About to move from ISDN to ADSL

Finally decided it's time to take the plunge and move from ISDN to ADSL
- Yes, I know, should have done it ages ago.

So maybe some of you here may be able to offer some advice for my
specific situation.

Firstly, I'm a small business (very small - it's just me) doing
software development and end user training. Email is run via Exchange
Server and I have 4 PC's, 1 running NT4 Server + Exchange 5.5 (to be
upgraded to 2000/2003 server + Exchange 200/2003 - haven't decided
which version yet), 1 running NT4 Workstation, 1 running 2000 Pro and a
notebook running XP. The first 3 will be on a wired network and I would
like to use a WiFi link for the Notebook.

I don't see speed as a major issue. My main requirement is for email,
some with attachments (mostly under 2Mb), plus news, surfing, a few
downloads and website maintenance. So 512k should be fast enough.

Last month total transfer was about 350Mb including News, Surfing and
Email. I'm realistic enough to accept that this figure won't be
representative when I've got a permanent connection, but I would think
2Gb should suffice.

OK, lets start with the hardware. After comments here and some web
sites, it seems that the Draytek Vigor range could be the router of
choice (since I neither want to pay the price nor start on the
learning curve required for a Cisco router). I was looking at the 2600G
as it will cover both the wired and wireless requirement. I know I
could probably get something with a similar spec for half the price of
the Vigor, but I prefer something I can just set up and leave. My Eicon
Diva ISDN T/A has been running for the past 5 years or so without a
hiccough, so I like the thought of reliability.

Two questions - I don't currently see myself using VoIP, but would it
be worth the extra 'just in case'; also I don't see much about Linksys
routers here. As they are a subsidiary of Cisco, one would think the
should be good, but anybody have any experience of them, or comments.

As far as the ISP goes, I need one who can supply a static IP and SMTP
mail in and out ('cos I'm using Exchange Server) and would also need
them to be able to hold mail in case my server went down (as it almost
certainly will at some point, even if it's only because the mains
supply fails).

I have been looking at the facilities of those that seem to get the
most support in this newsgroup and have narrowed it down to either
SOHO500 from Metronet or Teleworker Pro from PlusNet. In terms of my
anticipated use, I don't see that the capping talked about on the
PlusNet accounts being a problem, and in any case I can see some sort
of capping (or fair use policy if you prefer) being applied to all
carriers eventually, and lets face it, if my usage changes 20Gb/month
will allow me to download a whole music CD every day .

So, anybody get any comments they can pass on before I make my mind up
and spend my money.

--
Roger

On 09/02/2005 Roger Spencelayh wrote:

> OK, lets start with the hardware. After comments here and some web
> sites, it seems that the Draytek Vigor range could be the router of
> choice (since I neither want to pay the price nor start on the
> learning curve required for a Cisco router). I was looking at the
> 2600G as it will cover both the wired and wireless requirement. I
> know I could probably get something with a similar spec for half the
> price of the Vigor, but I prefer something I can just set up and
> leave. My Eicon Diva ISDN T/A has been running for the past 5 years
> or so without a hiccough, so I like the thought of reliability.
>
> Two questions - I don't currently see myself using VoIP, but would it
> be worth the extra 'just in case'; also I don't see much about
> Linksys routers here. As they are a subsidiary of Cisco, one would
> think the should be good, but anybody have any experience of them, or
> comments.


There has been some criticsm of the wireless performance of the 2600
(see thread up a bit), it put me off so I went for the Linksys WAG54G
and am pleased with it. No VOIP on the Linksys though.


--
Jeff Gaines
Posted with XanaNews 1.17.2.4

On Wed, 9 Feb 2005 22:15:56 UTC, Roger Spencelayh
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Finally decided it's time to take the plunge and move from ISDN to ADSL
> - Yes, I know, should have done it ages ago.
>
> So maybe some of you here may be able to offer some advice for my
> specific situation.
Look seriously at AAISP.

http://aa.nu

--
[Davism - a condition by which the sufferer experiences an inability
to give concise answers, express reasoned argument or opinion.
Usually accompanied by silly noises and gestures - incurable, early
euthanasia recommended.

In article <176uZD2KcidF-pn2-(E-Mail Removed)>, rde42
@spamcop.net, a.k.a Bob Eager says...

> Look seriously at AAISP.

Aren't they somewhat expensive Bob?

On Wed, 9 Feb 2005 23:00:12 UTC, Tx2 <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

> In article <176uZD2KcidF-pn2-(E-Mail Removed)>, rde42
> @spamcop.net, a.k.a Bob Eager says...
>
> > Look seriously at AAISP.
>
> Aren't they somewhat expensive Bob?

He's running a business. His requirements would be satisfied by the
2Mb/s service at 27.02 a month. I doubt that'll break the bank, and it
seems to provide static IPs and everything else he wants.

Anyway, I'm sure he can decide price-wise.
--
[Davism - a condition by which the sufferer experiences an inability
to give concise answers, express reasoned argument or opinion.
Usually accompanied by silly noises and gestures - incurable, early
euthanasia recommended.

Tx2 wrote:

> Bob Eager says...
>
>>Look seriously at AAISP.
>
> Aren't they somewhat expensive Bob?

I'm not personally an AA ADSL customer, though I have dealt with them
for other things, anyway I'd say if you want to migrate from ISDN to
PSTN+ADSL and don't want hitches along the way they are a strong
contender, you get what you pay for, if it's a business you shouldn't be
*too* penny pinching, you'll get what you pay for ...

"Tx2" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) t...
> In article <176uZD2KcidF-pn2-(E-Mail Removed)>, rde42
> @spamcop.net, a.k.a Bob Eager says...
>
>> Look seriously at AAISP.
>
> Aren't they somewhat expensive Bob?

For the service they provide they are cheap. IMO a business would be
mad to look elsewhere.

In article <176uZD2KcidF-pn2-(E-Mail Removed)>, rde42
@spamcop.net, a.k.a Bob Eager says...

> On Wed, 9 Feb 2005 23:00:12 UTC, Tx2 <(E-Mail Removed)>
> wrote:
>
> > Aren't they somewhat expensive Bob?
>
> He's running a business. His requirements would be satisfied by the
> 2Mb/s service at 27.02 a month. I doubt that'll break the bank, and it
> seems to provide static IPs and everything else he wants.

oh, is that all it is? I think i'd best another look as I was under the
impression it was considerably more than that - apologies for the
'misleading' post.

> Anyway, I'm sure he can decide price-wise

Of course ...

In article <420b183e$0$38046$(E-Mail Removed)>,
(E-Mail Removed)lid, a.k.a Alastair says...


> For the service they provide they are cheap. IMO a business would be
> mad to look elsewhere.


oK, large portion of pie eaten! I don't think i read the OP accurately
enough, i missed the business bit ....

i'm going to sulk now ;-)

On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 08:50:11 -0000, Tx2 <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>In article <420b183e$0$38046$(E-Mail Removed)>,
>(E-Mail Removed), a.k.a Alastair says...
>
>
>> For the service they provide they are cheap. IMO a business would be
>> mad to look elsewhere.
>
>
>oK, large portion of pie eaten! I don't think i read the OP accurately
>enough, i missed the business bit ....
>
>i'm going to sulk now ;-)

Choose an ISP that offers a managed connection and go for the Draytek range, looking carefully at
the options available. Get yourself a fixed IP to take full advantage of VPN. I have no first hand
experience of ISPs other than BT and Nildram but recent events have seen many of their users jumping
ship in favour of Zen. So check out what others have to say but IMHO those best avoided are BT, AOL,
PlusNet and Tesco.

However, think carefully about possible future use of the ISDN line. Maybe its use could be employed
as extra numbers on your switch or if that is at present an aging analogue piece of equipment, newer
switches have extensively more features if a digital service [ISDN] is used. If you do keep this
ISDN line, then your Broadband facility will need to be on a new line or piggy backed onto an
existing one, say, your fax or alarm line for example.

Incidentally with some ISPs it is a real pain to set up your email facilities if using your own
Domain name; check for potential problems before you sign up with your selected ISP.

David Bradley