old modems & a packet switcher

From: Sam Ismail <dastar_at_ncal.verio.com>
Date: Sun Aug 2 19:33:40 1998

On Sun, 2 Aug 1998, William Donzelli wrote:

> I am not sure why classic networking stuff tends to be shunned like a
> rabid dog. Stuff from the 1970s is quite rare, but 1980s era stuff (CSUs,
> switches, etc.) tends to be around, and now quite available, now that T1s

I don't shun it. I think the problem is identifying just what the hell
all these random CSUs, modems, MUXes, etc. are. So even if you could
identify it, then what? Another problem is finding any documentation for
this stuff to put it back to good use. If you did know what you were
looking at (I can't even identify most of the communcations equipment out
there its so old) then maybe you'd have a chance. But your garden variety
collector/preservationist wouldn't know the first thing about the stuff.

> are becoming turtle highways. How about running a T1 line between the
> house and garage? With appropriate routing, its performance can be quite
> suprising.

That would be great. However, if the simplest ethernet (coax) is 10Mbps,
why settle for 1.544Mbps and the hassle to bring such a link online, not
to mention its interface limitations?

> Does anyone on this list have any classic networking stuff beyond
> ethernet/token thing cards?

I collect older datacom equipment such as modems when I find them, but
generally skip over the CSU/DSUs and MUXes as uninteresing. BTW, there is
a non-profit organization (musuem) that preserves old datacom equipment.
I wish I had the web page on hand, but they are located in Fallbrook,
California. I'm considering donating my AT&T Horizon key system to them.

Sam Alternate e-mail: dastar_at_siconic.com
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Received on Sun Aug 02 1998 - 19:33:40 BST

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