>(1) Give me a whole picture what should us do to get connection from our
>LAN to the Internet? (step by step)
I've just gone through this, and there is WAY more to it than can be put in
a message here. Basically, find an Internet provider who will give you a
56K, 1/4 T1, ISDN, or whatever signal you can afford. A 56K will probably
be enough for 20 machines on a LAN.
There are lots of ways to do this. I chose to use a separate Internet
server machine, and BSDI's Internet Server software (see www.bsdi.com).
Novell now has Web Server software, but it's probably more expensive, and
may only do Web serving (?). You can use the BSDI machine as mail, ftp,
web, gopher, mail server with the provided software. Paid about $6k for
the PC used for this, including tape drive, 2 gig hd, and 64K RAM.
You'll need either an external router (like Cisco 2501) and CSU/DSU, or
you can use what I did -- a RisCOM N2/DDS (card that goes into the server
machine). Cost is $2,800 vs. $750 for the RisCOM.
>(2) More specifically, what hardware and software we have to purchase
>for such Internet connection.
>
>(3) We want to have a Web server of our own in order to get our school a
>Web home page. What software/hardware do we need for doing so?
>
>(4) We also want each station to be able to use Netscape browse the Web.
>What should we do for this?
Load TCPIP on the server and at the workstations. Novell has a free TCPIP
stack for the PC's (don't know about Mac's). I understand that WFWG 3.11
has similar, if you'll be working in Windows.
>(5) In order to use the ISDN line efficiently (we pay for it hour by hour
>no matter we use it or not), we plan to set up a dial-up service for
>accessing Internet after school. We do want give our own users SLIP or
>PPP access. How to do it? What software do we need?
We're doing this. We got a Digiboard 8-port serial card. It goes in the
Internet server, and the BSDI software supports this card and provides SLIP
and PPP connections through it.
>(6) We were told by the phone company that we have to look for an
>Internet connection/service provider for our Internet access. How can we
>do it? I have called around the city. Every online provider claims that
>they are the best online service provider in town. How can we compare
>the difference?
Have them quote prices for the various bandwidths that they can provide,
and try to get some idea as to how technically competant they are. This
is VERY complicated stuff.
Good luck!
Bill Gordon
Information Technology Services
Mesa County Valley School District #51
Grand Junction, Colorado
dist51@tripath.colosys.net