ICS - Internet Speed in a LAN

Generic Question will be followed by generic answer...
If you're thinking
1)home network : then as many as you'd like. Just use routers that will support adding as many computers as you own. The router will be the limiting factor
2)cafe : internet cafe with returning customers... I'd say about 5 computers. If it's a gaming cafe I'll have to say 2 computers.
3)small biz : unless you'll have a dedicated lan administrator who'll monitor the net usage, this connection just won't cut it. It will not be sufficient to feed more than 5 or 6 computers with people browsing on the internet.

For an apartment complex where a lot of people will probably be downloading files (legally, of course!) I would be comfortable with 20 clients.

there is not really much control you can use except set the QOS packet scheduler of every client, by doing it every client has limit bandwidth reserveable. even when every client is downloading stuff at the same time they all will getting the fair bandwidth. :)

if you know what i am talking about

6 megabits per second down and 768 kilobits per second up...humm lets see download is approximately a couple of T1s but not near a T3. Uplink is about what a high end DSL line would be.

If your running a T1 and all they are doing is browsing the internet, couple 100 shouldn't tax it to much[depends on what other traffic you got going]. Now if their download Vids or music files thats another story.

here's the scoop
DS0 - 64 kilobits per second
ISDN - Two DS0 lines plus signaling (16 kilobytes per second), or 128 kilobits per second
T1 - 1.544 megabits per second (24 DS0 lines)
T3 - 43.232 megabits per second (28 T1s)
OC3 - 155 megabits per second (84 T1s)
OC12 - 622 megabits per second (4 OC3s)
OC48 - 2.5 gigabits per seconds (4 OC12s)
OC192 - 9.6 gigabits per second (4 OC48s)

http://www.bandwidthplace.com/speedtest/about/tech.php?a=types

Should give you an idea about different types of connections. You mention an apartment complex, but how many computers will be housed in them? It mostly depends on the number of computers. And if many different people are going to use this connection, remember to get them into a fair share policy. Otherwise you'll face headaches that you don't want to face.

matthew short and clear don't go beyond 15 SIMULTANEOUS users .

I think it truly depends on the situation... Is this for home use, Small Business, Medium Business, Home Office??? What kinds of things are going to be going over the connection - email, internet surfing, Streaming audio/video, P2P (like KaZaa), Downloading/uploading of large files?? If your activity is fairly light, then you should be able to put 10-12 on the connection. If the activity is heavy then 2 maybe 3. Hope that helps.

why don't you put on a fake moustache and glasses and ask this question of sales in your satelite provider. i am teasing but serious.
or pretend you have question and see if you can get second level router support or something and slip this in...
you can't get dsl?
i am uneasy with so many folks sharing the dial up line.
ohh, as i say that i realize, you'll need to set up a web proxy server. maybe a free one, is it squid? i can never remember the names. i bet that is a good place to ask these questions maybe over at www.linuxrouterproject.org
good luck

why don't you put on a fake moustache and glasses and ask this question of sales in your satelite provider. i am teasing but serious.
or pretend you have question and see if you can get second level router support or something and slip this in...
you can't get dsl?
i am uneasy with so many folks sharing the dial up line.
ohh, as i say that i realize, you'll need to set up a web proxy server. maybe a free one, is it squid? i can never remember the names. i bet that is a good place to ask these questions maybe over at www.linuxrouterproject.org
good luck

Does TMW know what you are trying to do ? (aka small business). You are rapidly closing in on a small business enterprise. If you are the apartment owner/manager, you can get a rate from the ISP but you need a license ! If not and you are not registered as a small business, the fines SUCK ! (all aspects Federal, State, and Local)

Need to investigate where you are headed and what you want to accomplish, before proceeding !

If it is random internet activity, and I mean email, casual browsing, a download every now and then.

I have put 30 computers on a 1.5 dsl line.

But one person, and I mean one starts streaming like listening to music online or downloading that new cd and he will dominate the network.

There is a way around this though. Get a router that has bandwidth management.

That way someone that just has to hear WDIA out of Memphis won't bring your network to its knees.

Lee