Re: Mac/Internet/phones etc

Stephen E. Collins (edtech@sec.micro.umn.edu)
Fri, 3 Nov 1995 23:53:04 EST

> Our school has received a grant to purchase a small Mac lab to be placed
> in our media center. The intent is to connect the 8 machines (PowerPC's)
> to the net through a local service provider. Would it be better to bring
> eight individual phone lines in to support this access or to investigate
> bringing in a special line a use a internet/network router to provide access.
> Right now ther is mony budgeted to bring in eight lines and pay for
> service plus access for the year. What can we do to best maximize our money?
> The multiple phone lines seem to be a waste of resources...it seems like
> a special line isdn?? or 52k?? might do the jobe better and cheaper.
> Any ideas???

Your instincts are good. Spending money on phone lines is a dead-end
proposition, providing access that is harder to use, slower, less reliable,
and probably more expensive than a direct connection.

However, the best solution for your particular site would be hard
for anyone on the net to determine. You should probably find local
expertise to help. Try your local Internet service provider, check
with area universities and businesses to see what they do, and contact
your phone company and cable provider.

For a basic explanation of what is involved, please visit the
Web66 Network Construction Set: <URL:http://web66.coled.umn.edu/>

<a href="http://Web66.coled.umn.edu/WebMaster.html">Stephen E. Collins</a>
University of Minnesota Fax: (612) 625-6817 sec@web66.coled.umn.edu

The biggest danger to children on the Internet is FEAR MONGERS.