This was posted on the HomeMac list. Perhaps you guys will shine your light on this subject too? If you reply could you cc it to this address: Bryan Forbes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. Hello HomeMac members: Hoping to get some input and feedback before spending $ on a wireless/firewall setup. Currently, I'm on a 56K hookup ($14.95 mo.)... when finances allow I would like to upgrade to a local wireless/dish system that my ISP indicates will provide a T1 link into my home for about $50.00 a month. Pretty pricey, but it will eliminate the need for a 2nd phone line ... I've contacted the local cable company and they are going to be charging the same amount $50.00 and it probably won't be available til the end of the year. What I'm looking at is paying $600.00 as an upfront fee ($50.00 x 12 months) and for that you get your dish setup/installed and your 1st year of service is included. The ISP indicates it is normally a USB hookup, but when I indicated that I logging in with a Mac - he indicated that it might be better if I purchased a box that changes the signal to ethernet. To purchase this box is an additional $200.00 -- not sure of the manufacturer -- it looked like a homemade contraption (real solid looking with one card inside and an ethernet jack outside). Right off the bat it is $800.00 to get a T1 style connection into my house with an ethernet connection at the end. >From there I would like to make that connection wireless and have a firewall so I can move around and still connect using a Pizmo powerbook. My website host recommended the purchase of an Asant�'s FriendlyNET Wireless-Ready router (model FR3002AL). Currently, there is a sale listed on http://www.dealmac.com for one of these units at about $140.00 after rebate -- listed last Friday. I know I will have to drop wireless networking card into the Powerbook to finish off the network. I have a G3 B&W Tower( OS 9.1) & a Performa 6400( OS 8.6) at home (kids machine) - also an Asante Friendlynet 8+2 Ethernet Switch FS3208 to work with. My questions are: #1 Do I need this ethernet box that my ISP is hawking? If so can I buy it somewhere else at a lesser price than $200.00? #2 Anybody had experience with the Asante unit mentioned above ... will it be an adequate firewall ... since this will be a 24/7 connection? #3 How do the Asante wireless products perform versus the Airport setup that Apple is marketing? #4 Should I wait for the cable? Any experience with that ... cable co. is Mediacom. #5 Should I check into DSL instead? Haven't priced this with the local cable co, yet ... Although I'm a huge Mac fan - networking isn't my background - I'm more of an applications/OS type person. Any suggestions/experience that anyone has on the above would be greatly appreciated. If I've overlooked some aspect of this setup - please bring me up to speed on that as well. Many thanks ... will summarize. -- PCI-PowerMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | - Epson Stylus Color 740 Printers refurbished $79 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PCI-PowerMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/pci-powermacs.shtml> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive:<http://www.mail-archive.com/pci-powermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Macintosh? Get free email and more at Applelinks! <http://www.applelinks.com>
