Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2000 23:19:08 -0500 (EST) From: BCPL.NET SysAdmin To: BCPL.NET News Subject: BCPL.NET NEWS: Modems -------------------- MODEM POOL EXPANSION -------------------- Since mid December it has been getting increasingly difficult to get connected to BCPL.NET during peak business hours without running into busy signals. The solution is to enlarge our modem pool, and we are in the process of doing that. In the past we have been able to add modems fairly quickly in response to demand, but this time around we were delayed by two things that weren't entirely within our control. The first was a new purchasing procedure required by Baltimore County, which becomes increasingly complex as the purchase price increases. This caused us some confusion, but we have finally figured out how to deal with it, I hope. The second was the fact that Cisco Systems discontinued their AS5200 access server, the model we have been using for several years. After looking at all the possibilities we decided to go with the Cisco AS5300. The AS5300 has a larger form factor and higher modem density than the old AS5200, but is otherwise very similar. We won't have to learn a whole new operating system and configuration language, as we would if we chose a different manufacturer's access servers. Today I placed an order for a Cisco AS5300 access server with 96 modems, and for the four PRI lines (multi-channel digital phone lines) needed to support it. If all goes according to schedule the new modems will be on line by about the third week of February. That should take care of the busy signal problem for a few months. By the time we need even more modems (probably late Spring), we expect to have a contract in place that will allow us to purchase additional AS5300s and other Cisco networking equipment without having to go through too much red tape. Thank you all for bearing with us through the busy signal crisis. We know it hasn't been pleasant for you, nor has it been for us. We may be one of the cheapest ISPs in town, but that doesn't mean we enjoy seeing the quality of our service degrade. BCPL.NET INTERNET SERVICES CONTACTS: ----------------------------------- Administration & Policy: ispadmin@bcpl.net 410-887-6180 Sales, Renewals, Account Status: accounts@bcpl.net 410-887-4172 Technical Support (Help Desk): help@bcpl.net 410-887-3297 Usenet News Newsgroup Requests news-admin@bcpl.net 410-887-6180 E-Mail & Newsgroup Abuse Reports: abuse@bcpl.net 410-887-6180 FAX: 410-887-2091 Help Pages: http://www.bcpl.net/help.html (or enter "help" at the UNIX shell prompt) System News Archives: http://www.bcpl.net/sysnews.html (or enter "sysnews" at the UNIX shell prompt)