Re: Starband && OpenBSD

[hostmaster@ntnation.com]

The new models (new, as in shipping last October/November) are all dual
USB and Ethernet, and the Ethernet connection is, according to the docs
Starband supplies, the preferred method of connecting (for obvious
reasons).
 
The new models are the 360s... the old ones are the 180s (which had the
USB bridge in them, but no ethernet).
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Stephane Matis [mailto:smatis@hyperchip.com] 
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2002 2:38 PM
To: 'hostmaster@ntnation.com'; Stephane Matis; 'Marina Brown';
misc@openbsd.org
Subject: RE: Starband && OpenBSD



> Actually, this isn't correct. 

Can you send proof ? 
  
> A) The newest Starband models are ETHERNET and USB. In fact, the docs 
> indicate that Ethernet is the preferred method (standard 10baseT RJ45 
> connectioin) of connection. The old models used USB only (they are no 
> longer sold). 

The old models were Ethernet router with USB bridges. I checked. I was
hoping they were still like this but no. 
The only thing I cannot cofirm is the newset Model 360 modem. It says
either USB or Ethernet. 
http://www.starband.com/join/order_now.htm#  and click on PC
Requirements 



> B) The software IS Windows-only. However, I believe if you do some 
> Google searches, you'll find how-tos on doing Linux, and they'd likely

> work just fine with OpenBSD -- it's purely TCP/IP configuration. The 
> Windows software basically just acts as a (good) proxy server for 
> caching, including DNS caching. So, you might want to actually put a 
> Windows box in to act as a gateway machine, then put an 
> OpenBSD or Linux 
> box behind that.... 

Thats what I was told. 
  
> C) The docs regarding VPN are simply talking about ping times... Since

> they are a sat connection, you're looking at big-block asymmetric 
> transfers (around 300-600K downloads, around 50-75K uploads) 
> with lousy ping times. So if you're playing some online games, then
this won't 
> work. But business apps, including most VPN-type apps I've seen, work 
> just fine. 

I recon easy IPSec over this is good. 

> I ENTHUSIASTICALLY recommend Starband -- I don't work for the company,

> and I'm not an installer -- but I've spec'd three installations of it,

> and the users all love it. Plus, in the right geographic situations, 
> it's the ONLY solution (that, and DirecPC). 


I would like to know more. This is good generic knowledge to have. Can
anyone else confirm a non-windows installation ? 

Cheers, 

Stephane