[ale] Huge number of PPP connections

[Joe Knapka]

Hi, Ron,

I don't know if I *want* to talk to a hundred serial
ports, but that's what the system we're replacing
talks to. Would an Ascend with 4 PRI interfaces (I
have no idea what that means BTW) let us do that?
The modems already exist and are being maintained by
the client, who is also paying for the leased lines;
we have no alternative but to use them, by contractual
requirement.

The preference for a single server is because we need
to install stuff in an existing equipment rack that's
already quite cramped. We may be able to shuffle
things around a bit though.

Regards,

-- Joe

Ron Burton wrote:
> 
>     Are you sure you want serial port access from the server?   Perhaps
> a Ascend with 4 PRI interfaces would be more of what your looking
> for.    Just the sheer expense and maintenance of 128 modems would seem
> overwhelming.  This would make the OS more or less a side issue.   But
> for the record I wouldn't suggest 128 simultaneous connections on one
> Linux Server, especially a PC based one.   Given the cheap cost of
> hardware why not use 2 or 4 smaller servers running Linux?
> 
> Joe Knapka wrote:
> 
> > Hey, folks,
> >
> > A co-worker of mine is working on a project where he needs
> > to talk to a large number (hundreds) of remote field
> > devices over leased lines using PPP. He's wondering if Linux
> > would be an appropriate platform for a communication server.
> > The bandwidth requirements are low (probably 9600 bps
> > per channel), but the comms server *can't crash* - so he's
> > thinking that NT is right out. Normally we'd do this kind
> > of thing with VME boards running VxWorks, but there are
> > legacy/monetary issues involved here that preclude such
> > a solution.

> > -- Joe Knapka
> > * I speak only for myself, not for these idiots:
> > * The Software Monastery - "Better Software Through Divine
> > * Intervention." Source-code prayer vigils available - nominal
> > * donation $0.01/LOC. http://whyme.penguinpowered.com/monastery.html
> 
> --
> Thank You
> Ron Burton
> Head of Technical Services
> Linux General Store
> (404)881-8090
> ron at linuxgeneral.net

-- Joe Knapka
* I speak only for myself, not for these idiots:
* The Software Monastery - "Better Software Through Divine
* Intervention." Source-code prayer vigils available - nominal
* donation $0.01/LOC. http://whyme.penguinpowered.com/monastery.html