Info needed on setting up dial-up

[suzreid]

I've been asked by the boss to try and get some info on setting up dial-up services to our network. Never have been involved with networking stuff before I'm finding it a bit of a struggle so forgive me if I'm asking stupid questions.

We are looking to have 2 users dialling in at one time with the prospect of up to 10 users at one time.

Will we have to invest in up to 10 phone lines and 10 modems to give all the users access? Is there any way of cutting down the amount of hardware etc needed to do this?

Suz

 

[mrwizard911]

You could use a produce from 3Com called winport
It will share a modem so that only one modems is needed and each user can call out.
As you need more modems you can put them in a pool

The type of system you are calling into will make a big differace as to the rest of the answers.

 

[dilettante]

This may not help, but these days most people don't both offering dial-in access and instead try to have the outsiders come in over the Internet.

You'll have security issues, need some kind of a firewall, etc. maybe even need security tokens to get the security you need.

A lot depends on your OS, your applications, your user base, and your security requirements.

But if you want dial-ins you can put a stand-alone access server on your network, or add a multimodem card(s) to a server. You WILL need multiple lines unless you need a lot (near 24 and up) and then there are other options. If you want to support 10 you may even be better off with the 24-channel option using T1 type lines. Before deciding anything you'll need to talk to your phone people, or your local telco business office.

I think your best bet is a small-office firewall and a T1 to the Internet, but you might get by with ISDN too. Then have your users get their own ISP accounts, or if it is for your own staff get a deal on dial access from the same ISP on the other end of that T1 or ISDN line.

Once again, your actual applications will dictate some of what you can do though.

Luck!