Comment What do you Need to Start an ISP (Score 1) 45
There are many things to take into account when starting an ISP, (OS, CPUs, Servers, Security)
Ask yourself a few questions:
1) Do I Really Want To Start An ISP?
- Believe it or not there are many people who started one because someone else started one or to compete with some big company.
2) What Services Will I Offer?
- You should start out with hosting web sites and providing *nix shells, but that's up to you.
3) If I'm Doing Dialup Services, Will I Be Providing Access/Connections?
- It's okay to have the modems on your side of the connection but if you are starting out with T-1, pick a resale program from UUnet or PSInet (I can't remember any other ISP's with this option) that allows you to advertise dialup connectivity but customers are really accessing these other providers equipment. Examples include EarthLink (which uses PSInet and UUnet), Microsoft Network (which uses UUnet), etc.
4) What Operating System Should I Use?
- Use whatever operating system provides you with less heart attacks and much flexibility. If you are familiar with Windows use Windows NT, Unix use Linux or FreeBSD, etc. Every OS has their individual ups and downs.
5) What Eauipment Will I Need?
- If you are getting a high speed serial line like a T-1, start off with a Cisco 2501 Router, it has 2 ports to accomadate 2 T-1's and you can expand from there. If you are getting a dedicated ISDN line start with a Bay Networks NetGear RT328 Router, it accomodates the ISDN port and the Ethernet interface required to tie it into your LAN. You can choose modems from reliable manafacturers such as Hayes, 3Com, Diamond Multimedia, etc. (You won't need a voice modem for dialup services). If you don't want a group of individual modems get a modem bank from 3Com, its called the 3Com NetServer and it comes in 8 or 16-port configurations with optional ISDN and management capabilities. My personal choice is the Cisco 38xx Access Server Series, which have 4 module ports for easy adding of network modules such as the 30-port 56K v.90 module (1 Card!) and the PPP Compression module (your customers will experience faster rates if their software supports it), with room for expansion to 120 56K V.90 Modems in a single rack space unit.
6) What Machines Will I Need?
- You will need a domain name server for translating host addresses into IP address and vice versa. Maybe a PPP server depending on the hardware installed on your site. A web server for people to visit your site through browsers and for customers to receive quick help to their problems. A mail server is required for users to effectively send and receive e-mail, and a shell server if you resell *nix shells.
That's all for now...
Omachonu Ogali
E-Mail: omachonu.ogali@softhome.net
IRC: EFnet (irc.efnet.net) Channel #sk1llz
missnglnk@efnet
Ask yourself a few questions:
1) Do I Really Want To Start An ISP?
- Believe it or not there are many people who started one because someone else started one or to compete with some big company.
2) What Services Will I Offer?
- You should start out with hosting web sites and providing *nix shells, but that's up to you.
3) If I'm Doing Dialup Services, Will I Be Providing Access/Connections?
- It's okay to have the modems on your side of the connection but if you are starting out with T-1, pick a resale program from UUnet or PSInet (I can't remember any other ISP's with this option) that allows you to advertise dialup connectivity but customers are really accessing these other providers equipment. Examples include EarthLink (which uses PSInet and UUnet), Microsoft Network (which uses UUnet), etc.
4) What Operating System Should I Use?
- Use whatever operating system provides you with less heart attacks and much flexibility. If you are familiar with Windows use Windows NT, Unix use Linux or FreeBSD, etc. Every OS has their individual ups and downs.
5) What Eauipment Will I Need?
- If you are getting a high speed serial line like a T-1, start off with a Cisco 2501 Router, it has 2 ports to accomadate 2 T-1's and you can expand from there. If you are getting a dedicated ISDN line start with a Bay Networks NetGear RT328 Router, it accomodates the ISDN port and the Ethernet interface required to tie it into your LAN. You can choose modems from reliable manafacturers such as Hayes, 3Com, Diamond Multimedia, etc. (You won't need a voice modem for dialup services). If you don't want a group of individual modems get a modem bank from 3Com, its called the 3Com NetServer and it comes in 8 or 16-port configurations with optional ISDN and management capabilities. My personal choice is the Cisco 38xx Access Server Series, which have 4 module ports for easy adding of network modules such as the 30-port 56K v.90 module (1 Card!) and the PPP Compression module (your customers will experience faster rates if their software supports it), with room for expansion to 120 56K V.90 Modems in a single rack space unit.
6) What Machines Will I Need?
- You will need a domain name server for translating host addresses into IP address and vice versa. Maybe a PPP server depending on the hardware installed on your site. A web server for people to visit your site through browsers and for customers to receive quick help to their problems. A mail server is required for users to effectively send and receive e-mail, and a shell server if you resell *nix shells.
That's all for now...
Omachonu Ogali
E-Mail: omachonu.ogali@softhome.net
IRC: EFnet (irc.efnet.net) Channel #sk1llz
missnglnk@efnet
