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From: jcurran@SH.CS.NET (John Curran)
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.tcp-ip
Subject: Re: Miniumum hardware required to support SLIP connection?
Message-ID: <9106140213.AA07478@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>
Date: 14 Jun 91 00:44:43 GMT
References: <229@eclectic.COM>
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From: "David C. Kovar" 
> If one wanted to add dialup SLIP capability to a network, what is
> the minimum set of hardware required? You definitely need a modem,
> Telebit TrailBlazer, for example, but after that ... what? A Cisco
> router will do the trick, but is there anything less expensive?
> Basically, I'd like to be able to attach a modem to the phone line,
> the modem to a piece of hardware, the hardware to the Ethernet, and,
> with a minimum of configuration, be able to dial into that modem and
> establish a SLIP connection. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
> Thanks, in advance!

You've just describe the exact specifications of an existing product 
available from Telebit known as a "NetBlazer".  It consists of a 
Trailblazer modem and a mid-power router in a single box with an ethernet
interface. Once configured it will handle dialing in and establishing 
a SLIP or PPP connection. My interest in it stems from its ability to
automatically bring up line when a IP datagam is received, and subsequently
take down the line when idle. (just like the "dialupip" SLIP s/w available)

I'm not aware of any other routers which will initiate phone connections
automatically, but that doesn't mean that they're not working on it..

/John