IT Employment

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Using Modem & Not The INet As Connection

0 helpful
5 replies

by vbgen

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

i was wondering.. how can i connect 5 pcs located in different parts of a city through a modem, and not through the internet(i mean by chatting or something like it).

this is for a business deal i have to make.
isn't there another way aside fromconnecting to the internet?

5 replies

by ron vought

If you've been around like myself for a few years, you may recall the old BBS (bulletin board service). The only disadvantage to this is that multiple phones are required to handle all of the incoming traffic - one dedicated modem for each of your users. Your dedicated PC will need multiple COMM ports for each modem. Your phone company could easily set up a roll-over system to auto-forward to the next availaible line/modem. As this is not real cost effective, it leaves very little else to work with. Otherwise, you are left with INET to interconnect and Instant Messenger.

by vbgen

i'm sorry, but i'm quite new to this...
i understand that i might need several phone lines, and a modem for each line. what do you mean by multiple COMM ports? all i know is that a pc can handle more than one modem...

about the rollover thing...i would have to subscribe at my phone company? so that means that i won't have a problem with that in terms of programming?

thanks, by the way, for your response. i really appreciate it. =]

by ron vought

In the good old days before the internet became public, personal on-line BBS's were the fad. In our city, we had three of them. The system I belong to had four dedicate phones and four dedicated modems to each line. Typical PCs have maybe 2 communications (COMM) ports where external modems can be installed. A second internal PCI card which could handle two additional COMM ports would need to be installed to handle the additional modems. Special software would need to be purchased to handle the traffic, set up accounts, etc. From my understanding, this software is available. I have no idea of the cost. Are you sure you want to invest this kind of capitol? You may be required to sign a service contract for the roll-over service, let alone the cost of the PC, the OS and the software to run the service.

by vbgen

i can see by your post that you really think it's going to be costly...

so what other alternative would you recommend?

thank you so much for your responses.

by ron vought

Either way, an upfront investment in hardware, software and time will still come into play unless you use Instant Messaging over the Internet. ICQ networks, which is also over the INET allows you to converse with more than one person at a time through multiple open windows. It all depends what you personally are willing to spend. Otherwise, INET - everyone has it and has access to it, so why not use the most cost effective method. Take a look at ICQ. Go to their site and determine if this is what you want. The software you download from their site is free. Just make sure you set up your security parameters correctly. There is no cost to this service, and it's worldwide or across the street. I'm a firm believer in keeping your financial overhead down. That way, if things go sour, you're not out anything more than what you already have.Just block the account.

This discussion is closed to new replies.