good ones out there, but these are more common. Having the ISP help
you may make the transition a little easier. Get clarifications as to who will own the router. If you own the router, make
sure you have the login IDs and passwords to get in. Also make sure you get some type of support contract so you can get help
and/or hardware replacement when needed.
If you elect to go on your own, see what brands of routers your prospective ISPs are used to working with and if they'll give
you some degree of help when configuring it to talk to their router. You'll need to purchase a DSU/CSU to connect the router
to the T-1 (assuming you're going with this type of connection - you'll need to decide on the connection speed to order the
correct unit). You can purchase an internal or external DSU/CSU. I prefer the external version as they're generally a little
cheaper than their internal counterparts, and you can change routers without having to buy another unit, in some cases.
If you feel adventurous and know a little about Linux, you can make your own router using just about any Linux distro. A search of sourceforge.net will show you several Linux packages, some of which are ready to go firewall/router solutions, which can help you protect
your network and get a router at the same time. If you go with this option, you may need to look at some type of high-speed
V.35 type serial interface so you can connect to the DSU/CSU, which will connect to the T-1.
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