http://www.iia.org/IOS.map/dedicated.html (PC Press Internet CD, 03/1996)If you're reading this, you've probably already thought about a dedicated connection to the Internet. Your company badly needs more bandwidth, and you know it. You may be a corporate network manager, or an executive - it doesn't matter. You're wise enough to see that Internet means more money for your firm. IOS is pleased to offer several connectivity options.
Let's start with 56kbps links. That speed seemed very fast 20 years
ago, when Internet was taking its first steps, and it's still in use
today. But this type of link suffers from limited bandwidth, and is best
used for non-graphic applications such as e-mail, telnet, gopher, and SQL
server access. Applications which transfer more data may suffer from
delays over a 56kbps link.A 56kbps link requires a CSU/DSU to terminate the wire loop from the telephone company, and equipment to handle routing, whether it be a computer or a dedicated router. We provide several equipment packages to our customers at discounted prices, and all prices are negotiable. The units we offer include the T1-ready Cisco 2500 and Livingston Portmaster IRX routers, the Kentrox 7822 T1 CSU/DSU, and the BAT 56kbps CSU/DSU.
Setup costs start at $3000 for a Livingston router and BAT CSU/DSU, or $3600 for a Cisco router and BAT CSU/DSU. Portal cost is $350 per month, and all hardware is preconfigured by our network technicians.
The next type of connection we offer is a T1 link. This uses a digital
carrier to transmit data at 1.544Mbps. T1 connections make up most of the
Internet. Yes, the backbones run at higher speeds - T3 or even faster -
but most of the connections in the US are T1. This type of connection
provides excellent throughput for small and medium companies. You can
easily run simultaneous connections from hundreds of computers to Internet
over a single T1, without noticing any delay. The T1's speed makes it
ideal for WorldWideWeb servers and other services which require large
amounts of data and images to be transmitted.The equipment requirements are similar to those for 56kbps connections, except that a T1 CSU/DSU is necessary. Set-up prices start at $4000, and the monthly portal cost is $1000.
We also offer Frame Relay connections. Unlike traditional
56kbps and T1 connections, Frame Relay connections offer a Committed
Information Rate, which is a guaranteed rate of transmission. With
appropriate hardware, you can start out at a reasonably slow and
inexpensive connection, and upgrade to faster connections as necessary
without requiring further installations. Many T1 customers make use of
frame relay connections. The only price difference between a Frame Relay
connection and a traditional connection of the same speed is the cost of
the circuit.
After you choose a connectivity method, the IOS technical staff will work closely with you to make an analysis of your existing network, if any, or to help you plan your future network. We'll install all the necessary hardware, and also order circuits, configure hardware, and provide 24-hour pager support. We'll also register your C-class Internet domain, providing up to 255 individual machine addresses, and provide routing and Domain Name Service facilities.
Since you'll want to protect your valuable corporate data against being stolen or manipulated by malicious persons, all the routers we provide include support for "firewall" mechanisms. These network security programs allow you to limit access to your network, so that potential outside intruders are kept out while your employees and clients enjoy normal access, without degrading performance or compromising security.
We offer dedicated link contracts ranging from 1 year to 3 years, with significant discounts for long-term contracts. Please contact us using fax or telephone, or send electronic mail to connect@ios.com for more information.
Thank you.