On Sun, 24 Jan 1999, Ray Olszewski wrote:
> 1. Even if you find a way to run cable, remember that 10Base-T Ethernet has
> a 100-meter (330-foot) limitation on cable length. This isn't usually a
> problem on LANs, but "down the street" can easily exceed this distance. In
> any case, if you have to cross a street to get there, I doubt you will come
> up with a cable-based solution.
>
Very true, but if you can put a server in the middle you maybe more likely
to be able to get the cable to reach. Also consider the fact that anyone
living in between may not be too happy about this. I have hung BNC cable
from street light at 5am before now, but it is not to be recommended.
> 2. There are radio systems that might work, if you have a clear line of
> sight to your friend. I don't recall the details -- last time I looked at
> this stuff was about 4 years ago -- but I do recall they weren't cheap (in
> our case, they weren't cheaper than trenching for cable, itself an expensive
> proposition). Perhaps someone else on the list is current on this stuff?
>
AFAIK they are still not cheap, and they are also very low bandwidth. I'm
no expert on this either. Microwave links don't need line of sight, but
they are ridiculously expensive for what you are trying to do.
> 3. The cheapest option might well be for each of you to get a dedicated
> phone line and use them to maintain a 24/7 modem connection. Don't know your
> local phone costs, but around here, umlimited-local-calling residential
> lines go for $15/month and messge-unit ones for about $12, for a total cost
> of $310 per year for 2 lines (one of each kind). Add in the modems and you
> have a first-year cost of around $400-450. This may be more than you wanted
> to spend, but I'll be (pleasantly) surprised if you find any solution that
> is cheaper.
>
Infa-red links maybe a possibility if you have line-of-sight, but I don't
know much about this.
I'd be interested to know what you come up with as I may well have a
similar problem soon.
--
Mike <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Is your job running? You'd better go catch it!
