> > I stopped dealing with USR after my Total Control MP/16 modem racks
> > (analog).
>
> Then how do you know, Chad?
Perhaps that statement was a bit misleading. A better way of stating what
I meant is "I stopped putting USR units in production after my Total
Control MP/16 racks (analog)."
I have received eval units that I have tested (albeit briefly) and I was
not at all impressed with them. Your statement about modem connections is
indeed true, but I don't feel the port price justifies that gain.
I did have both units I was sent crash (in fact, the second was a
replacement for the first). I'm sure with some tweaking they would have
run fine, but as I stated I evaluated them briefly.
> USR customer support can be hard to get to, but the issues
> we've had with the TC's were solved *very* quickly and professionally.
> Their techs knew their units like the backs of their hands.
The same can be said for Livingston, although Livingston was much quicker
to get back to me than USR ever was. This may be an artifact of having an
evaluation unit, but I would think they would be just as eager to help a
potential customer than an existing one.
> Now, the USR TC feels really old... poor integration between
> the modules (PRI module, modem card modules, ISDN gateway module,
> NetServer module, ugg..), you have to have huge fans to keep the modems
> cool, etc etc...
This is my primary complaint. They feel a bit old and slightly cheap in
construction. The fact you have to purchase 5 modules to interface with
both authentication and the PRI/ISDN is very annoying.
> but don't dismiss the TC's as crappy products.
I am not dismissing them... They serve their function well. I am simply
stating the experiences I have had with them.
To be fair, I know several ISPs in this area (TexasNet included) that use
them with great success. I just don't prefer them.
Chad Scott | chad@txdirect.net
Systems Administrator | Voice 210-308-9800 x206
Internet Direct, Incorporated | FAX 210-308-9240
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