router with backup modem???

Hi,
Have been challenged with implementing a anologue modem as a backup to
a medium sized Microsoft TCP/IP network. We have 5 servers (Win2K,
2k3), a Cisco 48 port 10/100 switch, Sonicwall Pro 230, and 40 XP
clients. We are in a small town where the ONLY internet access is
broadband cable - and it's slow and unreliable. I have been asked to
put a dial up modem in to provide "emergency" access to a select few so
they can continue to recieve critical emails. Installing individual
modems in each PC is not an option, and It must be brain dead for the
users to switch to, and back.
I see no way of getting a modem hooked up to the sonicwall, and I will
need to somehow feed the Cisco switch with internet access. I had
thought about a seperate router that has either a built in backup modem
or one that has a serial port that I can hang one off of. This does not
have to be automatic, just so that it can be plugged in and setup to
work in the event our cable modem is out at the C.O.
Can someone suggest any specific routers out there I can pick up to do
this for me? Or realy any sugestions for I way that I can do this?
Thanks so much for replying and helping me with my predicament in
advance!
Chris

skillz wrote:
> Hi,
> Have been challenged with implementing a anologue modem as a backup to
> a medium sized Microsoft TCP/IP network. We have 5 servers (Win2K,
> 2k3), a Cisco 48 port 10/100 switch, Sonicwall Pro 230, and 40 XP
> clients. We are in a small town where the ONLY internet access is
> broadband cable - and it's slow and unreliable. I have been asked to
> put a dial up modem in to provide "emergency" access to a select few so
> they can continue to recieve critical emails. Installing individual
> modems in each PC is not an option, and It must be brain dead for the
> users to switch to, and back.
> I see no way of getting a modem hooked up to the sonicwall, and I will
> need to somehow feed the Cisco switch with internet access. I had
> thought about a seperate router that has either a built in backup modem
> or one that has a serial port that I can hang one off of. This does not
> have to be automatic, just so that it can be plugged in and setup to
> work in the event our cable modem is out at the C.O.
> Can someone suggest any specific routers out there I can pick up to do
> this for me? Or realy any sugestions for I way that I can do this?
> Thanks so much for replying and helping me with my predicament in
> advance!
> Chris
>

Chris:

One router that has a serial port for a modem is the "SMC 7004ABR".

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/review.asp?pid=392

If you have an old 386 or better PC you could use "Freesco" the
free software router that will let you install several modems,
several NICs and acts as a configurable router.

http://www.freesco.org/

HTH & GL

John


--
\\\||///
------------------o000----(o)(o)----000o----------------
----------------------------()--------------------------
'' Madness takes its toll - Please have exact change. ''

John Dulak Gnomeway Services

Thanks for the reply John!
The routers you suggersted look like they would do the job nicely, but
both are out of production, and no one seems to stock them. Could you
suggest any newer models that have a com port for dial up modem? Or
even an integrated modem?
Thanks again,
Chris

skillz wrote:
> Thanks for the reply John!
> The routers you suggersted look like they would do the job nicely, but
> both are out of production, and no one seems to stock them. Could you
> suggest any newer models that have a com port for dial up modem? Or
> even an integrated modem?
> Thanks again,
> Chris
>

Skillz:

I suspect that no one actually manufactures NEW dial up routers
these days. Your best bet would be ebay.

My second suggestion was not for a piece of hardware but a piece
of free software that will make an old PC act like a router.
Freesco IS still available at the link I gave and can use modems,
NISs and just about anything else you can install on the PC.

HTH & GL

John



--
\\\||///
------------------o000----(o)(o)----000o----------------
----------------------------()--------------------------
'' Madness takes its toll - Please have exact change. ''

John Dulak Gnomeway Services

"skillz" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
> Hi,
> Have been challenged with implementing a anologue modem as a backup to
> a medium sized Microsoft TCP/IP network. We have 5 servers (Win2K,
> 2k3), a Cisco 48 port 10/100 switch, Sonicwall Pro 230, and 40 XP
> clients. We are in a small town where the ONLY internet access is
> broadband cable - and it's slow and unreliable. I have been asked to
> put a dial up modem in to provide "emergency" access to a select few so
> they can continue to recieve critical emails. Installing individual
> modems in each PC is not an option, and It must be brain dead for the
> users to switch to, and back.
> I see no way of getting a modem hooked up to the sonicwall, and I will
> need to somehow feed the Cisco switch with internet access. I had
> thought about a seperate router that has either a built in backup modem
> or one that has a serial port that I can hang one off of. This does not
> have to be automatic, just so that it can be plugged in and setup to
> work in the event our cable modem is out at the C.O.
> Can someone suggest any specific routers out there I can pick up to do
> this for me? Or realy any sugestions for I way that I can do this?
> Thanks so much for replying and helping me with my predicament in
> advance!
> Chris
>

Just a stupid Idea...

take an old pc, put a dialup modem in it, connect it to your network with
internet sharing and I am sure you can make it visable to only a few...

Let me know if this works for you.

KK