> Wow.. I think I'll add my comments for kicks, whoever wrote this had no
> clue. Funny stuff and I feel like complaining :)
[snip]
> > Reliability Issues
> > System reliability is clearly an issue. First, Livingston does not test
> > to or support Bellcore's NEBS (Network Equipment Building System)
> > requirements. NEBS criteria are used to evaluate a product's physical
> > characteristics, and its ability to operate as intended under electrical
> > and physical environmental stresses, such as electromagnetic
> > interference, high and low temperatures, earthquake, and vibration
> > conditions. It is also used to assure that equipment does not pose a
> > threat to service or personnel, via analyses for fire resistance,
> > electrical safety and grounding. These standards are most relevant to
> > the telcos, but their fundamentals are of benefit to all customers by
> > ensuring improved safety and reliability.
>
> Heheh... Like I want my PM3 operating when there is an earthquake
> happening.
I can't think of any component in a PM3 that would fail in an earthquake,
especially if rack-mounted in a sturdy rack.
On another note, if you require resistance to "high and low temperatures"
and "fire resistance" in your operations center, you should be buying an
A/C-Heat Pump and a Halon supression system, not a PM3 (or a TC for that
matter).
[snip]
> > Also, the PortMaster 3 does not support power supply redundancy nor can
> > it support gateway redundancy; instead they rely on a single power unit
> > and a single gateway respectively. In short, the PortMaster 3 is open to
> > single points of failure. While they admonish the system's ability to
> > re-route modem traffic from a bad modem port to avoid failure, they fail
> > to provide that reliability at a system level. In contrast, the Total
> > Control Hub is modular in design and can thereby be configured to
> > support system redundancies and thereby eliminate single points of
> > failure.
>
> Redundant power supplies are RARELY needed since Livingston uses high
> quality ones in the first place instead of two ("redundant") low quality
> ones.
You can also get a PM3 with a -48VDC terminal on the back for connection
to telco-quality battery backup systems. Looking at the datasheet on the
TC, you don't have the same option from USR.
[snip]
> > channel support to only 24 modems instead of 48 modems. In the Total
> > Control Hub, frame relay is supported via a dedicated 1.024Mbps V.35
> > interface, preserving chassis capacity.
>
> Wait, is this a router or a terminal server? The second one. No WAN
> capabilities needed at all IMHO.
Good point. I would much rather put my high-speed frame-relay customers
on a Bay Networks or Cisco router than on my TC rack.
[snip]
> > No EdgeServer
> > The ability of the PortMaster 3 to support Level II EdgeServer
> > capabilities is also lacking. This is an issue for corporate customers
> > or service providers who support an NT operating environment and are
> > looking to integrate RAS capabilities.
>
> What is this?
USR's PC on a card. Basically, you plug in the EdgeServer and you can run
NT (or even BSDI, I believe, now) on the same box as the modems. Seems a
little silly, but I'm sure it's useful to someone.
Chad Scott | chad@txdirect.net
Systems Administrator | Voice 210-308-9800 x206
Internet Direct, Incorporated | FAX 210-308-9240
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