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From: colsmith@ihu1e.UUCP (Colsmith)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans
Subject: Re: Starlan?
Message-ID: <507@ihu1e.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 4-Dec-86 17:42:06 EST
Article-I.D.: ihu1e.507
Posted: Thu Dec  4 17:42:06 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 5-Dec-86 06:33:28 EST
References: <191000001@uiucdcs>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 32

> Has anyone had experience with AT&T's Starlan network?  I was wondering if
> this 1Mb/s, twisted pair, CSMA/CD network actually works over phone-grade
> wire. I also would like to know how easy it is to get networking hardware and
> software (especially for TCP/IP-based systems) and what it all costs.  We are
> going to have a lot of extra twisted pair running around our campus, and I
> think that this system might be able to provide a low-cost and relatively
> high-performance way to provide some people with a network. I would appreciate
> any information anyone has on this network.
> 
> Thanks, Doug Bellows

Starlan is a capable LAN.  It really can run over existing phone wire.  Makes
for a very attractive layout, no mounds of cable all over, and you can
still use the phone, too.  If you use this method, you need some technical
work in the phone wiring closet.

A connection lists about $720 for a PC, that includes both the hardware and
software.  Slightly higher for a 3B2 or etc.  The connecting cable for daisy 
chaining or connecting to a hub (NEU) is right in the box with the card.  It
is very thin and looks like ordinary modular-plug phone wire.  Note this is 
different from some (most?) LAN's that need special coax cabling and 
terminators and all that rot.  

You can do DOS-DOS, DOS-Unix, or Unix-Unix stuff with it.  Either Unix or
DOS machines can be used for DOS file servers.  On the UNIX side you can do
all the usual uucp/mail kind of things. I use it everyday, and although I 
am probably prejudiced about it, I think it's the right choice! ;-) Customers 
rave about ease of installation.  Easy to put up, easy to use.  You only pay 
for what you need, there is no fixed startup configuration.

Marcia Colsmith          AT&T Information Systems
ihnp4!ihu1e!colsmith     (312) 979-0320