Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of Blinkr
BlinkrFlag for United States of America

asked on

Dialup office

I did something like this many years ago, but not recently. So I've come to the brain cache!!

I have a client that can only do dialup. Broadband has not reached them. What is a common &/or reliable way to connect them thru a dedicated phone number to the internet, keep the connection alive, & allow everyone to access it with disconnecting or messing up someone else already online. I use to use a modem & some software (AnalogX) to do this that kept the connection open most of the time.

I know that there have probably been some new software & hardware created that can do this better than what I use to use.

So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
Avatar of Rob Williams
Rob Williams
Flag of Canada image

There are a few ways to do it, but it can be a bit of a pain.
-You can enable modem sharing if you have a 2000 or NT server, I believe it has been eliminated with 2003.
-You can enable ICS (Internet Connection Sharing with Windows 2000/XP/2003
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;%5BLN%5D;310563
-Third party applications.

If you want to stay connected fine. But if you only want to connect on demand you will quickly discover how many of your applications try to connect to th Internet on a regular basis, primarily for updates.
Greetings Blinkr,
>> I use to use a modem & some software (AnalogX) to do this that kept the connection open most of the time.
That's the most proper way you can do, as far as i know.
Also, use one of those free softwares to keep you connection alive as much as possible, or tweak you registry as follow:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/813827
http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Network_and_Internet/Keep_Alive_Tools/

Good Luck!

Naser
Hello there,

Here are some suggestions that might help

http://info.theriver.com/support/dialup/connectionquality.html

Avatar of Blinkr

ASKER

Is it possible to use a router to share the connection & keep it alive?? Connect the modem to the router??

I would rather not use ICS since I don't know which computers will be on all of the time, & there is always a chance of spyware & virus' on the host system. I seems more reliable to do this thru a router of some sort if possible.
>>"Connect the modem to the router??"
I assume your router does not have telephone or RS232 ports, so no. However, there are some routers that do have an RS232 port that is designed to be connected to an external modem, and most often used as a fail over connection if the DSL connection fails.
SOLUTION
Avatar of x_X_x_X_x
x_X_x_X_x

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
Avatar of Blinkr

ASKER

Thanks, x_X_x_X_x!! This is what I use to do but you have it using the router. I may give this a try.

I'm sorry but the link took me to a SMC router that was not available. But I'm going to look into some of these with the backup dialup, like Rob suggested.

Thanks again!!
Here is one:
http://www.b2net.co.uk/multitech/multitech_routefinder_dialup_router.htm
I think US Robotics still have one as well. The SMC is one I am familiar with but as you found out no longer available.
Avatar of Blinkr

ASKER

Thanks Rob!!

I found the US Robotics USR8022 that, like the Multitech, has an serial port for an external modem. Which one would you choose?? I have used USR & Multitech stuff & it's a toss up for me. Has anyone had better luck with either????
I haven't used either of those, but have had great success with other product by both manufacturers. Couldn't say which is better. Try googling both with "review" in the search, see what you come up with.
Avatar of Blinkr

ASKER

Another question popped up last week at this client's office:
Are they going to have to sign up with an ISP if they go with the T1 connection?? If Verizon is servicing the T1, would they also provide them with internet access in such a way to take advantage of the multi-channeling & give them a decent bandwidth?? If not, could someone recommend a dialuip ISP that's reliable, easy to log into, & would possibly have the resources to handle several T1 channels calling in to increase bandwidth?? Just a little something to make the T1 a little more appealing.

Thanks for the truckload of info, guys!!!!
Chris, I think you  want your last comment in your other question;
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21835886/T1-setup-for-internet.html
Avatar of Blinkr

ASKER

Thanks Rob!! I think you are right on that. Sorry!!
Avatar of Blinkr

ASKER

I just received the Multitech dialup router & modem. I'm waiting to hear from the company that's giving an estimate on connecting the T1.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
Blinkr, did you end up getting your shared modem connection configured?
--Rob
Avatar of Blinkr

ASKER

No, not yet. I called a friend that works on phone systems. He is working on getting them a T1 line. It even looks like it may save them some money. The only problem maybe that the company that is setting up the T1 may not be able to configure the router stuff (the Cisco stuff that will allow them to connect to the internet). I don't have any skills with this stuff, so I maybe looking for someone to set it up.

Is it normal for the company that installs & sets up a T1 not to do anything to connect the client up to the internet?? He told me that they would host the connection & supply email accounts, but then he said that they didn't setup the internet connection. Does this sound weird to you??

Thanks!!
>>"Does this sound weird to you??"
Yes. The power company connects the power to your house, but won't hook up your stove  :-)
Here the installer has a sister company that does IT support, so they can arrange to have it configured for you.
--Rob
Sorry Blinkr, just noticed I said "yes" above. I think I was thinking Does this sound normal to you?, which, unfortunately it is.
I was curious as to what you would think of the dial-up routers. Oh well,  :-)  if going the T1 route I am sure you will be much happier with the performance.
If that is the case you should probably close this question.
Cheers !
--Rob
Avatar of Blinkr

ASKER

Will it hasn't happened yet, so if the price is too much for them, they still may want to connect via the modem & router. I would definitely lile to find someone that needs to do this. I'm as interested in how good it works as you are.

Thanks!!
If it goes that route let me know, I'd like to hear if those units work as well in practice as they do in theory. A fellow here in town told me about one a year ago that he had set up. He said it worked great but once a moth it would lock up and have to be powered off and on. I don't know what make it was.
Avatar of Blinkr

ASKER

It appears that this client is going with a T1 line (or partial T1). So I don't think I will get a chance to try the modem & dialup router combo. If anything changes I will post back to this question.

Thanks for all of the info people!! This has got to be THE best place to get help on the internet AND the best place to learn. I know I have learned alot hanging out here. I hope I get smart enough someday to help others like I've been helped here!!
Thanks Blinkr,
--Rob