[1012] in linux-net channel archive
Linux and 56K
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (lhill@cs.uml.edu)
Tue Aug 29 20:10:23 1995
To: linux-net@vger.rutgers.edu
Date: Tue, 29 Aug 1995 08:33:08 -0400
From: lhill@cs.uml.edu
Thanks to all the folks who responded. At the moment, it seems that
there is some support for Linux using sync cards (i.e. 56k to T1), but
I only got one response that was actually using one in a Linux box.
The Net-2 HOWTO notes two V.35 boards (as well as some ISDN boards):
SDL N2, and Internet Technologies XNET-1. One of the responses
contains a more detailed blurb about the SDL board, and one of the
responses is from the author of a new driver for a Sangoma Frame Relay
board. One of the respondents mentions a board is available from
Emerging Technologies, but it may only have BSDI driver.
The text of the responses is below.
Les Hill | I am waiting for the Information
leh@world.std.com <== Preferred address | Country Lane to pass by my house.
=====original message=====
Hi folks,
The company I work for is moving our 56k Internet connection off of a
'relatively' expensive router and onto something else (we need the
router elsewhere.) In an attempt to save a LOT of money, I suggested
a box running Linux. From looking in all the usual places, I see *no*
support for this. Is this true? If support for 56k (or higher :) is
available, pointers to the appropriate drivers/hardware/software would
be appreciated.
=====responses=====
You can use 56k frame relay, the latest NET-2 howto also list a couple
sources for v.35 cards.
Peter
"Say, O followers of the Son! | peter@daystar.org DAYSTAR BBS
=====
I am not sure about 56K support for linux. It probably exists. I have
two linux boxes and my router runs under ka9q(I have a 56K Frame relay
connection). It is cheap and reliable. If you want more info, send me mail.
David Ray
davidr@terrestrial.com
=====
From: Arnt Gulbrandsen <agulbra@troll.no>
There is some support, but it's not production grade as far as I know.
Some people use it, but there's a difference between what you can do
with a wizard nearby and without.
People will doubtless direct you to suitable drivers, I think there
are two, but they may not be suitable for your environment.
--Arnt
=====
From: Jim Shankland <jas@flyingfox.COM>
I'd be interested in hearing what you find out. Here's what I know:
BSDI has support for one brand of sync card, capable of up to T1
speeds. See http://www.bsdi.com, or call them and ask. I also have
the following blurb from a vendor:
> Emerging Technologies has 2 such cards. The ET/5025-T1 (56k -
> T1) ($795.) and the ET/5025-16 T1 (56k - 10Mbs) ($1095) with
> second T1 port option. V.35 interface for both.
> Emerging Technologies, Inc.
> (516) 271-4525
Don't know about a Linux driver for that one.
To take another tack, I've heard that there are 56K CSU/DSU's that
will do async output, hence should work fine with a high-speed
async port.
It's a bit frustrating. Sync isn't *that* hard, yet cards are expensive
and drivers are scarce. If nothing better comes up, I'll be tackling
a driver for some card within a year. It's contingent on finding
a card that will do T1 speeds, is reasonably priced and reliable,
and for which programming information is freely available from the
vendor.
Jim Shankland
Flying Fox Computer Systems, Inc.
=====
From: lilo <TaRDiS@mail.utexas.edu>
Any connection which provides an ethernet cable should work just fine.
Several ISDN cards are supported to one degree or another. Linux supports
all the standard routing and DNS stuff....
lilo
=====
Linux will work quite well as a router. You will need to create a
version of the kernel with CONFIG_IP_FORWARD enabled.
The main problem that you may run into is Linux has no support for synchronous
serial ports. Or at least when I was looking I had trouble finding a serial
port card that could run synchrounous and had Linux drivers. It is most
likely that your 56K line is running synchronous.
Alvin Starr || voice: (905)513-6717
alvin@eyepoint.com ||
=====
From: Terry Dawson <terryd@extro.ucc.su.OZ.AU>
The NET-2-HOWTO has some information relating to some V.35 cards
that are suitable for the purpose.
sunsite.unc.edu:/pub/Linux/docs/howto/NET-2-HOWTO
regards
Terry
=====
I am not sure about 56K support for linux. It probably exists. I have
two linux boxes and my router runs under ka9q(I have a 56K Frame relay
connection). It is cheap and reliable. If you want more info, send me mail.
David Ray
davidr@terrestrial.com
=====
Most routers and isdn bridges I have seen are hooked to the local
net using 10baseT ethernet. To interface this from a Linux box, no
special hardware is needed, beside a ethernet adaptor. I know quite
a few place running linux as a gateway to net net hooked this way.
I have mostly played with Cisco and Gandalf equipement.
Jacques Gelinas (jacques@solucorp.qc.ca)
=====
Imatek makes an on-ramp series router that acts as a CSU/DSU and router
in one box, I believe we paid around $700 for ours and we haven't had a
problem at all with it. I don't have their number on me but they do have
a web page, just go to webcrawler and search for imatek onramp and it
should bring 'em up.
-E.J. Wilburn
ej@woodtech.com
=====
I've got a Linux server sitting right here attached to a 56K that has
pretty much worked "right out of the box", I've also had personal
experience with Linux off of a fractional T1 and know of a couple of
examples of it off a full T1 and a T3...
You shouldn't need any additional drivers of configuration -- if it's
networkable over ethernet then it's networkable over a slip/ppp, 56K,
etc...
Most Sincerely,
Jeffrey Paris J Saylor - SysAdmin
jsaylor@tecnet.com
=====
Please do post the stuff. I work for a cash strapped school that could
do with a similar setup.
Regards
Rafa
rafa@cas.crc.edu.ph Fax: 634-2816
=====
here is some information I received from RISCom pertaining to Linux and
56k boards.
doughty@cis.nmclites.edu
doughty@nmc1.nmclites.edu
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 17 Jul 95 17:04:36 EDT
From: Sales Department <sdl@ici.net>
Subject: Linux Driver Update from SDL
Hello again,
The release date for the first version of our Linux driver for the
RISCom/N2 is this Friday (7/21/95). The drivers will be placed in our
ftp site:
ftp://ftp.sdlcomm.com/business/sdlcomm/linux
The first driver to be released will support the RISCom/N2 board - both
one and two port versions. We will release support for the rest of the N2
family in the future. If you would like information on the RISCom/N2,
please have a look at our web site:
http://www.ici.net/cust_pages/sdl/sdl.html
Ordering Information
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We accept Mastercard, Visa or C.O.D (wire transfer for international
customers). When ordering a RISCom/N2, please specify 1 or 2 port
versions. You must also specify the interface required (i.e. V.35,
X.21).
International customers who wish to purchase our products may send us
an order via email, or fax. We will then fax you a pro-forma invoice.
Once you have faxed us the wire-transfer receipt (supplied by your bank),
we will ship product to you.
The special prices for Linux users are as follows:
RUSCom/N2s (single port) - $640
RISCom/N2d (dual port) - $820
(Please note that I will be looking for international distributors to
sell the RISCom/N2 - another level of pricing will be available to
those wishing to become distributors).
Please contact me if you have any queries. I will send a short reminder
to you when the driver becomes available.
Best regards,
Rubin Dhillon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SDL Communications Inc. | E X P E R T S I N
46 Eastman Street |
Easton, MA 02334-1303 | H I G H P E R F O R M A N C E
ph: (508) 238 4490 |
fax: (508) 238 5294 or 1053 | C O M M U N I C A T I O N S
email: sales@sdlcomm.com |
www.ici.net/cust_pages/sdl/sdl.html | A D A P T E R S
=====
SDL has beta support for HDLC serial cards.
Also:
========================================================================
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.frame-relay,comp.os.linux.networking,utah.linux,utah.general,utah.misc,linux.dev.net,alt.fan.freenet
Followup-To: comp.os.linux.networking
Organization: Sovereign Software R & D
Subject: Pre-alpha Frame Relay driver available for Linux
Keywords: Linux Frame-Relay
A pre-alpha Linux Frame Relay driver is available for the
Sangoma S502 Frame Relay card (a Z80 co-processed ISA card)
via ftp://ftp.sovereign.org/pub/wan/fr/s502fr.tgz
or ftp://www.caldera.com/pub/wan/fr/s502fr.tgz
(see http://www.sovereign.org/ for current info).
The intent is to provide a low-cost Internet access system/gateway.
The Web site mentioned above describes how to use Linux running
on a commodity PC with an inexpensive Frame Relay card and CSU/DSU
to achieve this end. The system can be used simultaneously
for other useful work.
The hardware (card and CSU/DSU) costs ~$600-$700, and in Utah
the Frame Relay connection cost $375 to install + $80.04/month
(within the state, FR costs are not time/distance sensitive,
unlike ISDN or leased-line). Internet costs depend on your
provider (I connect through work, 45 miles away).
Possible uses:
Telecommuting
Small ISPs
Education (k12, home, distance learning)
Business (Home or small/medium)
Distributed collaborative projects
Virtual organizations
Remote consulting
The driver (while still immature) is sufficiently usable
on a 386DX/40 for me to run Usenet News (INN, small feed),
e-mail, an FTP site, a Web-site, a Web browser, and remote
access to work (via X).
Questions, comments, e-mail (after 8/23) to
jfree@sovereign.org
Jim Freeman
http://www.sovereign.org/
=====end of responses=====
